January 2008 - Posts
Entries for the Mid Devon Pony races which precede their point to point on Sunday are a bit disappointing considering how hard everyone has worked to publicise the event.
However, with six in the 138cm race and five in the 148cm race, racing is bound to be hotly contested.
In the 138cm race Barnaby Treneer takes over his cousin Hannah Welch's former pony Wish Upon A Star to make his pony race debut.
Hannah has her new pony out, Superted and they are joined by Chloe Grove on Summertime Blaze, Dom Hosking on Cherry, Fergus Matthews on Jimmy Cricket and Robert Williams on Oscar.
Robert also has a pony in the 148cm race, Drama Queen when he is joined by Charlotte Long on Annie Get Your Gun, Bryony Frost on Jack Sparrow, Joe Ponting on Chinglarna and Pippa Glanville on Champagne Charlie.
Well, the entry is in, the light steel shoes are on, the horse has been schooled, and there is a week to go before Storm is due to make his seasonal debut at a point to point at Wadebridge - all being well.
Two weeks ago, just before we went off on a family holiday, I was confident, having ridden Storm on the gallops of our friends Alan and Jane Walter, in company, but now, as my friends are all too aware, I will get more pessimistic by the day. By next Friday the whole exercise will be pointless!!
To make me even more nervous I will be stewarding at Wadebridge, so will rely on my family even more to get the horse to the races on time, as I will have to leave much earlier in the day.
We are also hoping to run Pippa's pony Charlie in the pony racing at Blackforest Lodge the following day, and the paperwork for that has been far more involved than for the pointer!
Fortunately her kit is all sorted out, as she rode a bit last year, apart from the goggles. I bought her some 'kids' size' goggles for Chrismas stocking filler but hid them away when they arrived in the post - and they haven't been seen since!
A new attraction at the 2007 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was the Spirit of Badminton Photo Wall. This ten metre long wall was composed of images taken by members of the general public to sum up their perspective of this world famous event. The response was over whelming with nearly 300 entries received of which some 100 were used on the wall.
Another 10 metres will be added again this year so entries are being called for. The pictures can be of any subject; spectators, trade stands, officials, dogs, mud, picnics, grooms, as well as action shots of horses and riders, as long as they were taken at the horse trials at any time since the first Badminton 58 years ago. Organisers are particularly keen to see any historical pictures of the event taken since its inception in 1949.
Mitsubishi Motors, title sponsors of the world famous three-day-event, in conjunction with the photographic equipment manufacturers Nikon are offering a fabulous prize for the most outstanding picture. Judging will be by a panel made up Director of Badminton, Hugh Thomas, Badminton’s official photographer Kit Houghton and Head of Public Relations for Mitsubishi Motors, Andy Wertheim. The winning picture will be the one that in the judges’ opinion best epitomises the “spirit of Badminton”.
The wall will be built in time for the first day of the 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, which are held at the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire estate at Badminton, between 1st - 4th May and will stay on display throughout the event. All the pictures that are chosen for the wall will be publicly credited to its photographer.
As well as having their picture chosen for display to over one hundred thousand people over the Badminton weekend successful entrants will have the chance to win one of two fabulous prizes.
First Prize:
£400 of Nikon camera equipment plus VIP entry and full Mitsubishi hospitality at the 2008 Badminton Horse Trials for four persons on the day of their choice (Friday, Saturday or Sunday)
Second Prize:
VIP entry and full Mitsubishi Hospitality at the 2008 Badminton Horse Trials for two persons on cross country (Saturday)
How to enter:
Entries need to be sent on CD or in hard-copy print and posted by mail to:
Badminton ‘Photo Wall’
Press Office
Mitsubishi Motors UK
Watermoor
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 1LF
Entries must be received by 5 March 2008.
Entrants must ensure their name, address and the full details of the pictures where known (e.g. date, photographer, subject names etc) are attached to the entries. All photos will be returned providing a stamped addressed envelope in enclosed.
The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2008, which takes place in the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire park from May 1-4 is the Three Day Event every rider dreams of winning.
As usual in an Olympic year competition will be very hot, not just to take home the coveted Mitsubishi Motors Trophy but also to secure places at the Olympic Games. For the British riders, the task will be to displace members of the victorious European Championship team, while several other nations will be watching their riders’ performance with avid interest. The main Box Office opened for ticket sales on Monday, January 14 and online booking is becoming the norm for Badminton. The website is www.badminton-horse.co.uk.
For the first time since the event’s inception in 1949 a complete reappraisal of the ground conditions on the four mile cross country track has been undertaken, with event director Hugh Thomas canvassing broad opinion on the requirements needed in the twenty first century for this ever evolving sport. In the last three years the emphasis has shifted from being an endurance test which included roads and tracks and steeplechase, to a shorter but more technical test. Today’s riders expect much more consistency in the ‘going’.
Other users of the park, including followers of the Beaufort Hunt, have also been requested to stay off the competitive track. The course outside the deer park has been fenced off from sheep since Christmas, while sanding, seeding and fertilising has been taking place since the summer. An outside consultant Phil Cole of Cotswold Turf Care has been appointed. Both the Main Arena and the practice areas are part of the scheme.
In the late autumn rider representatives and other interested parties were invited to the park to see the work in progress. Event Riders Association Chairman Clayton Fredericks said, “Hugh has taken heed of what riders had to say and made a huge effort.” ERA (UK) chairman Nick Gauntlet added, “ It’s impressive.” And former Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan agreed, “You couldn’t help but be impressed. It looks like a golf course.”
The total prize pot is up again by £27,000 to £278,000, with a first prize of £60,000, and good increases all the way down the line to 20th place.
Badminton always has a designated charity and in 2008 it will be The Blue Cross, who will have a cross country fence named in their honour and collection points around the showground.
Angela Boyden reports a lot of interest in the Mid Devon Hunt point to point pony races which take place on Feb 3 at Black Forest Lodge.
At the moment the races start at 11am with the 138cm and under division. The races are open to children between the ages of 9 and 15.
Entries close this Sunday with Angela, Densham's Cottage, Chagford, Newton Abbot. If you are going to the point to point get there early and support the youngsters, you never know you may be watching a future star jockey in the making.
The South Devon hunt have had to cancel their pony races on Feb 9 due to concerns over access to the course. Traffic hold ups can trail back to the A380 and the course has to be closed while the pony races are on. The meeting has leapt forward in the calendar this year and, due to light restrictions so early in the season, the ponies were due to race before the point to point started. Secretaries Val and Julian Greatrex have been stauch supporters of pony racing over the last few years and are bitterly disappointed.
Polly Gundry and her partner Ed Winter sent out two winners from their Ottery St Mary base at the Silverton point to point at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday.
Rockwithacaveman and Tot of the Knar accounted for two divisions of the maiden. The string is obviously in fine form.
Other local owners were out of luck. Martin Salter's Simon's Seat was sent off favourite for the Intermediate but was desperately unlucky to have a rival fall in front of him at the final ditch. The horse, known at home as Woody, was lucky not to fall himself, but was knocked sidewards and Rachael Green did well to stay on board. He then had an impossible task to try and catch the two front runners so Green nursed him home for an eventual second place.
Bally Blue, like Simon's Seat trained at Sidbury by Monique Pike, ran another sound race in the ladies' open and finished sixth, being unluckly to come up against some really tough rivals.
The Hobbs family can do no wrong at the moment and Croix de Guerre, ridden by Katherine Hobbs just got the better of Chloe Roddick on Wages in the ladies after a protracted duel.
Results
The Tincknell Fuels & Simpsons Edwards Hunt race: Winter Scene (Miss L Gardner) 1; The Kew Tour (Mr W White) 2; Just Reuben (Mr T Chanin) 3. Trainer: Mr G Chambers; Distances 2 1/2l, 20l; Time: 6.29.
The Lamb Inn Restricted for Novice Riders: Lanicene (Mr D Cook) 1; Kiwi Rap (Miss C Atkinson) 2; Jolly Hopeful (Miss A Cole) 3. Mr S Flook; 3l, 6l; 6.30.
The Charles Stanley Ladies’ Open: Croix De Guerre (Miss K Hobbs) 1; Wages (Miss C Roddick) 2; Urban Rebel (Miss A Smith-Maxwell) 3. Mrs M McGuiness; 2l, 15l; 6.21.
The Knight Frank Men’s Open: Southwestern (Mr N Harris) 1; Zesta Fiesta (Mr D Edwards) 2; Diamond Monroe (Mr P John) 3. Mrs C Scott; 15l, 15l; 6.28.
The Exeter Racecourse Intermediate: Knightsbridge Hill (Mr D Edwards) 1; Simon’s Seat (Miss R Green) 2; Fort of Gold (Rev S Beveridge) 3.Dist, dist; 6.39.
The Hi-Line Contractors SW Ltd Open Maiden Div 1: Tot of the Knar (Miss P Gundry) 1; Amber Dawn (Mr J Barnes) 2; Cardinal Sinn (Mr N Harris) 3. P Gundry and E Walker; 12l, 15l; 6.29.
The Wilkinson Grant Open Maiden Race Div 2: So Long (Mr N Harris) 1; Martin Pitchwood (Mr J Barnes) 2; Uncle Matthew (Miss P Gundry) 3. Mrs C Scott; 8l, hd; 6.39.
The DQS Open Maiden Div 3: Rockwithacaveman (Miss P Gundry) 1; Oopsmylord (Mr D Mansell) 2; Mr Woodrow (Miss L Gardner) 3. Miss P Gundry and E Walker; 20l; 25l; 6.38.
The Crediton Milling Open Maiden Race Div 4: Margam Abbey (Miss L Rowsell) 1; Arvakur (Miss P Gundry) 2; Miss Razzmatazz (Mr R Bliss) 3. Mr D Brace; 20l; 1 1/2l; 6.43.
THE trend of terrific point-to-point racing seen so far this season looks set to continue at Chipley Park on Sunday where nearly 200 hundred entries have been received and the start time has been moved to 11am.
.Several weeks of rain have been welcomed by organisers the Tiverton Hunt. Point-to-point secretary Keith Granger said: “We have good, good to soft ground at the moment and we are not worried if it rains right up to Friday. There is no question of the meeting not going ahead. We are very lucky with our ground and the more rain the better.”
The meeting starts with 12 entered in the members’ race including the Pengelley family's Denis The Legend, a winner of four last season. He makes his seasonal reappearance and is sure to attract plenty of support.
The £500 Mixed Open is a qualifier for the Volkswagen Touareg Men’s Point-to-Point Championship Hunter Chase at Towcester in May and the 22 entries include some grand campaigners from under Rules’ whose efforts have given their followers no end of fun.
Last year’s winner was Saint Romble. Katherine Hobbs was in the saddle that day and she’s been in great form this season, booting home Croix De Guerre, another entry, to Ladies’ Open success at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday. Fool On the Hill, a confirmed mud lark, is the veteran of some 58 under Rules, and it would be great to see him back in the winners’ enclosure again.
Ask Again’s win at the course last year for Sarah West, was the first of a treble and he looks open to plenty of improvement while Unleash ran a cracker at Ideford Arch in December where he was second to class act Double Honour. That run should have fully wound him up and he’s got form in his past on the ground.
Throw in the hugely consistent Maxou Des Brosses, Stone Valley, Spanish Oath and Wendy’s Dynamo and a terrific race is on the cards.
The Intermediate is a qualifier for the hunter chase final at Exeter Racecourse in May and entries include Candlelight Valley, second at Barbury Castle earlier this month, Flying Fuselier, third in the same race and Tweseldown winner Mr Goofy.
Lady Myfanwy stands out in the Doson & Horrell PPORA novice riders race where there are 34 entries with plenty in with chances. Lady Myfanwy has already won this season at Ideford Arch, loves the mud and stays forever and is assisted by the very able young jockey Rhys Flint.
There are also two restricted and three maidens to get stuck into with Royal Niece, Tres Bien, Yufo and Rockwithacaveman just some of the horses to note.
The course is situated off the B3187 three miles from Wellington and one mile from Milverton.
Entry is £20 per car and £10 per car with one person.
PONTISPOOL Equine Sports Centre near Taunton is gearing up for the forthcoming competition season with a series of training sessions including a specific eventers’ clinic on Tuesday, February 19 and Wednesday, February 20. This looks set to provide a rare opportunity to train with three of the top experts in the business.
The two day course is specifically aimed at people who want to benefit from experienced tuition in the three disciplines of show jumping, dressage and cross country using Pontispool’s first class facilities.
International show jumper Peter Murphy, a member of more than ten Nations Cup teams, will oversee the show jumping. Murphy works with the British Show Jumping Association’s Consultant Head of Training throughout the UK and is the current trainer of the British Eventing elite squad.
Sue Petty is a British Dressage list one judge and chief examiner with the British Horse Society and will concentrate on dressage while Nick Gauntlett, an international event rider who finished last season ranked in the top 20, will concentrate on cross country. The cost of the clinic is £150 or £115 for non-residents.
Other clinics coming up at Pontispool include with Caroline Creighton, a British Eventing accredited trainer, who will use her vast experience of coaching both horses and riders to the highest level during a gymnastic jumping clinic on Sunday, February 3 which will take place in the full sized outdoor arena. On Sunday, February 10, Chris Johnson will take the reins during his show jumping clinic.
For further details contact Pontispool on 01823 461196 or visit www.pontispool.com.
Between December 2001 and December 2007 the sport of point to pointing (ie organisers via the fixture application fee and owners via the registration of their hunter certificate) have contributed £52,936 to the Retraining of Racehorses (ROR).
Retraining of Racehorses was launched by the British Horseracing Board in April 2000 to raise funds from within the racing industry to help support the charitable retraining and rehoming of ex-racehorses. To mark this achievement, a cheque will be presented to Andrew Parker-Bowles, chairman of the ROR, at the PPORC meeting on Saturday, January 12, at Barbury Castle, following the first race which is at noon.
Something Small put up a stunning performance to spread-eagle his 18 opponents in a quality Men’s Open at Larkhill on Saturday. Patiently ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, Something Small overtook fellow Warwickshire raider Buckby Lane (Tom Ellis) three out before sprinting 20 lengths clear. “He’s a more confident horse this year”, confided owner-trainer Robert Waley-Cohen. “We’ll probably find another Open and then go hunter chasing”. Something Small is now unbeaten in his last five completed outings and could easily be a contender for all the top hunter chases.
Richard Barber and Rachael Green flew the Wessex Area flag with a double. The Seaborough pair kicked off with Ray and Wendy Geddes’ Oracle Des Mottes, who overcame a near two year absence to account for market rivals Raregem (Polly Gundry) and Red Brook Lad (Charlotte Tizzard) in the Ladies’ Open. Oracle Des Mottes travelled well throughout the race and had little difficulty cruising clear when asked by Rachael approaching the last. Now Listen To Me easily justified favouritism when coasting home in a division of the Maiden for Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, who bought the horse privately from Tom Costello.
Ann Watts’ roundabout journey – Bridgwater to Larkhill via Heathrow – paid off when Big Brendan took the opening Army Saddle Club Members. “I drove [daughter] Debbie and [son-in-law] Gareth to Heathrow airport while [husband] Brian came here with the horse. I arrived just as the race started”, beamed Ann. The win will have painful memories for rider Jody Sole – he dislocated his shoulder riding a finish after the last.
Godfrey Maundrell’s Lisadell King was an impressive Maiden winner, surging into the lead three out and looking to have the race in safekeeping when nearest pursuer Shaver Baines (Rachael Green) fell at the penultimate. “We bought him at Doncaster in August for 2,600gns”, explained Paul Thompson, who looks after five pointers for Godfrey. “He’s always gone well at home, and has grown into himself since we bought him”.
The third Maiden went to the Katie Baimbridge-trained Onslow Road, who made all the running and just lasted home under Ran Morgan. “He’s ex-Venetia Williams and has been eventing so his jumping stood him in good stead”, smiled Tom Gittins, who heads the partnerships of 25 racehorses.
The closing Restricted race was divided at declaration. Exceptionnel (Tim Lane) put in a fine round of jumping to take Division One for Annie Connell’s Northamptonshire yard before Merry Vic justified Marcus and Carolyn Gorman’s journey from Sussex in Division II. “We got him from Tom Costello in the summer”, explained Carolyn. “We realised when he finished third at Cottenham that he stays, so Marcus kicked on a mile out. We’d like to win an Intermediate with him, and then go for the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in May”.
The next Wessex Area meeting is the Royal Artillery at Larkhill on Saturday 26th January. Between times, the PPORC hold their two-day meeting at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, on the 12th and 13th.
This morning - January 3rd - I wondered what on earth I was doing riding out in the bitterly cold rain in the half light before leaving for work but, when I wondered how Robert Alner and Sarah Gaisford were getting on, a bit of cold and rain didn't seem to matter so much.
Robert was a very successful point to point jockey who has made a brilliant transition to training. He had a terrible car accident in December.
There is a blog to keep up to date with his progress which says today that he is working on spending half an hour at a time off the ventilator.
Sarah Gaisford had an awful fall at Exeter races just before Christmas. She is also in hospital and faces a long fight to regain full movement.
I am sure all their point to point friends and aquaintances send best wishes and good luck to them both. You can keep up to date by visiting their blogs where friends can also post messages. Just google their names to get onto the blogs.
I have it from the horse's mouth that the pony racing website www.pra.gb.com will be updated as soon as the details for 2008 have been ratified.
The website will then give details on how to join the PRA, and will have downloadable entry and qualification forms. At present there is a list of fixtures.
With the first Devon and Cornwall races on February 3, I hope that the update happens quickly!! The point to point pony race rules are on there though so have a look!
IT was a day of doubles at Ideford Arch on Sunday where a busy crowd enjoyed a marathon ten race card. And local trainers proved they have their charges in fine form.
Reigning Devon and Cornwall champion Richard Woollacott got off the scoreboard with two winners, initiated by King Georges in the opening members’ race. Trained by Woollacott’s partner Emely Thompson, the ten-year-old took up the running four fences from home and stayed on well. He is owned by John Pearn, whose daughter Alice is likely to ride him in novice rider races later in the season.
Woollacott doubled up on Come What Augustus who took the fastest of four maiden races over two and a half miles. The winner was bought as a replacement for Bill Westacott’s Polligana.
Ottery St Mary residents were involved in the two open maiden races which concluded the card. The Ross Oliver owned and trained Wee Fly took the first division after she stayed on well under Ottery St Mary rider/trainer Polly Gundry.
The second also went Ottery way - Graham Brown’s home bred Throwaround took the second division under Lucy Gardner.
A steward’s enquiry ensued after this race over the improved performance of the six-year-old following his run at Wadebridge and they accepted Gardner’s explanation that her mount had made a mistake at the first at Wadebridge and been continually messed about by an opponent jumping crookedly in the race. The horse had had plenty of schooling over fences since then.
Fred Hutsby scored with Campden Society, owner Peter Gardner’s first ever point-to-point winner, but Hutsby was denied a double after Hugo Hackenbush threw him into the wing at the final fence in the third maiden after eventual winner Cool Defender, ridden by Jonathan Jarrett, looked to unnerve him when bumping into him approaching the fence.
The last of the four maiden’s went to the Ian Popham-ridden Winning Connection who was the first half of a double for Marie McGuiness.
A good jump at the last secured the win for the four-year-old who shrugged off the challenge of Tandori on the run-in to score a three length win.
Double Honour’s abundant stamina came in to play in a classy looking mixed open, where a quality field of 14 runners went to post. The nine-year-old stayed on resolutely to win but McGuiness admitted the horse has her on edge. “You never really know with him and the secret is to keep him sweet,” she said before adding: “He may go to Dunthrop for his next race and will be kept pointing.” Jockey Diana Hobbs excelled on the grey, but the 18-year-old rider is likely to lose the ride to sister Katherine as she leaves for Canada early in January. Lady Myfanwy began her winning sequence at Ideford Arch last year where the mare won her maiden and became the subsequent national novice champion, and she began the season in winning form again, this time taking the novice riders’ race with the talented 16-year-old Rhys Flint on board.
Flint doubled up in the intermediate on Little Ed after the pair survived an early race blunder.
Simon’s Seat, trained by Monique Pike at Sidbury was the only horse to break away with Little Ed in the final half a mile and will surely have an intermediate win of his own soon.
RESULTS: South Devon Hunts Club Members Race: King Georges (Mr R Woollacott) 1; Mister Putt (Miss P Gundry) 2; Tsars Twist (Miss L Gardner). Trainer Ms E Thompson; Distance 6l, 25l; Time 6.31.
South Devon Hunt Club Members’ Race for Novice Riders: Lady Myfanwy (Mr R Hughes) 1; Dracaena (Mr D Aldridge) 2; Hornbill (Mr T David) 3. Mr PB Miles; 8l, hd; 6.30. Open Maiden Race 2m4f Div 1 Part 1: Campden Society (Mr F Hutsby) 1; Andare A Ballare (Miss S Berry) 2; Final Over (Mr R Hughes) 3. Mr F Hutsby; 1l, 5l; 5.13.
Open Maiden Race 2m4f Div 1 Part 2: Come What Augustus (Mr R Woollacott) 1; Maglinn River (Mr G Maundrell) 2; Mr Woodrow (Miss L Gardner) 3; Ms E Thompson; 25l, 25l; 5.07.
Open Maiden Race 2m4f Div 2 Part 1: Cool Defender (Mr J Jarrett); Arvakur (Miss P Gundry) 2; Lourd Hymn (Miss A Mills) Mr M Hazell; 10l, 5l; 5.16
Open Maiden Race 2m4f Div 2 Part 2: Winning Connection (Mr I Popham) 1; Tandori (Mr S Payne) 2; Find It Out (Mr J Llewellyn) 3. Mrs M McGuiness; 3l, 25l; 5.11. Mixed Open: Double Honour (Miss D Hobbs) 1; Unleash (Mr N Sutton) 2; Lord Trix (Mr F Hutsby) 3. Mrs M McGuiness; 3l, 12l, 6.21 Intermediate: Little Ed (Mr R Hughes) 1; Simon’s Seat (Miss R Green) 2; Moon Bear (Mr W Biddick) 3. Mr R Scrine; 8l, 25l; 6.27. Open Maiden Div 1: Wee Fly (Miss P Gundry) 1; Ten Pressed Men (Mr A Wintle) 2; Oh So Naughty (Miss J Congdon) 3. Mr R Oliver; 3l, 10l; 6.36. Open Maiden Div 2: Throwaround (Miss L Gardner) 1; Josh Be Yourself (Miss P Gundry) 2; Lunar Thyme (Mr R Hughes) 3. Miss L Gardner; 2l, 8l; 6.42.
The Army point-to-point provides the curtain raiser for the Wessex Area season at Larkhill Racecourse on Salisbury Plain this Saturday, January 5. 151 entries have been received for the six race card, and the meeting’s reputation for quality racing looks assured.
The action starts with the Army Saddle Club Members race at 12:00 noon. The seven entries include Fort Of Gold, who made history when winning for Rev Simon Beveridge at Wadebridge, Vauterhill winner Big Brendan and three-time 2007 scorer Winter Scene. Who Else Knew took last year’s renewal, but Ray Geddes/Richard Barber runners are standing dishes in these races and their Handy Money is the likely favourite.
The Ladies’ Open has attracted a first class entry of 20. Heaven Is Above, High Rank and Home By Midnight will be supported, along with Happy Shopper, a good runner-up to Innocent Rebel at Wadebridge in December. Four to note are bold front-runner Fleur De Nikos, Howard Howard, who beat Home By Midnight at Towcester in April, Raregem – top-class at his best – and Pirate Flagship, formerly with Paul Nicholls but now trained by Sheila Crow. Red Brook Lad has won this race on three occasions, but faces a strong challenge from the Barber pair Gaye Trigger – unbeaten in five point-to-points to date – and Oracle Des Mottes. Gaye Trigger is selected to deny Red Brook Lad.
A tremendous race is in prospect for the Men's Open, where course specialist Trade Off and interesting stable companion Slaezy are among the 37 entries. The Waley-Cohens have a strong hand with last year’s winner Mel In Blue, Something Small and French winner Organiz, while Oracle Des Mottes and Handy Money must be considered if taking this option. Contenders include prolific winners Dante’s Back, Latzod’alm, Cottenham scorer Ballylusky – a possible mount for former Champion Richard Burton – and Honourable Spider, the winner of eight of his 12 races. Blue Magnum was impressive in both 2007 outings and this young horse is fancied to hold off Honourable Spider and the Waley-Cohen runner.
The divided Maiden race could be difficult to solve at this early stage of the season. Deer Valley, Frankie Phlanagan, Shaver Baines and Supreme Royal may be four candidates for Division One. Now Listen To Me is highly rated by connections and looks the one for Division Two.
The meeting ends with a competitive Restricted race which has received 42 entries including three – Shady Hollow, Sulawacee and Yufo – that have already won this season. Baker’s Folly, Earth Works and Yeah But No But are possibles, but Falcon Lake, who disappointed at Cottenham on Sunday, may be worth another chance if turning out.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 12.00 noon. The entrance fee is £20 per car; £15 per car with a single occupant; £5 for pedestrians; under 14s free.