Melton Hunt Club Point- to- Point Review – Sunday 13th May by Emma Forman

The Melton Hunt Club Point- to- Point took place at Garthorpe on Sunday in pleasant spring sunshine and the recent more favourable weather meant racing took place on “good” ground with the track looking magnificent. The highlights included win number twelve in points for Thetalkinghorse in a thrilling finish in the Davidsons Mixed Open race and a first double for Philip and Richard Armson.

Five runners went to post for the Davidsons Mixed Open where Thetalkinghorse (Tom McClorey) and Caryto Des Brosses (Dale Peters) were racing from a long way out; Thetalkinghorse took the lead at the last but the Caryto Des Brosses fought back and was only beaten by a head. “I saw a good stride at the last and he is so game.” Said Tom McClorey of Margaret Moody’s ten year old who is trained by Gerald Bailey and was defying a 12lbs penalty. His Excellency was back in third for Claire Hardwick and Mike Dawson. The first two past the post are now qualified for the Skinner’s Ladies Open Final at Stratford on Friday 8th June.

The first Armson winner of the day came in the opening Fox Landrover Melton Hunt Club Members Conditions race with Victoria Bream’s Max O, ridden by Philip Armson and trained by his father Richard, leading over the last fence to beat the Stuart Morris trained Bingo Star by a length. “Philip is an awesome jockey and this is awesome horse. I bought him from Dale Peters last season; having watched Philip getting started I wanted him to have something good to ride.” Said Mrs Bream, the excited winning owner. The plans for Max O could include a return to Garthorpe or a tilt at a Hunter Chase at Cartmel on 28th May; Philip’s 18th birthday.

Max O - Philip Armson and Gunmoney -John Russell

The second leg of the double came with Mackie Dee in the concluding Chandlers Farm Equipment Open Maiden race. Reportedly something of a tearaway at home, the six year old Mackie Dee was keen going to post and was always handy in the race. Three horses jumped the last fence together with Mackie Dee going on to beat Squeaky by half a length and the favourite Pelegrine Falcon who was a head away in third. The six year old Mackie Dee ran over hurdles for John Mackie before being gifted to owner Joanne Kearns at the beginning of the year. This was Philip’s fifth winner of the season and secured him the Leading Rider at Garthorpe award, which was presented by Clerk of the Course Brian Crawford. “It was really special to receive the trophy from Mr Crawford; Dad won it a number of times and to ride my first double on horses he trains is amazing, it has been a great day for me. “ Said the winning jockey. There are a busy few weeks ahead for the Armsons with Philip attending a course in Newmarket to gain his category B licence and also Comply With Me, who was third in a Point- to- Point flat race at the last meeting heading for Goffs UK sales in Doncaster next week.

John Chatfeild Roberts’ game mare She’s Real brought her tally of Garthorpe wins to six in the pointtopoint.co.uk Veteran Horses Conditions race over two and a half miles, providing rider Tom Chatfeild Roberts with his seventh win of the season. “She ran far too freely at Dingley last time, she settled better today and put in a great jump at the last.” Explained the winning jockey. She’s Real beat Blackwood Rover and Dicky Collinson by five lengths with Gallox Bridge and James Martin in third.

Dicky Collinson went one better later on when Chosen Rose won the Technical Turf Conditions race for Fillies and Mares. Trained by Andrew Pennock, Chosen Rose was one of four favourites to oblige when she beat Follow The Paint and Jack Andrews by three and a half lengths.

With some close and exciting finishes in most races Bayley’s Dream won by the wider margin of 6 lengths for the Aprahamian family in the Melton Mowbray Tyres PPORA Club Members Race for Novice Riders. Ridden by Billy Aprahamian, the 9 year old was recording his fourth win of the campaign.

Another close finish in the Jupiter Asset Management Ltd Restricted race saw Lords Park Star and Jack Day just hold on by a neck from the fast finishing Golan’s Choice. Trained by Laura Pomfret, the 9 year old Lords Park Star, the winner of an Irish maiden, showed signs of returning to formand seems suited by the better ground. Golan’s Choice, owned and trained by Danny Ablott, was given a great ride by first season jockey 19 year old Arthur Marshall, who despite some jumping errors, ran on brilliantly in the closing stages. The consistent Dulwich Hill and Tom Chatfeild Roberts were a length and a quarter away in third.

The Point- to- Point races were preceded by two pony races which as usual provided an excellent spectacle and it was fantastic to watch the future jockeys in action. The Treehouse Sporting Colours 148cm and under pony race for novice riders was won by 14 year old Jess Samuel Stewart and Pick Pocket, who benefitted from a fast start and went clear inside the final furlong. “She was very fresh today and was full of running. It has made the journey from Herefordshire worthwhile.” Said Mum Liz Samuels. Garthstone Royal Tribute and Lewis Dobb were in second with Harwent Miss Moneypenny ridden by Eliza Wadd in third. The Benton’s 148cm and under open pony race went to 15 year old Archie Frank and Judge Fox who went clear by a length near the finish. The second pony was Miss Wonderful and Violet Barton. Violet has enjoyed her time pony racing but is now 16 and looking to graduate to riding in horse races. “I am riding out at Laura Morgan’s stables and would like to ride in a Point- to- Point next year.” She said.

Emma Newton presenting the Midlands Area Leading Pony Rider Award to Violet Barton

Photo credits and copyright to Steven Rice of David Jones Media Productions.  Please contact David Jones to purchase photos from the Melton Hunt Club Point-to-Point