08 February 2011 Preview: Tanatside - Eyton-on-Severn
by Arthur Shone
The Tanatside Hunt opens the new 2011 Point-to-Point season in the North Western area this Sunday February 13th 2011 at Eyton-on-Severn.
The fixture has attracted a good entry of 199, which is an increase of 28% on the corresponding meeting last season .The high number of entries has resulted in both Maiden races being divided, making a total of 9 races on the day.
Racing comes under starters orders at 12 noon, the last race will be at 4.00pm. Please note that races will now be run at 30 minute intervals, not 35 minutes as previously advertised.
Admission to this popular Shropshire course, which has been racing since 1923, is only £20 per car regardless of the number of passengers, single occupancy will be charged at £10. The postcode for satnavs is SY5 6PW.
The first three horses and riders past the judge in the Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members race for Novice Riders will score points for the Harley Racing novice riders championship. The first three horses and riders past the post will also be eligible for the £1,000 Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members Race For Novice Riders Series Final, which will be held at Tabley on Sunday May 15th 2011.
Heading the entries is the 2008 Aintree Foxhunter winner Christy Beamish, trained by Sue Taylor, the Jolly Jake gelding is unbeaten in all eleven races between the flags. Also entered is last season's champion horse in the area Le Seychellois, who will be trained this season by Will Kinsey, as his previous trainer Richard Hewitt retired from training at the end of last season.
The Men's Open for the Elizabeth Dedman Memorial Challenge Trophy has attracted a very high quality entry, which is headed by Cappa Bleu, the winner of the 2009 Cheltenham Foxhunters when trained by Sheila Crow; the gelding is trained this season by his owner Angela Rucker. My Way De Solzen is another entry with Cheltenham Festival winning form, after landing the Arkle chase in 2007 for trainer Alan King and jockey Choc Thornton. The French bred gelding is now trained by Gabe Mahon and won between the flags at Upton on Severn last season.
Sian McCain, the wife of top national hunt trainer Donald McCain has three horses entered for the race - Vicario, Idle Talk and Ice Tea, the latter won two Hunter Chases last season, including the Bangor Final. Border Fusion, trained by Gary Hanmer, has won three Bangor Finals and My Flora from the Sheila Crow yard is a useful mare, having won her last three races by wide margins.
