Cambridge University Hunts Club
Cottenham
Sunday 10th February 2008
by "The Pub Team"
Courtesy of PointingEA

Advanced Going: Good to Firm

There is lot of competition this Sunday with further meetings at Godstone and at Tweseldown, all within striking distance, so punters have plenty of choices with venues. Fortunately for us in East Anglia, Cottenham is very popular, so we hope to see plenty of runners and good racing.

12 noon. Cambridge University United Hunts Club Members - 6 entries
Demasta won this race last season and although now 17 years old will probably start favourite to again. He will make a bold bid to lead all the way but would not want the ground to become too loose. Moving Earth is only 2 years Demasta’s junior, he has had a long and fairly successful career and although winless since May 2005 ( Ludlow H/cap Chase) he ran with credit last season and will be a first race ride for 16 year old Georgina Andrews. Alpha Giaconda won a novice hurdle at Kempton in 2004 but vanished after just one more outing. Cosi Celeste managed 2 wins at Dingley last year but the overall form looks weak. Landrover and Lolloping Lad are also giving two debutants an introduction to race riding. The Pub Team wish you all good luck.

Selection: Moving Earth (Demasta)

12.35 p.m. P P O R A Club Members (Novice Riders) - 20 entries
This looks a wide open contest. King Plato had fair form in 2005 but was absent until reappearing when pulling up at Detling. Stablemate Militaire has been manly disappointing recently. Chain won an astonishing 4 runner race at Towcester last year, in which he was the only horse to complete a clear round but still only beat a horse who had continued after a refusal by a length. Cirrus has been placed in modest Novice Chases. Glory Trail is in the veteran stage now and was behind stablemate No Reward at Detling recently. Infrasonique was once very useful under rules but you need to go along way back to find any worthwhile form. Magic to Do has run some respectable races when placed, he was about 3 lengths in front of Mr Naborro at the last Higham meeting. Parsonhumfrywebber was never in it at Horseheath last weekend and although he did make his usually late surge he still has a lot to find with the local golden girl Scare Lotte. She would have won easier last week but for nearly unshipping Clare Hobson at the 2 nd last, she looks to have this at her mercy if turning out again. Wincy Spider also had a distant view of Scare Lotte last week.

Selection: Scare Lotte (King Plato)

1.10 p.m. Mens Open – 19 entries
Three highly rated horses entered in this race. The highest rated is Lord of Illusion who is also entered at Tweseldown. Lord of Illusion won the Mens Open on his only appearance of the season so far at Weston Park in late January, has won six races under rules and over £50000 in prize money but his last win was in 2005. Go for Bust is from the Crow yard and won an Open here last season and another at Bangor, between the Open races ran four times in Hunter Chases but without success, only just gets the trip but this course should again be to his liking. Longville Lad has not run for two seasons but did win an Open and a Confined on his only two appearances in 2005, after such a long lay off may well need the run. Another reappearing after the same time off the course is Mister Ringa from the Sporborg yard, a yard that have not been in form so far this season. Mister Ringa won his five outings in points but faded somewhat after, worth watching on this occasion. Caveman won the Confined at Ampton two weeks ago; jockey does not get many rides but is improving all the time and has a particularly good strike rate. Bering Gifts won four moderate races in 2007(some were pretty poor) and was placed on four other occasions, not fancied here. Beluga Lad had modest form under rules, did win a Chase at Leicester under A P McCoy. Half Inch won a Club Members at Higham in early January but followed with a poor performance in only other race since. Chris Lawson has done well with Hatsnall , pulled up on only race this year but did win a modest Hunter Chase at Folkestone last season.

Selection; Lord of Illusion (Go For Bust)

1.45 p.m. Ladies Open - 18 entries
Bell Rock started racing in Pointing, was then tried under rules but was not very successful, did win once. Returned to pointing last season where ran three times, all here at Cottenham and was successful on every occasion in Ladies Opens. Christy Beamish won here last time and has since won very easily at Weston Park; he will have a favourite’s chance here. Find Me Another ran well at Ampton on his seasonal debut, he will be better suited to this ground but may need the principals to stay away to win. Full Irish rounded off an indifferent season with a Fakenham Hunter Chase win; he had a pipe opener at Higham, is clearly useful on his day and cannot be discounted. Honest Endeavour was a decent hurdler, he took time to adjust to fences but rattled off a hat trick of wins in Chases in April last year; he goes on fast ground and is capable of being involved in the finish. Mooramana won his last start under rules, a Novice Handicap Chase on fast ground, however, that was in August 2006, he has been absent since and fitness may be a concern. Scare Lotte bounced back from injury to win well at Horseheath last weekend, if turning out again she is sure to run well. Urban Rebel finished second to Christy Beamish here last time and has since finished third in a hot Ladies at Black Forest Lodge; he could well fill a place again here. Viscount Bankes was disappointing here at the first meeting and has not been out since; he would, however, have a chance if back to his best.

Selection: Christy Beamish (Honest Endeavour)

2.20 p.m. Restricted – 22 entries
Carbon Footprint won a dreadful Maiden at Charm Park but was very green and hopefully will have come on from last season. Carr Dyke Lad won his Maiden at Higham last season but so far has been very moderate. Chanticlier won his only race last season, was disappointing when under rules, seemed to have ability but suffers with health problems. Forget the Ref finished 3 rd in an Intermediate two weeks ago and was also 2 nd in a restricted at Higham last season. Kaboobi, is difficult to handle and will need to have improved a lot to win here, did win a poor Maiden at Fakenham last season. Lord Brunello has started as favourite in his two races this season; last time won a Division of the Maiden here at the end of December. This horse does seem to have considerable potential and it will be interesting to monitor his ability in this company. Rockley Beach won its Maiden here last year and then won the Members at Higham; followed up by running in a Ladies Open at Fakenham, showed some promise before pulling up lame. Ruckholme has only run over 2m 4f, did eventually win at Garthorpe but there must be doubts as to whether he gets the distance. Saddler’s Scene has been lightly raced, placed in a Restricted last year. Trevira won a very poor four runner Maiden last year in a slow time at Clifton-on –Dunsmore, probably reached his potential. Very Presentable won the Maiden at Higham following his 3 rd here at the last meeting, had been off the course for a long time prior to that race. Could be a decent Restricted this, quite a few with further potential.

Selection: Lord Brunello (Chanticlier)

2.55 p.m. Open Maiden 8 y o plus - 27 entries
Mid Div and Creep looks the likely favourite here, she followed a decent 4 th at Higham with a 2 nd at Ampton (the 3 rd was beaten last weekend). Alpine Star has not run for 3 years but showed good ability when 3 rd in a Hurdle race at Cheltenham. Artic Fire has 3 placings in Irish points to his name but also has a long absence to overcome. Banners Flying has a good run here to his name but is not as effective at the full trip. Burn Brook was beaten 47 lengths when 2 nd at Plumpton (Hurdle Race) and will be more at home at this level. Clifford T Ward was runner up here over the shorter trip and although having had plenty of chances merits respect. Magicastle ran listlessly at Higham but his form of last season gives him as good a chance as any here. Nomadic Blaze has been around a long time but was only just beaten at Higham and has a solid chance in this race. Sealed Orders has generally been well beaten when placed and is a doubtful stayer. Prey Bird is very lightly raced but does have ability. Wichway Now had a little form in Bumpers and Hurdles when with Alan King and will appreciate this lower grade.

Selection: Mid Div And Creep (Nomadic Blaze)

3.25 p.m. Open Maiden 5, 6& 7yo 2 ½ miles - 25 entries
Farmer Frank ran perfectly respectably for a 4 year old debutant when runner up in his only start last season, he can surely only improve this year. Fenny Lane came up against a decent sort when runner up at the last meeting here, he has since been well beaten at Larkhill but this should be easier. Brimham Boy was well beaten when 3 rd on his seasonal debut on what was his first completion. Siam de Baune has placed form in France and will have benefited from his seasonal debut. Mad Victor has shown plenty of promise and is from a yard that have successfully raided East Anglia already this season. Glenoe ran well on his debut last year but was too keen on his only start this season, time is on his side though. Parkbridge Lad ran 3 rd here back in December but has failed to complete in 2 runs since. Delayed In Dublin was in 3 rd place when pulling up before the last at Barbury and looks sure to improve.

Selection: Mad Victor (Delayed In Dublin)

Enjoy some great racing