02 February 2010 Preview: Burton - North Carlton
by Emma Forman
The Midlands Area Point-to-Point season gets underway with the rescheduled Burton Point-to-Point which takes place on Sunday 7th February at the course at North Carlton on the Lincolnshire Showground.
The course is situated one mile north of Lincoln and the entrance is off Tillbridge Lane (A1500), use gate 6. For satellite navigation systems the post code is LN2 2NA.
This is the first of two meetings at the venue with the Blankney following on Sunday 28th February. The first race is at 12 noon and entrance is £5 for the car park and then £5 per person. 83 entries have been received and there will be 6 races. There will be a big screen in the middle of the course to show racing and also smaller screens in the weighing room. Bookmakers will be in attendance and there will be many trade stands including a bouncy castle.
The first race on the card is the Lincolnshire United Hunts Club Member's race and has attracted 7 entries. The race has been sponsored by some good friends of the Burton Point to Point Committee. Martin Wells has entered his veteran pointer Yann's. In 2009 Yann's won the Blankney Members race at North Carlton and went on to be placed three times in Hunter Chases showing that he retains plenty of ability. Yann's usually benefits from being ridden by Miles Seston and the pair may be able to challenge the likely favourite Roby De Cimbre. This seven year old grey gelding was bought out of champion trainer Paul Nicholls's stable at the Doncaster October Sales by the Robinson family. Roby De Cimbre will be ridden by Richard Armson and on paper looks easily capable of making a winning debut in the Point to Point field.
Naturally Inspired makes up the four entries for this race and will be ridden by Samantha Klug. This seven year old was placed second in two novice chases over two and a half miles when trained by Malcolm Jefferson last spring. The drop in class should see him run well either here in the Members race or in the Hodgson Elkington Maiden race later on.
Samantha Klug was placed second twice on Caramia in 2009 including at North Carlton in the Members race. Since then Caramia ran moderately under rules and a return to Point-to-Points may lead to some improved form from this nine year old. He is entered in the second race, the Mumby Heppenstall (Accountants) Confined Hunts race, which has attracted sixteen entries.
Northern Blaze was the winner of a NH flat race when trained by Ian Williams but lost his way when introduced to hurdles. If his new trainer, Nick Kent has found the key to him, this eight year old could be an interesting recruit. Northern Blaze also holds an entry in the Lincoln Audi Mens Open race later on.
Buy Onling won two races last season and should put up a good performance if he lines up here. Mrs Moody has Pleasure Shared entered, he was a winner at Garthorpe last season and goes well for jockey Dickie Barrett who will be in the saddle on Sunday.
F.P. Watson of Lincoln has kindly sponsored the third race, the Ladies race, for which nineteen entries have been received. Samantha Klug could be in for a busy day as she is also due to ride Great Grimsby here. Great Grimsby is a winning chaser who was last placed under rules when second last August. He lost his way after that and an introduction to Point-to-Points may see him return to form.
Jill Dawson has Pass It On entered here. Hopefully, having recovered from the virus that plagued the Dawson stable last year, Pass It On will be able to run well. The veteran Bedtime Boys is fairly consistent but Narciso is probably the pick and would take some beating if he turns up here.
Malcolm Arthers may run True Friday in the Lincoln Audi Mens Open race. This consistent, genuine mare goes well on soft ground and is something of a Garthorpe specialist having won five times there. She will be ridden by Richard Armson and should go close.
The strongest opposition could come from owner / rider Richard Hunnisett who has The King Of Angels entered. This eight year old Presenting gelding was purchased privately by Hunnisett out of Jonjo O'Neill's yard last summer. Holding a rating of 136 over fences and trained by Gerald Bailey, The King Of Angels will take all the beating.
The White Heather Restaurant at Caenby Corner is sponsoring the fifth race on the card, the Restricted race, for which twelve horses are entered. Mrs Moody has a good chance again here with Pass The Parsel, who like her other runner Pleasure Shared, is trained by Gerald Bailey. Pass The Parsel was second on four occasions last season and in what looks a fairly weak contest on paper he should finally be able to get out of the Restricted grade. Lorikarad may be able to fill a place as could Isle Of Skye.
The final race, the Hodgson Elkington Maiden race, is at 2.55p.m. and fourteen entries have been received. At this stage in the season, Maiden races are often best watched. However, those wishing to have a bet could do worse than to go for Mrs Moody's final runner of the day, Kandelin. This Beneficial gelding was a close second at this meeting last year before losing his way. He is seven years old now and should be given another chance. Another one to note is All Lit Up who was second in a Maiden Hurdle in 2008 when trained by Alan King. Being a five year old he benefits from a 7lbs weight allowance and with his racing experience All Lit Up may be there at the finish.
There will be special awards for the riding feat of the day, the youngest lady rider to complete the course and the youngest gentleman rider to complete the course.
