19 May 2009 Preview: Meynell & South Staffordshire - Garthorpe
by Graham Taylor
SONEVAFUSHI: may aim to increase Tom Greenall's lead in the riders' championship
photo: Jackie Oliver
A total of 92 horses have been entered for this weekend's Meynell & South Staffordshire Point to Point meeting which will be the fifth and final meeting to be held at Garthorpe, near Melton Mowbray, this season.
The meeting will also decide the Garthorpe Leading Rider Award for 2009. Richard Armson is the current leader with 15 points, closely followed by Tom Ellis on 14 with Matt Mackley just a point further behind.
Good ground conditions are forecast with the recent rain and there will be seven races on the day with first race due off at 2.00pm. Admission prices are as per recent Garthorpe meetings: £10 per car with driver, £5 for each extra occupant, £5 pedestrians. Children under 16 are free.
First race of the afternoon is the Open Maiden Race and this has attracted an entry of 14. Richard Winterton, Fine Art Auctioneers, have kindly sponsored this race. This looks to be between Castleconner Lad and Ocean Fou. The pair have met twice already this season with the latter coming out on top both times in races at Fakenham and Garthorpe.
Race two is The Intermediate Race and 16 horses are entered here. The race is sponsored by Palletways of Fradley Park. The Easterby team have three entered here in Intense Suspense, Snake Rave and Phenix Jack and all are winners of their latest races. However the Grafton horse, Exceptionnel, won the first race on the new Whitfield course last week and could be the danger here.
Else Law, Solicitors, have sponsored race three, the PPORA Members Race for Novice Riders. This has attracted an entry of 20. Lou Du Moulin Mas won a Members race by a neck on his last run. Mooramana won the Ladies race on this course and has to be considered. However the winner could come from either Sonevafushi, the probable mount of Tom Greenall, or Grenfell, a head second in the Intermediate Championship final at Cheltenham and the winner of last weekend's Dodson & Horrell Novice Riders Championship at Tabley.
A total of 16 are entered for the Mens Open Race and Palletways International are the sponsors here. Sonevafushi, also entered in the previous race, could be up against the Gerald Bailey trained Cheyne, whom he beat in a recent race. However Cheyne may turn the tables as he prefers the anticipated softer ground. Unjust Law would also have to be considered on his form this season.
Fifth race is the Ladies Open Race and Simon Clarke of Dunstall Estate has kindly sponsored. The race has an entry of nine. This looks to be between the consistent fourteen year old Free, from the Hutchinson stable, and the three times winner this season, Petit Lord, the probable mount of Angela Rucker.
Countryside Insurance Services of Leicester have sponsored the sixth race, the Restricted Race and this has attracted an entry of 17. Oscar D'Angron won a 2m4f Maiden at Cold Harbour and could have Richard Burton on board. Trocadeno was an easy Maiden winner at Eyton on Seven and Pingaro De La Vire unseated rider when close up at Godstone. This one could have Dave Mansell in the saddle. Nevertheless the choice just goes to Wantage Road who impressed on this course in mid-April.
Final race up is The Hunt Members and only two entries have been taken here. Cawarden Holdings of Rugeley, Staffordshire, have kindly sponsored. Arctic Summer is a fourteen year old but ran quite well when fourth in a Restricted. His sole rival, Gnillish, was pulled up in a Maiden on his first run.
Garthorpe Racecourse is situated 6 miles East of Melton Mowbray on the B676, 7 miles West of the A1.
