05 May 2008 Melton Hunt Club - Garthorpe
Richard Armson: leads the Garthorpe Riders' Championship and has a strong book of rides at the meeting
There is a very good competitive entry of 144 horses for this coming weekend's Melton Hunt Club meeting at Garthorpe, near Melton Mowbray, first race scheduled for a 2.00pm start. Two Pony Races are to take place approximately one hour prior to the first race.
With the weather forecast looking good, and ground conditions near perfect, a large crowd is anticipated for this popular race meeting. Admission prices are as per previous meetings - £20 per car of four, £10 single car occupants, children under 16 free.
The Melton Hunt Club meeting is the fourth of the five meetings held annually at Garthorpe. At present Richard Armson leads the way in the course's Leading Rider Award with 21 points. Stuart Morris holds second spot with 13 points.
The opening race on the card is the Melton Hunt Club Members race, kindly sponsored by MS International, which has attracted an entry of 24. Barton Star had good form two years back and is highly thought of; Tallow Bridge, the probable mount of Stuart Morris, ran second at Guilsborough and ran in a Hunter Chase recently; however the selection has to be Bon Accord who won at Cheltenham the previous season.
Tim and Sue Wood have sponsored the Intermediate Race, and this has an entry of thirteen. Sovereign Quest was a winner here last year and has the in form rider Richard Armson on board; Walters Laddie has won at Guilsborough and Brocklesby Park already this season; and another in with a chance is Teeton Swansong who was a surprise 33/1 winner at Guilsborough last time out.
The third race, the Melton Hunt Club Members Marshall Land Rover & Marie Curie Foundation Novices Championship race, sponsored by Marshall Land Rover has an entry of 20. Both Bentota, from the Mike Dawson yard, and Burn Brook were winners last weekend at Dingley, although the latter recorded the fastest time. Bentota was having his first run and should improve, however Middleton horse, Chorizo, has won his last three races and looks the one to beat.
Wheat Displays have kindly sponsored the Ladies' Open race and this has attracted an entry of sixteen. Madge Carroll, from the Williams stable, has been placed in each of his four outings this year; Jill Dawson has the choice of Vingis Park and Virgin Soldier who both have solid form; however Pirate Flagship beat Vingis Park a neck at Garthorpe and may just come out on top again.
Fifteen are entered for the Men's Open race and this looks competitive. Coolefind and Denvale battled out a good finish at Guilsborough, with the former coming out on top. Tender Tangle and True Friday are both recent Open winners; Chorizo, winner of his last three races, and Sonevafushi, an easy winner at Whittington, look to have outstanding chances.
Race six is the Melton Hunt Club Members Conditions race and this has attracted an entry of 23. The Bailey stable have the consistent Cheyne, who has won at Brafield and Dingley, entered here and Richard Hunnisett may take the ride. Sleep Bal was a decent winner at Clifton and is likely to be the mount of Stuart Morris; however Thenford Ryde was quite impressive when winning a Maiden at the Pytchley meeting and could go close.
There are thirty three entries for the Open Maiden race for 4, 5, 6 and 7 year olds, to be run over 2½ miles. Fenny Lane was a decent second at Garthorpe recently; The Factor ran a similar race when second at Clifton; and, in what appears to be an open race, the vote goes to Velvet Red who was beaten by a neck at Brafield in April.
Garthorpe Racecourse is situated 6 miles East of Melton Mowbray on the B676.
