10 March 2008 Cottesmore - Garthorpe
Stuart Morris: denied a double on the day by the shortest of margins
Decent Spring weather, good ground conditions, and some quality Point-to-Point racing got the first Leicestershire meeting of the season off to a good start at Garthorpe. With new style fences set in place for the meeting, both trainers and jockeys gave the thumbs up and no fallers were reported during the seven races.
Four horses went to post for the Hunt Members race which resulted in a win for the Holly Campbell trained Oscar Buck who started favourite but only had a head to spare on the line following some urgent riding from jockey Joe Docker.
The second race of the afternoon, the Confined race, had nine runners and went to the eight year old mare True Friday, already a winner three times at Garthorpe. Rider Richard Armson took up the running just after halfway and never looked likely to be caught. Cheyne from the Bailey stable and, Belvoir gelding, Eskimo Pie took the minor placings.
In the Mens Open race five runners went to post. The Gerald Bailey trained Denvale, who had changed hands recently, was ridden by his new owner Richard Hunnisett and proved too good for hot favourite Steppes of Gold who lost second place on the run in to the unfancied nine year old Gabor.
A field of four was declared for the Ladies Open race and recent Cottenham winner Fullards took up the running from long time leader Oh So Lively, held off the late challenge of Tooley Park, and landed the spoils.
In the TBA/MFHA PPORA Club Members race for mares only seven went to post. This resulted in a comfortable win for the seven year old Paulinski who was well ridden by Stuart Morris. Who Let The Fox Out, ridden by Patrick Millington, and Tunnel Breeze, the mount of Rilly Goschen, took second and third placings.
Ten went to post in the Restricted Race which produced the closest finish of the day. Hot favourite Walters Laddie, ridden by previous race winner Stuart Morris, looked to be going best turning into the final bend but Carbon Footprint, ridden by James Turcan, got back in front to win by a short head.
The final race on the card was the Open Maiden race, for 5,6,7 & 8 year olds, and 10 horses went to post. This was won by Victor Victorious who fought off both Streets of Laredo and Jubilee George in an exciting finish.
