Charm Park set to host action-packed Derwent Hunt meeting

There have been 125 entries for the seven-race card and the maiden has already been split into two divisions.

Racing starts at 12.30pm with the hunt members race, which is combined with the Staintondale hunt.

Oh So Serious won this race last year and could go close again but the main danger could come from the Clerk of the Course, John Swiers’ Son of Swallow, who was eighth on his Yorkshire pointing debut at Mordon and is likely to come on for the run.

The second race is the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club Members conditions race with penalties awarded dependent on wins. Zitenka will carry a penalty but won his hunt race well at Duncombe Park where Roycano was an easy winner of the Confined at the same meeting.

French Seventyfive seems to prefer shorter courses as both his wins have come at Easingwold although he is reported to be feeling well,

“He’s had plenty of time off since his heavy fall at the end of last season and has recovered well. He’s in great order with himself, so much so that I keep falling off!”, said his trainer Gillian Boanas.

Carlicue is likely to come on for his Sinnington debut and Billing ran well at the Brocklesby meeting on Sunday.

“He’s come on for the run and if the ground stays good he should run a big race,” said Sam Coward.

The winner is likely to be Opera Og who was just beaten a short head at the Sinnington in the fastest time of the day and can make up for that here.

In the Men’s Open a quality field of 13 have been entered.

Dica was second at this meeting last year and can put in another bold show.

My Old Piano was second on his seasonal debut but isn’t getting any younger and Monsieur Jourdain hasn’t run since winning the Grimthorpe Gold Cup for the second time 11 months ago.

Son of Flicka put in a good first run at Mordon, is likely to go better on a sounder surface and could figure in this race.

Jack Teal takes over the reins from injured Jacqueline Coward on One Connemara, “he’s going well but we’re still learning about him” said Sam Coward.

“We’re hoping for a better run than Sinnington and the better ground will suit him,” she added.

A bumper 24 entries have been made for the Ladies Open with the stand-out horse being Palypso De Creek.

This multiple hunter chase and point-to-point winner would be given a great Yorkshire reception should he score on Sunday, for his late owner Jill Dawson, who was a hugely popular and talented owner/trainer/rider in the pointing world and particularly welcome in Yorkshire.

Should the Dawsons’ other horse, His Excellency take his place he will be interesting to watch. Only a seven-year-old, he has won over fences at three miles and should be able to translate his ability to the pointing field.

The main challenge could be from Drom, who won a hunter chase last time and won at this course last year.

Millers Reef was a good winner at the Sinnington meeting in the fastest time of the day and Royal Deal could also figure for the Masons.

The Restricted could be one of the most exciting races of the day.

“Micky Miller lost his confidence a bit at Alnwick and was nearly brought down at Sheriff Hutton, but had a lovely clear run at Mordon and I’m looking forward to riding him again,” said jockey Jack Teal.

Shantou Prince was an easy winner of his maiden at the Sinnington meeting and The Manager won nicely at Sheriff Hutton but was thrown in at the deep end on his last run at the Sinnington when taking part in the Confined.

Either of the Coward pair could take their chance, Apassionforfashion and The Ketchup Kid.

“They will probably both need the run,” warned Sam Coward. Khan Do It could make his seasonal debut and he is still learning and improving. Comedinewithme is another who won his maiden easily at the Sinnington, having finished second the week before.

“Joanna (Mason) thinks the course might be a bit sharp for her but I’m not sure the Holderness the week after will suit her so we might have to get a run into her here,” said trainer Ian Mason.

Both maiden races have 20 entries and the first division could go the way of Aldreth who was only a neck behind Comedinewithme at Sinnington.

The former eventer Chilledbychoice ran a good race on his debut but that was in restricted class and the drop back to a maiden will suit.

Quinto was fourth last time out, completing on his second attempt and can come on again and another who could figure is Smart Act who has been placed on all his completions.

Devil At Midnight will be ridden again by Jack Teal, who said: “He should have come on for his run at Sinnington, where he finished seventh.”

The race has already produced several winners so the form is looking good.

In the second division Lortzing can go well, he looked booked for third place until coming to grief at the last at Sinnington, “I’m hopeful of a good run,” added Jack Teal.

Knightofthegarter made significant improvement on his debut to finish third last time and can go better again.

“Weaverthorpe’s improved for his wind op but I’m not convinced he stays three miles so might prefer an easier track,” said Ian Mason.

Stagecoach Jasper makes his pointing debut but has a lot of racecourse experience which he could put to good use and another that could go well is Gortenbuie who is yet to run this season.

The postcode for satellite navigation is YO13 9QU and admission is £10 per person and the hunt will be organising hot food and a bar.