02 March 2010 Preview: Cottesmore - Garthorpe
by Graham Taylor
This coming weekend highlights the start of the Leicestershire Point-to-Point season when the Cottesmore Hunt will hold the first of five scheduled meetings to be held at Garthorpe, near Melton Mowbray, this coming Sunday 7th March 2010.
This popular early meeting has attracted an entry of 102 to compete in the seven races. First race time is 12.00 noon.
This quality racecourse is always in excellent condition and a large crowd is expected. Admission prices for this and all remaining meetings at this venue are £25 per car (driver plus occupants), £15 car with one occupant, £8 pedestrians, children under 16 free.
The opening race, the Hunt Members Race, is kindly sponsored by Mallard Jewellers & Pawnbrokers of Leicester and has attracted an entry of 10. Sarah Phizacklea is down to ride Liverpool Echo who ran a good second in a Ladies Open at Whitfield. The danger here however may come from Silver Tenor, the mount of Holly Campbell, who won a Maiden race on the eight year old at Brocklesby Park.
Race two, the Confined Race, has attracted an entry of 13. This race is sponsored by Cavells of Oakham and Stamford. This race could rest between the two local stables of Patrick Hutchinson and Gerald Bailey. Hutchinson has the recent Brocklesby winner Mendo; they also saddle Zilcash, who was well in touch with the leaders when slipping up at Thorpe Lodge. Bailey is are represented by the Richard Hunnisett owned and ridden Harapour and Three Chords, who has won at both Thorpe and Higham.
The Mens Open Race is due off at 1.00pm and this race has an entry of 12 horses. Sponsors here are Marshall Land Rover. This race looks quite a close one to call. However, the winner may come from the Joan Tice stable, as Teeton Bollinger ran a top race at Brocklesby Park when beaten a head by the top hunter Amicelli. However, Robert Waley-Cohen's Irilut has good form and has to be considered. Young Collier performed well last season in Hunter Chases.
Race Four, the Young Sparticus Challenge Cup Intermediate Race, has been kindly sponsored by the Hellyer Family. The race has attracted an entry of 11. Pleasure Shared, owned by Mrs M. Moody, a long time supporter of the Pytchley Hunt, ran well at North Carlton and is expected to go well. Three Chords, from the same stable, has won twice this year. The vote however goes to the Brocklesby winner, King Among Queens, who may have the promising Jake Greenall in the saddle.
The PPORA Novice Riders race has been sponsored by Sturgess Volvo of Leicester and the race has an entry of 14. Aztec Warrior has been placed twice this season. Carapuce ran well at Horseheath, but Liverpool Echo looks to have the best form following a decent second in a Ladies Race at Whitfield and is the selection.
The North Family of Ranksborough have kindly sponsored race Six, The Restricted race and this has an entry of 14. Canticle won a Maiden at Cottenham in February. Kilcascan ran second in a Restricted at Thorpe, while Silver Tenor has a Maiden win under his belt also this year. In what looks a close affair, Dark Moon is just the selection after his win in a Maiden Race at Witton Castle.
Final race of the afternoon, off at 3.15pm, is the Open Maiden and this has attracted a large entry of 28. Master of the Cottesmore Foxhounds, Mr Carl Foster, has sponsored this race. Mr Gossip, a nice looking five year old, has shown promise in both his runs this season and could go close. However, the winner here may come from Enigma Variations, a good second at Whitfield, or One More Gypsy, who was a neck second in a Maiden at Witton Castle.
Garthorpe Racecourse is situated six miles east of Melton Mowbray on the B676, seven miles west of the A1.
