Park set to host action-packed Sinnington Point-to-Point

A superb 123 entries have been received for the Sinnington Point-to-Point, which takes place at Duncombe Park on Sunday, the 40th anniversary of point-to-pointing at the Helmsley venue.
DUNCOMBE PARK POINT 2 POINT NORTH YORKSHIRE16-02-2014Pic LouisePollardDUNCOMBE PARK POINT 2 POINT NORTH YORKSHIRE16-02-2014Pic LouisePollard
DUNCOMBE PARK POINT 2 POINT NORTH YORKSHIRE16-02-2014Pic LouisePollard

Racing starts with the Hunt Members race and is likely to go the way of Sarah and William Easterby who make up over half of the entries.

“It’s our own point-to-point and I wanted to support it so I’ve entered everything that’s eligible. I’ll discuss plans with William at the weekend but will aim to have a runner in each race we’ve entered,” said Sarah Easterby.

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John Dillon managed to cause an upset last year and could return to attempt the same,

“He’s had a different preparation to last year and I’m more hopeful than confident but he does like this course,” reported his trainer Annabelle Armitage.

Guy Brewer is waiting until later in the week to make a decision on his pair of runners.

“We’ll have a better idea when they’ve worked and we know what the weather is doing,” reported the trainer.

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In the Confined, either of the Coward pair could take their chance.

“Botany Cove won last time out and Battle Range hasn’t run for a year so we’ll just have to see how the week goes on before deciding which we run,” said trainer Cherry Coward.

Junior will more than likely line up, trainer Nicky Tinkler said: “He’s in good form at home, and should run a big race if the right Junior turns up,

“Sadly the old Junior turned up at Wetherby, but I’ll more than likely take him hunting one day this week.”

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Sportingfriendship ran a close second to Furey’s Bar at Sheriff Hutton and could be the main rival to Junior.

The Manager was a good winner of the short maiden at Sheriff Hutton but the step up to Confined company is a big jump and he will have to improve again to follow up over three miles.

Pertemps Networks makes his debut in the pointing field and jockey Joanna Mason said: “He’s a bit of an unknown quantity. He came to us from Grandad’s (Mick Easterby) and has been running on the flat latterly – I’m not sure if three miles might be too far for him but he might need it now he’s a bit older.”

Colorado Kid is likely to go close in the Subaru restricted race, when the first three past the post will qualify for the Subaru sponsored final at Stratford at the end of May, however his best form has come at Mordon.

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Probably George, who won at Charm Park could be the main danger. Six A Side ran some nice races last year but this is only one option,

“We might swerve this and go for Mordon the week after,” reported jockey Will Milburn.

Jack Teal reports that Burtredgipandgump has come on for his run at Sheriff Hutton: “He should be thereabouts, but he’s not a great jumper so we’re aiming for a clear.”

TC Spitfire landed his maiden at the Middleton meeting last season and this course is likely to suit, so is another who could go close.

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It would be rather fitting for Ruby Bay to win, given the Sinnington’s 40-year celebration at Duncombe Park.

The mixed open looks like a very exciting race, rich in quality, Monsieur Jourdain can improve on his third position of last year.

Mistissio was very progressive last year but can be a little bit quirky, Jack Teal deputises for the injured Richard Smith and Royal Deal’s performance could depend on the ground.

“He ran encouragingly at Sheriff Hutton which will hopefully stand us in good stead. He seems to drop himself out more on softer ground but comes with a stronger run, which just makes it harder work for me,” remarked Joanna Mason.

“He does jump brilliantly though,” she added.

One Connemara is a new recruit for the Coward team.

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“He’s an ex-Nicky Henderson horse and he’s had some time off since we got him. We’re pleased with him so far, he pops well and is an easy traveller but we’ll learn more about him on Sunday,” said Cherry.

Veteran and Novice riders line up for the PPORA Club Members race.

One interesting entry is the maiden Chantry Melody,

“We wanted Henry (Morsehead) to ride her and we think she will suit a small field which is why we’re going for this. She is working well at home, is quite versatile and I think she will go well right handed,” reported trainer Neil Mechie. Abbie Knowlson’s Ours is likely to take his place but the winner is likely to be Trop Fort who was right up there at Sheriff Hutton before finishing fifth under Sally Coates and should come on for the run. The pair won this race last year.

The Maiden race has already been divided with 21 entries in each division.

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Danny Mags has been consistently placed and could figure in the winners’ enclosure again.

Will Milburn feels that Yearsley has come on a lot for his Sheriff Hutton start and Belgian Chocolate will only run if the ground isn’t tacky, according to his trainer.

Joanna Mason may take the reins of Lady Nefertiti but said: “I think she prefers a slightly shorter course.”

She may have the pick though with Weaverthorpe also entered.

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“He’s had a wind op since last season and seems to be going well enough at home,” said Joanna.

The winner is likely to be Norton Grove who was a good second to the impressive Darlington County last month and he can follow up here.

The second division holds a lot more unknowns.

Lunacorn was going well at the South Wold meeting on Sunday until unseating her rider, however Neil Mechie feels that the uphill fences will suit her.

“I’m hopeful that with a good round of jumping she will go close. She currently has more letters after her name than numbers but we just need to sort the jumping,” he said.

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Another who is aiming for a good jumping round is Cherry Coward, with both The Highlander and Game As A Pheasant entered.

“Oli (Pimlott) will probably ride The Highlander, he’s had a year off and we’ll just see what happens. Game As A Pheasant is named after Jack Teal, who rode a horse for us one day and described him as such.

“We all thought it would be a good name for a horse. I’d like to run all the maidens but it will depend on the ground. They need the experience and we’re looking for clear rounds. I was always taught that you have to get clear and then you can see where you are and be in with a chance of a getting into the winners’ enclosure,” said Cherry Coward.

Mr Conductor has been recruited from Ireland.

“He’s improved since he arrived and Emma (Todd) will ride him,” said Will Milburn.

The race is likely to go the way of Comedinewithme.

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“We were unlucky not to win at Friars Haugh,” said Joanna Mason. “I knew to be in with a chance we had to be upsides at the last which we were but we got in deep and Jack (Teal) had the better jump and got away more quickly. She’s very talented but still a bit green and I’m quite excited about her.”

Racing gets underway at 12.30pm and the postcode for satellite navigation is YO62 5EB. Admission is £10 per person.