The latest stop on the Yorkshire Area season is the Badsworth and Bramham Moor and York and Ainsty point to point on Sunday 30th March, the second of the two fixtures held at Askham Bryan College near York. The six race card has attracted a total of 69 entries and with the compact facilities and access for spectators to watch from the centre of the course giving them a close up and intimate view of the racing it should be an exciting day.
The first race is due off at 2pm and is the Wetherby Racecourse and Conference Centre Conditions race level 3. Featuring a number of useful horses amongst the thirteen entries this looks a super contest on paper and should be a very open betting heat.
Surprise Attack has an in an out record but when he is on a going day he is definitely one to note for John and Alice Dawson and he already has two wins on the board this season. Dale Peters' Wallace Olinger has a more consistent look to his form figures but was turned over at short odds last time out in a Leicester hunter chase. That was on heavy ground though and he should appreciate the better underfoot conditions here. One who comes here very much on an upward curve is Carriglux who has overcome his problems and returned to winning ways with a very impressive success in a competitive Charm Park restricted race. A repeat of that performance would give him every chance and he could easily progress again . Benefaktor, Champagne Glory and Courting Flow are all solid performers who are always there or thereabouts and are sure to give their supporters a good run for their money once again whilst Emir Sacre and Enchanted Magic would also be worth a look on the pick of their form. Finally Furax will reach the winners one day soon but this race may prove too hot for him
Race two is the Rudding Park Hotel Restricted where Carriglux also holds an entry. If connections choose this option for him he looks the one they all have to beat here. Chief dangers include Copshill Rock who had placed form in Ireland before making a successful debut in the British pointing field with a narrow victory at Revesby in January, Havock who made a successful start to his pointing career at Garthorpe after transferring from racing under rules at Dan Skelton's and Glencorp who ran a close fourth in a bunch finish at Hutton Rudby. Both Hollywood Harmon and Titanium Bullet won nicely at the first Askham Bryan meeting and whilst things haven't gone so well since for the latter the former has run two solid races since, when in the runners up spot both times, and she could well win again here. With Cali Dreamer also going the right way after losing her maiden tag when winning recently at Hutton Rudby, in fairness none of the thirteen entries can be discounted completely.
Race three is the Irving Theaker Memorial named in honour of a retired headmaster who was a foot follower of the Bramham for more than 35 years. The entry of six may be relatively small but there is certainly some quality and a potential clash between three top pointers would be a race to savour. Summerville Boy has done the Clark family proud since he came to them from Ireland and he has been full of enthusiasm despite his advancing years. His two wins from three outings were interrupted by a defeat by Camdonian at Duncombe Park but having subsequently scoped dirty it is best to forget that run and with Camdonian reopposing here with his own record of eight wins from twelve races the rematch will be fascinating. Extra spice is added by the presence of Shropshire raider Raleagh Flora who is a high class pointer and closely matched with the other pair on ratings. Lightly raced for his age he has a healthy win to runs ratio and whilst he has an absence of more than a year to overcome he has won on his seasonal debut for the last two years running so should be tuned up for this.
Race four is the Openfield Maiden and boasts the day's biggest entry with twenty and may see the consistent grey mare Bean Norty finally open her account. Having posted a string of solid efforts in maiden company she has gradually progressed and was only beaten one length in a close finish at Hutton Rudby recently. The main dangers may lay with a couple of up and coming youngsters, namely Mr and Mrs Knowles' well regarded home bred five year old Royal Maggs and Shropshire Raider Fayrely Fruitful. Both have similar profiles being mares who have won flat races at Alnwick earlier this season. The former hasn't jumped a fence in public yet but the latter subsequently went close at Friars Haugh in March. Having proved they have ability they may have the class to overcome their inexperience.
Others who have shown bits of form to warrant giving them consideration include Ballywhatsit, Constitution Grove, My Jetta Plane, Red Letter Day and Bryman's Moon with the last named probably the pick of those on his Alnwick second last time out but with an absence of well over a year he has to prove his fitness.
Race five is the Stephensons Rural Ladies Open and is another race with a smaller entry but not lacking in quality. Raleagh Flora holds an alternative engagement here and if this is the chosen option his main danger would be the useful Loughan from Gina Andrews' leading yard in Warwickshire. Boasting a near 50% winning strike rate with nine wins from twenty outings and with Gina herself taking the mount it would set up an interesting clash.
Best of the rest may be Somptueux who had a decent career under rules in Ireland although he didn't show an awful lot on his British debut for Tommy Morgan's yard in a Taunton hunter chase in January, whilst Royal Chant has a good past record in points but with him now being in the veteran stage he would need the others to underperform to win here.
The day concludes with Peacock and Binnington PPORA Conditions (level 2) for Novice Riders which has eleven entries. The two which stand out are Zhiguli who showed his liking for Askham Bryan when winning nicely at the first meeting here in February under Isla John and Benefaktor who has posted a string of solid efforts this season without getting his head in front as yet. Molly Legg is set to take the ride here and she also has another option in Young Rich on whom she won last time out at High Easter although, as he finished alone, the form may not match the best on offer here. Of the others,Titanium Bullet put up a super display of front running to give Felix Foster a first ever win at the first meeting here and, whilst things haven't worked out so well since, if he goes as well again back here he wouldn't be far away, Will Brown has the choice of Get With It and Tap Tap Boom and either of them would give him a chance of sorts on their previous placings this season whilst finally Master Malcolm wasn't beaten out of sight at Larkhill last time despite being hampered.
Admission is £15 per person on the gate with under 16s free and both cash or card are accepted. Gates open at 12 noon with the first race due off at 2pm. There will be a bar and home made refreshments being served, bookmakers for those wanting a flutter and well behaved dogs on a lead are also very welcome.