The popular venue of Trebudannon holds its first meeting of two this coming Sunday. A beautiful course which makes for great viewing and always is good racing.
The first race is due off at 1pm with gates opening at 11am. Entry is £15pp and under 16s go free. Well behaved dogs are welcome on leads. Postcode TR8 4LP
Logan Rock Inn Conditions (Level 1)
The first of two Conditions Races has attracted 12 entries, with Keepers not being eligible to enter if they have won more than 3 races this season. Promising young jockey Rian Corcoran has the choice between Duc de Beauchene, who was an impressive 15 length winner at Buckfastleigh or Itacare, who hasn’t been seen since pulling up at Wadebridge in January. Itacare won at the previous Wadebridge meeting, beating Angels Breath, who went on to win a Hunter Chase at Taunton. Doc Carver and Rebecca Pugh have built up a great rapport together and have already been seen winning in this area when dead heating at Chipley and went on to finish 2nd at Didmarton. He is normally seen when the ground is softer, so that could be an issue for him here. One who will appreciate a quicker surface is Sake Of Secrecy for Harriet Waight, but he holds an entry at Larkhill the day before. Quintin’s Man (John Heard) comes off the back of a 3rd place at Buckfastleigh, when 10 lengths behind Maklin in a slowly run Open.
Mitchell and Webber Conditions (Level 2) 10yo and Over
It is great to see the Veterans still in action and 10 could head to post in this Conditions Race. Paloma Blue could head the charge with a 3lb penalty off the back of coming home unchallenged at Larkhill under Joshua Newman. Dorrells Pierji for Emma Summersby will have to lump a hefty 10lb penalty around and was only seen on Sunday at Kilworthy when finishing runner up to Humaniste. Dorrells Pierji was a prolific winner last season in the Point to Point sphere and it was great to see him return to form after a disappointing stint under rules during the autumn. Duc de Beauchene also holds an entry in this race but that won’t help Rian Corcoran, who will have the choice of him and Dorrells Pierji. Raddon Top has placed form on a couple of runs this season but made proceedings awkward for James Dawkins at Kilworthy when he tried to go off around Cherrybrook with a loose horse.
Exeter Racecourse Intermediate
The ever so impressive Clondaw Drake could be out again having won 4 times already this season and comes here under a penalty for Joshua Newman. He has only been beaten so far this season by another horse on the up, in Douglas Longbottom. Crawter could be his main danger having won 3 times this season and looks another very promising prospect for Harriet Waight. He holds an entry at Larkhill but connections may be looking for less quicker ground. Rouban could be a shrewd purchase by Tom Malone at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale when picked up for £8,000 and is now in the hands of David Pipe. He will be looking to better his not so flattering run at Exeter in a Bumper with a switch back to Points. He dead heated and won a Maiden in Ireland in November on the third attempt. Trebudannon seems to be a lucky track for the Summersby team and they are double handed with Honest Opinion looking to make her seasonal debut and Russian Invasion looking to better his pulled up form at Buckfastleigh.
R J Trevarthen Ltd Mixed Open
16 time Point winner, Dr Rhythm could look to add another to his tally alongside his jockey, Joshua Newman, who could be seeking the National Men’s Jockey Title. Dr Rhythm is a massive credit to Keith Cummings and his family and owner for winning so many races and always looking a picture at the races. Josh Newman, in a trainers capacity, has both Rocheston and The Kings Writ entered. Rocheston took the West Country Champion Chase in impressive style at Buckfastleigh and then won his Members Race at Cothelstone for owner Purdy Peaster. The lovable veteran, The Kings Writ, has been giving Hannah Morgan plenty of fun this season having won and been placed at Wadebridge and came with a late flurry at Chipley to finish a close third. Another who has been in the winners enclosure this season is Punches Cross for Danielle Kenealy and Michael and Heather Sweetland. He won Conditions Races at both Milborne and Badbury Rings but Famous Clermont was too good for him at Cothelstone last time out. Of the others, Dorrells Pierji, Itacare and Quintin’s Man all hold entries in this race and it will be interesting to see if the classy Soldier Of Destiny (Mark Quinlan) can take a step forward for his run at Chipley.
Jockey Club Four & Five Year Old Mares & Fillies Only Maiden 2m4f
Lemon Drizzle, for Christopher Barber, did nothing wrong in defeat at Cothelstone when finishing 2nd to Just A Glance and will definitely be looking to go one place better here. African Lady and Martin McIntyre were a further 3 lengths behind Lemon Drizzle in 5th place in the same Cothelstone Maiden and she brings good place form to the table having been 3rd at Larkhill and Chipley for David Pipe. Queens Island finished 9th of 10 in an Irish Maiden at Bartlemy and is making her first appearance for Max Young.
Chris and Sarita Perkins Maiden 3m
The biggest field of the day could be courtesy of the Maiden Race which sees 14 entered. Dawn Supreme for John Heard is an interesting recruit from the Irish Point to Point field but has not been seen since October 2023, when finishing a length 3rd. Another Notion was an expensive store purchase but only finished 4th on debut before joining Tom Malone and he went on to finish 3rd at Kingston Blount by a fairly long margin. Buddah Castle (Josh Newman) looks a lovely big prospect for Blackmore Racing Club and will be looking to improve on his 3rd place at Charlton Horethorne but does hold a couple entries. Sparkling Duke is another for Josh and comes with decent form under rules for Joe Tizzard. One possibly not to be ignored is Chief O’Hara for Chris Barber. He has shown very little under rules in Ireland and is now in Chris’ care for the same owners.