18 January 2008 Dunston Harriers - Ampton
The 'Pub Team', from the East Anglian Area, with a comprehensive preview of Sunday's Dunston Harriers meeting at Ampton.
11.30 a.m. Confined - 16 entries
There's plenty of interest here with some decent local performers clashing. Cosmic Sky has been a progressive performer in Points but he ran poorly when falling in a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon. He ran no sort of race in a Point next time but this course winner goes well fresh and a return to form would be no surprise, (best on good or quicker ground). Bob Ar Aghaidh ran 3rd under a Novice rider at Cottenham, Andrew Braithwaite is likely to take over here and he will have plenty of supporters. Royal Atalza will appreciate this stiffer course after two runs at Cottenham. Sure Future finished in front of Bob Ar Aghaidh at Cottenham but we think the placings will be reversed here. Supreme Sir was impressive at Higham but the Intermediate race later on the card looks easier. Tregastel is a winning Chaser and will appreciate plenty of rain before Sunday, a comment that also applies to Lighteningconductor but both probably look a bit short of winning this. Caveman will find the uphill finish taxing his stamina.
Selection: Bob Ar Aghaidh (Cosmic Sky)
12.05 p.m. Open Maiden - 20 entries
Bravery Scotch has been well supported in both his starts on this side of the Irish Sea and has probably the best form here, however, he does have an alternative at Weston Park. Greek Star has already been placed on three occasions this season; we are not entirely convinced that this much stiffer stamina test will suit. Cadtauri is rather flattered by his placings (in modest races) but will probably find a race later in the season. The Harding-Jones pair are similar in profile, both are very lightly raced, Mid Div and Creep really caught the eye at Higham with a strong finishing fourth, Very Presentable was third in an elders Maiden at Cottenham. Huron showed a little ability in Bumpers but was well beaten over Hurdles; he comes from a yard that really gets them fit first time out. Court Arise will have benefited from his debut run last season and his stable has enjoyed success here in the past. Ski Dazzle is yet another in a good yard who showed some ability under rules. Minehill Lad was a good third in only his second start in Irish points. Selection: Ski Dazzle (Mid Div And Creep)
12.40 p.m. Intermediate - 13 entries
Supreme Sir has been mentioned in the first race, this looks an easier opening and although his Higham win was achieved on fast ground, he has shown decent form under Rules with cut in the ground. Just Jove is a decent type but tends to shed the rider - he will be a danger to all if producing an error free round. Round the Isles is an out an out stayer who will relish a testing surface, he was disappointing after a promising debut last year. King's Reply is a through stayer but looks a bit short of the necessary standard. Marmalade Mountain runs consistently and could reach the frame; he looks a stronger contender than Qualicum and Winters Beau both of whose wins were in modest events. Winapenny rather lost his way after winning twice last year and although he will like the better ground, the run may be needed. Selection: Round the Isles (Supreme Sir)
1.15 p.m. Ladies Open - 18 entries
Blue Business (half brother to See More Business) is perfectly able but not totally straightforward - add to that the fact that the veteran owner rider is no great help, makes him one to generally avoid, he was a fast finishing runner up at Tweseldown in a race in which Fleur De Nikos started favourite. Fleur De Nikos refused to race (probably not his fault) but was twice a winner last year including the Ladies race at Llanfrynach. Millenium Way has been a prolific winner over the years and loves this course. Madge Carroll had Blue Business and Find Me Another behind when winning her only start at Horseheath last year, lack of a run since February 07 will probably not be a hindrance. Scare Lotte could return after suffering injury last year but the last race on the card looks an easier opening. Va Vavoom shed the rider after a circuit at Higham, this dual Ladies winner in 2007 has not always enjoyed the best of luck but is a serious contender. Find Me Another was a winner at Charing last year but failed to reproduce that effort, maybe the time to catch him is when he is fresh. Selection: Fleur De Nikos (Va Vavoom)
1.45 p.m. Mens Open- 11 entries
Bon Accord is an interesting entry, he ended an undefeated 2007 with victory at the Cheltenham Hunter Chase evening and he is a possible for the Foxhunters in March; this race could give a clue to his chances of upgrading to the pinnacle of this game. Ballylusky is a top class Pointer and will have benefited from his Cottenham win when he looked a little on the burly side. Maestro Please won the Welsh Point to Point National last season but would struggle against the big guns here. Dead- Eyed Dick was a decent stayer under rules and will like the uphill finish here. Fin Bec is a winning chaser but only at a modest level. Buckby Lane ran off of 140 in his last Chase and was an excellent second at Larkhill recently; however, this stiffer track may not be ideal. Simply The One is a steady performer but will struggle to contain the big guns here. Selection: (Bon Accord) (Dead - Eyed Dick)
2.20 p.m. Restricted - 14 entries
The Camerengo has been knocking on the door in this grade and looked unlucky on two occasions last year at Tweseldown and Thorpe. Shady Minx is in the same ownership, she made all to win a Horseheath Maiden last year. Thatmakestwoofus and The Longest Day both scored on their debuts but the former has been off for three years and the later for five years. Topol won the elders Maiden at Cottenham and will be fancied to follow up. Ballyowen looks to need an easier track than this. Perfect Prefect scored in a modest fast ground Maiden at Horseheath and this looks much tougher. Nowhips ran his best race at Higham but has looked a short runner prior to that. Laurier De Cotte was tilting at windmills in two starts last year after winning a poor race at Northaw in 2006. Selection: The Camerengo (Shady Minx)
2.55 p.m. PPORA Club Members (Nov Riders) - 13 entries
Scare Lotte and Clare Hobson were one of the local stars last year, the mare suffered a curtailed season after an injury on the gallops; she stays well but may not want conditions to get too testing. The opposite comment applies to Coole Venture who is an out an out stayer and will handle the mud. Ungaretti is able but a hard ride that tends to go when he feels like it. A similar story with Baron Bernard, who is capable of a surprise on his day. High Rank ran by far his best race when placed in a Ladies at Cottenham, not sure if this totally different track will see a reproduction of that. Galapiat Du Mesnil is a former Paul Nicholls inmate and still retains plenty of ability. Parsonhumfrywebber won a weak four miler at Dingley (sorry Chris Honey) and generally needs a couple of runs to get fit. Sure Future is a model of consistency and is sure to be there at the finish. Dunmanus Bay was disappointing last season. Selection: Galapiat Du Mesnil (Sure Future)
