The final point-to-point of the Midlands Area season took place at Dingley racecourse, just outside Market Harborough in Leicestershire, on Saturday 13th May and produced doubles for jockey Jack Andrews and trainer Tom Ellis. Dale Peters trains and rides Thunderstruck, who made it two wins from the last three outings as he won the first […]
Pytchley with Woodland - Preview
Fresh from the start of our season at Revesby Races, the Midlands season continues to Dingley where the Pytchley with Woodland host their meeting on Monday 5th April.
Sadly this meeting has to take place behind closed doors. Please do not attend this meeting unless you are an official.
The highlight of the meeting will be the Mixed Open race, the fourth on the card. The stand-out of the 11 entries is Fumet D'Oudairies who, even with a 3lb penalty, may be difficult to beat. Winner of the Cottesmore Hunter Chase at Leicester last time out under Bridget Andrews, brother Jack gets the ride this time around. Always Lion, Benefit of Luck, Envoye Special, Global Tour and Knockedoutloaded have options in other races too.
The first race on the card is a joint hunts Members race which has attracted 8 entries. The youngest of this very experienced line-up could be one to watch. Early Retirement was impressive when second to Volnay de Thaix at High Easter last time. However, he won't run if the ground suits Easythingsarebest who is entered in the same race, and has the option of running in the PPORA Club Members race instead. Newsworthy won well at Revesby and will go again in this one if he recovers well. Proximo is another local favourite who will have support here but like a number in this race hasn't completed a race for a while.
The Novice Riders Race which follows includes Diplomate Sivola among its entries. This is a first season pointer which previously won in a Hunter Chase under David Maxwell and looks a strong contender if this course and ground suits him. Other horses which could feature here include Knockedoutloaded, who last raced here five years ago when winning the maiden under Gina Andrews, and ex-chaser Global Tour who is very capable but also top weight in this company, despite being a first time pointer. The latter has the option of the Mixed Open later in the card.
Early Retirement, also entered in the Members, has the option of the PPORA Club Members race, which is third on the card, if Bardista from the same stable doesn't run. This race has attracted a very healthy 24 entries so hopefully we can expect a good turnout on the day. Alan Hill brings Getting Closer, who has won an intermediate and was second in a Hunter Chase last time out. Gina Andrews' first ride of the meeting is Nigel Padfield's experienced veteran Excitable Island who, after a season off, may come back with a strong performance, but will be top weight. Always Lion is a first season pointer but has multiple wins under rules over shorter distances. Dale Peters has Benefit of Luck for James Henderson here, but this might run in the Mixed Open instead. Black Valentine is entered here but raced at Revesby so may need more time. Envoye Special, another first season pointer, is another with the option of the Mixed Open and also has entries on Easter Saturday.
19 Horses are entered for the Restricted race, which follows the Mixed Open at 4.20pm. Ones to watch here could include Barrack Hill, Famous Clermont, Fiddler of Dooney, Killinkere, Maitree Express and Rebel Dawn Rising. The Triple Pillar runs on Saturday instead.
The Maiden is as interesting as ever, with three entered for the Ellis/Andrews team, and two each for David Kemp, Jonathan Barlow and Francesca Nimmo. There are the usual fluctuations in racing weights too, with five horses qualifying for 14lbs. Nice to see Tommie O'Brien has a ride, with the well-named Guinness Village.
The last race of the day will be The Jockey Club Maiden for Mares and Fillies, run over two and a half miles. Latenightfumble and Urban Waltz both have seconds in their form over the longer 3-mile maiden distance. Several horses are making their racecourse debut here, including Francesca Nimmo's four-year-old Hope des Blins with a stone of allowance.
- Declarations for EASTER fixtures must be submitted by 1200 WEDNESDAY, NOT Thursday.
- To avoid confusion, please do not declare horses for different fixtures on same e-mail – they get mislaid.
- If using photos send one at a time. They only show up slowly and so can be missed.
- List horses and races at top of e-mail to ensure no mistakes.
Also, a reminder that registration for Easter fixture tickets must be completed by 12pm Thursday.
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