02 March 2010 Preview: South Devon - Ideford Arch
by Granville Taylor
A healthy total of 141 entries have been received for this Sunday's (March 7th) Point-to-Point races at Ideford Arch.
The first race on the card is the Confined at 12noon, where Arctic Sky bids to repeat his course win at the Christmas meeting, Fully Loaded also scored impressively at that fixture, and stands out in the Novice Riders contest which has attracted 20 entries. This 10-year-old has already won four times this season for the Pugsley family.
It could be a case of horses for courses once more in the Mixed Open. Sporting Rebel has struck up a good partnership with young Jamie Thomas this season and they quickly followed up their Ideford Arch success by beating Ellies Horse at Wadebridge. King's Wood and Come What Augustus could be the main dangers.
Henri Prends Garde won his Maiden easily at Buckfastleigh, and can successfully upgrade to Restricted status for the Woollacott yard at the main expense of other Maiden winners including Turning Tide and Whodouthinkur.
The Mares Maiden can be fought out between True Tara, who was a good runner-up at Great Trethew, and Tara Whale. The other two Maiden races feature over 30 entries in each. Polly Gundry needs three winners to equal Alison Dare's all time Ladies title career record of 287 winners and can rely on Tellemall Brother in the two and a half miles event for young horses. Hameldown Tor could be Polly's mount in the three miles Maiden,where Cuban Night could be a reasonable long shot.
Action continues after the Point-to-Point with two exciting pony races. Come and spot the future jockeys who give such splendid entertainment in these events.
The course at Ideford Arch is located 2 miles SE of Chudleigh, just off the A380 between Exeter and Newton Abbot. TQ13 0AB. Admission costs £20 per car and occupants, with a concession of £10 for single occupants. Hungry appetites are well catered for with home catering by the ladies' of the hunt, and a bar is available. Trade stands and bookmakers complete a special family day out.
