The North Staffordshire race at Sandon on Easter Saturday with seventy runners entered for the six races, commencing at 1.00. However, there is a strong possibility of a divide in the last race with twenty-three horses entered for this two-mile flat race, where the safety factor is only twelve. Reasonable weather is forecast for the weekend, so there should be another large crowd at this popular venue. The course has a good covering of grass and watering is taking place as necessary to maintain good ground.
The opening Members race for five local hunts has attracted an entry of six. Joe O’Shea has the pick of the entries with Gracchus de Balme and Willewonga. It would be great if the Aintree Foxhunter winner runs, and he would be miles ahead of this field. However, in his absence, Willewonga looks likely to prevail and has the benefit of winning on each of his two previous visits to this track. Of the others, Blagthebookies, Poncherello and Steady the Ship have similar ability.
The PPORA Conditions Race (Level 2) has 10 entries and the best of them appear to be Blagthebookies, Frontal Assault, On Springs and Tzarmix. The ex-Gordon Elliott chaser Frontal Assault has finished runner-up in each of his races this season and is sure to give a good account. Blagthebookies stayed on well to win at Bangor. Tzarmix had good handicap hurdle form for Jonjo O’Neill and won the Members convincingly at Bitterley. Ex-winning chaser On Springs won a similar contest impressively at Kingston Blount and Luca Morgan’s charge should take all the beating here.
The Maiden has thirteen entered and the best of them with form are Count Frollo, Fayrely Fruitful and Dom Rodrigo. The first pair are trained by Rhiannon Lodge and it’s unlikely they will run against each other. Fayrely Fruitful won a bumper at Alnwick before running well to be second to Theoldboggroad at Alnwick. Ex-Irish pointer Count Frollo ran a promising race on his first UK run when third to Is Our Otis at Bitterley. There was a lot to like about Dom Rodrigo’s first ever run when he came third to In a Sonnet at Maisemore. Phil Rowley’s five-year-old is the selection.
Buzzard Trix, Fier Jaguen and Raleagh Flora make most appeal of the nine entries for the Mixed Open. Buzzard Trix won well at Tabley beating Frontal Assault and should be on the premises. Raleagh Flora had good form last season and had a walk-over in the Mixed Open at Tabley. However, he is yet to race this season and may need the outing. Fier Jaguen has been a great servant for Bradley Gibbs and should win his third Open of the season from as many runs.
A Quick Risk, Lavorante and Premier Fantasy stand out in the nine-horse entry for the Conditions Race (Level 2). A Quick Risk won a Maiden and a Restricted last season but lacks a run this season. Lavorante opened his season winning a two-runner race easily at Howick. He has now won five times in a row being victorious in a Maiden, two Restricted and a Members last season. Premier Fantasy won a Restricted at Horseheath and has had two good-placed efforts since. In a competitive race, Lavorante may just have the edge.
The concluding Flat race for four-and-five-year-olds is over two miles. Only eight of the twenty-three runners have ever raced so it’s impossible to predict a winner. However, it will be a good race to watch for future prospects. Many of the owners and trainers will be keen to get a good performance to enhance their value in upcoming sales.