31 March 2010 Preview: South East Area
by Mark Siggers
MERRY VIC: could be out next at Charing
photo: Jackie Oliver
At the half-way point in the season, Point-to-Pointing in the South East area heads for the Easter meetings at Charing (Saturday) and Aldington (Monday) over the holiday weekend.
Recent weather ensures there will be no hard ground at either venue, so there is a good prospect of more runners than usual at these traditionally popular meetings.
Race of the day at Charing should be the Mens Open, a round of the Racing Post Weekender and Brightwells Insurance Order of Excellence series, where Bee An Bee, Cape Stormer, Merry Vic, Honourable Spider and Highland Chief are all entered and a mouth-watering clash is in prospect.
In the opening race Spartan Place meets Durante again following his win at Penshurst. With Peter Bull back in the saddle, Durante could exact his revenge.
At Aldington there are two Maiden races with large entries and an interesting veteran and novice riders race on the six-race card. The course is celebrating 60 years as a Point-to-Point venue and there is a special exhibition to mark the occasion.
Reigning champion Peter Bull continues to lead the area mens title race having pulled 23 points clear while chief rival Nick Pearce has suffered a quiet spell. In the ladies title race Cynthia Haydon is heading towards another championship with a 28 point lead over Rose Grissell, but rider-trainer Rose has eight horses due to run over the weekend and the picture could change.
Charing is on the A20 five miles north west of Ashford (satnav code TN27 0JD). Admission on Saturday is £20 per car and passengers (£10 for driver only) and £5 for pedestrians. The first pony race is at 12.45 and the first horse race at 2.00pm.
Admission to Monday's Aldington meeting is £25 (£15 driver only) and £5 for pedestrians. The first race is at 2.00pm. Aldington is six miles south east of Ashford on the A20 near Smeeth (satnav code TN25 7EJ).
