18 March 2010 Preview: Mendip Farmers - Ston Easton
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Coombe Hill, winner of February's classic Coronation Cup, will be fancied to follow up his 2009 Mendip Farmers Ladies Open success at Ston Easton on Sunday.
Possible opponents include Croix De Guerre and Miss Midnight, first and third in the Quantock Staghounds Ladies contest at Cothelstone on Saturday, and Matako, who unseated in the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale (B&SV) contest at Charlton Horethorne, but may find the Ston Easton course more to his liking. Barneys Mate, Dr Cerullo and Duxy Hill Lady also catch the eye. Coombe Hill is the likely favourite, but Sarah West's Ask Again, a memorable first-ride winner for Susannah Andrew at the B&SV, and Long Night, who came back to his best at Badbury Rings, will be staying on strongly up the final climb.
Commander Vic, winner of a fast run Larkhill Confined on Sunday, may bid for a quick double in the Mens Open. Richard Barber has a strong hand with Coronation Cup runner-up Mustangsallyrally, who subsequently disappointed in a Taunton Hunter Chase, and the prolific Thisthatandtother. Napolitain, who ran a tremendous race to be third to Ask Again and Cappoquin at the B&SV, is a longer priced alternative, but Tonic Du Charmil gave Hunter Chaser Whizzaar plenty to think about at Bratton Down last season and gets the vote.
Mr Hudson made up six lengths in the straight to win at Larkhill in February, and can double up in the Restricted. Contenders include Charlton Horethorne winner Bless My Soul and Nicholas The Spark, a recent popular winner at Larkhill. The two for the places are recent Didmarton winner Forgive The Past, winner of a Maiden contest here last season, and King Of The Road, who recorded a fast time when getting to within a neck of Jayjay Valentine in the B&SV Restricted.
Gabor looks the form horse for the Hunt Members race.
Two Maiden races complete the card. Aironageestring may be the one for the 2m4f contest. Larkhill runner-up Outnumbered can go one better in the 3mile event.
Between races there will be a hound parade and a host of trade stands to visit. Two pony races, qualifiers for the Wessex Series Final, conclude racing. The course lies off the A37, 5 miles north of Shepton Mallet and 13 miles south of Bath and Bristol. First race: 12:30 pm. Admission is £15 per car and driver, £5 each additional adult.
