Atherstone at Clifton-upon-Dunsmore - preview

SAMARNNI (G. Andrews)

The Atherstone Point-to-Point race meeting is on Sunday 17th April at Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, Warwickshire with the first race starting at 1pm. There are 115 entries in total.

Four horses are entered into the Hunt Members race, the first of the day, but it is difficult to see past Samarnni, trained by Tom Ellis and ridden by Gina. The horse is part-owned by the meeting Secretary's husband Trevor Bourne so this would be a popular local winner. It has won twice this season on similar ground, most recently at the Belvoir meeting at Garthorpe.

The Confined race, which follows, has attracted 20 entries but several of them ran last weekend so may not be ready to race again. Top-rated is Connies Cross (P. Gerety) whose recent form in heavy ground has been unhelpful and he is also entered elsewhere. Arkose (W. Thirlby) won last time out at Dingley as did Flicka's Witness, but this one is also entered in the Men's Open and may have run the day before. Another to watch is Proximo (J. Bailey) but he may prefer faster ground.

The Jockey Club Open Mares Maiden follows, with 25 entries. The nature of this race means there is little form to work from so this is a difficult one to predict. Perhaps the likely suspects on paper are Overplan and Abijoe (G. Andrews).

The Mens Open could see a classy field if the entered horses come to post. Top-rated is Thetalkinghorse (T. McClorey) who won a hunter chase at Wetherby last time with this jockey on board. Brackloon High (A. Barlow) has won this season but is entered elsewhere on the same day so may not present. Kashline (T. O'Brien), Green Winter (Z. Baker), Fruit Fayre (P. Gerety) and the aforementioned Flicka's Witness are also likely to be contenders if they choose this race.

3.20pm is the start time for the Ladies Open. Although entered Palypso De Creek (Miss C. Hart) is probably unlikely to run a week after winning at Guilsborough but would be a dead cert if he did. If he does not declare then Claire may ride His Excellency instead.  Start Royal (G. Andrews) will have short odds having won recently at Kimble, if it chooses this meeting over Fakenham where it is also entered. Qoubilai (Miss C. Crane) will probably make the running but needs to prove he has the stamina too, having dropped off quickly at Dingley, last time out.

There are 18 entries for the Restricted, including Bingo Star (J. Bailey), which won last time out at Cottenham in February, and More Tricks (J. Day) which won at Dingley on Easter Saturday. Young QC is another recent winner (Hereford) but has three entries over the weekend so may not show. Ring Ben (P. Gerety) and Don't Be Fooled are both due a win but also have other entries.

As usual the Open Maiden will provide the final entertainment of the day at 4.30pm. Of the 25 entries a few stand out and many are unknown quantities. In-form Tom McClorey has the rider on Martin Tucker's First Goodnight, second to More Tricks at Dingley, and Gina Andrews may pilot Ginuwinefizz or Basher Brian, both of which have shown ability but have other entries elsewhere. The so far un-raced Robin De Boss may be an interesting one to watch if it runs.

Recent Posts

23rd April 2024
Ridge keeps the Gold Cup while doubles flow

John Ridge's Caryto des Brosses showed his class to win the Prestigious Quorn Gold Cup in style at Garthorpe on Saturday, for the second year running. The David Kemp-trained 12 year old is probably in his last season of racing but you wouldn't have known it from this display; he looked close to his very […]

17th April 2024
Quorn at Garthorpe 2024 - Preview

Saturday April 20th sees the MIdlands Area return to Garthorpe for the Quorn meeting, where there will be pony racing from 1pm and then, from 2pm, six horse races over fences and one on the flat. There are 34 entries for the point-to-point flat race at the end of the day, so this will almost […]

3rd April 2024
Jack Andrews shines with treble

Jack Andrews completed a treble on the day at Thorpe Lodge on Bank Holiday Monday to cap a successful weekend with five wins across three meetings. Success came first in the Goffs four and five year-olds maiden race, rescheduled here after the loss of other fixture to the weather. Jack rode Is This For Real […]

27th March 2024
South Notts at Thorpe Lodge 2024 - Preview

Due to the unfortunate abandonment of the Woodland Pytchley meeting on Easter Saturday the Midlands area now focusses on the South Notts meeting on Easter Monday at Thorpe Lodge, Newark. Thorpe Lodge is best approached using the postcode NG23 5PY or What3Words police.keen.shun. There are six scheduled races including a new Maiden race for four […]

27th March 2024
Belvoir at Garthorpe 2024 - Report

The ground at Garthorpe dried well throughout the week leading up to the 2024 renewal of the Belvoir point-to-point at Garthorpe on Saturday 23rd March, and a big crowd of racegoers braved some icy hail showers and a typically arctic prevailing wind and partied in the bar long after racing had finished. Clerk of Course […]

Supporters

A small random selection of the many generous companies who support Midlands point-to-point racing.
View all sponsors
Silcock and partners logo
Knight Frank Logo
Melbros
Steffans logo
Alpha Drain Services Logo
Welland Valley Feeds
Sharnford Tractors
K&K Windows Logo
Harriss Property Logo
Dickinson and Morris Logo
Berry Accountants Logo
Tattersalls Logo
Will Barker & Co Logo
Sid Dennis & Sons Logo
BMTC Law Logo
Berrys Logo
Partridges UK Ltd logo
Bletsoe Brown Country Store
Castaways Holiday Park Logo
Country and Equestrian Logo

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram