Grafton
Whitfield
Sunday 16th May 2010
by Claire Hart
South Midland action this weekend returns to Whitfield Racecourse which is situated just off the A43 Brackley to Northampton road. Postcode is NN13 5TQ.
No less than 200 entries have been received, meaning that the Maiden has already been split so there is now 8 races, first due off at 2pm. The railings and fences have all been moved to ensure fresh ground, the going is currently Good, Good to Firm in places and watering will take place to maintain this.
Admission costs are £10 for car and one passenger or £20 for car with 2 passengers or more.
There will be tradestands galore and plenty of hot/cold food / drinks to choose from.
The Ladies open boasts a huge entry of 29 and is sure to be a race of high quality, BIG MOMENT, thrice a winner this season who has proved himself at this level will be partnered as usual by Claire Douglas as she bids to win the Novice lady Champion award. West Midland area trainer Dick Baimbridge will be hoping his SHERNALLY can make amends following a fall at Chaddesley, however it would be no surprise to see Angela Ruckers’ ever consistent HONEST ENDEAVOUR take honours here, nor JUMBUL SALE who won in this company recently at Garthorpe.
The Mens equivalent has less entries but still looks a competitive event, BUCKINGHAM BILL has already shown his liking to this track, following a win here in February he then finished a close second to CHILLING PLACE as he upgraded to Open class, he certainly looks the one to beat should he be 100 % following his fall at Cheltenham last week. However this could still be a tough task, THE KING OF ANGELS who is owner ridden by Richard Hunniset has done little wrong this time having been placed several times, a win is surely looming. With Richard Woollacot now a serious contender for the Mens Championship it would be no surprise to see WHIZZAR take his chance following his victory at Chaddesley Sunday.
The Intermediate race looks an interesting contest, THE CHISOLM, SIR RONAN, and UNOITMAKESSENSE are all bidding to follow up their recent Restricted wins, UNOITMAKESSENSE a track winner already appears to live by the ‘If he stands up he wins’ motto, all completions to date have been a winning one. SMUGGLERS RUN, again a track winner is an interesting entry, He was a close second to BRADLEY last time out and subsequently he has gone on to win at Cheltenham so for me SMUGGLERS RUN is pick of this race. Having said that, each way value could come from DEFINATE APPROACH, who steps back in grade having been 3rd in an open last time or ORIENT LEGEND who is locally trained by JENNY PIGEON.
STRONG WELD, TOUCH CLOSER, HAGGLE TWINS, MENDO or BUCKINHAM BILL all hold huge appeal in the closing conditions race. For horses that have not won a Mens, Ladies or Mixed open since December 2008 nor any race under rules this will still be a high class race as the for mentioned suggest. The form of all the above is consistent and all deserve a win.
A Restricted and two Maidens are also scheduled to take place so without doubt it will be a super day with high class racing.
