Atherstone
Clifton-on-Dunsmore
Sunday 20th April 2008
by Graham Taylor

A very good entry of 179 horses have been received for this coming Sundays annual Atherstone Hunt Point to Point meeting at Clifton-On-Dunsmore, near Rugby. A large crowd is anticipated as the feature race here is the Mares Maiden Championship Final and this has attracted horses from many parts of the country. The course itself is reported to be in fine condition. The first race is scheduled for 1.00pm. Admission prices are as last year, £8 per head with children under 16 free.

First race up on an eight race card is The Members Race and has been kindly sponsored by M.J.Carter Associates. There are eight entered here. The Sarah Phizaclea owned and trained, Another River, was an impressive winner last week at Guisborough. Jubilee George won well the following day at Brafield. However True Friday, the probable mount of Richard Armson, looks to be the selection.

Howkins & Harrison sponsor race two, The Confined, which has an entry of 19. Gerald Bailey has the in form Cheyne entered, a winner last week. Sovereign Quest won the Melton Novices Final last year and has finished second twice this season. Sleep Bal was a decent second at Garthorpe recently. Others in with a chance are the Hutchinson’s Silver Buzzard and Sweet Citizen from the Williams camp.

The Mares Championship Final has attracted an entry of 17 and is sponsored by TBA & PPROA and this looks exciting. Kiama, a winner at Cherrybrook, may have top lady rider Polly Gundry on board. Me Julie and Mrs White won at Bangor and Upton on Severn respectively. However local rider, Stuart Morris, looks to ride, Paulinski, who has won twice at Garthorpe this year and is the selection.

Race 4 is the Mens Open Race and this has attracted an entry of 28. Trinity Motors of Hinckley have kindly sponsored here. This again looks to have the ingredients of a close race. Noakarad De Verzee was an Open winner at Godstone early season. Sleep Bal was placed at Garthorpe. Coolefind a winner last weekend at Guilsborough may wait for a later race. With this in mind, The Hookie Bookie, who may have Tom Ellis in the saddle is just preferred.

The Ladies Open Race has attracted an entry of 23 and this race is sponsored by James Bennett Limited. Limerick Leader won with plenty in hand at Dingley and the stable is back in form. Viscount Banks has had a spell of runs in Hunter Chases. Another who looks a possible winner is Virgin Soldier, the mount of Jill Dawson, who won at Market Rasen early season.

G. & C.A. Lee of Tamworth sponsor race six, the Restricted Race. 34 are entered here. Another River, also entered in the opening race, won well last week. Mad Victor ran a good second at Eyton on Severn and continues to improve. However Farmer Frank was an easy winner at Thorpe Lodge in a Members and is the selection.

Division 1 of the Maiden race has attracted an entry of 25 and the race is sponsored by the late Mrs Harry Barton & Family. The Factor was second in a similar race at High Easter. Call Me a Lady ran second, when well fancied at Guilsborough last weekend. However the unraced Bentoto from the Mike Dawson stable is highly thought of and just gets the vote.

25 are also entered for Division 2 of the Maiden Race. Sharnford Tractors have kindly sponsored here. The eight year old, Souk Al Jabba, has shown promise in a couple of runs this year. Nevertheless it may pay to choose Hugo Hackenbush, who finished quite well in a Garthorpe Maiden over 2 ½ miles recently.

The Clifton-on-Dunsmore racecourse is situated next to the A5, 3 miles north west of M1, junction 18, 2 miles east of Rugby.