ENJOY A GREAT AFTERNOON AT GARNONS SUNDAY 20 MARCH!

The forecast is looking good for the South Herefordshire Hunt point-to-point meeting at Garnons (HR4 7JX) on Sunday (20th), where there will be a seven-race card, beginning at 1.30pm.

Clerk of the course, Stan Turner and his team of helpers have been working tirelessly to restore the ground and move the bends following the Ross Harriers fixture, and conditions are drying nicely so that the current going of ‘good to soft, with a few heavy patches’ (inspected on Wednesday) is likely to improve.

The beautiful parkland and magnificent country house are an imposing backdrop to the unique course, but with the vista of distant Welsh mountains, it is positively breath-taking, and popular with spectators, who seize the chance to spend an afternoon in such scenic surroundings.

Entrance to the course is £10 per person, with under 16’s and car parking free.


1.30 pm CASTLEBROOK VINEYARD MEMBERS, SUBSCRIBERS AND FARMERS -6 entries

The handsome grey, Frosty Heights may be another winner for the sponsor, John Chinn, who purchased him as consolation for his wife insisting that he hung up his racing boots this season (having been Area leading Veteran last year). He won a similar event here at the last meeting, but will certainly meet more opposition, notably in Dawn Woolf’s charges, Station Island, who was 3rd at Larkhill last month, and Elms School Story, who pulled up here 3 out a fortnight ago. Sure to be a lot of red hot but good-natured rivalry here!

BERRYS SURVEYORS 10 YEAR OLD AND OVER CLUB RACE – 11 entries

An interesting contest for the ‘Veteran’ horses. Heavenstown,from the Tudor stable was a recent easy winner of a Novice Riders race at Didmarton, while the Mikey Bowen-trained Cygnet was recently second in a similar event at Larkhill. Shakalakaboomboom was also runner up last time out. Oscar Delta has been placed twice this year from Clive Price’s stable near Hay-on-Wye, but if the seasoned performer, Nobby Kivambo, who has been in the frame 16 times of his 19 starts between the flags, makes an appearance here, they will all have to look to their laurels!

COTSWOLD MINI LADIES OPEN- 9 entries.

Angela Rucker has 2 recent winners entered, Get It On (Curre Ladies Open) and Minella Friend (Thorpe Lodge), but may have family opposition from Pat Tollit’s Well Mett, who was second at the same meeting, or Christine Banks’ Vasco De Mere, a runner up at Cocklebarrow. Joanne Priests’s History Master finished 3rd on his last appearance, but was subsequently disqualified.

THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS CLUB MEMBERS RACE FOR MARES & FILLIES – 4 entries

A small but select –and interesting! contest! Julia Batho’s Midnight Mischief has been a course winner here in the past, and makes her seasonal debut. Elms School Story has also won here, and has had the benefit of a run here last time. But Neighbour’s Lady was a recent 3rd at Bangor for Pat Hanley’s stable, while the beautifully-bred Freya Star is an unknown quantity.

COBB PROPERTY MENS OPEN – 7 entries

This could well be a re-match between the dour stayers Big Georgie and Upton Centurion, who treated us to a magnificent duel here last time, the former just shaking off Jeremy Mahot’s dogged charge in the closing stages.  However, if the multiple winner, Fruit Fayre, handled by Sheila Crow, makes a seasonal debut here, will be hard to oppose. Jane Price’s War Path was a recent 3rd at Bangor.

DODSON AND HORRELL PPORA CLUB MEMBERS RACE FOR NOVICE RIDERS -11 entries

Heavenstown was a recent easy winner of a Novice Rider’s race at Didmarton, with Jane Allfrey’s Take Over Sivola 10L behind in 2nd, and may choose this option. But Maller Tree won equally well at Cothelstone last time out, and connections of the dour Upton Centurion may choose this race. Always a Chance, Be Definite and Kilmacollogue Bay have all been placed this season, while The Last Hour gave Charley-Ann Rollason a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to finish runner up in the Hunt race here last meeting.

WYE VALLEY BREWERY OPEN MAIDEN FOR 4,5 & 6 YEAR OLDS, (About 2 miles, 4 furlongs) – 9 runners

If Sheila Crow’s Againn Dul Aghaidh runs, he is likely to be sent off hot favourite, having only been beaten 3/4L at Horseheath last month. Robert Luke’s handsome Midnight Bliss was fancied when pulling up here last time. John Bryan’s charge, Sinour will have improved following his introduction, while James Ridley’s debutante, Tilted Storm, has a significant 21 lbs allowed.

 

With appreciation to other sponsors Spar- Ledbury, Heron Supplies, Wye Valley Metals, Venetia Williams, plus advertisers, Balfours, and Castle House.

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