News

COOLEFIND: could add another win to leading Midlands rider Johnny Bailey's tally
photo: Mark Fettes

The South Notts Point-to-Point takes place at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday. A total of 96 entries have been taken for the seven race card, with the first race scheduled for 2pm, and the final race due off at 5.30pm. It is an ideal opportunity for a family day out with a picnic.

Leading Midlands Area riders Johnny Bailey and Gemma Hutchinson can be expected to have a successful afternoon. The first race, the Anne Jepson Memorial Confined race, is run in memory of the long serving meeting secretary. Bailey could have his pick of either Pennytino or Walter's Laddie; Richard Bower's homebred mare Pennytino usually runs well at Thorpe and is in good form having won the Pytchley Members race on her latest start. Walter's Laddie has won four Point-to-Points but is looking to end a run of second places. Gemma Hutchinson may ride Wild Is The Wind, a dual winner this season who would take some beating if he lines up.

Wild Is The Wind also holds an entry in the Bournston Group Ladies Open race. Here the Hutchinson family have the option of running Limerick Leader who won this race last year, and more recently scored in the Pytchley Ladies Open. Another horse to note in this race is Margaret Moody's consistent horse Pass The Parsel who should run well.

Newark Livestock Market is sponsoring the Mens Open race and Johnny Bailey has a very good chance of winning on Coolefind. This horse, owned by Judy Wilson and trained by Stuart Morris, was second behind the highly regarded Otage De Brion in the Pytchley Mens Open, and should find this an easier contest. Aztec Warrior should also run well; his jockey George Henderson won the Youngest Rider award when the pair finished second in the Quorn Gold Cup Mens Open race at Garthorpe. Richard Hunnisett may run his Aintree partner Van Ness, who jumped superbly over the Grand National fences, and should be able to give a good account of himself here.

The Jackson's Butchers Intermediate race is a qualifier for the £7,000 3m1½f Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Point-to-Point Championship Hunter Chase Final at Cheltenham on Wednesday 4th May. The entries are headed by Mark Barthorpe's Alflora Dora, winner of a Restricted race at Brocklesby Park earlier this season. Sovereign Quest is a course winner at Thorpe and Johnny Bailey has a good chance of winning with Belvoir Restricted winner Kandelin. More Than Hopeful has an excellent chance for the Henderson family, having won here at the first meeting in February and placing in Intermediate company since.

The Restricted race is being sponsored by Frank Key Builders Merchants, and South Notts farmer Roger Jackson has Propriano Du Bourg entered. The grey gelding won a Maiden race at Welbeck recently and is likely to be ridden by Hugh McKenna. Richard Bowers has Pennytino's half-sister Karintino entered here; she won a maiden race at the Oakley meeting and may be able to progress. Johnny Bailey has the choice of Karintino or Jonny Rye, who was an easy winner of a Members race at Garthorpe earlier this month.

The final two races on the card are Maiden races. The first is restricted to four, five, six and seven year olds and is sponsored by Fernwood Group. The Jane Kent-trained Lincs Lad looks the pick here, having run a good race to be second behind Karintino at the Oakley meeting. The Brydon Property Development Open Maiden race may be won by the Sylvia Edmonds-trained Present Of Flame who was second at Garthorpe recently, failing to win by only a length that day.

Thorpe Lodge is situated four miles south-west of Newark, near the A46 and five miles from the A1. For satellite navigation systems the postcode is NG23 5PY. The course at Thorpe Lodge is in excellent condition and watering will take place as necessary. Admission is £7.50 per person with under 16's free.

Back to Top