07 April 2009 Preview: South Notts - Thorpe Lodge
MENCHIKOV (left): may feature in the Mens Open
The South Notts Point to Point takes place at Thorpe Lodge, Newark on Easter Monday 13th April. The course at Thorpe is situated 4 miles south west of Newark near the A46, 5 miles from the A1. 87 entries have been received for 7 races starting at 2pm.
The course is in excellent condition and watering will take place as necessary. A large bank holiday crowd is expected. Entrance is £7.50 per person.
The first race is the Hunt Members race sponsored by Jackson's Butchers and 4 entries have been made. Roger Jackson, whose wife Sally is the Entries Secretary, has Captain Lyford entered. This 7 year old bay gelding has shown some signs of ability but fell recently at Garthorpe and will need to put in a clear round. Paradise Bay, who is trained for Liz Horne by Nick Kent, has been 4th in a Hunter Chase at Doncaster and so could be the pick. Nick Kent will be unable to ride on Monday having broken his arm in a fall at Tabley at the weekend and is likely to be replaced by Simon Walker.
Paradise Bay also holds an entry in the second race; the Confined race which is run in memory of Ann Jepson who was for many years the secretary of this Point-to-Point. The Kent stable also have Welbeck winner Farmer Frank and Gun Smith entered. The latter showed a liking for Thorpe when taking the Intermediate race at the first meeting here in January. Antonia Bealby who trains close by at Barrowby has North Carlton Confined winner Just Jove entered and he is likely to be ridden by top novice jockey Adam Wedge. Sovereign Quest is normally consistent; he recently unseated Richard Armson at Garthorpe but this is out of character and he should go close. However, the winner is likely to be Margaret Moody's progressive Pleasure Shared. This six year old chestnut gelding trained by Gerald Bailey, won a restricted at Garthorpe and was then second in an intermediate there in March.
The Bournston Group Ladies Open race has just 6 entries. Rainbow Tree is in form having won at Welbeck recently for the Smith- Maxwell family from Worcestershire. Angela Rucker has Petit Lord entered and he holds some form this season as well. However, the winner is likely to be Free who is a useful performer for Gemma Hutchinson.
National Sponsor Mercedes-Benz are supporting the Mens Open race for which 12 entries have been received. Paradise Bay from Nick Kent's stable holds an entry here as well as earlier on in the afternoon. French Bey, who also holds an entry earlier on in the Confined, is much improved this season having won a Members race and a Restricted race at Garthorpe. Richard Hunnisett returned from injury to score on Denvale at the Pytchley meeting last Sunday. He also has Cheyne entered who has won 2 Mens Open races in Richard's absence and was beaten by Menchikov by half a length at Garthorpe in March. Menchikov has since been to Aintree for the Foxhunter's where he came to grief at The Chair fence but is reportedly none the worse for this experience and will take the beating.
The Robinson family, who own Menchikov, also have a good chance with Ballyclement in the Frank Key Builder's Merchants Restricted race. This chestnut gelding was second to Keen Whip at the Brocklesby meeting in February; he has suffered a setback since but is reportedly in good form.
Antonia Bealby and Adam Wedge team up again here with Hendaway who won a Maiden at North Carlton in March. This gelding is only a 5 year old; he is open to improvement and also entitled to a 7 lbs weight allowance. Stuart Morris trains and rides Duke Of Kentford for the Joule family. This seven year old gelding was disappointing under rules but won his maiden at Garthorpe recently on his second start in Point to Points. Duke Of Kentford's division was the fastest maiden that day and he is one to note. Nick Kent may run Lord Adonis here. Owned by Victoria Branson and her Mother Mrs Kit Cottingham, Lord Adonis won the Brocklesby Hunt Member's race in February and may be able to progress here.
The Fernwood Group Open Maiden race for 5, 6 and 7 year olds has attracted an entry of 19. Doctor Kingsley has shown some form this season. Torksey Lock and Tiger Tim were second and third respectively behind the promising Henry Beauclerc at Garthorpe and should go close. Dermatologiste fell on his debut at Garthorpe; he is trained by Gerald Bailey and can be expected to do better. An interesting horse to watch could well be Springfield Sniper from the Nick Kent stable. This gelding is owned by Steven Whitaker who is better known for his exploits in the show jumping world. Springfield Sniper will be making his debut over fences but has reportedly been schooling well at home. However, Kingman Reef makes solid claims and could well win this for Antonia Bealby and Adam Wedge.
The final race on the card is the Brydon Properties Open Maiden race for 8 year olds and over. Posh Dude is a fairly lightly raced 8 year old who was third at Garthorpe recently for the Docker family. He should be able to win a race of this kind. This comment applies to some of the other entries; Essenbee has been in the frame on 3 occasions this season. Owned by Lord Yarborough, Essenbee is providing Chloe Kirkby with some fun and could give her a first win on Monday. Croftburn has shown some form for Robert Gault having been a fairly close second on two occasions and may just get the vote.
