04 February 2008 Cambridge University United Hunts Club - Cottenham
Lord of Illusion (nearside): Weston Park victor
Cottenham stages racing for the third time this season with the seven-race Cambridge University United Hunts Club fixture on Sunday.
A total of 137 entries have been received and the action gets under way at noon with a Hunts Club Members Race which should provide plenty of interest despite having only six entries as it may feature the popular veteran horse, dual course winner Demasta, and the riding debut of top pony racer, Georgina Andrews who, at just turned 16, is a year younger than Demasta.
The Men's Open could be a top class affair as it includes Lord Of Illusion, Longville Lad and Go For Bust among its 19 entries. Lord Of Illusion was a good winner at Weston Park on his pointing debut and has the look of a Cheltenham Foxhunters' candidate; Longville Lad has not run for almost three years but has won five of his last seven starts (and been second in the other two); and Go For Bust was a very impressive winner at the corresponding fixture last year.
The Ladies' Open is also a mouth-watering prospect as it should see the reappearance of Bell Rock, who won three Ladies' races at this venue last term. His 17 potential rivals include Viscount Bankes, who pushed him all the way in two of those contests and also won two hunter chases in 2007, and Christy Beamish, who won at the New Year meeting here and has since followed up at Weston Park.
The Restricted Race has four course winners among the 22 engaged while the closing two and a half mile Maiden, due off at 3.30pm, could go to Parkbridge Lad, who was in front when tipping up at Larkhill last month, provided he gets his jumping act together.
This race may have to be split on the day (25 entries, maximum field size of 16) as may the preceding three mile maiden, which has 27 entries and a safety factor of 18.
Cottenham is four miles north of Cambridge. From the west use the B1049 (Histon) junction off the A14. From the east, use the A10 (Impington) junction off the A14 and then take the second left turn, through the village of Landbeach.
