South Notts
Thorpe Lodge
Easter Monday 24th March 2008
by Emma Forman

The South Notts Point to Point takes place at Thorpe Lodge, Newark on Easter Monday 24 th March. The course at Thorpe is situated 4 miles south west of Newark near the A46, 5 miles from the A1. 101 entries have been received for 7 races starting at 2pm.

Owner Roger Jackson has every chance of taking the opening Hunt Member’s race as he has both Farmer Frank and Flying Spur entered. Farmer Frank won a maiden at Welbeck at the beginning of the month and is highly regarded while Flying Spur followed up his Welbeck win by stepping up in class to take the Confined race at the recent South Wold meeting at Brocklesby. Miles Seston has Brocklesby winner Be Upstanding entered although he could opt to run in the Confined race.

Seston has the choice of riding Eskimo Pie in the Confined race, he is trained at Barrowby by Antonia Bealby. Another that stands out here is Sea Ferry, a hunter chase winner in 2006, he is owned by Jo and Judy Lundgren and trained by Nick Kent who also has Ramirez and Vic’s Last Chance entered. Sovereign Quest won at this meeting last year and would be another with a chance.

Jill Dawson has two to choose from in the Ladies Open race. Virgin Soldier looked a class act when winning at the Burton meeting at Market Rasen and would take all the beating. However, she may choose to run Vingis Park who is awaiting his point to point debut. The danger to the Dawson pair is Rainbow Tree who is trained by Antonia Bealby and has some place form this season.

The highlight of the day is the Men’s Open race which is a qualifier for the £10 000 3 miles ½ furlong Volkswagen Touareg Men’s Point to Point Championship Final at Towcester on Monday 12 th May. Both Flying Spur and Be Upstanding could run here in preference to the Hunt Member’s race. Nick Kent has Ramirez and Vic’s Last Chance with the option to run here too. However, the winner could well be Denvale who is trained by Gerald Bailey and owned and ridden by Richard Hunnisett. He was 3 rd behind the Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Amicelli at the Brocklesby and went on to win at Garthorpe earlier this month. Gerald Bailey has a chance of saddling the first two home since Persian Hero is a consistent performer and should go well for John Russell.

Bailey also trains recent Welbeck winner Pass The Parsel who could follow up in the Restricted race. However, the race at Welbeck was a match and he is likely to face stiffer opposition here. Farmer Frank holds an entry here and Walter’s Laddie was a close second in a recent restricted at Garthorpe. The Miles Seston trained Cold Play could go well especially if there is some cut in the ground. Richard Armson has three rides to choose from; Earl Token, Montebank and Chestnut House.

The afternoon concludes with 2 maiden races and Miles Seston has a good chance of winning them both. In the 5,6 and 7 year olds race his mount Ski Dazzle was a good second at the Brocklesby meeting and will take all the beating here. Others to note should they run are Pennytino and Poacher’s Blend for the Bailey team. The second maiden is for 8 year olds and over and Seston’s mount here Farmer Tom, trained like Ski Dazzle by Antonia Bealby will be fancied. The danger to him is Sydney TwoThousand who is trained by Bill Warner. He is returning from injury but has some good maiden form.