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BADGER FOOT: Looking for a fifth straight win on Saturday in the Ladies Open
photo: Grace Beresford

The Cumberland Point-to-Point at Heathfield near Aspatria takes centre stage for Northern Area racegoers on Saturday May 7th. It has attracted 92 entries on a six race card starting at 2pm. Watering started at the track last week and is continuing all this week, with the aim of providing ground no quicker than good to firm.

Salmon Rising was transformed by first-time blinkers when getting off the mark at Corbridge last month and Tristan Davidson's mount can strike again in the Members Race from Hapthor and Giant's Rock.

The Restricted Race has 24 entries and looks a competitive event on paper. Joe's A Boy, Strike Fast and Wat Jimmy Call It have all scored in Maiden company this term and represent some in-form Cheshire yards. Kelso winner Maura My Love wasn't risked on the firm ground at Mosshouses and comes here fresh, while last year's Irish Maiden winner Dodgey Dream and the consistent Amour Daria also merit respect.

Commercial Express got up in the closing stages to land a Perth Hunter Chase last week and a repeat of that effort should see him go close in the Mens Open Race. Of the others, Current Exchange completed a seasonal hat-trick in the Holcombe Confined, ex-chaser Bafana Boy has won both starts for Drew Holmes at Whitcliffe Grange and Tranwell, while prolific winner Indian Print has had a five week break since chasing home Badger Foot at Friars Haugh.

The aforementioned Badger Foot, successful on his last four starts under four different pilots, cannot be opposed if turning out in the Ladies Open Race under new rider Rachel McDonald. In his absence, the hat-trick seeking Itzacliche might reverse Crossford placings with Tiger Billy. The dark horse is Albanov, a winner seven times under Rules including twice on the Flat who. although off the track for 17 months, won a Kelso Chase first time out for Pauline Robson's yard in November 2009 off a mark of 129.

Skipping Chapel left a couple of disappointing efforts behind him when bouncing back to winning form at Balcormo Mains and Kit Alexander's mount has every chance of following up in the NPPA Club Members Race. Anotherbuck may just have needed the run when fourth at Whittington on Easter Saturday and a more prominent showing can be expected, while Bafana Boy should also be noted if bypassing the Mens Open for this contest.

The concluding Open Maiden Race has 28 entries. Stable companions Bishops Ploy and Threadneedle Gun showed enough promise earlier this season to suggest that they could be in the shake-up, while Catherine Walton has a choice of rides on the in-form duo Watch The Wind and Merry Eric. If the Shropshire raider My Dads Horse ventures north, it won't just be for a change of scenery, and look out for the lightly raced Sargasso who changed hands for 210,000gns as a yearling.

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