Mid Devon
Black Forest Lodge
Sunday 3rd February 2008
by Lucy Johnson & Granville Taylor

On Sunday, the first of two pony races comes under orders at 11 o’ clock at Black Forest Lodge, where the Mid Devon meeting takes place, and it is worth making the early start to see the youngsters in action. The Confined is the first of eight point-to-points races at 12 noon and looks a competitive affair with in form progressive types such as Winter Scene, Knightsbridge Hill, Maxou des Brosses and recent Barbury winner Holly Walk among the entries.

Highway Oak loves this course and will be all the better for his recent run. He can be opposed in the Men’s Open with Jalons Star and champion jockey James Tudor’s mount Minsgill Mans, who needed the race on his seasonal debut at Tweseldown.

Croix de Guerre is entered in the Ladies’ here as well as at Wadebridge. He holds Dr Cerullo and Bally Blue on recent Black Forest form.

Bally Blue’s trainer Monique Pike is in good form and holds the key to the Intermediate with her choice of Castle Cazza and Simon’s Seat.

The 25 entries for the Restricted include Maiden winners. Margam Abbey, Rockwiththecaveman and So Long, who each won their respective divisions at the last Black Forest meeting, but Royal Niece would be a real danger. She effectively carried 9lbs more than her allotted weight when Adrian Wintle won on her at Barbury Castle, so must enter calculations here.

The Open Maiden has been split into three divisions and poses the usual problems for punters at this stage of the season.

The course is situated about 5 miles south of Exeter, near the B3381, between the A380 and Starcross. Entrance costs will be £10 for a car with single occupant, £20 for a car and driver to include one passenger, plus £5 for each additional passenger.