01 April 2010 Preview: Wessex Area
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
COWBOYBOOTS: a leading fancy for the Tedworth Gold Cup
photo: Nick Jay
The two fixtures in the Wessex Area this coming Easter weekend are the Tedworth at Barbury Racecourse and the Taunton Vale Foxhounds at Kingston St Mary.
Cowboyboots and Southwestern, both unplaced in the Cheltenham Christies' Foxhunter, are the two to choose from in the coveted 3m6f Tedworth Gold Cup at Barbury Racecourse near Marlborough this Easter Saturday, 3rd April.
Cowboyboots never threatened when finishing 14th at Cheltenham, but Southwestern was making ground from the rear when badly hampered at the fourth last and pulled up by Neil Harris. Challengers include Commander Vic and Scrappie, first and second at the New Forest, although Scrappie made heavy weather of winning the three-horse Avon Vale Hunt race on Saturday. Barney Blue and Supreme Royal stay forever, and Scrappie will be suited by the extended trip, but Southwestern is fancied to get the better of Cowboyboots.
Ghonny Withthebowe, who made all and just lasted home at Larkhill, and Hackwood winner Wain Mountain will be supported in the opening Confined race. Rocklandslad disappointed at Didmarton after a hat trick of wins for trainer Alison Dare, but is fancied to resume winning ways here.
The Restricted looks a competitive affair with 19 entries. Alison Dare has chances of a double with New Series, while Irish Toast was a popular winner for the John Dufosee stable on Saturday. Echoesofthepast and Hivikos won at Didmarton, although Hivikos just failed to follow up at Siddington. Bowntobebad made an impressive winning debut at Black Forest Lodge and can maintain his unbeaten record.
Course winners Touch Of Flame and Overbury Pearl are among the 14 entries for the Conditions race. Three to consider are Alan Walter's consistent Bucket Awl, steeplechase winner Arctic Ghost, who made a pleasing point-to-point debut when third in a Cothelstone Men's Open and Sheknowsyouknow, beaten a neck at Siddington. Audrey Manners' landed a popular double at Dunthrop on Saturday and can follow up with Rustic John.
There are two Maiden contests on the card. Aironageestring was runner-up at Ston Easton and can go one better in the 2m4f event. Buried Gold was second to the highly rated Sonofvic at Charlton Horethorne and looks the one for the 3m race.
The course is 3 miles NW of Marlborough, off the A346 or A4361 (SN4 0QZ). First race: 2.00pm. Admission: £10 per head (adults), under 16s free.
A Big Screen will show all the races plus the Irish National at the Taunton Vale Foxhounds at Kingston St Mary this Easter Monday 5th April (first race 1.00 pm). Glacial Call can complete a five-timer in the Mixed Open, where the 24 entries include Taunton Hunter Chase runner-up Rockwithacaveman, stable companion Nobody Tells Me, who blundered at the last when looking the likely winner at Cothelstone, and former Grand National runner-up Royal Auclair, a facile winner at Milborne St Andrew, but well beaten in a hot Members contest at Charlton Horethorne. The main dangers are Exeter Hunter Chase winner King's Wood, who made a winning reappearance at Cothelstone, Le Duc and Napolitain, a first-ever winner for Sam and Rose Loxton at Ston Easton. Glacial Call is fancied to continue her progression through the ranks, with Napolitain the one for the forecast.
Mulligan's Pet, Polly Gundry's record equalling 287th career winner at Wadebridge, catches the eye in the Confined, which has also attracted 24 entries. Own Line, beaten a short head at Ideford Arch in March, the ultra-consistent El Hombre Del Rio, strong stayer Long Night and Minella Tipperary are four others to consider. Course winner Pimbury impressed when sprinting clear of his field at Ottery and gets the vote.
Cousin John and Long Night stand out in the opening Hunt Members race, but some of the runners will be carrying a minimum of 14st in a Heavyweight division and punters are advised to consult their racecards before making a final selection.
Deloughtane stayed on strongly to win at Badbury Rings and has chances of following up in the Intermediate. The two suggestions are the Leslie Jefford-trained Turtle Tim, who was collared close home at Kilworthy, and Wynbrook, a comfortable restricted winner for Alan and Charlotte Tizzard at Cothelstone.
There are 25 entries for a strong Restricted, including Irish Toast, a popular winner the John Dufosee stable at Larkhill on Saturday. Kilworthy runner-up Lord Lescribaa and stable companions Bold Chief and Irish Vixen are the likely market leaders, but Janet Ackner's King Of The Road was a good runner-up at Charlton Horethorne before disappointing at Kilworthy and may be a sporting alternative.
The Young Horse Maiden has been divided at entry. Family Guy and Round Tom may be two to consider in Division 1. Flanshan, Mad King Oskar and Why Not Silver are three suggestions for Division 2. Heynewboy could be to side with in the closing older horse Maiden.
To round off the day, Hunt subscribers will race in the 12f Taunton Vale Charity Flat Race, run this year in aid of Mark Davis Insured Riders Fund.
The course is at Fennington Farm, 3 miles N of Taunton off the A358 (TA2 8AS). Admission: £20 per car including all occupants, £10 car and driver only. First race: 1.00 pm.
