27 January 2010 Preview: West of Yore - Whitcliffe Grange
by Charlotte Brader
Unbeaten MY OLD PIANO: the one to beat in the opening race
photo: Sweet Photography
After two postponed dates, Point-to-Pointing in Yorkshire finally gets underway with the West of Yore Steeplechases on Sunday 31st January at Britain's newest Point-to-Point course, Whitcliffe Grange near Ripon.
120 entries have been received for the Kettlewell Fuels Ltd sponsored event and the new course has been well supported by Yorkshire owners and trainers, as well as entries from as far away as Cheshire and Anglesey.
Richard Wells, Chairman of the West of Yore Steeplechases said, "In view of the significant snowfalls in the weeks either side of Christmas, we believe an entry of 120 horses is testimony to the very positive comments we have received about the course. The indications are that after such an awful spell of weather, there are many horses that are desperate to run."
The most popular race is the Open Maiden, with 36 entries and as a result an early decision has been taken to divide this race, meaning there are seven scheduled races with the last race due to be run at 3.00 pm.
Racing starts at 12 noon with the PPORA Club Members Conditions race, in which the impressive My Old Piano - yet to be beaten in a Point-to-Point, holds an entry. The second race is the Mens Open, which is run in memory of the late Peter Calver who used to train at the site.
The course is 1.25 miles round with six plain fences and one open ditch per circuit. It is an oval, largely flat course with a gradual pull up the back straight, where four of the seven fences are located.
Whitcliffe Grange is situated close to Ripon city centre off the Harrogate Road. There will be signposts from the A61 Ripon by-pass indicating the route to the course and the postcode for satellite navigation is HG4 3AS. Admission is £10 per person to include a free racecard. Cars with 3 or more people are £30. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.
The Yorkshire Point-to-Point Club, which should have held their meeting on January 17th have now got a new date of Sunday 21st February. All races remain as in the planner and the day starts with pony racing at 10.45 am. The first Point-to-Point race is at 12 noon.
