The popular Knutsford Races fixture takes place this Sunday at Tabley. Two pony races commence proceedings at 1.00 with six point-to-point races to follow from 2.00. Watering is taking place daily to provide safe ground which is currently good to firm. Fifty-four entries have been received, with the feature race being the Lord Daresbury confined to horses that have qualified in the West Mercian Area during the season.
The opening Maiden for four-and-five-year-olds is over two-and-a-half miles and has six entries. Count Frollo, In the Congo and Salix Spirit all have form whilst the other three are yet to race. Salix Spirit led for a long way at Sandon but weakened from two out when second to Dom Rodrigo. He may have a better chance over this shorter trip. In the Congo was a promising runner-up on his first outing at Garthorpe. Count Frollo finished first in a strong race at Eyton that was declared void, and he should be the best of those with form. However, it may pay to watch the Bradley Gibbs debutant four-year-old The Kings Soldier in the parade ring and the market, before selecting.
The Mixed Open is also over the shorter trip and has the largest entry of thirteen. The main ones to consider are Envious Editor, Precious Bounty, Rewritetherules and Steady the Ship. Rewritethrules won two early-season races but has not raced since falling in a Taunton hunter chase four months ago. Steady the Ship has been campaigned in a mixture of contests including the military races at Sandown in March. He won the Members well at Sandon last month and should be competitive over this trip. Precious Bounty has had a busy campaign and has won three times this season. Envious Editor won the handicap hunter chase at Stratford last June and then had a mixture of placed form in handicap chases. His first run for the Rhiannon Lodge stable was in the two-mile hunter chase at Cheltenham where he may have needed the run when fifth to Barton Snow. He should come on from that run and have a good chance to win here.
For One Night Only, Jullou de Grissay and O’Hallorans Castle make most appeal of the nine entries for the restricted. Jullou de Grissay has won a Maiden and a Restricted this season and will be competitive. O’Hallorans Castle has been a model of consistency and has won a Maiden and a Restricted. He looked to be improving with his latest run at Eyton, and he may have too much class here.
There are eight entered for the Conditions Race (Level 2) and if Rewritetherules runs here he should take all the beating.
The Lord Daresbury has attracted nine entries and the ones to concentrate on are Buzzard Trix, Rewritetherules and Steady the Ship. The latter two are entered in earlier races and have been discussed previously. Buzzard Trix won this race last season and showed his liking for the track by winning at last month’s meeting here.
Count Frollo, Occupied Territory and Priceforlove have the best form of the eight entries for the concluding Maiden. Count Frollo may run in the earlier Maiden but would have a good chance here. Priceforlove has been placed in his last two races. Occupied Territory was runner-up in his last run at Godstone and may prevail here.