08 February 2011 Preview: Cambridge University Draghounds - Cottenham
by James Crispe
KICKS FOR FREE: may bid for a Cottenham hat-trick
photo: Jackie Oliver
A potential Ladies Open clash of five different horses that have already visited the winner's enclosure in 2011 is the highlight of Cambridge University Draghounds Point-to-Point at Cottenham on Sunday February 13.
A total of 116 horses have been entered for a seven-race card which gets under way at noon when a septet are engaged in the Hunt Race.
But there is a chance that spectators will be treated to extra entertainment as both the Maiden races, which close the card and are already split by age, may have to be divided again on the day. 27 are entered in the first, which has a maximum field size of 18, while only 16 are allowed to run in the finale, which has 24 entered.
The star among 15 possible runners in the Ladies' Open is Kicks For Free, who has already triumphed at both Cottenham fixtures staged so far this season. But he could face a number of other in-form rivals.
Inaro, who was third to Kicks For Free here in December, went two better at North Carlton three weeks ago while both Scotland Yard (who won this race in 2009) and Alphabetical won Ladies Open races on January 30th. Picaroon is another interesting contender as he made a winning Pointing debut in a similar event down in Devon a month ago.
The Mens Open also has 15 entries and could feature the comeback of old favourite, Caveman, who ten career triumphs between the flags include this very race two years ago.
His chief rivals may be the fast ground lover, Border Fusion, who is trained up in Cheshire by Gary Hanmer, and Caulkin, who made a promising debut for the David Kemp yard at Higham a fortnight ago.
Admission will be charged at £10 per head with under 17s getting in for free.
Cottenham is four miles north of Cambridge near the B1049, post code CB24 8RG. It is best approached using junction 33 of the A14.
Take the A10 signed for Ely. Then take the third left (after the Park and Ride and the Recycling Centre) to Landbeach. Go straight through the village of Landbeach, past the playing field, and take the first left out the other side. The course is half a mile further down this road.
