10 March 2008 Holderness - Dalton Park
Dark Thunder: Confined challenger
The Holderness Hunt hold their annual Point-to-Point at Dalton Park near Beverley on Sunday where 131 entries have been received for the seven races - 33 have been received for the concluding maiden, but with a safety factor of only 18 a division may be necessary.
Starting at 1.30pm with the Members race Holderness joint master Willie Bethell has 3 entered, including Torosay and Wise Tale, but his other joint master Chris Richardson looks to have the upper hand with Toms Party who has been running consistently this season and has been in the prize money in every race.
The second race is the Confined race and has 22 entered which include several proven stayers, which you need for this seven minute plus track. The consistent Mile High City will go close. Toby Greenall, who rode the second winner of his career at Welbeck, will have the choice of three - Dark Thunder, Trooper Collins and Glenelly Gale who has finished 2nd twice in competitive Mens Open races. Out and out stayer Young Claude will be all the better for his debut run at Corbridge, whilst the Nick Kent trained Ramirez could make his seasonal debut.
The Mens Open has 17 entered and there are several who have excellent form. Wildfield Rufo was a gallant winner of a Mens Open at Alnwick, Reflex Blue won on his first run of the season for Nigel Tutty at Welbeck, Ask Bobby won on his seasonal debut at Sheriff Hutton, but Skew Whip, who ran a race full of promise on his return after a year off, will be fully primed and can win before a hunter chase campaign beckons.
The Ladies Open race has 18 entered including Iron Express, who was 3rd in a hot Ladies race over 3 mile 5 furlongs at Corbridge and will love the long Dalton Park track, and Wilfie Wild, who was denied a run at Charm Park because connections thought the going too firm, could make a belated seasonal debut. Duchess Account and Narciso will ensure that the pace is fast and furious.
There are several maiden winners entered in the Restricted including, the David Easterby trained pair of Malton and Network Oscar, Buy Onling and The Tinkerator, who both won very nicely at Market Rasen, whilst Whinny Bank, who was traveling well just behind the leaders at Charm Park, is another who will go well.
The Mares Maiden race has 13 entered and looks likely to go the way of Miss Tosca, who has finished in the frame in each race this season, for Tina Jackson who has won this race several times in the past 6 years.
The 3 mile Open Maiden race has 33 entered but not many with much form. Those that stand out are Go Moss Go, who finished a gallant second at Duncombe Park only to loose his rider at the 1st at Charm Park - if none the worse he will start favourite, Nectar de Guye, who has been placed on his last 2 runs, and Jabo, who was only just touched off at Charm Park.
Selections: Members - Toms Party; Confined - Glenelly Gale; Mens Open - Skew Whip; Ladies Open - Narciso; Restricted - Network Oscar; Mares Maiden - Miss Tosca; Maiden - Go Moss Go.
