04 May 2008 Fernie - Dingley
Richard Hunnisett: recorded his 50th winner aboard Harapour at the meeting
A large crowd witnessed some exciting racing when the Fernie Hunt held their popular Point-to-Point meeting at Dingley, near Market Harborough, this afternoon. Ashby de la Zouch based owner/rider Richard Armson was in top form, booting home the last two winners.
The meeting opened with nine going to post for the Club Members race, for Novice Riders, sponsored by Summit Engineering. This produced a second for Johnny Bailey riding the stable's consistent gelding My Best Buddy. Taking the twelve year old to the front from the start, Bailey timed the race well and had eight lengths to spare at the line. Joint market leader, Willie The Kid, held on for second place with Rainbow Tree taking third.
Watling JCB sponsored the second race, the Confined race, and eight went to post. This produced a second win for the Bailey stable and a fiftieth win for owner/rider Richard Hunnisett. Hunnisett sent Harapour clear, after disputing the lead for much of the way, to beat Bobbies Ryde, ridden by Tom Ellis, with Exceptionnel, under Tim Lane, taking third.
Eight horses went to post for the Confined Maiden race kindly sponsored by Bishop Beamish. This produced a win for the Belvoir trained five year old Beau Sam. Matt Briggs had the young horse in touch for most of the way and had three lengths to spare at the post from Smart Mistress and third placed Murphy's Nails.
The feature race, the Fernie Four-Mile Mixed Open sponsored by Welland Valley Feeds of Market Harborough, saw eight go to post. Bedtime Boys, the market leader, took up the running going into the final circuit and looked to be going the best. However, Parsonhumfrywebber, a winner here last year, was produced late by rider Gina Andrews and won by three quarters of a length. The Third horse home was Gillie's Nephew.
Tenon of Leicester kindly sponsored race five, the Restricted race, and nine were declared to run. This produced the first leg of a double for Richard Armson. His mount, Burn Brook, and the favourite, The Fast Frog, set the pace for most of the way but, when the latter fell four fences out; Armson pushed his mount clear and won with a bit in hand. French Bey and Tanners Hall took second and third.
The concluding Open Maiden Race, sponsored by Tilton ATV, saw 15 horses go to post. This provided Richard Armson with the second leg of his double, and a win for the unraced, yet well supported seven year old, Bentoto, trained by Mike and Jill Dawson. Armson always had the gelding up with the leaders and brought him through with two fences to jump, winning with a little in hand. Fair Promise and Rock Charlie took second and third.
The next Midland Area meeting is the Melton Hunt Club at Garthorpe, near Melton Mowbray, on Sunday 11th May. First race 2.00pm.
