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AZTEC WARRIOR: The last of George Henderson's three winners leads home Pristine Condition in the Mens Open
photo: Jackie Oliver

Overnight rain coupled with the efforts of Clerk of the Course Brian Crawford and his team produced good going for the Melton Hunt Club Point-to-Point at Garthorpe on Sunday. The highlight was a four-timer for owner James Henderson, rider George Henderson and trainer Antonia Bealby.

Their first winner came in the Melton Hunt Club Members Conditions race, where Dream Garden got the better of Walter's Laddie and Johnny Bailey. Taking up the running at the pen fences this eight year old, who had shown signs of returning to form at the last meeting at Garthorpe, went on to win by a two lengths. "He took time to recover from falling at Cottenham in the early part of the season but he is enjoying racing again now," explained James Henderson.

Say No had an easy task in the Melton Hunt Club Members Novices Championship race where as the only declared runner he walked over. The third winner for the Henderson/Bealby team came in the Melton Mowbray Market Mens Open race. This time their representative was Aztec Warrior who disputed the lead with Lord Daresbury's Pristine Condition and Toby Greenall before going clear two fences from home to score for the second time this season.

In the Midlands Area Club race former winning chaser The Luder returned to winning ways. The ten-year-old made most of the running and held off the challenge of Mark Barthorpe's Alflora Dora and Bridget Andrews. "The Luder is a bit of a character but I am very pleased- especially as I backed him at odds of 20-1," said a delighted James Henderson. Eighteen-year-old George Henderson brought his seasonal tally to eight which is a very good achievement considering he missed part of the season with an injury. His job at Hughie Morrison's stables comes to an end shortly when George plans to go travelling to South America, before returning to study Business and Economics at Reading University in the autumn.

Sheila Crow brought just one horse, David Roger's mare Fresh Fruit, to the meeting from her Shropshire base and was able to take the PPORA Club Members Race for Novice Riders. A good jump at the penultimate fence gave Fresh Fruit an advantage and she went on to score by ten lengths from Carapuce and Dale Peters. This race was a late qualifier for the £1,000 Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members Novice Riders Series Final at Tabley next Sunday for which Fresh Fruit is an intended runner. Rider Patrick Gerety was recording his third winner in England but also has two winners in Ireland to his name.

Dale Peters added to his earlier second place by winning the Open Maiden race with Victor Grumps. The eight-year-old took up the lead approaching the second last and was able to withstand the determined challenge of Runny Rummy and Richard Armson.

Earlier in the afternoon a second walkover had taken place when Wild Is The Wind and Gemma Hutchinson took the Ladies Open race. The total of 33 runners from 133 entries was very disappointing for organisers who had worked so hard to produce the best possible ground conditions.

The next meeting in the Midlands Area is the Fernie Point-to-Point at Dingley on Sunday 15th May.

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