08 February 2011 Preview: Sinnington - Duncombe Park
by Charlotte Brader
The Sinnington Hunt Point-to-Point takes place at Duncombe Park on Sunday 13th February and will be an 8 race card. This is due to the popularity of the maiden race which has been split three ways. The first race, the Hunt Members race is due to take place at 12 noon.
The second race is the Confined Hunts Race which has received 34 entries and a very classy field could go to post. Andre Chenier was successful at Open level last season, Brize Norton was second in this race last year, Lem Putt was a good third at Sheriff Hutton and Mr Quasimodo was a fast finishing second at the same meeting. There are also some useful recruits from under Rules, including Finney and Sherwoods Folly, the latter likely to take the spoils.
The Mixed Open has 23 potential contestants. Blandings Castle was ready to run in the Ladies Open at Witton before the meeting was called off on Sunday and should be thereabouts. Eliza Doalott will hopefully be back to form after a disappointing run at Sheriff Hutton and has finished close in this race before. Forty Shakes and Oaklands Bobby are both consistent sorts but the winner is likely to be the North Carlton winner Oedipe, for Jack Greenall.
The Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association Club Members race is restricted to novice and veteran riders. A novice rider is not to have won more than three races before the start of the season and a veteran rider is over the age of 45 at declaration. There are likely to be more novices than veterans in this race and Sonevafushi could easily follow up for Harry Bannister who rode his first winner on his first Point-to-Point ride at Sheriff Hutton two weeks ago.
Admission is £10 per person and the postcode for satellite navigation is YO62 5EB. There is likely to be a good turnout of runners with plenty of horses now ready for a run and the next Yorkshire Point-to-Point is not until 6th March. Viewing is good from the centre of the course and the uphill battle to the line often provides very exciting finishes. The Sinnington Hunt are providing the public catering themselves for the first time this year so you can be guaranteed lots of homemade treats including soup, cake and hog roast.
