30 March 2009 Report: Belvoir - Garthorpe
FRENCH BEY: and Matt Mackley win the Restricted
A good sized crowd braved a cold wind to watch some exciting racing when the Belvoir Hunt held the second of five meetings to be held at this popular venue this season.
Although only three horses went to post for the opening Hunt Members race, favourite backers got off to a good start when Matt Mackley took the promising six year old Picabo Kid clear rounding the final bend to win comfortably from Just Jove.
Ten horses went to post to contest the second race, The Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Race. This race was won by the Cotswold trained Willie The Kid who held off the Bailey youngster, Pleasure Shared with Paulinski some fifteen lengths further back. First four past the post here are eligible to run in Intermediate Hunter Chase final at Cheltenham in May.
The Mens Open turned into an exciting finish between the two market leaders, Cheyne and The Hookie Bookie. Cheyne, ridden for the first time by Miles Seston, deputising for the injured Dickie Barrett, had the Bailey horse well placed and held off a challenge from Tom Ellis, riding The Hookie Bookie. Valance took third place.
A competitive field of eleven went to post for the Restricted race. This gave Matt Mackley his second winner of the afternoon when he took the Cottesmore mare French Bey to the front some way out and held off Sandy Lie, the mount of Jack Day and the Tim Tarrett trained Magicastle, the mount of Richard Armson.
Mercedes-Benz were the sponsors for the 2m4f youngsters Maiden race, which had to be split into two divisions owing to the volume of accepters. Trainer and rider Stuart Morris was successful in Division One with Duke Of Kentford. The seven year old was a comfortable winner from Rockfield and Doctor Kingsley. Division Two resulted in an easy win for the well fancied, Henry Beauclerc, well ridden by Adam Wedge. The winner had too much pace for Torksey Lock, who took second spot. Tiger Tim came home in third place.
Final race of the day was The Dick Marsh Memorial Maiden Race. This was for eight-year-old or over maidens, run over three miles. Jockey, Adam Wedge, had his second win of the afternoon on the Atherstone horse Watchthespace, who returned as favourite. Croftburn, the early leader and Posh Dude took the minor placings.
Next local area Point to Point meeting is the Pytchley Hunt which is to be held at Guilsborough, situated 10 miles NW of Northampton, on Sunday 5th April, first race time 1.30pm.
