15 February 2011 Preview: Blankney - North Carlton
by Emma Forman
IMPACT ZONE: possible runner in the Ladies Open
photo: Jackie Oliver
The Blankney Point-to-Point takes place on Sunday 20th February at North Carlton racecourse on the Lincolnshire Showground.
The course is situated one mile north of Lincoln, the entrance is off Tillbridge Lane (A1500) and admission is £5 per car and £5 per person with children under 16 free. The postcode for those with satellite navigation systems is LN2 2NA. This is the second of two meetings to be held on this course in 2011. There will be bookmakers, refreshments, a licensed bar and a range of trade stands. For the children, there will be a bouncy inflatable slide. Once again the big screen will be available to watch racing.
102 Entries have been received to contest eight races. The first race is due off at 12.00noon and the last race at 4.05pm.
The main local interest will be centred on the first race, the Blankney & Burton Members race. Martin Wells has two Blankney qualified horses entered; the veteran Yann's and Nadover. Nadover was once a useful front-running chaser and earned over £78,000 in prize money when trained by Charlie Mann. He finished seventh behind Comply Or Die in the 2008 Grand National and was third in the Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in the same year. However, Nadover only managed some modest efforts last season in Point-to-Points and Hunter Chases. The Wells family will be hoping that he can return to form on Sunday when he is likely to be ridden by Miles Seston.
The Robinson family have Burton-qualified horse Exit To Luck entered. This 10-year-old gelding won the LUHC Members race at the Burton meeting nicely. He then suffered a mishap when falling at the first fence in a Hunter Chase at Market Rasen. However, he has a good chance of getting back to winning ways here and also of lifting the Vulgarion Perpetual Challenge Cup presented by W.H. Strawson to the leading horse at North Carlton. Exit To Luck's jockey Richard Armson had two winners at the Burton meeting and this puts him in the lead for the North Carlton Rider's championship. This is a new trophy to be presented to the leading Rider in memory of Blankney supporter Frank Theaker.
12 Entries have been made for the second race on the card, the Confined race. Samantha Klug has Great Grimsby entered in both this race and the later Ladies Open race. This horse was third in the Confined race at the Burton meeting and should be in the money once again. Lucy Saunders, the granddaughter of Grand National winner Dick Saunders, has had only a handful of rides this season but looks very promising. She will be looking for her first winner with Early Wings who she rode to finish third at Horseheath earlier this month. There are a number of Yorkshire Entries here and with no meeting on in that area they can be expected to make the journey south. Andre Chenier is owned by Chris Cundall and trained by Mary Sowersby; he won a Ladies Open at the Hurworth last season and has a chance here.
The Mason family have Impact Zone and Wantage Road entered in the Ladies Open race. Impact Zone was third at Sheriff Hutton recently and Wantage Road won the Bedale Ladies Open in the fastest time of the day last season. Both these horses could be leading contenders on Sunday. Margaret Moody's Pass The Parsel was second in the Ladies race at the Burton meeting but unfortunately fell at Thorpe last Sunday. He is normally a sound jumper and should be able to make amends on Sunday.
Yorkshire horses could dominate the fourth race the Mens Open race. Oscar Churton has He's The Gaffer entered, this horse was third at the last meeting here on his seasonal debut and should run well on Sunday. Sheila Crow has My Flora entered; this horse would be an interesting runner as she is one of the twelve McKenzie and Harris stars for the season. My Old Piano won a Club Members race at Sheriff Hutton recently and would have a good chance. Sea Senor is also a class horse having won five times last season. His recent run at Sheriff Hutton can be ignored as he lost a lot of ground at the start that day.
18 Entries have been taken for the Restricted race. The Countess Cathcart's Battlefield Bob won the Maiden at the Burton meeting; if he follows up on Sunday he could take the Vulgarion Trophy for the Leading Horse at North Carlton. Antonia Bealby's Harlaxton would have a chance here based on his second place behind Liverpool at the Burton meeting. Unfortunately, Harlaxton will be without his regular Rider Matt Stanley, winner of the "best gentleman Rider" award at the Burton meeting as he suffered a broken collarbone at Thorpe on Sunday.
Zaffarani's Star would also have a chance if he puts in a clear round of jumping. Alforone won a maiden at Dingley for Mark Barthorpe last season and will be looking to move up to the next level.
The 4,5,6 & 7-year-old Maiden, to be run over 2m5f, has been divided. Division one could go to Richard Bower's homebred seven-year-old Karintino, who is a half-sister to Pennytino. Karintino was third in a Maiden last season and should have improved. Don't Look Bach has some form this season as he was second behind Son Of Flame in November. In Division two Deal In Silver may be able to score for the Docker family; this mare was fourth at Welbeck in a 2m5f Maiden last season when she raced keenly and should be able to do better.
The final race on the card is the eight-year-old and over Maiden race. Mark Barthorpe's Anamacqueen has a very good chance of losing her Maiden tag; this mare was runner up twice last season and was placed fourth at Higham in January. Holy Balloney was third at Dunthrop in January and is another with a chance.
To hear all updates supplied throughout the week and on the morning of the meeting, call the Talking Point news line on 09068 44 60 61*.
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