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OCA DE THAIX: Strong chance in the Restricted?
photo: Alex Harris

The famous East Anglian 'Pub Team' return for the season with their assessment of this weekend's Cottenham card.

Amazing how quickly the season has come around; it only seems a few weeks ago the last of the Area races was at Northaw, and now we return to Cottenham. We have predicted that the going is likely to be Good to Soft as we've had 150mls rain since the beginning of November; the ground has taken it incredibly well, but for a more accurate and timely going update however, you will need to ring Talking Point on 09068 446061, as more rain is forecast and this preview has been compiled on Thursday.

12.00noon PPORA Club Members Conditions - 27 entries
Here we go again and what an awkward race to get us under way. Horse fitness is bound to play a major part in the racing today; former Irish Chaser Sirius Storm won over course and distances last season and will be fit. Of the four horses with purely NH form to their name, Silver Pat could be the most intriguing having won a Bumper in the heavy in February 2008; parade ring appearance and jockey will be interesting. Forget the Ref won first time out last season but this will be more demanding particularly as the horse disappointed as the season progressed; perhaps this is one who runs best fresh. Olival has the best Point-to-Point form and ran Moscow Court to two-and-a-half lengths here at Cottenham last season; had "seconditis" last season so could this be his turn? Xila Fontenailles changed hands cheaply at the end of last season, but the horse had a reasonable campaign so victory would not be a huge surprise. The Scudamore connection always attracts punters' money at points and Selassie will do the same but this one ran poorly first time out last season. Now for the selection, we haven't even mentioned multiple Rules winner Presenting Express as we feel this one is on the downward path, nor Parkbridge Lad, which despite his poor form last season, has been retained by the top Gasson yard so neither can be ruled out. However, on balance we take Olival and Sirius Storm to be prominent in the finish.
Selection: Olival (Sirius Storm)

12.35p.m. Mens Open - 18 entries
Similar to the opening meeting last year, there is a mix of horses that previously ran under Rules and those that ran in Points last season. Two horses who won Points early last year were Frosty Run, who won the Novice Riders at this meeting, and Moscow Court, winner of the Mens Open at the second Cottenham fixture, beating Olival into second and Yann's into fourth. Moscow Court also finished second in a Mens Open at Cottenham in March and Frosty Run managed second at Ampton, but otherwise their form tailed off. Olival finished second on three further occasions, whilst Yann's won a Members race at North Carlton and was placed second or third in three Hunter Chases. Selassie won a Confined at Bitterley and may want left-handed tracks. Exiles Return won a Maiden, whilst One To Note won a Maiden and a Restricted last season and is improving. Andre Chenier did not run last season, but he did win an Open at Morden in 2008. Ballybough Jack ran in two Hunter Chases at the end of the season, finishing seventh in the Fox Hunters at Aintree; previously he had won under Rules in 2008. Another to have run under Rules is Cedrus Libani, successful in two Hurdles and three Novice Chases for Howard Johnson, before winning a Hurdle for his current owners. Keepthedreamalive won a Novice Chase for R. Buckler in '08 and Robin De Sherwood for P. Nicholls also in '08.
Selection: Ballybough Jack (One To Note)

1.10 p.m. Ladies Open - 19 entries
It's surprising to see Cedrus Libani entered here as he's a classy eight-year-old two-mile hurdler who ran at the last Cheltenham Festival. Bought for £50k at Doncaster last year, he won first time out for new connections but disappointed afterwards; presumably Foxhunter qualification is in mind but he doesn't really have the right profile as he's a poor jumper of fences and his best performances have been over short distances, however he should appreciate the huge drop in class here and ought to win. Cathedral Rock is also a surprising entry as until recently he was a useful two-and-a-half mile Handicap hurdler for Nick Gifford and is still only seven; his jumping may be suspect as he was tried over fences but didn't progress as hoped, but stays three miles and has every chance. Petit Lord won his first three Chases for Paul Nicholls but was then sold on; given his Official Rating of 134 his Pointing form last season was disappointing though he did pick up three wins. Big Moment won the corresponding race last season but disappointed after that; goes well fresh. Breeze To The Top could represent the Gasson/Watson combination, which is always to be respected. Inaro won two Class Three Chases for Jonjo O'Neill and ran well in a Stratford Ladies Hunter Chase last season; he could go well as long as the going is not too soft. Mysaynoway picked up three wins and three seconds for Alan Hill last season, but shown a tendency to jump left so Cottenham may not be ideal. Perouse is part owned by Paul Nicholls but probably won't run. Shareef won at Cottenham last season but could face stronger competition this time. Great Grimsby is a full brother to Ellerslie George but hasn't shown his talent. Moustique De L'Isle looks to be on the downgrade.
Selection: Cedrus Libani (Cathedral Rock)

1.45 p.m. Restricted - 21 entries
Kings Rhythm has experience at Cottenham after winning the 2m4f Maiden in March whilst ridden by trainer Phillip York, but has yet to improve since. Having won the second division of the Open Maiden at LLanvapley in April 2008, L'homme Sauvage has achieved three places at Restricted level, including a neck second. Oaklands Bobby finished two lengths behind Persian Prince in the Restricted at Charm Park in April, having won a divided Maiden at Hutton Rudby the previous month. Oca De Thaix has struggled to move up from Restricted for several years but there were signs of improvement at the end of last season; prior to winning a lightly contested Members Race, the French-bred has finished within a two lengths of winners twice and could do well if they make the journey. Promising Maiden winner Ben Tally Ho finished convincingly ahead of the field in the Maiden at Chaddesley Corbett last season, after previously finishing third in a Maiden with a neck separating each of the placed horses. Two winning favourites worthy of a mention are the Victor Thompson trained Indian Print, who won in heavy conditions at Dalston, and Roy Shail trained Taken By Storm, who finished fifteen lengths clear of Howgreenismyvalley at Garnons. Zaffaranis Star was the 25/1 winner of the Open Maiden at Black Forest Lodge in January this year finishing a convincing twenty lengths ahead of fellow entry Mr Dass.
Selection: Oca De Thaix (Ben Tally Ho)

2.20 p.m. Open Maiden 7yrs old & up- 15 entries
‘Stab in the dark' springs to mind as form a little thin! Castleconner Lad consistent - last season a fourteen length third at Garthorpe following a similar seven lengths third on the same track behind the The Legal Limit - but error prone. Bynack Mhor comes from a year off and with a Rules background, finishing a tired fifth on his last outing in November 08, but Alan Hill usually does well in older horse Maidens. Heynewboy was three lengths second at Penshurst in April 09, beaten by Dane Run. Redskyatnight was fifteen lengths third when disqualified (jockey failed to weigh in), on his last run at Paxford in April 09 following a fast second by half a length to Velvet Red at Braefield in March but a slow third by the same margin at Horseheath in January.
Selection: Redskyatnight (Bynack Mhor)

2.55 p.m. Open Maiden 4, 5&6yo 2m 4f - 33 entries
With an entry of 33 and a safety factor of 16 there's every chance this race will be split on the day. It's always difficult to pick anything out this time of year as there has only been one meeting and there are horses coming into Pointing from racing under Rules. The Hutsby yard did have a Maiden winner last week and their horses are usually ready early. Knightsbridgelives was placed twice when trained by Alan King, whilst Mr Johnson had been placed once from five starts in Irish Points, when five lengths second to Close Review at Lingstown in March this year. Mauricetheathlete has been second on his last two runs under Rules for Martin Keighley and is one who merits serious consideration; he was beaten eight lengths by Bobby Ewing at Uttoxeter on 30th October on his previous run in a Hurdle. Don Cantillon runs Inner Steel, a Zagreb gelding that has had just one run, finishing sixth (beaten 18 lengths) in a Kempton Bumper behind Lush Life in April. Jockey bookings are always of interest when Mr Cantillon has a runner and the market is usually a firm guide to his chances. Doctor Tom had one third from two starts in Irish Points; he is trained by David Brace, who has had winners here in the past, in Wales. Another trainer that does well here is Rosemary Gasson, who scored last year with Gentleman Anshan. She is represented here by Elite Beneficial; the horse finished second at Ballingarry, beaten a length, in June this year, and could be one of the leading players. Leader Blue has been placed second twice under Rules and finished fourth at Uttoxeter in June 09 when beaten 10 lengths by Always Bold. Pocket Park only ran once last season when finishing third here, beaten three lengths behind Nothingtolose. Abbots Mount has little to support him but he's from the Scudamore yard and they rarely leave without the spoils; expect some improvement on that run. Red In Bed was placed four times from six starts last season but her resolution seems questionable; she's capable of winning a race but probably not this one. Red Law finished last season with two placings but seems to have stamina limitations even over this shortened trip. Witness Time has been second twice from seven starts in Irish points and was beaten a length by Two Powers at Inchydoney in May this year on his final start there. A difficult race to find a winner and with a split looking a certainty it's even harder, so if you don't mind we'll sit on the fence and just give the main players rather than select a winner and a next best.
Selection: The four main contenders are Mauricetheathlete, Leader Blue, Elite Beneficial & Inner Steel.

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