30 January 2008 Old Raby Hunt Club - Witton Castle
Witton Castle Point-to-Point course
The Old Raby Hunt Club hold there annual meeting at Witton Castle on Sunday (3rd Feb) with a first race time of 12.00 noon. There are 142 entries and with 39 entered in the Maiden this race has been divided resulting in a 7 race card.
The 1st race is the Old Raby Hunt Club Members Maiden race which is also a Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Novice Hunter Chase qualifier, the final to be run at Perth in May. There is not much with any worthwhile form but owner John Wade's Pertinax could be the one to be on. He impressed with each run last season and finished strongly to take 3rd in a hot Cleveland maiden last April in which the form has stood up well.
The Intermediate race is a Connolly's Red Mills qualifier and, of the 21 entered, the two that catch the eye are the David Easterby trained pair of Beau de Turgeon and Royal Return. The latter will be the one to be on if started after winning with plenty in hand at Sheriff Hutton whilst Toms Party, who was only just touched off at Thorpe Lodge last Sunday, will run a big race.
The Ladies Open has all the areas leading horses entered including Charlies Memory who will be a different horse this season having never been right last year. Also entered are hunter chase winner Encore Cadoudal and Texas Ranger along with Scottish raider Jacksonville who always runs well fresh. However the locally trained Interdit, who won 3 races last season, should win first time out to for local owner Billy Thomsom.
The Mens Open has the largest entry of 28 and looks top class. Of those entered are Mr Friday, who returns after a year off, along with the very highly rated Sonevafushi and prolific winner Sir Alf.
The Restricted has only 16 entered. Stroom Bank, who won a Cottenham maiden, should go close but Whinny Bank, who was beaten by the useful Royal Return at Sheriff Hutton, meets nothing of that calibre and can win for last seasons leading Lady Novice rider Joanne Mason.
The two Maiden races look set to go the way of two horses given great rides by Miles Seston at Sheriff Hutton. The fast finishing Mister Moonax will take all the beating in Division 1 and Malton, who has always looked useful but has failed to deliver in previous seasons, can take Division 2 for David Easterby whose stable is in cracking form.
