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ENIGMA VARIATIONS: exciting youngster could be seen next at Garthorpe
photo: Jackie Oliver

The Cottesmore Point-to-Point races will be held at Garthorpe on Sunday 6th March; the first of eight races is scheduled for 12.00noon and the final race will run at 4.20pm.

Please note that this is a revised start time due to the large entry of 160 horses.

This is the first of five meetings to be held at this course in 2011. Garthorpe is situated on the B676, six miles east of Melton Mowbray and seven miles west of the A1. For those with satellite navigation systems the postcode is LE14 2RS. Admission is £9 per person. Reserved parking is £40 per car including all passengers.

After the third race there will be a parade of the Cottesmore hounds. There will be bookmakers and the Tote. For refreshments there will be the Grumpy Huntsman licensed bar, Phil's Hog Roast and speciality coffees. In addition there will be a good variety of trade stands including quality outdoor clothing, jewellery, hats, Spanish leather goods and boots, handmade chocolates and fudges. Other attractions include a bouncy castle for the children and Marshall Land Rover and Sandicliffe will be having a display of vehicles.

George Henderson, the leading Novice Rider in the Midlands Area last season, has two good rides. More Than Hopeful, who is owned by George's father James and trained by Antonia Bealby at Barrowby, won the Restricted race at Thorpe in February; this seven-year-old gelding was purchased last summer after winning an Irish maiden and looks progressive. He is entered in the Confined race, which has been kindly sponsored by Cavells of Oakham, but the Jimmy Tarry trained Enigma Variations put up a stunning performance to win the Intermediate at Thorpe and will take some beating. His jockey Tom Ellis rode a double at the Brocklesby last Saturday.

The Henderson team then have Aztec Warrior later in the afternoon; this horse holds an entry in both the Mens Open race, sponsored by Barnsdale Lodge Hotel and Mr and Mrs W. De Gale, as well as the Midlands Area Club race sponsored by the Hellyer family. Aztec Warrior has a chance either race; he followed up five victories last season with a third place in a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon in February. George Henderson, who is an 18-year-old A-level student, is certainly a rider to follow at Garthorpe.

Cottesmore Master Richard Hunnisett is hoping to ride either Denvale or Van Ness in the Mens Open race. Denvale has already won this season and is very consistent, while Van Ness finished fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters last April. Hunnisett will be looking to return to form following a fall from the King Of Angels at Thorpe; this horse is entered in the opening Mallard Pawnbrokers & Jewellers Members race.

Holly Campbell, who trains near Oakham, will be hoping to follow up her win at the Brocklesby last Saturday with further success. Holly has Silver Tenor entered in both the Members race and The North Family (Ranksborough Polo) Restricted race. This grey gelding, who is owned by The Silver Hunting Partnership, was only beaten by half-a-length by More Than Hopeful at Thorpe in February and will be fancied to go one better on Sunday.

The Maiden race, sponsored by Stonelodge Industries Ltd., has been divided at entry. The Campbell team have Popaway entered in division two and this mare can be expected to give a good account of herself. Another horse to note is Antonia Bealby's Chac du Cadran who made a promising debut in a Maiden race recently and is well regarded.

My Way de Solzen is an interesting entry in the Sturgess Volvo Ladies Open race. This 11-year-old gelding is a former winner of the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and earned over £430,000 under National Hunt Rules when trained by Alan King. My Way de Solzen is now trained by Gabe Mahon and will be ridden by Lara Mahon.

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