02 March 2009 Preview: Cottesmore - Garthorpe
The Leicestershire Point-to-Point season commences this coming weekend when the Cottesmore Hunt hold the county's opening meeting at Garthorpe, near Melton Mowbray. As expected the course is in tip top condition. This meeting will be the first of five taking place here during the season.
Garthorpe is one of the best viewing racecourses in the country and this meeting has attracted an entry of 104 for the seven races. The first race is scheduled for 12noon. Admission prices for this meeting (and all other Garthorpe meetings throughout the season) are £5 per car and £5 per occupant, £5 for pedestrians and children under 16 free. Garthorpe Racecourse is situated 6 miles east of Melton Mowbray on the B676.
The opening race is the Hunt Members race with 9 entries, kindly sponsored by Mallard Jewellers & Pawnbrokers. This could rest between the Jimmy Tarry trained Highland Vasco, a winner at Dingley last season, and Sovereign Quest, who was second at Thorpe in January.
The second race is the Confined, due off at 12.30pm. This race has an entry of 15 and is sponsored by Sturgess Jaguar. The pick here is Ronan the Warrior, the winner of an Intermediate race at Cottenham recently. Gerald Bailey's The Camarengo could also take a hand in the finish.
Marshall Land Rover is the sponsor of race three, the Mixed Open. Although the race has only attracted 10 entries, this could be a tough one to call. Top rider Stuart Morris could ride Sleep Bal or Coolefind; the latter having performed regularly in Hunter Chases. The Hookie Bookie, from the Jimmy Tarry yard, won four times last year and has strong claims. However, the pick for this race is Menchikov, a winner at North Carlton last Sunday, who is likely to be ridden by the in form Richard Armson.
Stephen Diggle, Jewellers of Oakham & Peterborough have kindly sponsored race four, the Intermediate. This race has an entry of 12. True Legend, from the Bailey stable, was third in a Members race recently. Carbon Footprint won on this course last season. Paulinski was a winner on this course twice last year and gave Stuart Morris his first win as a trainer. However the consistent Sovereign Quest, also engaged in an earlier race, just gets the vote.
At 2.15pm we have the Maiden race for 4, 5, 6 & 7 year olds. Run over 2 ½ miles, this race has attracted a field of 14. Melton Mowbray Building Society have kindly sponsored here. This looks a tricky contest. Lucciolini ran fourth in a similar race at Larkhill last month. Hugo Hackenbush was second at Black Forest Lodge last year. The four year old Moderano was a close second in a Maiden at Charing recently and is the selection here.
The Restricted race is due off at 2.45pm and has an entry of 19. This race is kindly sponsored by Frank Corrigan. Latenightdip took a Maiden at North Carlton earlier in the season. Little Fountain won a similar event at Tweseldown. However the selection here is Drom, winner of a Maiden and a good third in a Restricted at Chaddesley Corbett.
The Open Maiden is the final race on the card and has been sponsored by Stone Lodge Industries. There are 19 entries. My Diva, beaten half a length at Garthorpe last season, has to be considered. Mister Worthington ran well at Ampton and has Tim Lane on board. Nevertheless, Exuberance, third in a Maiden recently, could take the spoils.
