30 March 2008 Belvoir - Garthorpe
Paulinski: took the Restricted under Stuart Morris
Although a fairly strong wind kept spectators on their toes, quite a decent size crowd enjoyed some exciting racing at Garthorpe, when the Belvoir Hunt held the second of five meetings scheduled at this racecourse during the season.
First race of the afternoon was the Belvoir Hunt Members, Subscribers & Farmers race where four horses went to post. This race was sponsored by W. Spence & Son, (Blacksmiths). This produced the first of some close finishes during the day. Andrew Corbett on the joint favourite, Just Jove, looked to be going just the better than the ten year old, Hi Up Brenkley, ridden by Richard Armson, and held on to win by half a length at the line
The Intermediate race, sponsored by Connolly's Red Mills, saw a field of seven go to post. This race produced the fastest time of the day and resulted in a comfortable win for the in form Fred Hutsby on Mister Bertolli that he also trains. Sovereign Quest and The Camerengo took the minor placings.
There was a disappointing turn out for the Ladies race when only one horse was declared. The Saltby Estate were sponsors here. Fullards, a winner early on in the season, and jockey Louise Allan had the easy task of walking over.
Bentons Land & Estate Agents sponsored the Mens Open race that attracted a field of four runners and produced another exciting finish. Sleep Bal was having his first race since running at Cheltenham three years ago and rider Stuart Morris had the gelding in front until two fences from home. True Friday, the hot favourite, racing into the lead made a blunder at the second last almost unseating Richard Armson, but his rider recovered to go clear at the final fence.
The fifth race of the afternoon was the Restricted race, sponsored by The Martins Arms at Colston Bassett, and a field of five went to the post. Stuart Morris, riding the favourite Paulinski, soon had the mare in front and never looked in danger, winning by twelve lengths. Cameroon and Tanners Hall took second and third spot.
The final race of the day was the Open Maiden race, for 4, 5, 6 and 7 year olds, run over 2½ miles. Clayton Mott, Solicitors of Nottingham, sponsored this race which produced another close finish. Dickie Barrett, on Fenny Lane, and Fred Hutsby, on Hugo Hackenbush, disputed the lead for most of the race, but neither could shake off the persistent If You Must who's young rider, Ben Way, was having his first Point-to-Point winner.
The next local Midlands meeting is the Pytchley at Guilsborough on Sunday 6th April.
