31 March 2009 Preview: West Somerset Vale - Cothelstone
CROIX DE GUERRE: pictured winning here last month
Spectators can look forward to a feast of racing at the West Somerset Vale Point-to-Point meeting this Saturday 4 April, at Cothelstone, near Taunton. The Grand National will be broadcast live on a Big Screen and bookmakers will be taking bets on course.
The Point-to-Point action will be shown live on the Big Screen throughout the day, as well as other races from Aintree where possible, giving spectators the opportunity to get great ‘up close' viewing.
The Mixed Open may be the opportunity to swell the coffers before the Grand National runners come under orders. Candidates include Quantock Staghounds winner Fully Loaded, stable companions Beadnell Bay and Double Pops, who both won for the Dufosee stable last weekend, and Alroyal, the winner of Sunday's Newton Abbot Hunters' Chase. Pangbourne trainer Geoffrey Deacon has a good record at Cothelstone, so his Duchamp must be respected, but Croix De Guerre beat subsequent Littlewindsor winner Lady Myfanwy here in March and is a confident selection.
Duchamp is among the 22 entries for the Novice Riders race, along with course winner El Hombre Del Rio, a good third in a recent 20-runner Chepstow Hunters' Chase. King Georges, who finished alone in Littlewindsor's Novice Riders event on Sunday, Kilworthy winner King's Wood, and Master Overseer, a resolute winner at Wadebridge in January, have chances. Winning Connection could be suited by this race and should be considered, but El Hombre Del Rio gets the vote.
Eliipop, winner in 2005 and 2006, and 2008 winner Dandooley could clash in the Hunt race, but Murdol was one of Marie McGuinness's five winners at the Quantock Staghounds meeting and should follow up.
Quantock Staghounds winners Legends Lass, Max's Choice and Red Mimi are among the 39 entries for the Restricted race. Amber Love overcame a bad mistake when impressing at Kingston St Mary but the suggestion is Alison Dare's Mendip Farmers winner Rocklandslad, who relished the sound surface at Ston Easton, but will be better suited by the left-handed Cothelstone track.
The 2m4f Maiden has attracted 41 entries and will test punters. Ewar Finch was collared close home here in March and may fight out the finish with Smokes And Daggers, who failed to complete on debut for the Julie Houldey/Dave Mansell combination at Maisemore Park on Sunday.
The closing Open Maiden race, which has attracted 46 entries, could also be a puzzle. Sweet Nap put up a fine performance when runner-up at Badbury Rings and may win for dual former National Champion Rider, Richard Miller.
The course lies north of Taunton off the A358, 3 miles NE of Bishops Lydeard. First race: 1.30pm (pony racing from 12noon). Admission is £20 per car including all occupants, £15 car and driver only, £5 pedestrians.
