21 April 2011 Preview: Woodland Pytchley - Dingley
by Laura Ellis
WALTERS LADDIE: Twice beaten favourite, Walters Laddie may return to tackle the Confined race on Saturday
photo: Steve Hunt
Easter Saturday has attracted 109 entries and watering is well under way to ensure good going on fresh ground for the seven race card.
A huge amount of modernisation has taken place on and around the weighing room and official's area in remembrance of Rod Millington who for many years was the driving force behind Dingley Point-to-Point. The Rod Millington Memorial Fund has enabled the building to be fully refurbished and modernised without jeopardising the special atmosphere created at race meetings.
The first meeting of the season at Dingley opens with the Woodland Pytchley and Fernie Hunts Members, Subscribers & Farmers Race at 2pm, attracting seven entries in a small but competitive field. Patrick Hutchinson should send two to post; one will be ridden by his son Sam, the other by his daughter Gemma. The latter will ride Mendo or Wild Is The Wild and both would be hard to beat, while Sam will take the ride on Pass The Class who is hoping to follow up on his win at Welbeck last time out. Action Steel represents the Jimmy Tarry yard under Tom Ellis, who classically do well at this meeting.
Nineteen have entered in the Confined including the promising mare Latenightdip, unbeaten in both efforts this season. Johnny Bailey will take the ride on Walter's Laddie; a beaten favourite on his two previous runs this season, he would hope to go one better this time. George Henderson has two entered; The Luder, having his first run this season, and Dream Garden, returning from a lengthy absence when second at Garthorpe behind Wild Is The Wind last time out. Also worthy of a mention is Richard Hunnisett's consistent The King of Angels.
Another Wilson/Bailey combination could take the Mixed Open Race with Coolefind hoping to go one better following his defeat at the hands of Otage De Brion at Guilsborough last time out. Point Proven will be hoping to reverse the form from his last meeting with Coolefind when finishing 3rd to him at Brocklesbury Park. Following his commendable sixth in the Aintree Fox Hunters', Van Ness could well be in the shake up under Richard Hunnisett. Aztec Warrior and Teeton Bollinger are also worthy of a mention.
The Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members Race for Novice Riders has attracted the largest number of entries for the day, the pick of which would be Point Proven and Teeton Dazzler. Dale Peters has enjoyed a good partnership so far with Point Proven when first and second last time out, while Lizzie Harris will be hoping to replicate her win at Welbeck aboard Teeton Dazzler. Early Wings finished a commendable third on his previous run at the Oakley, as did Teeton Prince behind his brother Teeton Dazzler at Welbeck last time out. Lemonfield may have come on from his seasonal debut at Guilsborough; a winning partnership last year, Lara Mahon would hope to go close.
Several are worthy of a mention in the Restricted Race, namely Briery Star and Lady Barack who both won their maidens last time out and hope to continue their winning form. Doctor Kingsley finished a commendable eight lengths second to the highly thought of Penmore Mill on his last run and should go one better this time.
Dingley is located on the A427, 1 mile east of Market Harborough.
Entry is £15 per car, including the driver, £5 all additional passengers, under 12s free.
