The penultimate fixture in the Midlands area is the point-to-point hosted by the Fernie at Dingley on Sunday 30th April 2023.
The first of six horse races is scheduled for 2pm and of course there will be numerous trade stands to explore, caterers providing food and drink, a licensed bar, fun dog show, bookmakers and children’s amusements including a mini-fair to ensure that there is something for all the family. Bring a picnic and tailgate before enjoying some great racing.
The feature race of the meeting is the third race, the Welland Valley Feeds Mixed Open, now a race over three miles rather than the traditional four. The nine entries here are made up largely of very talented first season pointers like Radnor Lodbrok, Seven No Trumps and I K Brunel. Alongside them are more experienced horses like Foxhunters entry Go Go Geronimo, Al Shahir who won at Garthorpe last season, No Hassle Hoff and Golden Tobouggan.
Prior to this the first race of the afternoon is a two and a half mile Maiden Race, sponsored kindly by Watling JCB. There are 19 horses entered for this race so we should see a good number of these start. A number are making their racecourse debut but others have some form, including horses with a second placed finish on their only previous outing.
Charles Stanley have sponsored the second race, a Conditions Race for Novice Riders who started this season with fewer than five wins to their name. Bawnmore is one to watch in this one, with promising jockey Ellie Holder riding for trainer Tom Ellis. The combination have two wins from three runs this season so far. Harry Arkwright rides Muckamore, another strong contender, trained by Francesca Poste and a winner last time out. Twilight Girl is another very capable hunter/pointer who is likely to race prominently in this one.
The Sharnford Tractors Restricted Race follows the Mixed Open with nine entries. Bestfriend Barnaby is the best rated in this field and has two wins to their name so far. It would be significant if they make the trip from Shropshire for this one but the do have a second entry for Eyton on Bank Holiday Monday. Stuart Morris’ stable is represented by Classic Ruler and will have Jack Andrews in the saddle, while Francesca Poste trains the grey In Our Dreams, winner of his maiden at Chaddesley Corbett a fortnight ago. John Dawson trains eight-year-old Duke Account, a winner last time out. Kelly Morgan may saddle five-year-old Definite Call but also has the five-year-old entered for the last here. The Suffolk yard of Edward Turner is represented by Mister Splash who won at High Easter in soft ground. Others here include Dunworley for Richard Pringuer, Highland Glory for Alan Hill, and Kostantina for Philip Lutman.
The penultimate race of the afternoon is a Conditions Race for Veteran Horses which is sponsored by Matthew Teece Fencing. The stand-out horse here should be Clondaw Westie who has only had a single run this year but that should have freshened him nicely. They do, however, have two other entries over the weekend. Tom Ellis is sending Pass The Glass, second and third on two runs this season, but Jack Andrews in the saddle this time. Another to watch could be Spider Web for Jon Barlow.
The Rod Millington Maiden Race, the last on the card, has been generously sponsored by Travis Perkins. Thirteen are entered here but some have other entry choices over this busy weekend of pointing around the country. Some of these maidens have some form, but others are making their debut between the flags.
Fences have been sponsored by Fisher German and Deene Park and the car passes were kindly sponsored by King West. Winning mementoes have been donated by Rockingham Castle and The Fairfax and Favor Rockingham International Horse Trials, while the jockeys' prizes were provided by Phillips Sutton Associates. The Best Turned Out prizes are supported by Harry Drew Construction.
The Quorn's meeting at Garthorpe Racecourse is on Saturday 22nd April. Gates open at 11am and the first race is at 2pm.
The course at Garthorpe is receiving regular inspections, and at the time of writing the Clerk of Course Jim Culloty reckons that with the current dry forecast the fresh track that he has prepared will be on the easy side of good ground.
There are six races on the card, followed by a schooling race which will not feature in the race card and not be subject to any betting or official results.
The first of these is a Conditions race for horses of five-years-old and upwards, sponsored by The Fox & Hounds in Knossington. Prairie Town, Fortunes Hill, For Rita and Bawnmore all won their last races but the most in-form horse in this line up could well be Ballinagore, trained by David Kemp, who won here at this meeting last year, won at the course in February and won earlier this month at Higham. Tom Ellis has several entered here but the likely runner is Walkonthewildside, with Jack Andrews in the plate, a horse who has two wins and two thirds from his four starts in points. The James Owen-trained Twilight Girl is a very capable horse, with three wins and two seconds before a fall last time, and Morning Vicar, trained by Edward Turner is another to watch, but also has an entry in the next.
After this we have the feature race of the day, the Robert Whowell and Partners Mixed Open Race. The quirky Caryto des Brosses heads the ratings for this race, having only run in hunter chases this season. Trained by David Kemp and owned by John Ridge, he has won on this course multiple times and has beaten other horses entered in this race. Dundrum Wood will definitely be challenging though. Ridden by Martha Reeve for her Grandmother and trained by Tom Ellis, this nine-year-old in in form, with four wins from his last four starts. Badbad Leroy Brown had his first outing for the season at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday when he finished second to Dundrum Wood in the Mixed Open. Santon will be the most local of runners, trained up the road from the course by Kelly Morgan for John Chatfeild-Roberts. Meisha Micklewright has the ride. Cullin Hills has run eight times since the new year and has won five of those for the William Milburn stable, but this would be a step up in race. Black Op has a win and a second from three runs this year.
The Restricted race is kindly sponsored by Melton Mowbray Market and is our third of the afternoon. These are all horses with a maiden win one their record, with Paper Mill, trained by Michael Kehoe, and Sleek 'n' Chic, ridden and trained by Bradley Gibbs, both winning last time out. Zac Baker makes a welcome return to Garthorpe to ride Gamalou d'Alene for Charlie Willes while local trainer Jon Barlow saddles Horizon Dove, second here in March, with Paddy Barlow in the plate. Raleagh Flora returns to pointing after a brief return to racing under rules.
At 3.45pm The Prestwold Hall Conditions Race for Novice Riders will start, with ten horses entered. Barrack Hill should be well fancied here, depending on who ends up riding him, having won here at the Belvoir meeting in March. Give Us A Swig had a reasonable career under rules but was 6th last time when racing here in February. Manicman is another who knows how to win a point-to-point, but only has one run this season which brought hum a third. Wishful Dreaming looks quite good on paper, with wins and second placed finished under rules, but hasn't yet completed a point-to-point for new owner/rider Isla John. Take to Hear, from the Turner stable in Suffolk, has won with Rupert Stearn in the plate but now has Miss C. G. Butler on board. The Andrew Pennock-trained Sum It Up has run five times this season and has a couple of second placed finishes. Ridelonglivelong is trained by Cherry Coward and has also been placed a couple of times. Nortonthorpelegend finished second on one of its six runs so far this year.
Two Maiden races for horses which have not yet won a race complete the card. The first of these is the William Hercock Open Maiden. Phillippa Taylor owns and trains Ultra Viers, looking to go one better than the three seconds from four runs so far this season, and her daughter, Phoebe Jones, rides Elmdale who was promising at Dingley before unseating the rider and finished third at Edgcote. Horizon Dove, ridden by Paddy Barlow for Jon, was second on his only outing between the flags, here at Garthorpe. Below The Radar is ridden by Alice Stevens for Francesca Poste, while another five-year-old, There's Claude, has a third and a second from his two runs. A couple here are yet to complete a race.
Finally The Goffs UK Maiden for Four and Five-Year-Old horses completes the card, and is run over the shorter distance of two and a half miles. Six of the fourteen horses entered here are making their racecourse debut. She Won't Mind has raced once in a point-to-point flat race while Nothingelsematters and Carapaz fell on their only outing. There's Claude, Wottinger and Buy Some Time have all had top three finishes in their previous runs.
As previously mentioned, there will be a schooling race to follow these but there will be no betting on this race and runners and riders will not be publicised. Throughout the day there will be plenty to do, including children's amusements, trade stands, a licensed bar and catering stands. Why not bring a picnic and enjoy a day out with the family? Entry on the gate is £15 for adults, and under-16s are free. Dogs are very welcome but must remain on a lead at all times, preferably attached to something sensible.
The South Notts Point-to-Point fixture is at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday, with the first race at 1.30pm.
Thorpe Lodge racecourse has postcode NG23 5PY and What3Words address hurt.dispenser.central and is signposted from Farndon Village on the old A46, just south of Newark. The gates open at 11am, with tickets on the gate costing £12.50 via cash or card. Under 16s are free and you can buy a racecard on the gate for £2.50.
At the time of writing the going at Thorpe Lodge is Good to Soft, Soft along the back straight. This will be updated via our social channels and our website through the week.
The dog show starts at 2pm. Entry is £1 so please try to bring change if you are planning to enter. Rosettes in each class plus a Champion in Show. Junior handlers will all get Easter eggs.
“Bark and Go” Lure Racing is an exciting form of dog racing which you can try at our point-to-point. Can your dog be the fastest of the day? All proceeds go towards Drone to Home, which is a local dog tracing charity, which has been used by thousands of people to find their lost dogs.
We have a large selection of trade stands, selling everything from equestrian clothing to accessories for your pets. The Injured Jockeys Fund are also bringing their stand to remind us all of the important role they provide to racing as a whole.
A wide variety of food outlets are coming, from Italian to Indian, toasties and loaded fries. This year there are two bars, two coffee stands, and ice cream for those feeling summery.
Due to the number of fixtures over the Easter weekend, many horses are entered for multiple races at more than one fixture, with the decision as to where to go made nearer the day. 40 of the 55 horses entered here at Thorpe Lodge have entries at other meetings over the weekend too. If a horse mentioned here isn't at the meeting, this could be why.
The big race of the afternoon is the Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open at 2.40pm which will feature the very best horses on the circuit. The market leader may be Ragnar Lodbrok, trained by Jennifer Owen in East Anglia and ridden by Alex Chadwick. They have won two races this season and been placed in the other two but also have an entry at Dingley on Easter Saturday. Rebel Dawn Rising had his first proper run of the season in the same race at Garthorpe a fortnight ago and won it with effort to spare. Southfield Theatre is a very talented veteran pointer with two seconds and a win this season. Also very much in the hunt will be Desire de Joie (Archie Wright) for Nick Wright, Badbad Leroy Brown for Stephen Wiles, Dundrum Wood (Miss M. Reeve) for Tom Ellis, Early Retirement for Dale Peters, Getting Closer (Izzie Marshall) For Alan Hill, Muckamore (Harry Arkwright) for Francesca Poste and The Whistle Blower (Paddy Barlow) for Jon Barlow. An excellent race in prospect.
The first of our point-to-point horse races is the Ladies Conditions race, sponsored kindly by Frank Key. Izzie Marshall has the ride on Normofthenorth for Alan Hill and the Three Farmers and a Gardener Partnership. This nine-year-old has won its last two races but may face strong opposition from the in-form partnership of Ellie Holder and Champagne Noir, who have two wins in the Novice Riders series this season so far. Tigerbythetail has the option to run in the intermediate race here but has won three in a row to reach this level in his first season and will probably choose this race. If Early Retirement chooses this race over the Open then Lucy Wheeler would ride, they will decide between now and then. Similarly Amber Jackson-Fennell has the ride on For Rita, and they, along with Present Ranger may race at Dingley two days previously instead. Between The Waters may choose the Open instead of this race; Spider Web sees Alice Stevens ride for Jon Barlow, and Take To Heart represents the Turner team from Suffolk, who have been in good form this season.
The Intermediate race which follows this is sponsored by Triangle Kia and promises to be a good competition. The New Kid is trained and ridden by Dale Peters for Liz Inman and Tim Tarratt and tops the ratings but horses like Ballinagore (Alex Chadwick for David Kemp), Coolagh Park (Izzie Marshall for Alan Hill), Itsallintheclouds (Gina Andrews for Tom Ellis) and Runwiththetide (Alice Stevens for Kelly Morgan) have all got recent form at the lower level. Nick Wright's Tekap (Archie Wright), The Picnic Partnership's Hung Jury (Amber Jackson-Fennell) and Angela Yeoman's Southfield Lily (Lily Bradstock) are others to watch.
Restricted horses have only won a single race to date, and their race, sponsored by Frank Key, is the penultimate point-to-point of the day. Ten entries here include Secret Scripture, yet to complete in points but well-rated, Urban Grit (Izzie Marshall) from Alan Hill's string, and one of either Mount Pleasant and Money Spinner, both of whom won for the Wright's a fortnight ago. Midlands area trainers are well represented here with Classic Ruler for Stuart Morris, Courtly Love for Laura Pomfret, Doctor Tom for Kelly Morgan, and Fortunes Hill for Jon Barlow.
The last point-to-point of the day is the Maiden where a mare received a weight allowance but there are none given for age. Biddys Wild Child (Alice Stevens) and Lucky Casino make their racecourse debuts here, while Marie's Girl would be racing in points for the first time after some time under rules. Tango Pete, Taita Sunrise, Gunteur, Gabrielle de Balon, Crobally Boy and All The Ammunition all have second placed finishes this season.
After racing, stay around for the South Notts Hunt Challenge. Eight non-jockeys go to post for this popular event, and ride one and a half times around the track to try to match an optimum time. Last year's winner, equine vet Roger Lee, joins us again. He has competition from local legend Mark Chatterton and rare horse breed campaigner Bruce McKim among others.
point-to-point-racing/2023/belvoir-garthorpe-26mar23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photos of the Belvoir meeting at Garthorpe.
A four-timer for Jack Andrews and trainer Tom Ellis at Garthorpe on Sunday completed another remarkable feat for the unstoppable G&T Racing team, as they finished the weekend with ten winners from ten runners across four different meetings.
The first of the team's wins came in the Restricted race, sponsored by Fairfax Saddles, where Pippa Ellis' Latenightrumble came home four lengths ahead of James Henderson's Bloodstone, with George Henderson in the saddle. " He's a much bigger, longer, slow burn developer than the rest of the family", Tom Ellis told me, before adding that Latenightrumble will now go on holiday until next season.
The Roythornes Intermediate race saw Jack Andrews first across the line again, this time on All Is True, this time for The Oak Partnership. This was a well-timed race, during which Frisson Collonges (Fred Henderson) and Tekap (Archie Wright) had been prominent before the winner had taken over the lead with two to jump to win comfortably. "He's an exciting horse for the future, our lad, and he will now head for the Intermediate final at Cheltenham", Tom Ellis said.
Bawnmore was the third of the Ellis team's winners, making history in the process as the winner of the longest race at Garthorpe in memory. The Chandlers Country Stores Conditions race was run over 3 miles and six furlongs and three starters all made strong contributions to the pace. Amber Jackson-Fennell led for much of the race on the eleven-year-old In Arrears after Sugar Baron and Archie Wright had set the early pace. Jack Andrews played a waiting game, staying with the other two until two out, then moving through to win this one by eight lengths from Sugar Baron, after In Arrears pulled up.
Finishing the day with the last of the four winners on the card, Andrews brought Pep Talking, a five-year-old by Pether's Moon, home in front of Horizon Dove (Paddy Barlow) in the last race, The Teigh Old Rectory Bed and Breakfast 2 mile 4 furlong Maiden.
The blue riband race of the day was the Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open race. David Kemp had Rebel Dawn Rising in this, an odds-on favourite despite being very unluckily brought down at Fakenham in the Robert Hoare Memorial Hunter Chase on 17th March. Here, he made all, but as David Kemp said to me afterwards, “he just did enough”, as he ran in comfortable ahead of Janika (Rupert Stearn for Edward Turner) and First Drift (Jack Andrews for Maximillian Kendrick)
Earlier the opener had seen a welcome return to the Winner’s Enclosure for Jon Barlow who won the W. Spence and Son Hunt Members race with Barrack Hill, piloted by Paddy Barlow. This was one of the closer finishes on the day, as Kelly Morgan-trained Chahuteur came out of retirement for one last race under Tom Chatfeild-Roberts for his Father John. Becky Smith’s Square Viviani was in the race until the final turn and finished third.
The three mile Maiden was sponsored by Skelton Farms and Ponton Grange Liveries and was a match race between the Andrew Pennock-trained The Pier Field, ridden by Amber Jackson-Fennell and Money Spinner, trained by Nick Wright and ridden by Archie Wright. Despite being a typical match race, the finishing time was only about ten seconds slower than the mixed open, as the ex-Philip Hobbs hurdler Money Spinner made all to finish nine lengths clear of The Pier Field who made a mistake at the second last and never got back into it. Archie Wright said, “He really suffers from anxiety so we’ve just tried to keep it simple with him. We don’t really have a plan for him but he feels like a fast horse despite being bred as a stayer.”
Midlands Pointing now looks forward to the Easter weekend with two meetings to look forward to. On Easter Saturday the Pytchley with Woodland will host their point-to-point at Dingley and the South Notts are our hosts at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday.
After the disappointing cancellation of the Pytchley meeting at Guilsborough on 12th March, Midlands Point-to-point racing returns to Garthorpe this Sunday for the Belvoir meeting.
The clocks will have gone forward early on Sunday morning so the first race is at 2pm.
All traffic heading for Garthorpe should be aware that on Sunday 26th there is also a cycle race in the area which has been allowed to close the road between Melton Mowbray and Stapleford (the main approach to Garthorpe from the West) between 1045am and 11.30am. We will post a map of the race course on our social media channels but it is worth noting that the organisers assure us that any road closures will be limited to a maximum of 10-15 minutes.
Racing gets underway with a Hunt Members race sponsored by W. Spence and Son. There are three horses entered with a Belvoir entry leading the ratings in the form of Barrack Hill. This eleven-year-old gelding is owned by Judith and Barrie Holt and trained in the Vale by Jonathan Barlow. His last run in point-to-points was at Sheriff Hutton last April when he won the restricted race on similar ground. Also flying the flag for the Belvoir is Chahuteur, trained just down the road from Garthorpe by Kelly Morgan for John Chatfeild-Roberts. Also, eleven this season, he's only completed two of his four starts. Square Viviani challenges these from the Cottesmore country, where he is trained by Becky Smith for Ryder and Alex Sugden. He's only had one race between the flags, in which he came fourth of nine.
There are five horses entered for the Fairfax Saddles Restricted race. Bloodstone is trained by owner James Henderson and has had two second place finishes this season. Latenightrumble is the next exciting Late Night progeny from the Ellis family, hoping to make the jump to intermediate on his third run. Phil Lutman owns and trains Kostantina which will have a 7lb mare's allowance but hasn't been seen yet this season. Lies About Milan makes the trip from the Cotswolds and Derek Smith brings Worth Presenting from Shropshire for Bart Ryan-Beswick.
There is plenty of recent form in the line up for the Intermediate race, next on the card, kindly sponsored by Roythornes. Ballinagore represents in-form trainer David Kemp having won well here at Garthorpe on his last outing. Alex Chadwick gets the ride. Newly crowned "World's Tallest Jockey" has options in this race, in the form of All Is True for the Ellis team, with two wins this season already, and Meetuatnine, trained by Stuart Morris for Julie Marriott, a winner last time at Horseheath. Foxhunters winner Bradley Gibbs trains and rides mare Honey I'm Good who is sure to feature. Lagan Valley is in very good shape for Julie Wadland, with two wins from four starts this season - a very promising six-year-old. Frisson Collonges is one of two entries for James Henderson, another horse to win last time at Larkhill. The other Henderson-trained horse entered is Bloodstone, also entered in the first.
The Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open is the feature race of the day, and part of the National Series. Top-rated of the ten entries is Caryto des Brosses, a high class hunter/pointer who is very difficult to beat on the right day. His first outing this season produced a win in the Southwell Hunter Chase on 6th March for trainer David Kemp. Badbad Leroy Brown hasn't yet run this season but has form on this course, having won the mixed open here two years ago on quicker ground. Tom Ellis-trained Jetaway Joey, with wins in two of his three runs as a pointer, is likely to be the mount of Jack Andrews, while Midlands Championship leading jockey and trainer Dale Peters will be on Rebel Dawn Rising, another useful hunter/pointer. Mr Snuffles will represent Laura Richardson and be another to watch, along with First Drift and Homme d'Un Soir.
The first of two maidens is next, kindly sponsored by Skelton Farms and Ponton Grange Liveries. This maiden is over three miles and without age allowances for the younger horses. All these horses are yet to win a race but some to have a look at include Mount Pleasant for the Wright family; Mugs of Champagne and Sleek 'n' Chic, both trained by Bradley Gibbs; Blackjacktennessee, from the yard of Philip Rowley, and The Pier Field, for Andrew Pennock. Nick Wright's Money Spinner is an ex-chaser who was unluckily brought down in his first outing in point-to-points.
The Chandlers Country Stores Conditions race, our penultimate of the day, is a stayers race over 3 miles 6 furlongs for horses of six years and over and has seven entries. Sugar Baron is owned and trained by Nick Wright and was fourth on his only trip this season. G&T Racing are represented by Bawnmore (Jack Andrews) who won at Horseheath in December. First Drift could choose this over the open.
To end the afternoon's racing we have the Teigh Old Rectory Bed and Breakfast 2 mile 4 furlong maiden which does offer weight allowances for the younger horses. As as result, four of the entries will carry 14lb less than their rivals. Mugs of Champagne and Sleek 'n' Chic have second entries here so we should assume that one will run in each race. Six horses here have no point-to-point form at all, but one of those, Horizon Dove, was second on her last two runs as under rules. Tom Ellis has two entries here for Pep Talking, second on his only outing, and Wicked Thoughts, making his racecourse debut.
We look forward to seeing you at Garthorpe on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance from our website midlandspointing.com, or from garthorpe.com. You can also pay on the gate with cash or card. Children under 16 are free. Dogs are welcome but please keep them on a lead. You can even enter them into our dog show!
Last weekend an awards luncheon was held at The Safari Bar at Van Oppen Polo in Corby.
With many thanks to Area Vice-Chair James Morgan, here are a few photos of the award winners.
Midlands Pointing are delighted to two new appointments within the Midlands Area.
Kelly Morgan has kindly agreed to represent the Midlands Area at PPORA meetings. Kelly is a popular face within the area as a winning jockey who has since trained under rules and between the flags.
James Morgan has been appointed to a new role as Vice Chairman of the Midlands Area Point-To-Point Association, in which he will assist our Chair Charlie Moore, who has agreed to continue for another term. James has been involved with pointing for many years, most recently helping to organise the Fitzwilliam meeting.
[Photos of the meeting point-to-point-racing/2022/fitzwilliam-dingley-28may22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can be found here]
Visitors to the Dingley racecourse for the Fitzwilliam meeting on Saturday were treated to some excellent racing and brilliant individual performances.
The recent run of dry weather and the late stage in the point-to-point racing season might have made it difficult to attract runners, but the incredible hard work of the ground maintenance team at Dingley produced a perfect racing surface and the trainers responded to ensure we had competitive racing across the card.
There was a double on the card for the James Owen stable, based in Newmarket, and their jockey Alex Chadwick, the first of which was in the first race of the day, the Conditions race, sponsored kindly by Polyco Healthline. Their nine-year-old gelding Fiddler of Dooney won this one for them to beat Bawnmore, the mount of Gina Andrews, by eight lengths, with Sum It Up a couple of lengths behind them. Favourite and local horse My Uncas was back in fourth place on this occasion.
The bookmakers might have done well out of the first race but the Stacks Property Search PPORA Club Members Race for horses of 8-years-old and over which came next went very much to form as Present Ranger won by twenty-odd lengths under Immy Robinson for Tik Saunders and owner Sheena Harris, who scored her first winner after 38 years as an owner. Poncherello, second favourite and second through the flags, ran well and may look to run again for Tim Garton at the final meeting of the season at Garthorpe on the 1st June.
The third race was the Mens Open, a two-horse race, and one of those tactical match races which can go either way on the day. Dale Peters riding the Gerald Bailey-trained Early Retirement, a winner here already this season, led the way from For Rita and James King, racing for Francesca Poste at a predictably steady pace for the first couple of circuits but when King asked the mare to push on after the open ditch on the final lap, they looked to have the race won. Early Retirement wasn't beaten yet, though and the final two obstacles made it clear that neither horse was going to be able to make a break away. They jumped the last absolutely together and it was only in the run-in that Peters was able to put a single length between Early Retirement and For Rita to produce a great finish which really got the crowds going.
The Ladies Open which followed this was rather more one-sided, as Shona Westrope's Dundrum Wood (Gina Andrews), three times a winner already this season, produced another good run to beat Taafes Castle (Miss S. Kitts), who themselves put in an impressive performance, by seven lengths. Dry Ol'Party (Miss C. Emsley) was third some way behind these. "Gina rode him more positively than on his last outing today. He's a really nice one to go to war with again next year. He's got a big engine and a good jump on the whole as well. There is a decent race in him somewhere hunter chase-wise at some point." Tom Ellis said.
This win gave Gina Andrews and Tom Ellis their 61st winner of the season as a training team, putting them way clear in the championship standings and breaking several records. It was Gina's 47th winner of the season in point-to-point races.
The first of two maiden races was a conventional three-mile affair which saw the Luke Price-trained Aracaras start as a strong favourite with James King in the saddle. There was also money in the paddock for Ghostship, a five-year-old from the James Owen stable, and it turned out to be smart money, as Alex Chadwick rode away from the opposition with three obstacles to jump and the other runners were unable to respond. "He is the biggest baby, but his jumping has always been the best thing about him. He's taken a long time just to fill out and strengthen up." said Andrew Sansome, representing the trainer. Second place went to Taita Hills (Joe Wright), 30 lengths behind the winner, and Aracaras (James King) was ten lengths behind him.
The last race of the day was a 2 and a half mile maiden race which saw eight runners come to post but only seven raced, as Lennox Again (Henry Crow) refused to start. It also produced the highest-priced winner of the day, as 14/1 shot Argentinian-bred Escoltador (Alice Stevens) led for most if not all of the race to win for trainer Kelly Morgan and owners Tik Saunders and Sheena Harris. Yes, after 38 years of waiting Mrs Harris had two winners on the day. "London buses!" she said as she came into the winners enclosure.
Alice Stevens said, "He rode exceptionally green, so I just kept it simple and kept him in the middle. His jumping warmed up well and I winged the last two and when James came up alongside I gave him a squeeze and he was away again."
We now move on to our last meeting of the season, at Garthorpe in the evening of Wednesday 1st June. Pony racing begins at 3.30pm and the first of six horse races is scheduled for 5.30pm. E-tickets at £12.50 will be available until 7pm on Tuesday evening but you will also be able to pay on the gate.