04 June 2009 Preview: Tiverton Staghounds - Bratton Down
by Granville Taylor
NETWORK OSCAR: may make the trip down from Yorkshire to defend his Mens Open crown
photo: Jon Hodd
The Tiverton Staghounds hold their Point-to-Point races at Bratton Down this Sunday (June 7). 139 horses have been entered for the six races with the Hunt race getting proceedings under way at 2pm. Arctic Sky and Ninah will be fancied in the opener.
The 29 nominated for the Mens Open include several recent winners. The Welsh challenger Overlut would be an automatic choice on the strength of his recent Stratford Hunter Chase win, but the powerful Greenall runners from Yorkshire are always to be respected at Bratton Down, and last year's impressive winner of this race, Network Oscar, ran on well to take the South Durham Open recently to achieve his seasonal hat-trick. He may do duty for the Greenalls, who also have Sonevafushi, Lou Du Moulin Mas, and Le Passing entered. Bannow Strand and Niver Bai may prove best of their opposition.
A wide open Ladies contest looks on the cards. Dante's Back and Paddy The Piper have struck form recently, but will have to cope with such as Treborough winner Emile Zola, the progressive Wee Fly, and firm ground specialist Rye Brook who won twice on this course last season and ran well when runner up to Gunship at Larkhill last Sunday.
The Restricted has 26 entries and could also take some solving. Front Page won well on the course at the Dulverton West, and Durnovaria came good for lady champion jockey Polly Gundry at Upcott Cross, but these will be up against it from the Yorkshire raiders. Lord Daresbury's Kayf Tara gelding Red Square Express quickened well to win at the Bedale, and was only narrowly beaten in his first Restricted at Chaddesley Corbett. Special Portrait would also be of interest for the same team; this 5-year-old quickened well to win his Maiden at Bangor and looks sure to improve further.
Wantage Road and Snake Rave won their respective Maidens under champion jockey elect Tom Greenall at the Quorn and are obviously thought good enough to progress straight to Intermediate class. (Tom has already reached the 50 winner mark for the season). Intense Suspense could be a better prospect however if he is the chosen Greenall representative. Although the six-year-old races freely, he won his Maiden impressively at the York and Ainsty. Local hopes rest mainly on Ashclyst, who made all to win at Treborough but has stamina doubts.
Tom Bach ran very promisingly behind two subsequent runners at Trebudannon and could give Polly Gundry a winning ride in the Maiden (35 entries). Quart de Lune and Kalamazoo also have claims and this could be one for the locals. The Northern challenger Tabloid has looked a non-stayer so far and could be vulnerable here.
Excellent racing is in prospect at this lovely venue on Exmoor, backed up by bookies, trade stands, a bar and refreshments. Superb food is available, freshly prepared by Orswell Catering whose hot bacon butties and pasties are legendary amongst Point-to-Point followers. The course can easily be found alongside the A399, 11 miles north of South Molton and three miles south of Blackmoor gate. Admission costs £20 per car with a concession of £10 for a car with single driver.
