Tanatside
Eyton On Severn
Sunday 24th February 2008
by Arthur Shone

The Tanatside Hunt have attracted a bumper entry of 208 for their meeting at Eyton on Severn this Sunday February 24 th 2008. Because of the high number of runners declared the Open Maiden race has been divided, making a total of 8 races on the day.

Racing comes under starters orders at 12noon and is set to conclude at 4.05pm with 41 declared for the Restricted there may be a possibility that this race may have to be split on the day.

Admission to this popular Shropshire course, which has been racing since 1923 is £20 per car regardless of the number of passengers with single occupancy charged at £10.

Clerk Of the course John Beddoes lists the going as good to soft on Sunday February 17 th 2008. Speaking earlier today, he said, “The course has been harrowed and rolled and there is a really good covering of grass on the track. The course has dried out a lot these last couple of weeks; ideally I would like a drop of rain on the course towards the end of the week to put it spot on.”

The first horse past the judge in the Men’s Open is eligible for the £10,000 Volkswagen Touareg Men’s Point-To-Point Championship Hunter Chase Final at Towcester on Monday May 12 th 2008. Heading the entries is the 2005 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner Sleeping Night, who is currently racing off a mark of 147. The Sleeping Car gelding won a good quality hunter chase at Kelso last week when beating Cornish Rebel by half a length. The first two past the post were both former inmates of the champion trainer Paul Nicholls. Bookmakers Victor Chandler and Corals currently have Sleeping Night at 20-1 to repeat his 2005 triumph at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. Unlike 2005, this time around Sleeping Night is trained by Simon Waugh. Lightning may well strike twice with two different trainers, as it is worth reflecting that Earthmover won the Cheltenham Foxhunters in 1998 when trained by Richard Barber and won the race for the second time in 2004, when trained by Paul Nicholls. Lord Of Illusion, another entry in this race from the Sophie George yard, is best priced 16-1 for the Cheltenham Foxhunters after an impressive victory over Reflected Glory at Weston Park last month. Amicelli, trained by Cherry Coward ran out an easy 20 length winner at Brocklesby last time out and is another for the short list, as too is Ballylusky and Honest Your Honour, a cracking race in prospect.