Grove & Rufford
Welbeck
Sunday 2nd March 2008
by Graham Taylor

There looks to be some exciting racing in store with a very good entry of 158 horses, when the Grove & Rufford hold their annual Point to Point meeting at Welbeck near Worksop this coming Sunday. The racecourse is renowned as one of the prettiest parkland courses in the country with views of outstanding beauty. The racing surface is in tip top condition and going at present looks good. The first race is scheduled for a 12.00 noon start.

Two pony races are to take place approximately half hour after the final race.

Admission prices are £5 per person, (£20 per car of 4) with single car occupant £10.

Pedestrians £5 each, children under 16 free.

First race up at midday is the Confined Race and this is kindly sponsored by Avocet Hardware. The race has attracted an entry of 18. Sea Ferry looks to be the form horse here and is the likely mount of Jill Dawson. However Vics Last Chance won at Thorpe Lodge last season and ran in a Hunter Chase at Leicester recently. Bulmer Bank, the probable mount of Joe Docker was second at Thorpe in December and commands respect.

Twenty horses are entered for the first division of the Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members to be ridden by novice riders. This could throw up a good finish between Nokimover, third in a novice riders event at Horseheath and Rainbow Tree, third in two Ladies Open races this year. First three horses past the post are eligible to run in the £1000 D.&H. novice riders series final at Tabley on 18 th May.

The second division of this race has attracted an entry of 19 horses and this could rest between Cold Play, second last weekend at Market Rasen and West Coaster, who was a decent neck second at Dunscombe Park in February. Same rule applies here, as first three can go onto the series final at Tabley.

The Olde Bell, a popular Hotel and Restaurant in Barnby Moor have sponsored The Mens Open Race and here 25 horses are entered. This could turn out to be a top race. Ballyluski is consistant and could have top rider, Richard Burton on board. The Gerald Bailey stable has both Denvale and My Best Buddy entered. The former is now owned by Richard Hunnisett, who is likely to take the ride. My Best Buddy has already won this year and will be ridden by Dickie Barrett. However another in with a shout is Steppes of Gold who ran Ballyluski close at Garthorpe last year and has the services of Alex Merriam.

The Ladies Open Race has attracted an entry of 15. Suzuki UK are first time sponsors here and this race looks very interesting. The Hutchinson stable in Leicestershire have Free entered. This thirteen year old has already won this year. Nevertheless the finish could rest between Jill Dawsons choice of Sir Storm and last weeks winner, Virgin Soldier and the Jackie Coward pair, Narcisco and Charlies Memory.

21 horses are entered for The Maiden Race for 8 year olds and over and the race is sponsored by Camwatch, the Security people. This looks a tricky race to call but the eight year old Yeabut who has ran second twice this year may take the spoils.

Next race up is The Maiden Race for 4,5,6 and 7year olds, to be run over 2 ½ miles and owing to the number of entries this race is again divided and is kindly sponsored by MCR Technologies, who are also sponsoring for the first time. The race is named after his three children, Holly, Harriet and Harvey. Division 1 has 20 horses entered and looks to rest between Cottam Phantom, fourth at Duncombe Park and Bow School who ran well till falling at Brocklesby recently.

Division 2 also has an entry of 20 and is also run over 2 ½ miles. This again looks open but Ski Dazzle may be the pick on his good second in a similar event at Brocklesby Park in February and eight year old, Malton, favourite when third in a maiden at Dunscombe Park.

Welbeck racecourse is situated some 4 miles SW of Worksop on the Ollerton road.

(Use exit 30, M1) Please respect racecourse directions, there is strictly no access through the Garden Centre.