Belvoir
Garthorpe
Saturday 29th March 2008
by Graham Taylor

The Belvoir Hunt hold their annual Point to Point meeting, the second of five meetings to be held this year on the Garthorpe Racecourse, and this has attracted a competitive entry of 83 horses for the six races. First race is scheduled for a 1.30pm start and the going report at this moment looks to be good to soft ground. The racecourse is a superb viewing course and a large crowd is again expected. Spectators can view an increased number of trade stands and there is kiddie’s entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Admission prices are for this and all other Garthorpe meetings during the season are as last year, £20 per car of 4. £10 single car occupants. Children under 16 free.

The opening race on the card, The Members Race, has attracted an entry of eleven and the race is kindly sponsored by W.Spence & Son, local Farriers of Hose. Dream Garden and Ski Dazzle both won over the Easter period. However following the fall of rider, Miles Seston at Thorpe, substitute riders may take these rides again. Hi Up Brenkley, the mount of Richard Armson, who was second here last year, is also in with a chance.

Connolly’s Red Mills, Horse Feed Specialists, are sponsors for The Intermediate Race and this has an entry of twelve. The race looks quite open. The Camerengo, from the Gerald Bailey stable won well at Weston Park recently. Flax Hill, the likely mount of Peter Mann, ran second last month at Dunthrop. It Plays Itself, a winner at Garthorpe and Mollington last year, and the probable mount of Dickie Barrett, is just preferred.

14 horses are entered for the Ladies Open Race and this race is sponsored by Saltby Estates. Madge Carroll, trained by Dianne Williams, is consistent and has two seconds this season at Bangor and Horseheath. Fullards has won at both Cottenham and Garthorpe and is bang in form. However Jill Dawson has Virgin Soldier entered and he was a comfortable winner at Market Rasen recently.

The Gentlemen’s Open Race looks very competitive and has an entry of thirteen. Bentons Land & Estate Agents of Melton Mowbray are sponsors here. Trainer Jimmy Tarry, whose stable is in form, after wins in the last three races at Dingley last weekend, has Tooley Park entered. However True Friday, a winner at Garthorpe, Killarney Prince, a winner at Weston Park and Noakarad De Verzee, a winner at Godstone, make for an exciting contest.

The winner of this race could go forward and compete in the £10,000 3m ½ f. Volkswagen Touareg Mens P. to P. Hunter Chase Final at Towcester in May.

Fifth race is the Restricted Race and this has attracted an entry of 15. The Martin Arms of Colston Bassett have kindly sponsored this race. King Shaadi was an impressive winner at Whitwick Manor. Mad Victor won a 2 ½ miler at Weston Park. Nevertheless Yeabut, a decent winner of a Maiden at Siddington may just be the selection.

The Maiden Race is kindly sponsored by Clayton Mott, Solicitors of Nottingham and this 2 ½ mile race for 4,5,6 & 7 year olds has attracted a good entry of 18 horses. This again looks interesting but the winner could come from Reflector, favourite when prominent at Bishops Court and a good second previously at Dunthrop, and Fennie Lane, who fell when close up at Larkhill.

The Garthorpe Racecourse is situated 6 miles east of Melton Mowbray on the B676, 7 miles west of the A1.