The Cottesmore meeting postponed owing to safety reasons last weekend, will now take place this coming Saturday, 24th February
This meeting heralds the opening of the Leicestershire Point to Point season when the Cottesmore hold the first of five scheduled race meetings to take place at Garthorpe, near Melton Mowbray. The meeting has attracted a good entry of 133 competing in the six races. Admission prices for this and all remaining Garthorpe meetings are £20 per car (driver + 3), £15 car with one occupant, £8 pedestrians, Children under 16 free. This popular racecourse is always in quality condition and a large crowd is expected. First race time is 12.00pm.
The opening race, The Hunt Members, has been kindly sponsored by Moores Estate Agency of Oakham and has attracted an entry of 8. Judge Reilly may give Patrick Millington his first win this year on the basis of some fair runs last year.
29 Horses have been entered for the Restricted race and this is sponsored by Dickinson and Morris. Beau De Turgeon looks the form horse here, having chalked up two wins already this season, but having won at Brocklesby last Sunday he may leave this to his stable companion, Banchory Two, who won well at Thorpe. Scattered Scarlet, who also won at Thorpe, could also go close.
The Ladies Open Race has an entry of 21 and this race is sponsored by Sturgess Land Rover. Yorkshire jockey Jacqui Coward, who rode a treble at Brocklesby Park last Sunday, has the choice of Fiori or One Five Eight. Madge Carroll, a winner at Horseheath this year, has the services of Jane Williams. Mighty Montefalco and Commanche Hero are both past winners on this course and the Caroline Bailey trained Make Haste Slowly has to be respected.
Marshall Land Rover are the sponsores for the Mens Open Race and the race has attracted 29 entries. The winning horse here is eligible for the £10,000 3m ½f Volkswagen Touareg Mens P-to-P Championship H/C Final, which will be run at Towcester on May 14th. There are a number of quality Pointers here who have impressive form. Champion jockey Richard Burton is down to ride Ballylusky, a winner at Cottenham this year. Stuart Morris has a number of options including the highly thought of Coolefind, a winner at Larkhill last year. Joe Docker is down to ride Nautical Lad or Bedtime Boys, both recent winners. Sikander A Azam and Latzod’alm have both won Hunter Chases in the past two years.
The Fifth race on the card is the Confined Maidens and is run over 2 ½ miles. The entry here is 21 and the race is sponsored by Weatherbys. This race looks tricky as regards selecting a winner as most horses have had one run out. Jubilee George, the possible mount of Richard Armson, was prominent before fading on his latest run. Jago’s Girl and Monalease have ran third and fourth respectively and Teeton Bollinger ran a moderate fourth recently.
The final race of the day, The PPORA Novice Riders Race, is kindly sponsored by Carl Foster. This race has attracted an entry of 25. Silver Buzzard, trained by the Hutchinson family at Thedingworth, has some decent form to his name and could go close here. Sam Hutchinson takes the ride. Willy The Kid, from the North Cotswold, has won well this year at Tweseldown and could make this an exciting race.
The Garthorpe Racecourse with excellent viewing facilities is situated 6 miles east of Melton Mowbray on the B676 and 7 miles west of the A1.
Midlands Area P.R.
Graham Taylor
