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SEA SENOR: Reunited with Tom Greenall to take the Mens Open
photo: Jackie Oliver

A large crowd enjoyed some exciting racing at the Meynell & South Staffordshire Point-to-Point at Garthorpe on Sunday. The hard work of Clerk of the Course Brian Crawford and his team to produce "good to firm" going was rewarded with 61 runners taking part in the seven races.

As well as racing there was a good range of trade stands, terrier racing and pony racing. The second pony race was declared void but the first pony race was won by Noel George and G Whizz from the Beaufort.

The highlight of the afternoon came in the Mixed Open Race when Brian Dunn's Sea Senor beat Hunter Chase winner Plenty Of Chat. Sea Senor, who was always prominent in the race, set up a three lengths lead three from home and despite a tendency to jump out to the right went on to win by eight lengths. "He's a lovely horse," said the delighted owner after leading Sea Senor into the winner's enclosure. Jockey Tom Greenall was making his comeback after breaking his shoulder. Winning trainer David Easterby said Sea Senor had been "a naughty boy all his life" and a summer jumping campaign is now a possibility.

David Easterby's sister, Susan Mason, had earlier saddled Impact Zone to beat the consistent Carapuce by three lengths in the Club Members Race. Winning rider Becky Mason, studying Physiotherapy at Birmingham University, has had a limited number of races this season. Impact Zone may take in a Hunter Chase at Cartmel before the end of the season when he will be ridden by Becky's sister Jo.

Miles Seston's skill as a jockey was evident when he persuaded the quirky Quantum Theory to win the Open Maiden race by four lengths from Cherry's Bay. "I wanted to keep other horses around me as long as possible," said Seston of the 4-7 favourite, who had run out at the last fence seven days earlier at Tabley. Owned by the Quantum Partnership, Quantum Theory is trained by Gary Hanmer.

The Club Members Race was won by Alan Hill's Ocean Du Moulin who gave his daughter Gaby her third win of the season. The former Paul Nicholls nine-year-old was purchased at Ascot sales last August for £4,000 and has certainly paid his way. Yorkshire Area leading lady rider Jacqueline Coward was a three quarters of a length second on Unjust Law.

The thirteen-year-old The Noble Roman recorded his first win for since 2006 in the Intermediate race for owners Lucy and Paul King. Jockey Tom Bellamy, who was unseated when the horse jinked after crossing the line, was scoring for the fourth time in Point-to-Points. "We have been in Cardiff all weekend for the rugby and none of the family are here; they are all either lambing or calving," said Lucy King of the rather unexpected win.

Hannah Watson rode Golden Tangle to win the Restricted Race, beating Blinding Lights by six lengths. The six-year-old mare, who is trained by Fred Hutsby, was bred by owners Muff and Peter Corbett who are aunt and uncle to Fred's wife Caroline. "She's very game," said Hannah Watson of the diminutive chesnut.

The final race, the Open Maiden Race, was won by Stephen Allen's lightly raced seven-year-old Son Of Karinga.

After racing George Henderson was presented with the Southwell Racecourse Award for being the leading rider at Garthorpe in 2011. The Hutchinson family won the Award for Zilcash who is the leading horse at Garthorpe in 2011.

Racing in Leicestershire is over for this year but there is a Cottesmore Clay Pigeon Shoot at Barnsdale, Oakham, Rutland on Sunday 19th June starting at 11am. For further details contact Richard Besant - Richard@mailmonster.org

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