03 March 2008 Dart Vale & Haldon Harriers - Buckfastleigh
Tres Bien (right): hoping for better luck
Point-to-Point racing returns to the old racecourse at Buckfastleigh on Sunday where the Members' race kicks off the first of eight races at 1pm.
Mike Tozer will be hoping it's fourth time lucky for Tres Bien who has finished second twice this season, including at the course in February.
There are two divisions of the Open Maiden with both looking like potentially good heats. Entries in the first include Chasing The Storm who was second at the course last year having dumped his rider Tim Dennis on the run-in after he decided the lorry park was a far more appealing option than the winning post. He's got ability and could go well.
Also entered is Miss Razzmatazz who finished third at Black Forest Lodge and is sure to improve as is More The Merrier who has finished second on both his starts this season, including to the impressive Niver Bai at Larkhill.
Entries in the second divison include Ansa The Question, third at the course last month, and Cardinal Sinn, who finished third behind Tot of The Knar and Amber Brook - both subsequent winners, at Black Forest Lodge in January.
Entries in the Westcountry Champion Chase, which is worth £700 to the winner and a qualifier for the Volkswagen Touareg Men's Championship at Towcester in May, include Dare To Dream, a winner at Great Trethew, Sara Monica, who ran a fine race in defeat at the same course, Tsar's Twist, who has won twice already this season and is in great form, and the consistent Lisheen Storm.
Intermediate entries include course winner Dad Says Heazle, who has won again since at the Taunton Harriers meeting at Kingston St Mary, and Tot of the Knar.
The impressive Rockwithacaveman is entered in the Confined which could see the good mare Winter Scene return to form after disappointing at Great Trethew.
Polly Gundry, who trains Rockwithacaveman with her partner Ed Walker, could double up in the second Restricted with Francly Flora although she is likely to face Wadebridge winner Tandori. Yufo could go well in the first division.
Two well supported pony races precede racing and there are eight entries in each. The first race, for ponies 138cm and under, is off at noon and includes Mid Devon winner Robert Williams and Oscar. Chloe Grove and Hannah Welch will be challenging though on Summertime Blaze and Super Ted.
Bryony Frost has Jack Sparrow, a winner on Sunday at Kingston St Mary, entered in the 148cm and under race and will face opposition from Williams on his second ride of the day, Chucka, and Charlotte Long, daughter of former top Point-to-Point rider Julie Long (nee Barrow), on Longmeadow Court Jester.
The course is adjacent to the A38 near Buckfastleigh.
