12 March 2010 Preview: Wessex Area
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Two meetings take place in the Wessex Area this weekend, the Quantock Staghounds at Cothelstone on Saturday, then the New Forest at Larkhill 24 hours later.
Spaxton-based Marie McGuinness, who sent out five winners at the 2009 Quantock Staghounds meeting, could be back in the winner's enclosure at this year's fixture.
Marie has a strong hand for the opening Hunt race, including Croix De Guerre, the winner of last year's Ladies Open, Cuban Night and Black Forest Lodge winner Whodouthinkur. Just Gladys and Master Billyboy catch the eye, but Croix De Guerre will get the vote if facing the starter. Ewar Finch put up some fine Cothelstone performances last season and can provide the strongest opposition.
Croix De Guerre also holds an entry in a competitive looking 15-entry Ladies Open. Barneys Mate, a good second at Badbury Rings, Emile Zola, who pulled up at Black Forest Lodge, and Nobody Tells Me must be considered. Carroll's O'Tully is well suited to the Cothelstone track, but the suggestion is Own Line, who was touched off by the narrowest margin in the South Devon Mixed Open at Ideford Arch on Sunday.
Arctic Ghost and Shady Hollow could represent the McGuinness stable in the Mens Open. Course winner Thunder Child and Milborne runner-up Vigzol should also be considered. The two to choose from are Glacial Call, the impressive winner of three earlier races this season, and King's Wood, a course winner last season and the winner of Exeter's Intermediate Series Final Hunter Chase.
Murdol, another of the McGuinness winners last season, may follow up in the Confined race. Three to note are Sue Condry's Black Forest Lodge winner Cookies Bank, El Hombre Del Rio, who never really got back on terms after being hampered by a faller at Bishops Court on Saturday, and Harbridge, third behind El Hombre Del Rio when making a pleasing reappearance at Chipley Park in January. Cousin John put up a fine performance at Larkhill a fortnight ago and is fancied to deny Murdol.
Ewar Finch, Just Gladys, Ned The Post and Whodouthinkur are among the 22 entries for the Restricted race, but Midnight Marine impressed when winning here last season and may be a sporting alternative.
Two Maiden races complete the card. Allerford Jack may finally get his head in front in the 2m 4f event. Curly Quinn has been placed six times and can gain a deserved success in the 3 mile contest.
The course lies north of Taunton off the A358 (junction 25 off the M5), 3 miles NE of Bishops Lydeard. First race: 12.00 noon. Admission £20 per car and all occupants; £10 single occupancy; £5 pedestrians.
Gold Heart can complete a Larkhill hat-trick in the New Forest Mixed Open on Sunday. Caroline Holliday's grey has impressed in two Military races at the Wiltshire venue this season and has all the credentials to make the step up to Open class. Opposition includes Gold Medallist, a good runner-up to in-form Theatre Diva here two weeks ago, the Waley-Cohens' prolific Irilut, and Olival, who beat Dick Baimbridge's subsequent Garnons winner Skyhawk at Cottenham. Charles Whittaker's unchallenged Chaddesley winner Pertinent and course specialist Trade Off, who is suited by fast conditions, look the main dangers, but Gold Heart is fancied to make it three out of three.
Whittaker's Pertinent and stable companion Scrappie are leading candidates for a competitive looking 22-entry Novice Riders race. Grimthorpe Cup winner Network Oscar, Detling runner-up New Team and Marks Tey winner Victree are interesting. Rustic John would be a popular winner for Audrey Manners, but Up There gave former Hennessy Gold Cup favourite Island Flyer a fright at Chaddesley and can go one better, with the Whittaker runner fancied for the forecast.
Scrappie will get the vote for the Confined race if connections take that option. South Dorset winner Gunner Be Quick, Mrs O'Connell and course winner Long Courrier may be sporting alternatives.
Stable companions Ned The Post and Pendoun have chances in the 17-entry Restricted race. Gowna's Hope, who was upsides winner Maglinn River when falling at the last here in January, may renew rivalry. The three suggestions are course winner Spiders Nephew, Wadebridge winner The Boss, and Timall, who put up a fine display when runner-up to Cousin John here three weeks ago.
Two maiden contests complete the card. Vintage Class was collared close home at the Army meeting and can make amends in the 3m contest. Back Is Back may be suited by the drop in trip in the 2m 4f contest.
Two pony races, qualifiers for the Wessex Final at Larkhill on 30 May, will be staged before racing, at 11.00am.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 12.30 pm. Admission is £20 per car including all occupants; £15 car and driver only.
