After the cancellation of the second Bratton Down meeting, we skip to the final meeting at the same picturesque course. The rain has come and the organisers have been rewarded with good entries and what looks like it could be a day raided by welsh winners. Gates open at midday with the first race due off at 2pm. £15 per person with under 16s free. EX31 4SG
Winston Pincombe Tiverton Members Race
Multiple Point to Point winner Skilful Lord has a very impressive record around Bratton Down and scored here at the last meeting under James Shaw. He has won his last three races this season and would give local owner, Brian Palfrey another winner. Danielle Kenealy is enjoying her best season with a pretty impressive strike rate to boot! Grove Ash (Mary Sanderson) provided Shannon Holmes with a winner also here at the last meeting but could find Skilful Lord fierce competition!
North Hayne Game Maiden
The formidable Luke Price brings two forward for the Maiden Race. Skiffle Man unseated James King at Peper Harrow and was just touched off on his next outing on Sunday at Kingston Blount. My Kent does not bring the same form forward having pulled up at the Welsh International on Saturday. Riskamatriark (Mike Vanstone) ran eye catchingly well at Holnicote to finish 2nd to Eileen’s Milan, who has since gone on to win a Restricted. With the form of that race working out well, you would like to think he wouldn't be too far away. Will Biddick is a good booking aboard What A Pleasure, who did not look the easiest here at the last meeting but will relish the ground for David Lockwood and Heidi McCreesh.
Moore Scarrott Intermediate
Course winner, Boys Will Be Boys (Michael Felton) enjoys the quicker going and was a comfortable winner of his Restricted at Cothelstone under Fred Philipson-Stow. Luke Price brings forward Elle Est Beau and Gino Drummer Boy. Elle Est Beau was purchased out of Dan Skelton’s and has been unbeaten since joining Luke’s yard. She took the Mares Maiden Final at Chaddesley on Monday. Gino Drummer Boy had very disappointing form before winning a Maiden down at Flete Park. Designer Destiny has been lightly raced this season but has been very consistent for the Vaughan family. Elen Wylie has had a good first season training since partner Max Comley took out a National Hunt license. Gallant Geronimo holds an entry in both this and the Restricted, which he could find easier.
Ucanstore.com Mens Open
Inchidaly Robin clinched the National Leading Horse at Chaddesley Corbett with 8 wins from 8 runs over 9 weekends, there looks to be no stopping him and James King here. Dorrells Pierji (Emma Summersby) ran with a lot more promise at Upcott Cross to finish 2nd to Dr Rhythm in the Mixed Open. He seems to enjoy the track and took the spoils here twice last season. Mourzouk (Tim Vaughan) had decent form under rules and proved too good for Grangeclare Glory at Flete Park. Skilful Lord could have his first taste of Open company but expect connections will opt for the first Members Race. Course specialist, Ninth Wave, holds multiple entries across the card in this, the Ladies and the Members Race.
Greenslade Taylor Hunt Ladies Open
After two years off the track, Arthur’s Sixpence won a two runner Mens Open at Woodford and showed that he still retains some class and has the guidance here of Olive Nicholls. He too, is double entered in both the Ladies and the Men's Open and connections will no doubt be opting for the weaker race of the two. Dorrells Pierji has Jo Supple booked to ride here as Jo seeks to win the Devon & Cornwall Leading Lady Award. Teresa Clarke has trained Ninth Wave to 11 career wins, with 5 of them being at Bratton Down and will put up a brave fight in whichever race he opts for.
Witheridge Garage Restricted
Four of the 12 entries come from Luke Price with Barbary Master possibly looking the pick of the bunch. He may not have run for just shy of two years but won a National Hunt Flat Race for Noel Meade and had an opening mark over hurdles of 123. Emberscombe (Danielle Kenealy) ran with huge credit at Cheltenham Hunter Chase evening to finish 5th in the Mares Race behind Latenightfumble and will find the drop back in class a big bonus. Eile Tara took the Maiden at Upcott Cross unchallenged under Ed Vaughan and the quick reappearance should not prove a problem.
RMS Beares & Brian Thorne & Sons Exmoor Members Race
The closing race of the day is the Exmoor Members Race which was due to be held last weekend. 5 are entered for this, which looks like a very hot contest. Walkin Out is prolific between the flags. The mare has built up a brilliant partnership with Anna Johnston and is a real course specialist, as are her main rivals, Ninth Wave and Dr Rhythm. Between all 3, they have won 11 races at Bratton Down. Ninth Wave had a belated start to the season when finishing a neck second to Famous Clermont at Holnicote. He was running well on his next appearance at Cothelstone before slipping up on the home bend. Dr Rhythm scored his 17th career win at Upcott Cross on Monday under Will Biddick and would be another extremely popular winner if he took the spoils here.