2pm Race 1 - PPORA Conditions Race kindly sponsored by Boiler Juice.
13 entered in the first race of the day. Championship chasing Jack Andrews has the choice of 3,
whichever he rides will have a big chance.
Minella Wizard ran well when second at the Easter meeting here, possibly the race came too
soon after his win at Brafield, Thunderstruck filled the same position here at the Easter meeting,
but what seems to be holding him back is his jumping if he puts it all together would be a threat
to all. The others are all pretty well exposed but any of them on their day are well upto running
well.
2.35pm Race 2 - The Restricted Race in Memory of Jamie Close kindly sponsored by Beryl
Close, Georgina Bentley and James Close.
Good number of entries for the restricted which have been struggling for entries most of the
season so it’s good to see. On paper looks a very competitive race, Champagne Glory looked
like a horse to follow in his first race at Garthorpe this season but surprisingly is still a restricted
horse which didn’t look likely with his great run there, who knows maybe this is the race he
finally gets out of the grade, Best Friend Barnaby however looks like a promising pointer and
with the underfoot conditions looking like being on the soft side could take all the beating,
Maskadam, Secret Scripture, Marton Abbey, Get Bye have shown good form and could also get
involved. Chibichou Duboutio was second on 2m4 here in April and won over that distance at
Mollington. If she stays she could run a big race too.
3.10 Race 3 - Mens Open kindly sponsored by Stacks Property Search.
Some old favourites here, Muckamore was a decent handicapper under rules for Nigel Twiston
Davies and him and Harry Arkwright are starting to form a partnership if they stay together they
could take all the beating, Jack Andrews rides Koyote for the first time and if she runs in this
over the ladies she would be an interesting runner. The Unmentionable early season form would
make him the horse to beat but hasn’t run up to that his last few runs so remains to be seen
which one turns up if the early season one turns up he’s a big player.
Red Maple ran well when second at Kempton in a Hunterchase over 2m4 on good ground so
this will be a different test but he could be upto it.
3.45 Race 4 - Ladies open kindly sponsored by The Sharp Family in memory of Cliff Sharp
Looks a very competitive race on paper without a stand out candidate, so hopefully most of
them turn up and it could be a good race, Southfield Theatre has been a real warrior for the
Bradstock family and must be a real favourite and still shows his love for the game at the grand
age of 15 and while maybe not the force of old I’m sure if he turns up here he will put on a good
show again, Solomon Grey ran another big race at the Cheltenham Hunter Chase evening so
would be a surprise if he turned out quickly but if he does would have a great chance, No
Hassle Hoff has formed a great partnership with Kate Gowing and have ran some good races
this season and I’m sure will run another big race again, and whatever beats him will probably win, Koyote could run here also and could have a chance of getting her first success in open
level. quite a few of the others have 2 ways of running but if turn up in good form are more than
capable of being competitive.
4.20 Race 5 - 3 Mile Maiden kindly sponsored by Will & Georgie in memory of Fred Roughton
15 entered here, Hugh de Lacy has had 3 runs in Irish points and was a promising 3rd in his
second run but didn’t back that up when pulled up next time but having his first run for the
Rowley team he would appear to have a leading chance, there’s a few in here that have started
their careers in Irish maidens then made there way over here, Dunworley has ran 2 time since
making the switch coming 2nd both times but does probably need to improve to be getting his
head in front, Vango Vick has ran twice for Nigel Padfield coming respectable 4th and 2nd so
could have a live chance too. The once raced Saynothingtonoone ran a nice race when 3rd at
Askham Bryan and was not knocked about when his chance was gone so if improves for that
outing would appear to have a big chance too.
4.55 Race 6 - 2m4 maiden kindly sponsored by Polyco Healthline
19 entered here with 7 of them unraced so a lot of unknown qualities here, but with some top
stables represented there could be a nice one or 2 amongst them,
Most of the rest of them have only ran a hand full of times each so they can also still be
improving, Horizon D’ainay had a decent level of form under rules and ran a nice race between
the flags here 2 weeks ago when coming 2nd if he comes forward for that run would have a big
chance, she won’t mind ran a race full of promise at Garthorpe on her first run over fences
having come 5th in her bumper at Brafield in March and if jumping with a bit more fluency could
take the necessary step forward to go close. Nothinelsematters was running a big race first time
out when himself and a well touted newcomer from the Ellis stable where pulling clear of the
field at Charm Park before tipping up at the second last when still in with a shout although he
ran here 2 weeks ago and didn’t back that run up but if back to his first run would again have a
strong chance.
For this race in particular I think being around the paddock pre race could be the vital clue.
Dingley’s second meeting of the year was also the Midland Area’s penultimate fixture of the season, the Fernie’s, and brought a good number of runners to the Market Harborough course, where Charles Millington and his team had prepared an excellent racing surface.
The feature race of the afternoon was the Mixed Open for the Fernie Gold Cup, formerly the Four-Miler, sponsored by Welland Valley Feeds. Now run over three miles because of where the meeting sits in the calendar, this attracted three classy open horses who finished very much together. Seven No Trumps (B. Durrell), and Ragnar Lodbrok (Alex Chadwick) made much of the running, with No Hassle Hoff (K. Gowing) never far away. It was anybody’s race approaching the last, but Seven No Trumps made a mistake and lost two or three lengths and never really recovered, despite a spirited run-in. No Hassle Hoff put pressure on Ragnar Lodbrok but the classy eight-year-old, trained by Jennifer Owen for The Whisky and Water Partnership always had enough to win this one and crossed the line two lengths ahead.
“it’s tricky in these small open fields,” Alex Chadwick told me, “because I don’t want to hit the front too early. If there is someone upsides, he’s more likely to win. He’s run seven times this season. Won five times. This is the end of his season.”
The first of two maidens was a 2m 4 f race sponsored kindly by Watling JCB and won by the Jack Teal-trained Nowmelad, with John Dawson on board, who came home four lengths ahead of Horizon d'Ainay (T. McCain-Mitchell). Shakeyatailfeather (Miss A. Stevens) was a dozen or so lengths back in third. "I'm surprised his form has not been better," Jack said, "he's a very sure jumper at home. He's a tough hardy type of horse."
The Charles Stanley Novice Riders Conditions, next, produced one of the best finishes of the day as the heavily odds-on favourite Bawnmore (Miss E. Holder), trained by Tom Ellis, was caught in the run-in by Take To Heart (Miss C. G. Butler) who won by a neck at the flags. This was perhaps an overdue victory for the Turner family who have suffered seconditis on a number of occasions in the Midlands area this season, particularly to the Ellis team.
“I thought it was going to happen again!” Ben Turner said. “Luckily he got a good jump at the last. The ground is a bit quicker there, which he liked, and she [Charlotte Butler] rode a great finish.”
Arguably the best finish of the day came from the Restricted Race, sponsored by Sharnford Tractors. The three top-priced starters, Mister Splash (M. Dodd), Duke Account (J. Dawson) and In Our Dreams (Miss A. Jackson-Fennell). The distances were half a length each way but it was In Our Dreams who hit the line first.
“Amber rode with great judgement and was patient and then strong and made a challenge at the perfect moment. Yeah, it was a very exciting finish and even better when you come out on top.” Assistant Trainer Charlie Poste said.
The bookmakers made the Matthew Teece Fencing Veteran Horse Conditions Race a two horse race, and so it turned out, with Clondaw Westie from the Alan Hill stable, and the Tom Ellis-trained Pass The Glass the only two (from four) to finish. It was Pass The Glass who was victorious by seven lengths here, under Hack Andrews. “It’s been a horse plagued with issues,” Jack said, “It's just nice to get back back in the winner's enclosure. It looked like a good opportunity for him but they still got to go and do it and he'd done it well in the end”
Hot favourites, Dale Peters and Wereinthistogether, took the final race of the afternoon, the Rod Millington Maiden Race, kindly sponsored by Travis Perkins. The margin of victory was about seven lengths, from second favourite Just In A Bit.
Jockey and trainer Dale Peters was full of praise. “We've looking forward to this for a long time. He's just he's came together in prep. We bought him sell him, but I think we're gonna keep him now. So he's six now so I'll have to see my career out with him. He's the only reason I'm still writing today.”
The last of our Midlands Pointing fixtures is also here at Dingley, hosted by the Fitzwilliam on 13th May. Tickets are available on our website for a reduced price, with under-16s admitted free of charge.
There will be trade stands, catering, a licensed bar, a fun dog show and various other activities for all the family. We look forward to seeing you there.
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.
A dry week in the lead up to the Quorn’s point-to-point on Saturday 22nd April produced some excellent racing on soft/good to soft ground at Leicestershire’s home of racing, Garthorpe racecourse.
The meeting also broke new ground by hosting a schooling race, organised by Clerk of Course Jim Culloty which provided an opportunity for trainers to give horses a run in a more relaxed environment, with no betting or recorded results.
Unfortunately a bit of confusion between trainers resulted in several of them avoiding the first race, a conditions race sponsored by The Fox and Hounds in Knossington, in favour of others elsewhere. This left Ballinagore, trained by David Kemp for The Oak Partnership, as the only declared entry. Alex Chadwick completed a walkover and the horse will now head to Mollington for the mixed open there, with a view to an entry in the John Corbett as the ultimate aim.
The mixed open was our second race of the day and was kindly sponsored by Robert Whowell and Partners. Dale Peters led on Caryto des Brosses with Joe Wright on the well-backed Black Op and Martha Reeve on Dundrum Wood, both of whom looked like they could make this a good race. In the end, though, “Frenchie” showed his class to win by seven lengths to dispel trainer David Kemp’s fear that he didn’t seem 100% in the run up to the meeting. Dundrum Wood was second for the jockey’s Grandmother Shona Westrope and Emma Clark-trained Black Op was third.
Melton Mowbray Market sponsored the Restricted Race, next, which was won by the hot favourite and only finisher Paper Mill. Charlie Case rode the seven-year-old for Michael Kehoe from the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, to victory after Karismatik, ridden by Max Chenery for Nicola Smith, had fallen at the second last.
The Novice Riders Conditions race, next on the card, was sponsored by Prestwold Hall. Give Us A Swig, ridden by Cian Murphy for Michelle Bentham, showed good pace to lead for much of this race, before running out at the downhill fence, three from home. This left Wishful Dreaming in the lead in the hands of Isla John and they, in turn, were headed when jumping the last by Sum It Up and Sean O’Connor. These two then contested an excellent finish won by Sum It Up by a neck at the flags. Third place went to Thomas Easterby on Barrack Hill which had started as the bookies’ favourite.
The William Hercock Maiden Race produced a very similarly close finish between Ultra Viers and Below The Radar. Alice Stevens had brought the latter into the lead with two to jump and looked to have done enough until a spirited rally by Ultra Viers and Joe Stevenson pipped them, literally, at the post. There’s Claude and Zac Baker were thirty lengths behind these in third.
Our last point-to-point race of the day was one of the national series of maiden races for four and five year-old horses sponsored by Goffs UK and run over two and a half miles. The four finishers in this one were led by Rehill Relic, ridden by Paddy Barlow for Tom Weston, who finished ten lengths clear of Wottinger (J. Dawson) and She Won’t Mind (A. Chadwick). “I’m encouraged by that,” Tom Weston told me, “it looked like he did that nicely.”
Midlands Pointing now travels back to Dingley for the last two meetings of this season, where the Fernie will host their meeting next Sunday, 30th April, and the Fitzwilliam will bring the season to a close on the 13th May.
On the fixture page for the Fernie meeting in the Planner, Race 1 has the incorrect length.
The first race is the Maiden Race, and is listed as being 2 miles and five furlongs in length. It should be listed as being 2 miles and four furlongs in length.
On April 25 it will be 30 years since British point-to-pointing became a path-finder for racing under Rules when staging a Sunday meeting.
The fixture at Ashorne in Warwickshire had a vicar’s blessing but no betting, although less than two years later the sport led the way again when holding a Sunday card with bookies at Tweseldown.
Now British pointing is gearing up for another first – in Britain at least – by staging a two-and-a-half-mile ‘schooling race’ tomorrow week (April 22) after racing at Garthorpe. Jim Culloty (pictured above), the former jockey who is clerk of the course at the Leicestershire venue, came up with the idea, although such events are common in his Irish homeland. The aim is to give young horses a more realistic experience of racing than they could gain from schooling at home, although horses up to the age of 12 can take part.
Of the event, which is open to horses from point-to-point and licensed trainers’ yards, Culloty says: “It’s our final meeting of the season, but the ground should be suitable and the fences are in great shape. It will give trainers of summer jumpers the chance to have a racecourse gallop over fences, while trainers of pointers might want to school a young horse for education.
“The BHA seem keen on the idea, and if we get enough interest we will put it on. Regarding similar races at Garthorpe in future it’s all up for discussion.”
Lyn Williams, who represents the BHA in advising point-to-pointing on disciplinary and integrity, says: “Anything that teaches a young horse and gives them more experience before their first race is a good thing. Going to the start, then starting and jumping among other horses will be very useful. Comments will be gauged afterwards to see if the idea might be widened.”
According to Culloty much of the leg work and permission seeking was undertaken by Anna Saunders, secretary of the Midlands Point-to-Point Association. She says: “Through the Point-to-Point Authority we approached the BHA and received a positive ‘yes’. Full medical cover will be in place and we have double checked the insurance position. It’s exciting for the sport.”
Culloty was keen to stress that, in common with a number of point-to-point courses, Garthorpe will be open for schooling the day after Saturday’s fixture. However, the schooling race provides an opportunity to provide young thoroughbreds with a race-day experience.
Open to horses aged from four to 12 inclusive and trained in licensed or point-to-point yards, the race will be limited to riders who hold a conditional or professional jockeys’ licence, a point-to-point riders’ certificate or Cat A or B licence, although they must not have a current medical red entry.
There will be no prizemoney or betting, nor will the racecard carry details of horses or riders. The safety factor is 14, although a second division could be staged, and the entry fee is £50.
Entries close at noon on Thursday (April 20) – further details via email to anna-saunders@live.co.uk
The Easter break might have started in glorious sunshine but rain through the night on Sunday evening and into Easter Monday morning caused a few concerns at Thorpe Lodge.
The course itself, however, held up well, and the public arrived in numbers to support this popular fixture, which offers excellent viewing.
Martha Reeve and her Grandmother Shona Westrope's Dundrum Wood made all in the Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open, our feature race, pulling away from Badbad Leroy Brown (Paddy Barlow) and Desire De Joie (Archie Wright) in the final stages. This was the combination’s 3rd win from 4 starts (the other was a second) and the talented horse's 7th win from ten in points.
In true April fashion, the Frank Key-sponsored Ladies Conditions, which was first on the card, started in overcast conditions, endured a biblical storm in the middle, and completed in light rain. So heavy was the hail which battered the runners that Gina Andrews told me afterwards that her ride, Tigerbythetail, had locked his head to one side and slowed to a canter at one point "I've never raced in anything like it," Gina said. Lucy Wheeler and Early Retirement pulled up.
The Triangle Kia Intermediate race, next on the card, gave us a dramatic final run-in, as three of the four starters battled hard to produce a great finish. At the flag, Paddy Barlow, riding Runwiththetide, stayed on well to deny the runner-up, The New Kid (Dale Peters) by 3/4 of a length. This time it was third for Gina Andrews and favourite, Itsallintheclouds, two lengths behind. Runwiththetide has started with two from two between the flags and must surely be one to watch.
The Jon Barlow-trained Fortunes Hill and Joe Wright were the first of three home in the Frank Key Restricted Race, finishing a comfortable 12-lengths clear of Classic Ruler (Dale Peters for Stuart Morris). Favourite Money Spinner (Archie Wright), a good winner last time at Garthorpe, was pulled up.
The last of our five point-to-point races was the three-mile Maiden, sponsored kindly by the Arable Alliance. Sadly only one of our three starters completed this one, as Joe Wright recorded a quickfire double on favourite, Crobally Boy, previously a runner at both Revesby and Brocklesby. Lord Pethers unseated his rider Ellie Callwood on the second lap and Biddy's Wild Child was weakening when he fell at the second last.
The day ended with a light-hearted Hunt Challenge, which saw six non-racing jockeys compete over a lap and a bit of the point-to-point course, trying to get as close as possible to a bogey time, set by the organisers and sponsors, Fernwood. Georgie Grace was deemed to have been the closest to the time on her horse, Captain Scarlet.
Midlands Pointing returns to Garthorpe in a fortnight's time as the Quorn host their point-to-point on the 22nd April. Their six-race card includes a Novice Riders Conditions race and a Goffs UK-sponsored Maiden for 4 and 5-year-olds. After racing at Garthorpe there will be a schooling race, for which you can find details on our social media channels.
The Easter weekend started in glorious sunshine, attracting a large and enthusiastic crowd to Dingley racecourse for the Woodland with Pytchley meeting on Saturday 8th April.
Six races on the card were well supported, with 32 runners across the card, a fitting reward for all the hard work put into the course by Clerk of Course Charles Millington and his team who had to deal with difficult weather in the run-up.
The feature race of the day was the Mixed Open, sponsored by Macintyre Hudson. Alex Chadwick and favourite Ragnor Lodbrok won this, making it three from five for the horse, owned by the Whiskey and Water Partnership headed by point-to-point stalwart Gerald Bailey, and trained in East Anglia by Jennifer Owen. "We love days like this." Gerald said, "It's about having the boot open!" Jennifer Owen added, "Alex rides him every day. He's a great asset to us and I think he enjoyed that." Ben Durrell finished second on board his own Bonamargy, and The Unmentionable (Dale Peters) was some way back in third.
Four runners started the first race of the day, the King West Hunt Members which saw Mountain Assault, trained and ridden by Dale Peters, time their race to perfection to draw clear before the last. This was the third win in succession for this combination. Favourite Minella Wizard was nine lengths back in second, with Lucinda Ticehurst's What A Moment in third with the owner on board. A special mention to Will Bishop, winner of many a top-flight hunt ride, who completed his point-to-point debut on board Top Up The Fashion.
Rathbones kindly sponsored the Conditions race which followed which saw Seven No Trumps, trained and ridden by Ben Durrell claim victory from second-placed Thunderstruck and Dale Peters, with evens favourite Walkonthewildside (Jack Andrews) back in third.
Seven horses started the Restricted which was sponsored by local pub chain Greedy Gordons. Yippee Ki Yay, trained by Nicky Sheppard for the Herbert family, won this easily with Milo Herbert in the plate. Jack Andrews, riding Champagne Glory for Stuart Morris and Mrs Latilla-Campbell, was a distant second and Dash Full Of Cash (Rupert Stearn for Jennifer Owen) was third.
Two maidens closed out the card, the first of which was a three-mile Open Maiden, sponsored by Berrys Accountants. Cottesmore Huntsman's wife and Hounds columnist Phoebe Jones led this for two laps on Elmdale before being unseated as they approached the Ashpoles. In the end home-bred five-year-old Chasing Glance made an excellent start to their racing career by coming home strongly, first of the seven runners under Jack Andrews for Tom Ellis. "A little bit of a surprise." Simon Andrews said, "He's obviously a nice horse and he jumped well, but had to be clever at a couple, including the last. A nice prospect." Maskadam started favourite and finished second for owner/trainer Dale Peters and third was Here's Bingo (Martin McIntyre).
The last race of the day was a two and half miles Maiden for mares and fillies, sponsored by The Jockey Club and BMTC Law. Robert Waley-Cohen's Chabichou Dupoitou (Martin Mcintyre) made most of the running here, but was headed coming down the final hill by Smugglers Haven and Alice Stevens, giving us the best finish of the day as these two contested the run-in. At the flag it was Smugglers Haven by a length to bring 50 winners between the flags for Alice Stevens. Queens Walk (Jack Andrews) had started favourite but bronked down to the first and looked a handful, pulling up with three to jump.