25 May 2008 Blankney - Garthorpe
Oliver Greenall: rode a double at the meeting to take his seasonal tally to 45
A decent size crowd enjoyed some quality racing at the final Garthorpe meeting of the season, which included two wins for national champion Gentleman rider-elect Oliver Greenall. The meeting also finalised this year's Garthorpe Leading Rider Award, which went to local jockey Richard Armson.
The first race of the day was the Confined race, sponsored by Beckside Buildings & Installations of Lincoln, and six horses went to post. This developed into race between the three market leaders and, after Teeton Bollinger fell at the third last, Gemma Hutchinson sent High Gear clear to beat Sovereign Quest, and outsider Celioso, quite comfortably.
Six were declared for the Ladies' Open race sponsored by Drainage & Building Supplies. This resulted in win for Vingis Park who was winning his second race on this course this month. However, Jill Dawson's mount had to fight off the second placed Interdit for most of the race with Danaeve taking third spot.
Streets Chartered Accountants sponsored the Men's Open race where five went to post. This produced the first leg of a double for Yorkshire ride Oliver Greenall and the Easterby Stable. Network Oscar sat in second place until approaching the final fence where he cruised through to beat Quality First and Polar Scout who took second and third place respectively.
Greenall completed a quick double when taking the following race, the Restricted race sponsored by Velcourt of Spalding, where eleven went to post. Richard Armson sent Jubilee George to the front from flag fall and was soon some thirty lengths clear. However, Greenall began his challenge from the third last and produced his mount, Malton, with perfection to score by four lengths from Jubilee George. Killnascully King took third place.
Mr & Mrs Oliver Griffin kindly sponsored the fifth race, the Open Maiden run over 2½ miles, and eight went to post. This went to the Ian Howe trained and ridden five year old Waxing Gibus, who beat Hazzard A Guess and Illuminati by a comfortable eight and ten lengths respectively.
R.G.L. Carpets of Skegness sponsored the final event, the Open Maiden race for eight year olds and over, and eight horses went to post. The race produced the most exciting finish of the day and a fine ride from, top Garthorpe rider, Richard Armson. The lead changed hands three times after the last fence where Armson took his mount, Magicastle, on by half a length from the Tom Ellis ridden My Diva and Mountain Emperor under Georgina Andrews.
The next Midlands Area Point-to-Point meeting is The Harborough Race Club, which takes place next Saturday, 31st May at Dingley. Dingley Racecourse is situated 3 miles east of Market Harborough on the Market Harborough to Corby road, and the first race is scheduled for 2.30pm.
