Quorn Point- to- Point races – Saturday 25th April

The Quorn Point- to- Point races take place at Garthorpe on Saturday; 105 entries have been taken in total for the seven races starting at 1pm.

The feature race is the prestigious Quorn Gold Cup sponsored by Shouler and Son which has attracted 14 entries including the 2013 winner Richard Russell’s Gun Money who was second in the race last year. The 10 year old comes here in good form having won two Men’s Open races before being narrowly beaten by Doctor Kingsley at the Pytchley on his latest start. Others to consider include James Henderson’s Otto The Great who won the Novice Riders’ race at the last meeting at Garthorpe. Also Toby Hunt has Done A Runner and Nightcap Jack entered although these two horses also have options in other races.

The Ladies Open race sponsored by Robert Whowell & Partners may include Palypso De Creek who would certainly take all the beating if he lines up; however his participation may depend on significant rainfall during the week which is not forecast. Others to consider include Qoubilai who has won three Open races this season. Rider Lottie Crane is ahead in both the D & M Barthorpe Leading Lady rider Championship and the Novice rider Championship for the Midlands area and extra points here would see her extend that lead. Sagalyrique won at the Pytchley recently but punters need to be mindful of the fact that he ran out at the last fence when looking like winning on his only visit to Garthorpe in 2013. The riders of the first three past the post will score points in the AGA Lady Riders iTotal Control Championship.

Lottie Crane has another good ride in the opening Prestwold Hall Garthorpe Hunts Member’s Conditions race where she may partner Mister Philson. This horse won the Novice Riders’ race at Dingley on Easter Saturday. However, the current Southwell Racecourse sponsored Garthorpe leading horse Lough Inch is expected to line up here. Trained by Tom Morgan, fresh from a treble last Sunday, Lough Inch will be ridden by the current leading female rider at Garthorpe Kelly Morgan and will take some beating. Lough Inch has won at the last two meetings at the course. Navitron have sponsored a £600 prize for the leading hunt in this series of races and so far the Belvoir have a clear lead.

Lough Inch and Mister Philson also hold entries in the PPORA Novice Riders’ race sponsored by Coppice Homes. Done A Runner could also opt for this race instead of the Open; he has won twice for Lucy Wheeler this season and won on this course at the Meynell last year. Lucy may instead partner Nightcap Jack who benefitted from a walkover at the Atherstone on Sunday. Dream Garden is another to consider here for James and Fred Henderson; this horse won a Club Conditions race at Cocklebarrow earlier in the season and seems in good form. Murphy’ s Promise was a close second to the other Henderson horse Otto The Great at the Belvoir and should run well again for Harry Burt.

The Kite Construction Midlands Area Club Member’s race looks to be between Anthea Morshead’s Lockedinthepocket and Tracey Bailey’s Count Salazar. Both these horses have been placed in Open company this season and will take some beating in this contest.

William Hercock sponsors the PPORA Club Member’s Condition’s Race. Murphy’s Promise may opt to run here instead of his earlier engagement. John Docker’s Amithereyet is consistent and should go close while Fearthedark who won his Restricted at the Belvoir meeting may be the one to beat for the in- form Gerald Bailey stable.

The Bailey team have a good chance of winning a quality Open Maiden race sponsored by Motorpoint. Here Fearsome Fred may line up; he ran very well on his debut at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday. Roger Jackson has Lord Golan entered; he ran well to be third in a Restricted at Thorpe Lodge and will be ridden by Tom Strawson who is currently in the lead for the Southwell Racecourse leading male rider at Garthorpe Championship. Finally Oliver Greenall’s entry Beware The Bear is highly regarded and finished second at Bangor on his only start. Overall this looks a fascinating contest to end the Point- to- Point action.

Following this race there will be two divisions of a charity flat race.

Clerk of the Course Brian Crawford and his team will water the course from Wednesday onwards in order to maintain a safe racing surface.

Admission is £10 per person with under 16’s free. Forward car parking spaces are available at a cost of £50. There will be bookmakers, a tote, a large selection of trade stands in the shopping area and racegoers will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of Pimms at “The Garthorpe Watering Hole” Licenced bar. There is a children’s play area at the course and other attractions for the younger racegoers. There will be a bucket collection for the Wings For Life Spinal Cord research charity so please give generously to this worthy cause. After racing there will be a party in the bar where a live band will play until 9pm. Keep up to date with the latest news on www.garthorpe.com and the Garthorpe races Facebook page. Garthorpe is situated on the B676, 6 miles east of Melton Mowbray and 7 miles west of the A1. For those with satellite navigation systems the postcode is LE14 2RS.

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