22 March 2010 Report: Grove & Rufford - Welbeck
by Graham Taylor
ELIZA DOALOTT: winning favourite in the Ladies
photo: Jon Hodd
A good sized crowd were treated to some exciting Point-To-Point racing when the Grove & Rufford Hunt held their annual meeting on this popular racecourse at Welbeck on Sunday.
First race of the afternoon, off at 12.00 noon, was the Confined; a total of eight horses went to post. This race was sponsored by Avocet Hardware. Pass The Class, from the Hutchinson stable, led early on but then unseated his rider at the second fence. The finish was fought out by Moustique De L'Isle, ridden by Emma Garner and the well-fancied Super Lord, the pair finishing in that order with Lord Adonis taking third spot.
Second race was the Dodson & Horrell Club Members Race for Novice Riders. Nine horses were declared to run. This was won by the fast-finishing Teeton Dazzler, trained by Joan Tice and ridden by Liz Harris. Knightsbridge King finished second and the favourite, Paolo Soprani, came in third. All three horses are now eligible to run in the D. & H. Club Members Race Series Final at Tabley in May.
The Olde Bell, the popular Hotel and Restaurant at Barnby Moor, were the kind sponsors of the Mens Open. Only two horses went to post; the race became a cat and mouse affair as Steve Charlton on Snizort led almost all of the way. However Chris Dawson riding Quechua Des Obeaux raced clear two fences from home to win by two lengths.
The Ladies Open, fourth race on the card, attracted an entry of four and the race was generously sponsored by Shires Developments. This was won by the hot favourite, Eliza Doalott, well ridden by Freya Brewer. Vingis Park, who had been well in touch throughout, took second place, with Redskin Raider in third.
Fifth race of the afternoon was the Freshtrans Open Maiden, for which 12 horses went to post. This contest resulted in a win at last for the seven-year-old gelding Monkerty Tunkerty, who had run up a sequence of four seconds this season. Rider Chris Dawson had the Middleton-qualified horse always in the front two and pulled away from Springfield Dante, the mount of Steve Mcgee. Jonny Rye finished in third place.
Final race of the day was the 2m5f Open Maiden Race for 4, 5, 6 & 7-year-olds. Mr T. Frost kindly sponsored this race and 13 horses were declared, with the contest ultimately producing a good win for the well fancied grey gelding, Adieu Mari. In midfield till halfway, rider Jacqueline Coward sent the seven-year-old on two fences
from home and won in fine style. Nothing Left took second and High Ron ran on to take third place.
