09 February 2010 Preview: Midlands Area Club - Thorpe Lodge
by Emma Forman
LIMERICK LEADER: veteran campaigner may start his season here
photo: Nico Morgan
The Midlands Area Point to Point takes place on Sunday at Thorpe Lodge near Newark. This is the first of two race meetings scheduled at the course in 2010.
Thorpe Lodge is situated 4 miles south west of Newark, near the A46 and 5 miles from the A1. For satellite navigation systems the postcode is NG23 5PY. The course at Thorpe Lodge is in good condition and the first race is scheduled for 12noon. There is a large entry of 163 and the sixth race, the Open Maiden race has 51 entries and is likely to divide on the day. There is an excellent car park at Thorpe Lodge that allows good viewing and is also the ideal place for a picnic. Admission is £10.00 per person.
The first race on the card is the Midlands Area Club Members race kindly sponsored by Castle Rock Brewery. It is confined to horses qualified within the Midlands area and has attracted 21 entries. Young Collier was a good second to Coolefind in a Hunter Chase at Leicester last season and a repeat of that form should be good enough to win here. Another possibility could be owner / rider Richard Hunnisett who has the useful Harapour entered. However, the pick could be Gun Smith, trained by Nick Kent for Andy Parkin. Gun Smith showed his liking for Thorpe when winning the Intermediate race at this meeting last year and may be best when fresh.
The Intermediate race is the second race on the card and has been sponsored by some of the Midland Area trainers. The winner of this race is eligible for the £7000 3 miles 1½ furlongs Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Point-to-Point Championship Final at Cheltenham on Wednesday 5th May. 18 entries have been received. The local stable of Antonia Bealby has Ski Dazzle entered who was a course winner in 2008. He is likely to be partnered by the top novice jockey of last season, Adam Wedge and should run well. Tim Tarratt's Hi Up Brenkley may return to action here. A consistent performer in Point-to-Points when last seen in 2008, Hi Up Brenkley will benefit from having Richard Armson in the saddle. Father Owen won two races for trainer Mary Sowersby last season and may go close if he makes the journey down from Yorkshire.
24 entries have been received for the Lincolnshire Meat Company Mens Open race. Buckby Lane beat the Cheltenham Foxhunters winner here in 2008 but is 14 years old now and may find one or two too good for him here. The Hookie Bookie is a talented horse who managed 5 consecutive seconds last season without winning. He appears to be a bit quirkly but trainer Jimmy Tarry may yet persuade him to win again. The pick of the race could well be Farmer Frank who is trained by Nick Kent for local farmer Roger Jackson. Farmer Frank goes well on good or good to soft ground and is a class act having won a Hunter chase at Towcester last season. He will be ridden by Simon Walker who has a good relationship with the horse. Flashy Boy was in the frame 7 times last season including 1 win. Tinarana Lord may make the journey from Cheshire where he is trained by Gary Hanmer. This horse has ability but can be tricky and may benefit by being ridden by Miles Seston. Richard Hunnisett's The King Of Angels may be the best horse in the race and can boast a rating of no less than 136 when racing under Rules for Jonjo O' Neill.
The Ladies Race has been kindly sponsored by D & M Barthorpe of Boston. The Hutchinson family could take this race with either Free or Limerick Leader. Free won twice last season although at 15 years old, he may struggle this year. The other Hutchinson entry Limerick Leader won 3 races last season and would take some beating. One horse that may be up to the challenge is Jill Dawson's Pass It On, who is well regarded.
Sharp Nutrition sponsor the Restricted race for which 23 entries have been taken. Stuart Morris trains Duke Of Kentford for the Joule family and he is likely to ride him as well. Duke Of Kentford was second at Thorpe last season and the winner Accordion Roilelet went on to win a Hunter Chase. Lorikarad won a Maiden at Garnons last season and is only a 6 year old. He is trained by Charlotte Jones and could be on the upgrade. Principal Lad has won already this season at Higham in January. He is owned by the Bethell family and will be ridden by Harriet Bethell. The Docker family, who are involved in the organisation of the meeting, have Tanner's Hall entered. This horse may be suited by a long trip in the mud so the more rain there is the better.
The final race on the card is the C & G Concrete Open Maiden race and with 51 entries looks highly likely to divide on the day. It may be best to look for horses that have some experience at this stage of the season. Attrapeur
was purchased in the autumn and with some form under Rules he may be able to score against less experienced opposition. Byways Boy has been placed in novice chases and so may be another one to watch as may Antonia Bealby's Cap Benat who has had a run in a bumper.
