29 April 2009 Preview: Fernie - Dingley
by Graham Taylor
Some top Point-to-Point racing looks to be in store over this weekend when the Fernie Hunt hold their popular annual race meeting at Dingley, near Market Harborough, on Sunday. A good entry of 126 horses have been received for the six races and with some rain forecast over the next few days, ground conditions look set to be ideal.
First race is scheduled for a 2.00pm start. Admission prices are as last season, Car with driver £15, additional passengers £5 each. Pedestrians £5, children under 16 free. The Fernie 4 mile Mixed Open race, due off at 3.45pm, is the feature race of the meeting.
The opening race, The PPORA Club Members Race, due off at 2.00pm, has attracted an entry of seven and the race has been kindly sponsored by Summit Engineering of Blaby. Carbon Footprint has been placed at both Dingley and Welbeck this season and has to be considered. However the winner could come from the Hutchinson stable as they have Free, a winner twice this year, and Limerick Leader, who won here mid-April, entered. The latter looks the most likely winner.
Watling JCB are the sponsors of race two, the Confined Race and this has an entry of 22. This race looks quite open. Bobbies Ryde was a winner here on his last run. French Bey is in form and has already won at Garthorpe and Thorpe. Walters Laddie is consistent and won a Members race at Guilsborough, and Sovereign Quest has at last broken his sequence of seconds with a recent win.
Third race is the Confined Maiden Race for 5, 6 and 7 year olds and this has an entry of 23. Bishop Beamish, Property Consultants, have sponsored here. This race may be fought out by two of the form horses. Pirate Depp was third on this course in a 2m4f event and has strong claims. However Jago's Girl was a decent second in a Maiden earlier this year and could have the promising Adam Wedge taking the mount.
Feature race of the afternoon is the Fernie Four Mile Mixed Open Race and this has attracted a field of 24. Welland Valley Feeds of Market Harborough are the sponsors here. Denvale, from the Bailey stable, unseated Richard Hunnisett when going well at Garthorpe. Teeton Bollinger looks to be returning to his old form and will appreciate the distance. The Hookie Bookie is trained by Jimmy Tarry and is bang in form. Nevertheless the selection is Gaelsbob, a faller when close up in the recent Lady Dudley Cup.
Next race up is the Restricted race. A total of 20 have entered. Posh Dude was a winner last weekend at Clifton and is unlikely to be risked here so soon. Duke of Kentford ran a decent second at Thorpe Lodge and could have the services of Stuart Morris in the saddle. However the selection here is Delgany Gunner, a good Maiden winner at Dingley and who looks open to improvement.
Thirty horses have entered for the final race, the Open Maiden Race. Doctor Kinsley ran a decent third on his last outing and Richard Armson could be on board. Croftburn was second at Garthorpe and was in touch till unseating on a more recent run. Pirate Depp was third on this course and Tom Ellis is likely to ride. However the winner could be Rockfield, who ran well against the smart Wantage Road at Garthorpe on his last outing.
Dingley Racecourse is situated three miles east of Market Harborough, on the Market Harborough to Corby road.
