14 April 2008 Atherstone - Clifton-on-Dunsmore
Paulinski: the selection in the TBA/MFHA PPORA Mares & Fillies Championship Final
A very good entry of 179 has been received for this coming Sunday's annual Atherstone Hunt Point-to-Point meeting at Clifton-on-Dunsmore, near Rugby. A large crowd is anticipated as the feature race is the TBA/MFHA PPORA Mares Maiden Championship Final which has attracted horses from many parts of the country. The course itself is reported to be in fine condition. The first race is scheduled for 1.00pm. Admission prices are as last year, £8 per head with children under 16 free.
The first race on the eight race card is the Members Race, sponsored by M. J. Carter Associates, which has eight entries. The Sarah Phizacklea owned and trained Another River was an impressive winner last week at Guilsborough. Jubilee George won well the following day at Brafield. However, True Friday, the probable mount of Richard Armson, looks to be the selection.
Howkins & Harrison sponsor race two, the Confined race, which has an entry of 19. Gerald Bailey has the in form Cheyne entered, a winner last week; Sovereign Quest won the Melton Novices Final last year and has finished second twice this season; and Sleep Bal was a decent second at Garthorpe recently. Others in with a chance are the Hutchinson's Silver Buzzard and Sweet Citizen from the Williams camp.
The TBA/MFHA PPORA Mares Championship Final has attracted an entry of 17 and this looks an exciting race. Kiama, a winner at Cherrybrook, will have the assistance of leading lady rider Polly Gundry; Me Julie and Mrs White won at Bangor and Upton-upon-Severn respectively; however, local rider Stuart Morris looks set to ride Paulinski, who has won twice at Garthorpe this year and is the selection.
Race 4 is the Men's Open race which has attracted an entry of 28. Trinity Motors of Hinckley have kindly sponsored here. This again looks to have the ingredients of a close race. Noakarad de Verzee was an Open winner at Godstone early season; Sleep Bal was placed at Garthorpe; Coolefind, a winner last weekend at Guilsborough, may wait for a later race; so, with this in mind, The Hookie Bookie, who may have Tom Ellis in the saddle, is just preferred.
The Ladies Open race has attracted an entry of 23 and is sponsored by James Bennett Limited. Limerick Leader won with plenty in hand at Dingley and the stable is back in form; Viscount Bankes has had a spell of runs in Hunter Chases; so the possible winner is Virgin Soldier, the mount of Jill Dawson, who won at Market Rasen early season.
G. & C. A. Lee of Tamworth sponsor race six, the Restricted Race, in which 34 are entered. Another River, also entered in the opening race, won well last week; Mad Victor ran a good second at Eyton-on-Severn and continues to improve; however, Farmer Frank was an easy winner at Thorpe Lodge in a Members and is the selection.
Division 1 of the Maiden race has attracted an entry of 25, and the race is sponsored by the late Mrs Harry Barton & Family. The Factor was second in a similar race at High Easter; Call Me a Lady ran second when well fancied at Guilsborough last weekend; however, the unraced Bentoto from the Mike Dawson stable is highly thought of and just gets the vote.
25 are also entered for division 2 of the Maiden race sponsored by Sharnford Tractors. The eight year old Souk Al Jabba has shown promise in a couple of runs this year, but it may pay to side with Hugo Hackenbush who finished quite well in a Garthorpe Maiden over 2½ miles recently.
Clifton-on-Dunsmore racecourse is situated next to the A5, 3 miles north west of M1, junction 18, 2 miles east of Rugby.
