South Pool
Buckfastleigh
Saturday 17th February 2008
by Lucy Johnson

THE old racecourse at Buckfastleigh is the venue for Sunday’s point-to-point where a high class entry means a superb afternoon of action is on the cards.

The card kicks off at noon with a confined maiden race, for horses that are yet to win a race, with some promising types entered. There will be plenty of money for the Chloe Newman-trained Tres Bien who will be bidding to make it third time lucky this season after finishing second at Larkhill and fourth at Chipley Park. Also among the entries are Josh Be Yourself who has run well in defeat twice; Supreme Royal and Wanna Do A Deal.

The Exeter Racecourse Intermediate looks like one of the best seen this season with entries including Ballybrown, an impressive winner at Wadebridge a couple of weeks ago under Will Biddick; Moorlands Return and Sweet Shooter, trained by Richard Hawker who has a good record at the track and Chipley Park winners Senor Cid and Sulawacee. But heading the entry must but Rockawithacaveman, a winner twice this season who comes from Ed Walker and Polly Gundry’s in form yard.

The Volkswagen Touareg Men’s open looks a competitive race and with stamina required to win at Buckfastleigh, the course could be just right for Lisheen Storm who went down a length and a half to Concert Pianist at Wadebridge earlier this month. He will be fitter for the run and it will be interesting to see how he fares against the same opponent again. Plenty of the entries come into the reckoning including Dantes Back , another Wadebridge winner, McSolo, Yes My Lord and Mister Club Royal.

The mares’ maiden has been split and Present of Flame will find this easier than a hot maiden at Larkhill in January where she pulled up.

The ladies’ open includes Winter Scene, who has been in the winners’ enclosure twice this season; Croix De Guerre and Saint Romble from Marie McGuiness’ successful yard; and champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ Goblet of Fire, second in a good ladies’ race at Larkhill last month.

Royal Niece, who has won and finished second this season, is entered in the restricted along with Arctic Shot, who ran a cracking race at Black Forest Lodge to finish second to Francly Flora; Wadebridge second Dad Says Heazle and Massini Man.

The course is situated one mile south west of Buckfastleigh at Lower Dean adjacent to the A38.