Situated a couple miles from the Jurassic Coast, Stafford Cross is a very flat, right handed track which produces some very quick times! Watering commenced a couple weeks ago and the team are monitoring the weather closely. £15 per person and under 16s free when accompanied by an adult. Dogs welcome on leads. Postcode EX24 6HY
WBW Solicitors Members Race
Clondaw Drake has had a busy campaign and ran disappointingly at Flete when pulling up. He should be able to draw a line through that race if making a quick return to the track. He has been impressive in his 5 wins this season and could add another winner for title chasing trainer Joshua Newman. Hell Red, for Emma Summersby, has not been seen yet this season but ran consistently in his three runs Pointing last season, including at this course when 3rd to Ninth Wave and a win at Upcott Cross beating Quintin’s Man. He had a very successful career when in the hands of Paul Nicholls and still retains some ability. Two In Tune finished 3rd at Trebudannon on Sunday when just not having the speed to quicken with the first two from the back of two out over 2M4F. Emma Watson has had him in good form all season and if appearing quickly, could run into a place behind the two market principles.
J & F.J Baker Intermediate
The Intermediate could turn into the most competitive race of the day, with 6 of the 10 entries winning 18 races between them this season alone! Harriet Waight has really found the key to Crawter and he has come home infront 4 times this season. His previous run at Bitterley was the most impressive when scoring by 20 lengths. He will have to carry a 5lb penalty. El Capitaine (Joshua Newman) comes off the back of scoring his fifth consecutive win at Trebudannon on Easter Monday and will be looking to add another to his tally which would take him into the lead for National Champion Horse. Designer Destiny for father and son duo, Tim and Ed Vaughan, won a Restricted at Howick and came 2nd on Saturday in a Conditions over 3m4f. He clearly stays well but could find this track a bit on the sharp side. Both the Luke Price runners come with good chances. Elle Est Beau has already won a Maiden and two Restricteds from her 3 runs for Luke. Inchidaly Robin is also 3 from 3 since joining Luke and most recently won an Intermediate at Paxford, so will be another to carry a 5lb penalty.
Lee Clifford Engineering Mixed Open
David Pipe has First Lord de Cuet entered, who was an impressive winner on his first start in a Point to Point when demolishing the field at Buckfastleigh with both the 2nd and 3rd place horses winning on their next appearances. David also has Sidi Ismael entered, who has not been out since Chipley Park in February, when he dead heated with Doc Carver and seems another horse to have enjoyed the switch back to Pointing. Both these also have the option of the Grassroots Race. Drakes Well, for Fred Hutsby, has won two races in 11 days, most recently on Easter Monday and could be looking to make it three on the bounce here. Lakota Warrior was unlucky at this track last season but possibly has not been in quite the same form this season. Makety (Charlotte O’Leary) could make use of her 7lb mares allowance and be an interesting each way bet after finishing 2nd to Duc Du Beauchene at the first Trebudannon meeting. His Own Star is a course winner and has been running well this season but would need to be at his best to be beating the likes of First Lord de Cuet.
The Totnes & Bridgetown Races Co Ltd Grass Roots Conditions Race
Midnight Midge seems to be thoroughly enjoying the Pointing scene providing trainer Robert Chanin and jockey James Shaw with two winners this season. He won the Members Race comfortably at Dunsmore last time out and has also come home in front at Larkhill beating the classy Acey Milan. Liberty Rock, under Rian Corcoran, won the Conditions Race at Kilworthy easily and could give Rian another winner in his bid to become National Champion Novice Jockey for this season. Honestlyntrufully came home unchallenged at Cherrybrook under Jack Stenhouse and in doing so, gave Chloe Newman her last winner as a trainer before handing the reins over to nephew Josh. His Own Star, Lakota Warrior, First Lord de Cuet and Sidi Ismael all have the option of this race too.
Lentells, Accountants of Seaton Restricted
It is a very competitive Restricted with 15 entered. Dawn Supreme (John Heard) is the stand out having won a Maiden at Cherrybrook unchallenged and dead heated when winning a Restricted at Trebudannon on Monday. Boys Will be Boys, for Michael Felton, ran well in defeat at Chilfrome but may find an easier race to win at a later date. Josh Newman has Talimar Pearl entered, another who will have to carry a 5lb penalty after winning at Badbury Rings. He also has Liwah entered, who has been unlucky to not get her head in front already this season. Religious Cross (Robert Chanin) was a winner on debut at Buckfastleigh and it will be interesting to see how he fares here on his 2nd career start. Jewel In The Park’s form this season is very consistent and it would be no surprise if he came home in front for Christopher Barber. Elen Wylie has Jullou de Grissay entered and it looks like he has been a good buy winning both starts since joining Elen’s string.
The Jockey Club & Hammett Associates Mares & Fillies Maiden
All Walks Of Life (Jonathon Phillips) used to run in the JP McManus colours and has a decent enough profile to be winning a maiden and should be competitive here if arriving fit. It is unlikely that Cue Jump will make an appearance after finishing 3rd at Trebudannon on Monday but she could be competitive in this sort of race. What A Pleasure’s 4th at Larkhill, in January, was probably the best race he has run this season and could give trainer Heidi McCreesh her first winner of this campaign around a track that should suit this mare well.
Scott Rowe Solicitors Horses & Geldings Maiden
The final race of the day, the Geldings Maiden has attracted 10 entries. Fred Hutsby is trying to supply son Tom, with as many riding opportunities as possible to try and close the gap between Tom and Rian Corcoran for Leading Champion Novice. Fred has Bennettsbridge entered, who ran very well at Maisemore Park to finish a length behind Sparkling Duke. Hogan for Luke Price and James King, finished 2nd at Howick and will be sure to build on that performance. Eamonn O’Donnabhain has already done well with his newcomers this season and has Rebel Tribesman entered here. He was a €9,000 purchase from the Tattersalls Ireland July Sale alongside jockey Tommie O’Brien, who might have to sit this one out after a fall at the Aintree Festival. Another interesting newcomer is William Yeats for local trainer Edward Walker, bred by the owners, Mr & Mrs Kelvin Hughes and out of the very talented mare Dusky Legend, who saw a career high OR 139.