01 June 2008 Harborough Race Club - Dingley
Bentota: took the Restricted in impressive style under Richard Armson
In ideal warm weather conditions, a good sized crowd enjoyed some fine racing when The Harborough Race Club held their Point-to-Point, the final Leicestershire meeting, at Dingley, near Market Harborough, yesterday. The meeting also yielded Champion National Rider, Oliver Greenall with his 50th winner of the season.
The opening race, the Club Members, kindly sponsored by Sharnford Tractors, produced a thrilling finish when the Jimmy Tarry trained, Highland Vasco, held on by a neck to beat hot favourite, Limerick Leader, from the Hutchinson stable. Lah Di Dah Lad, took third place.
Fourteen horses went to post for the Corby Motors sponsored Restricted Race, and this was won in impressive fashion by the Mike Dawson trained Bentota. Jockey Richard Armson took the seven year old from way back in the field to take his mount clear coming to the last fence to win by an easy four lengths. Ballywilliam Prince and Ski Dazzle took the minor placings.
The third race was the Ladies' Open race, kindly sponsored by A.F.Dickson, Building Contractors, and a good field of eighteen went to post. This gave rider, Gemma Hutchinson, the chance to avenge her close loss in the opening race. She took the consistent thirteen year old, Free, to the front on the second circuit and held off the well fancied, Vingis Park, the mount of Jill Dawson, to win with plenty in hand. Darn Good took third spot.
Lycetts Insurance Brokers sponsored race four, the Men's Open race and ten went to post. This was won by the in form Easterby horse, North Island, ridden by current leading rider, Oliver Greenall. Going to the front over half way, North Island had too much pace for favourite, Saint Reverien, who took second place, with Tooley Park three lengths back in third.
Only four horses were declared for the Intermediate race sponsored by Hows Racesafe of Northampton. This race gave rider Oliver Greenall his fiftieth winner of the season and the prize of Champion rider this year. He rode The Fairhill Boy, who had given his supporters some anxious moments before pulling clear at the last fence to beat The Brooklet and Hi Up Brenkley.
With a huge level of declarations for the Maiden race, the race was divided into two divisions. Division one, sponsored by The Old Barn at Glooston, saw twelve horses go to post. This resulted in a win for the seven year old, Rock Charlie, ridden by Tom Jonason. They were comfortable winner's from Flying Schuttle, who took second and Hailes Hill who ran into third place.
Division two, sponsored by the On-Course Bookmakers, saw twelve horses go to post. Sorbiediditmyway, who had shown good form on his previous two races, came out best from the well supported, Inchadoney Boy. Baraka De Baune finished twenty lengths behind these two to take third.