Sunday 28th February looks like it be a fabulous day’s racing at Garthorpe, with the Cottesmore Hunt’s meeting attracting 180 entries for a eight, possibly nine-race card which includes the latest round of the AGA Ladies Open.
Racing starts at 12 noon with the Garthorpe Hunts Club Members Race which has attracted a dozen entries. Kelly Morgan Tulsa, trained by her brother Tommy and Chac du Cadran (Tommie O’Brien) is another to watch. It is difficult to imagine that the Chatfeild-Roberts’ Our Milly Acres won’t be in the frame, and Dream Mistress (Fred Henderson) is one of five Henderson entries at the meeting but tailed off after leading for much of her last outing at Brocklesby.
There are 25 entries for the PPORA Members Race with some highly rated horses. In-form Claire Hart rides Dabinett Moon for the Marriotts and looks like a leading contender, despite unseating Claire last time out, when leading at Cottenham but may choose the Ladies Open. Real Milan is entered for this but is down for the Mens Open, and Court Red Handed may run but is also entered for Horseheath the day before.
The Mens Open looks to be a difficult race to pick with plenty of quality entries and several previous Garthorpe winners. Gunmoney stands out, and has previously beaten Empire Builder, which Gerald Bailey also trains in this race. Brackloon High is in great form but is also entered for Horseheath on Saturday so may not declare. Court Red Handed is another to keep an eye on as, of course, is Real Milan, if it has not run in the previous race. Popaway won impressively at Thorpe Lodge under Immy Robinson but is also entered in the Ladies Open which follows.
Gunmoney in action at Garthorpe.
Palypso de Creek (Claire Hart) is top rated in the Ladies Open, by some margin. Qoubilai (Lottie Crane) has won here before (on good ground) and Invisible Man (Josephine Banks) will be another to watch closely. Popaway may run in this one and Khyber Kim is sure to be up there as well. A lot of good options in this high quality field.
The Midlands Area Club Members race for 9-year-olds an upwards has 35 entries and may be split on the day. It is difficult to not pick out Lough Inch as a favourite on his current form and this is a horse which loves the Garthorpe course. All Great N Theory won impressively at Brocklesby under Claire Hart, and the Gerald Bailey-trained Mr Madeit is another with recent wins under its belt. Jakros is another to watch but this one is entered at Horseheath the day before and Larkhill on the same day.
The Restricted race sees entries from several recently qualified horses and should be an interesting one to watch. Susie Culloty’s Vaxalco seems to be enjoying life at Richard Walker’s yard and was second last time out while Kelly Morgan rides Agent For Chaos which won his first maiden impressively at Thorpe Lodge two weeks ago. Pauline Harkin may bring Don’t Budge Me which won in January at Higham on good ground with Harry Wallace. Our Milly Acres is also entered for this race and cannot be discounted if she comes forward but also has options.
Kelly Morgan and Agent For Chaos
The day concludes with two divisions of Maiden races with 24 and 23 entries respectively so we are sure to have some good racing throughout this meeting. We look forward to welcoming you to Garthorpe and will keep you informed of the going throughout this week.
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