15 April 2009 Preview: Cleveland - Mordon
MINOUCHKA: the selection in the Mixed Open
The Cleveland hunt holds its Point to Point this Saturday at Howe Hills, Mordon, by the kind permission of John Wade. The card has been well supported with a total of 151 entries, and with Good ground promised, divisions may be made on the day.
The Members race holds a total of 8 entries, and on the form the race looks rather weak. Desperate Bob was a close second here last time but has dissapointed since, Oaklands Robbie should be watched on his debut whilst the others have little form. The winner should be Cherryland, who continues to put in good efforts, and a repeat of his latest third at Charm Park should be good enough to take this.
The 2m4f Maiden has recieved a total of 28 entries. Forge Valley may appreciate this shorter trip, Intense Suspense was a good third recently, whilst Wantage Road seems unwilling. Lewesdon Duchess could be the danger as he showed at Tranwell lately. Special Portrait was third at Alnwick and will have come on for that, while Ansells Legacy may also enjoy this easier trip. However, Ping Pong shows that he has ability and having shown doubtful stamina over 3m should appreciate this drop in trip.
The Mixed Open is run over the stamina testing trip of 3m5f. Ask Bobby looks to be best suited by a test of stamina nowadays and will go close. Impact Zone is improving rapidly but has yet to show the class of some here. Network Oscar won a weak renewal of the Grimthorpe, where as Opio and Pristine Condition won effortlessly very recently. On Y Va was an impressive winner at Flagg Moor, however Minichouka has been hugely impressive in Points and will take all the beating.
The Restricted race may see some quick reappreances, including Once Before who looked a huge danger at the Bedale meeting until finishing second. Its Teescomponents looks the main danger as he won cosily here last time, Loaded Dice is slowly finding his form, whilst Riot Act looks to be steadily progressing so could have an each way chance at a big price. Nectar De Guye and Phenix Jack both won effortlessly after making all the running in their respective Maidens. However, the Tina Jackson mount Miss Sunflower, who was a runaway winner at Hornby Castle, should be hard to beat.
The Confined race has 30 potential runners. Abandon Ship is very consistent but is finding it hard to win, Alisons Treasure will go well if the ground is quick, while Cnocan Aoibhinn was a runaway winner at the Hurworth but may not be gifted such an easy lead here. Deja Vu looks a strong stayer whilst Fairy Skin Maker lacks stamina, as well as Archie Babe, but both look capable. Sir Alf is the course specialist, whilst Keen Whip looks more than capable as well as progressive. But Ballybrakes, who was a pillar to post winner at Whitwell, as well as having course form, will appreciate quick ground and can win.
The Open Maiden race has the largest number of entries. The main contenders include Intense Suspense, who was 3rd at Whitwell, and Lewesdon Duchess, who has been placed recently. Racing Ace looks to have a race in him, Snake Rave has disappointed on several occasions, whilst Summer Equinox looks to have the ability on his only form but has been unlucky. The race can go the way of the locally trained Pop Play Again, who was a good second here last time, and should be able to improve on that.
