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ROWAN ROAD: has a good chance in the Restricted
photo: Grace Beresford

The Dumfriesshire & Stewartry fixture makes a welcome return to the Northern Area calendar on Sunday, after a two year absence, at the Overton Farm course in Crossford. It has attracted 124 entries on a six race card starting at 12 noon.

The 2m4f Open Maiden Race has 20 entries and one that merits serious consideration is the locally trained Its Bobkat. He was close up and going well when unseating five out at Kelso a fortnight ago and a repeat of that effort with a clear round can see the youngster get off the mark. Of the others, Terracos Do Pinhal would have been placed here on his debut in 2010 had he not fallen two out, Yu Tiger ran in two bumpers for David Pipe last Summer, and the unraced Heart Dancer is a well related French-bred five year old from Philippa Shirley-Beavan's yard.

Rowan Road scored with a bit in hand on her reappearance at Kelso and Alec Dawson's home-bred Minster Son mare can follow up in the Restricted Race. The consistent Miss Teeny Bash should again be in the shake up, while winning Irish pointer, Whiteabbey, formerly trained by Donald McCain, is another for the short list.

Old adversaries, Minouchka and Sea Scout are set to cross swords in the Ladies Open Race, with the former fancied to come out on top again. The other 14 entries include course winner, Itzacliche, ex-chaser, Silver Sedge and Tynedale. The latter was denied a run at Witton Castle last Sunday when the meeting was abandoned after the second race.

Prolific winner, Gunner Jack was particularly impressive in a fast time at Kelso and will again take all the beating in the Men's Open Race. His main rival is likely to be Briscoe Place, successful on his last two visits to Crossford. Ex-chaser, Doc Row should appreciate the drop in class along with Harmony Brig, a former 141 rated chaser for Nicky Richards.

The 3 mile Open Maiden Race has 30 entries and will be divided on the day if declarations exceed the safety factor of 18. Hawthorne Bay has been knocking at the door for a couple of seasons and would be a very popular local winner. Polobury was beaten around twelve lengths when 5th to Rowan Road at Kelso and is open to improvement, along with Skipping Chapel.

The concluding NPPA Club Members Race has 19 entries and can go to the Clive Storey-trained gelding, Anotherbuck on his seasonal debut. Golden Oak won here in 2009 and usually goes well fresh, while the progressive stayer, Dystonia's Revenge is unbeaten in his last three starts between the flags.

The course lies adjacent to the A72 and is well signposted from the M74, leaving at J8 from the South and J7 from the North.

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