16 February 2010 Report: Sinnington - Duncombe Park
by Will Milburn
LAERTES: made a successful Pointing debut
photo: Jon Hodd
The Sinnington Point-to-Point was blessed with good weather this weekend, despite it being a tad chilly. Several huge fields meant that there were several very exciting finishes as well as some decent horses taking part.
The most exciting finish of the day came in the Novice and Veteran Riders race, which saw father and daughter Chris and Charlotte Cundall fight it out up the run-in. Smart Thinker and Chris led after the second last, however daughter Charlotte came through to join him at the last aboard Major Shark. The pair fought it out up the run-in until Major Shark stayed on the best to win. Charlotte was overjoyed with the win and appears to be getting a good tune out of her father's horses of late. Sam Gawn finished a good third and has been running consistently this season.
The stars on show in the Mixed Open were that of Laertes and Eliza Doalott. Laertes, who won the Highland National at Perth last year, made good use of his stamina and made all the running. Eliza Doalott, who was also prominent throughout, travelled very strongly for Guy Brewer and headed Laertes at the last, however stamina kicked in up the run-in and Tom Greenall's mount asserted close home. Willywont He was tailed off at one point but stayed on extremely well for third.
Tom Greenall also won the opening Members race aboard Gunner Jack, who had reportedly put his back out the week before. Greenall took up the running after two out and coasted clear, having too much class for Cop Howe. Iron Express gave Janette Johnson a good first time ride in third.
The Confined Hunts race saw the biggest field of the day, with 17 runners. The race went the way of the Kate Walton-trained Pen Gwen, who managed to win with some authority here for Henry Brooke. Brize Norton ran on strongly from the back to take second, with Keen Whip, who always takes some stoking along, galloping on strongly for Mark Walford in third.
The Restricted race looked a very competitive event, with several of the top yards contending. Fli Mi Son was the well fancied favourite, and travelled well through most of the race, however lost his place after two out, until staying on again up the straight for third. Areyacoddinmee stayed on very well from the rear, but could not quite reach Miss Tosca and Tina Jackson who had run well the previous week.
There were two divisions of the Open Maiden. Division One went the way of the Gill Walford-trained List Of Life on his first racecourse appearance. Mark Walford's mount was always travelling very strongly and cruised into the straight; after running very green he finished second to Oaklands Bobbie, who lost his weight cloth and was therefore disqualified. The John Wade newcomer Toplander was promoted to second and looks a winner in the making.
The final race was a competitive affair and saw Calapocus score following a string of placed efforts last season. Tracy Corrigan Clark reported that her daughter has been hunter trailing and show jumping Calapocus, which looks to have worked wonders. What A Cliche and Minstalad filled second and third respectively.
