Witton Castle hope to make it fourth time lucky for pointing (From Durham Times)

Witton Castle hope to make it fourth time lucky for pointing

12:33pm Friday 5th February 2010

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POINT-TO-POINTING in Yorkshire makes a fourth attempt to get going on Sunday with the Old Raby Hunt Club at Witton Castle, after the West of Yore Steeplechases at Whitcliffe Grange had to be abandoned due to the weather on Sunday.

There are 143 entries for the seven-race card as the last race, the Open Maiden Race has been split with the first race due to be run at noon. Admission is £20 per car with single occupancy at £10 per person and racecards are £3 each.

The card also hosts the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate race, which is one of a series of races being held across the country. The first four past the post are eligible for the hunterchase final at Cheltenham on Wednesday, May 5.

The race has attracted some consistent horses from last season, including the yet to be beaten in point-to-points, My Old Piano. This does, however, look like a tight contest.

The Ladies Open race has attracted the biggest field of the day with 31 entries and some old favourites, such as Narciso, Encore Cadoudal and Loutin Du Moulin are among those likely to contest the race.

Sonevafushi, who finished fourth in the 2008 Aintree foxhunters and won the Men’s Open last year is bidding to retain his crown for the Greenall family, however there are a couple of useful recruits from under rules that could keep him up to his work.

The course is oval, flat, righthanded and set at the bottom of hill allowing good viewing.

The going is currently good to soft, soft in places. There is a new entrance for the lorries which will be clearly signed, however the parking area has changed and lorries will not be allowed in the castle entrance.

The postcode for satellite navigation is DL14 0DE.

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