Derby Mercury - 30 March 1898

MEYNELL HUNT POINT-TO-POINT RACES

This popular fixture, which was formerly known as the Dove Valley Harriers Point-to-Point Races, took place on ground at Shirley, some five miles from Ashbourne, on Wednesday afternoon. the weather, though somewhat gusty, managed to keep clear of rain till the conclusion of the last race, when a sharp shower descended. There was a large attendance of members of the hunt and others. Amongst the company present were Sir Peter Walker, Bart., Mr. A. C. and Lady Florence Duncombe, Mr. Flower, Captain Dawson, Mr. R. Fort, Mr. W. Boden, Mr. J. Gretton, M.P., Mr. R. W. Chandos-Pole, Mr. Frank Newton, Major Meynell, Mr. W. Townsend, Mr. Oswald Mosely, Captain Gretton, etc. The stewards were the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrington, M.F.H., Sir Peter Walker, Bart., Captain H. C. Holland, Mr. E.Cooper, Mr. F. Brace, Mr. W. Tinsley, Colonel the Hon. W. Coke. Mr. R. Fort officiated as judge, Mr. W. Boden starter, and Mr. W. Brownson clerk of the scales. Details:
    Meynell Hunt Red Coat Race.— A sweepstake of £2 each, for horses that have never won a race of any description, the property of members or subscribers of the Meynell Hunt; the nominator to receive a bangle given by Mr. Hamar Bass M.F.H., and the owner a cup, given by Mr. F. A. Brace together with three quarters off the sweepstakes: the nominator of the second horse to receive a bangle given by Mr. Walter Boden, and the owner of the same one quarter of the sweepstake.— Mrs. Walter ns Mr. W. S. Power's Faro, 1; Miss Compton ns Mr. Bertie Crompton's Brer Rabbit, 2; Miss Wilmot Sitwell ns Mr. C. J. Wilmot Sitwell's Alpha, 3. Twelve ran. The winner made all the running, and won easily by a length and a half. The others were close up.
    The Light-Weight Race.— A sweepstakes of £2 each for horses nominated by ladies, which have never won a race under Newmarket or National Hunt Rules (red coat and regimental races excepted); the nominator of the winner to receive a bangle presented by Sir Peter Walker.— Mrs. C. Hartley ns Mr. C. Hartley's Joan, 1; Mrs. Chetwynd ns Mr. Cullen's Ouida, 2; Miss Porter ns Mr. H. R. M. Porter's Rajah, 3. This was a capital race, and produced some 29 starters. The winner, who ran well in the first race but had the misfortune to fall, gave evidence of his staying power, and romped home four lengths ahead of Ouida, two lengths separating second and third.
    The Welter Race.— A sweepstakes of £2 each, for horses nominated by ladies, which have never won race of any description (point-to-point races excepted), and which have been regularly hunted during the season 1897 and 1898.— Miss D'Arcy Clark ns Mr. C. H. Simpson's Cardinal, 1; Mrs. Arthur Knowles ns Mr. Arthur Knowles's Senator, 2; Miss Evelyn Roylance Court ns Mr. H. M. Wilson's Dynamiter, 3. Of the nineteen entrants seventeen faced the starter. The winner from the commencement of the race showed his superiority, and at several places led by a number of lengths; coming straight for home, however, he was hotly pursued, but managing to keep clear, won a splendid race by only half a length. The next three horses could have been covered by a sheet.