Cleveland
Mordon
Sunday 18th April 2010
by Will Milburn
The Cleveland Point to Point will be held this Sunday at Howe Hills Mordon by the kind permission of John Wade. With the summer weather looking to get well set in, it is most likely that the ground will be on the good side, and with 159 entries there should be plenty of runners.
The first race is only a small event with six entries. Busky Run is a full brother to the useful pointers Forge Valley and Willywont He, so could be useful in time. College Land Boy was a modest second at Whitwell and didn’t look an easy ride, Exit To Samur has been uninspiring under rules, whilst Willybegood is improving steadily and can go close. Oakland’s Somthin was a very respectable fifth on his debut and came from a mile back to be just denied in a competitive Charm Park maiden recently and will take the beating.
Selection – Oakland’s Somthin
The 2 ½ mile Maiden has been well supported which has resulted in it been divided. In Division1 Ben Tirran has shown very little since a very respectable bumper debut way back in 2007, Bring It On was a good second to the useful Mr Gossip at Dalton Park and looks to have a maiden in him, whilst Flagg Hill has disappointed recently but could go well if repeating his previous run. Lewesdon Tom was fourth at Charm Park and more is expected, Barrio has been running well this season and looks like this reduced trip will suit, however Buckshaw has been placed on numerous occasions including a second in a hot members race at the Bedale and should be suited here.
Selection – Buckshaw
Division2 sees an interesting entrant in Barrow Way who finished second in an Irish Point and although failing to shine in two Novice Hurdles, should be noted on his return to this sphere. Chapmans Peak has been placed twice this season but looks short of stamina, so will be suited here. Momotarro is nicely bred so should do well with time, Next Girl was third to two useful opponents at Whittington and looks to be improving nicely, so should take a hand here, whilst Sharmon made a lot of the running at Welbeck and was not knocked about, so a big run could come from him. Kings Warning was third in an Irish point and by no means disgraced on his sole bumper appearance in England, so a return to points should see him go close.
Selection – Kings Warning
The Ladies Open looks well supported with 22 entries and the most eye-catching entry is that of First Fought who caused a huge upset at Charm Park when winning at 50-1, conditions will be to suit and another bold bid can be expected. Andre Chenier is a strong finisher and can continue Charlotte Cundalls good run, Charlies Memory has not been seen since before the new year, Holy Joe looks revitalised at the age of 13, Knightsbridge King has course form and should go well here, Lutin Du Moulin should enjoy the better ground and can be a danger to most, however Blanding’s Castle was a very good second at the Hurworth meeting and a return to better ground can see him win.
Selection – Blanding’s Castle
The Men’s Open looks rather open with the Easterby team going elsewhere this weekend. Age looks to be catching up with Bobby Buttons at 13 so may find this hard, Fox Point almost lowered the colours of My Old Piano recently, but its yet to be seen how he will handle quicker conditions. Oscar Jack could go well as he was an easy winner of a Taunton handicap last season. Briscoe Place has been in fine form this season, racking up 4 consecutive Open wins this season and should be the one to beat, although Oakland’s Bobby is improving all the time and with quick ground expected, he could cause a shake up.
Selection – Oakland’s Bobby
The Restricted race is the fifth on the card and Lewesdon Duchess looks to be on the upgrade as she won her Members race with plenty in hand so should be hard to beat here. The Poor Man is out of the same mare as Always Right and won well at the Bedale meeting so can go well, whilst Gallant Girl won a competitive maiden well so can do well here dropped in grade after a good third in an Intermediate. Rahood was an impressive Irish maiden winner, along with Rakerin Lad who won on his third attempt in Ireland. Rich Hill can run well along with Calapocus, who could be a leading contender if he runs to his best.
Selection – Lewesdon Duchess
The Confined race is a race run over an extended trip of 3miles and 5f, which will play to the strengths of the staying division. Allborn Lad was second in this last season, Cop Howe is running well at the moment but would like some cut in the ground, Major Shark has shown nothing like the same form since winning at Duncombe Park so should be avoided here, whilst My Wee Woman and Robber are both good stayers, with the latter going well at the age of 13. However Blazing Bull beat subsequent winner Adieu Mari at the Bedale meeting and is a big strong type who will enjoy this trip.
Selection – Blazing Bull
The Open Maiden has also been divided here and in Division1 Ajay looked as though he has ability but is not very willing, if he puts his mind to it he could run a big race. On the best of his form Devils And Dust could take the beating, however he is not one that can be trusted, whilst Ramborob was an encouraging third at Charm Park so should find further improvement. Bring It On was going well when falling at Charm Park and his previous second to Mr Gossip is now looking quite useful form so can go very close, however Warriors Choise was disputing the lead when coming down to out at Whitwell On The Hill and can make amends here.
Selection – Warrior Choise
Division2 sees another open event with Action Strasse having some useful form under rules, but has not shown it in points as of yet. Buckshaw is running well at the moment as he finished second to Lewesdon Duchess in his Members race. Cedar Point looks to be on the upgrade and seemed to appreciate the better ground recently, Macswiggan has been placed but needs to find more, whilst My Mate Vic ran very promising on two occasions in Ireland and can give a bold bid here. Toplander has been running well this season and should get off the mark here in what looks a modest event.
Selection - Toplander
