YORKSHIRE AREA SEASON PREVIEW 2007/8
by Arthur Thompson

The Yorkshire season gets underway on the 19th January 2008 at Sheriff Hutton, a new course set in the grounds of Mick Easterby racing stable. The meeting is hosted by the Yorkshire Point To Point Club. This is the second meeting that the club has hosted, last year it was at Charm Park.

Old Raby (3rd Feb) comes up in February at Witton Castle, the course is set in a bowl and viewing is great from the bank.

The Sinnington (16th Feb) follows at Duncombe Park with its 350 yards uphill run in.

The 9th March sees the Derwent host their meeting at Charm Park and it’s always well attended.

The Holderness meeting is held on the 16th March at Dalton Park with its long straights and tight bends, racing is always good with some tight finishes.

The Hurworth takes place on 22nd March at Hutton Rudby, which is followed by another visit to Charm Park for the Staintondale meeting (24th Mar).

Next is the first of three visits to Mordon on the 29th March for the Badsworth and Bramham meeting. John Wade welcomes the hunt to his stables and his well laid out course.

The Middleton (6th Apr) hosts the meeting the day after the Grand National and stage their own four mile race, The Grimthorpe Gold Cup, which this year is a mixed open.

Hornby Castle is next on the list, hosting the Bedale (12th Apr) and then it’s back to Mordon and the Cleveland meeting.

The York and Ainsty at Easingwold closes the April fixture list on the 27th April; this meeting always get a good crowd.

Pendle Forest at Heslaker gets the May part of the season away on 4th May. This is a real stayers track with a true hill to climb three times.

On Bank Holiday Monday (5th May) we make our way to Witton Castle for the Zetland meeting, then it’s back to Easingwold on the 10th May for the Bilsdale meeting and then we all meet back at Mordon for the closing fixture the South Durham.
 
David Easterby looks strong handed this year and lists Amalfi Storm as the one to watch. George The Grey, a newcomer to the yard, is also tipped to do well in maidens.

Peter Foster will have Ikdam Melody, Sandy Gold and Texas Ranger along with Find The Way a maiden and Peter says Sandy Gold is the one to follow.

Charles Brader sends out a string of home bred horses Keen Whip, Rising Whip, Skew Whip and Willing Whip with Duchess Account making up the string.
Duchess Account will be aimed at the Grimthorpe Gold Cup and a win will bring the house down as it’s planned to put her in foal at the end of this season.

Michael Brown had a quiet season in 2007 and is tipping Noggler to do well in 2008.

Cherry Coward sends out winners each year and more should come in 2008. Charlies Memory is the one to watch. I liked the look of Narciso last term and can see him taking a race this season.

Tina Jackson looks to Miss Tosca and Miss Sunflower for wins in Points, while Encore Cadoudal will go hunter chasing.

Marti Mulhall has a few in the yard and Coogee Beach is the one to watch.

Maria Myco as a good looking string with Sir Alf, Shapani and Forty Shakes (all winners) joined by The Lumberjack with Forty Shakes being the one to watch. I’ll be watching Sir Alf when he runs at Mordon.

Mary Sowersby as usual has a yard full. Ask Bobby will run in Hunter Chases and in Opens. The Artful Fox caught my eye in 07 and should come on this year. One to watch is Andre Chenier.

Gill Walford thinks Letusbefrank is the one to look out for. The Viking should go close; he looked good at Mordon last year and I believe he could pick up a race this term.
 
So roll on January and good luck to all. See you at Sheriff Hutton!