South Durham
Mordon
Saturday 15th May 2010
by Will Milburn
The Yorkshire Point to Point season comes to a close this Saturday with the South Durham meeting held at Howe Hills Mordon, by kind permission of John Wade, who makes a fantastic effort to produce an excellent course. Admission is free so anyone and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy what should be a very competitive days racing.
The Hunt Members race is always very competitive and no doubt the Dawson’s will be spoilt for choice on what to ride. Forty Shakes has a fantastic record round this track, however age is catching up with him and a place effort may be his best. Lem Putt looks the improver in the race when a good second at Pendle Forest in what looked a competitive race, however he was beat that day by The Poor Man who looks a horse going places, travelling well and staying on the best and may be hard to beat here. Racing Ace can go well, however he will need to put a disappointing run behind him from last time, The Stickler bounced right back to his best when he lowered the colours of the mighty Sonevafushi, whilst previous course winner Skarmanche won in impressive style at the last meeting here and will no doubt have improved for his run, so could be the danger.
Selection - The Poor Man
The second race on the card is the Confined Hunts race, which will be run over an extended trip of 3miles and 5furlongs. Allborn Lad and Baron Romeo both like a test of stamina but have not shown there best form recently, Go Moss Go sprung a surprise at Witton Castle when beating a very hot Restricted field so another good run like that should see him in the finish. Forty Shakes is a course specialist and although he is not as good as he once was, will no doubt have a big say here, along with the Easterby trio, Joseph, Spirit Of Man and Brave Admiral with the best chance been the latter, who won a competitive maiden race at Dalston, so stamina should not be an issue. Oakland’s Luis seems to love a test of stamina but has been a bit disappointing recently.
Selection - Brave Admiral
The next race is what looks a strong 2 and 1/2 mile maiden race which often attracts some useful younger horses. Cashmere Jack was a modest second at Charm Park, College Land Boy looks non too willing, whilst Family Guy and Outnumbered were recently purchased by Lord Daresbury and are both knocking on the door, so should go close. The Masters Lesson was travelling the best of any till two out at Witton Castle, so this reduced trip should help him alot, along with Brochure, who travelled very well until finding only subsequent winner Sutton too good. Oakland’s Somthin went very close on his second start at Charm Park and will no doubt have improved further for that very good effort. Toplander continues to go close, whilst Phoebe Nullis is a well-bred mare and could go well on her debut.
Selection - The Masters Lesson
The fourth race on the card is the hotly contested Mens Open and recent winner Amicelli could take his chances here, although he does not seem the force of old, but still retains plenty of ability. Brize Norton has been a consistent horse this season, but a place may be his best chance here, whilst Fox Point looks a horse best suited by soft ground, something he may not get here, however Johnny Venture could improve on recent efforts if the ground is on the quick side. Rich Hill is on the upgrade but is stepping up from an easy Restricted win and may find a few too good here, whilst it is hard to say what The Stickler achieved when defeating Sonevafushi but he certainly looks to have the ability to have a say here. Oakland’s Bobby won on this course at the last meeting, beating the useful Briscoe Place, this looks a horse with a good future and will no doubt take all the beating here.
Selection - Oakland’s Bobby
The Ladies Open could seal the jockeys title for Charlotte Cundall as she bids to go ever further clear as leading Novice Lady. She will have the choice of the very consistent Andre Chenier who never runs a bad race but seems to keep finding one too good, or the inconsistent Major Shark who bounced back to his best recently which was owed to the removal of blinkers and at their best either would have a good chance. Wilfie Wild won here last time and at the age of 14 would be a popular winner, Cottam Phantom is a horse on the upgrade with two respectable front running performances, one of which was on this track and if continuing his current progression, could have a say. Narcisco has been impressive on his last two starts, most notably his most recent at the Pendle Forest, so should be hard to beat here. Lutin Du Moulin never runs a bad race, however may not be fully suited to this track whilst Blanding’s Castle and Astral Prince can give the Tutty's a good spin.
Selection - Narcisco
The Restricted race is full of potentially exciting horses, one of which is Skarmanche who won at this track after a long lay off in impressive style, if he has improved for that run, he will no doubt have a big chance. Beau Traveller and Ajay both got off the mark recently in weak company so may find this race a bit too hot, whilst Flagg Hill was the impressive winner of a 2 1/2 mile maiden over this course, and with the second running well since, should have a good chance. However it looks between two, Yes I can who was a shade lucky but was still a wide margin winner of his maiden, and Darren who beat the highly thought of Alforone and then subsequently was narrowly leading when unseating two out at the same track recently.
Selection - Darren
The final race is the Open Maiden race and if jockey standings are close, there could be alot of pressure on the Dawson brothers and even Jake Greenall coming into this race. Brochure got his jumping together at Whitwell where he chased home subsequent winner Sutton, Cedar Point has run some respectable races, however has never looked like troubling the judge, whilst Lewesdon Tom has caught the eye twice recently when finishing rapidly into second place, so if keeping closer to the head of affairs, would have solid claims. Family Guy and Outnumbered are recent purchases by Lord Daresbury and it us unknown how strong their recent form is, but will no doubt have solid chances. Toplander has been placed on several occasions this season, however looks rather one paced when an effort is needed, where as Yerwot was staying on very nicely at Pendle Forest to finish third and if improving again, could have a big say. Oakland’s Somthin came from a mile back at Charm Park to be narrowly beaten and on only his second start looks the one to beat.
Selection - Oakland’s Somthin
