15 January 2008 Silverton Foxhounds - Black Forest Lodge
Rachael Green: rides Rye Brook for Richard Barber
Black Forest Lodge looks all set for high quality Point-to-Pointing this Sunday with the Silverton Foxhounds attracting a total of 157 entries.
The large entry, and the prospect of decent underfoot conditions, means a total of nine races with the first race time brought forward to 11.30am.
Secretary Gordon Chambers, who steps down after 25 years in the role at the meeting, said: "We've had a terrific start to the season in December, and with such a good entry, we are sure that trend will continue on Sunday."
Some familiar names feature amongst the 25 entries for the Ladies Open. Tsar's Twist and Candarli already have winning form this season. The latter gave Chloe Boxall her first winner on this track in December before quickly following up at Dunthrop two weeks later. Rachael Green will ride Rye Brook for Richard Barber, and Katherine Hobbs has the choice between Saint Romble and Croix de Guerre. Ask Henry, Bally Blue, Urban Rebel and Gregory Peckory will all have benefited from their early runs this season so a cracking race is in prospect.
Southwestern and Highway Oak can make their seasonal debuts in the Mens Open. Each has shown a liking for Black Forest, whilst another course winner, Maxou des Brosses, will be better for his recent Larkhill run.
The Restricted is a Novice riders' contest. Sam Drinkwater, an amateur with Nigel Twiston-Davies, won a Maiden on his parents' nine year old Gulabill last year and the combination went close at Tweseldown recently. Lanicene ran really well at Cottenham three weeks ago but is not an easy ride. Kiwi Rap stays well and won at Holnicote last season for his young pilot Martin Atkinson. The 25 entries also include local hopes Winning Connection, Loup du Sud, On Their Toes, and Sparky Trio.
The Intermediate looks competitive. Yufo beat a subsequent winner at Wadebridge before disappointing at Larkhill. Both Yufo and Knightsbridge Hill have yet to win a Restricted, but Monique Pike's pair Simon's Seat and Castle Cazza have been knocking at the door in Intermediate company, and look well up to this standard.
Lucy Gardner can choose from last year's winner Winter Scene and the improving Throwaround in the Members. The main opposition includes The Kew Tour, who ran respectably on his seasonal debut, and the Chanin's Stone Valley, who was prominent for two miles at Barbury Castle in an Open last Sunday.
The Open Maiden has been split into four divisions and sets a real puzzle at this stage. It is unusual for Welsh trained runners to go home empty handed from this venue, so any market moves for Margam Abbey, Topkela and Saxon Leader could be significant. Promising types so far include Stansted, Tot of The Knar, Present of Flame and Arvakur.
