COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE CLUB (WESSEX)
BADBURY RINGS
Sunday 22nd February 2009
PREVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
A point-to-point with a difference takes place this Sunday, 22 February at Badbury Rings. Attractions include terrier and ferret racing, a junior bloodhound chase, silent auction and a host of tradestands and food outlets. Countryside Alliance (CA) President, Baroness Mallalieu, officially opens the racing at noon and the finale is an inter-hunt donkey derby. Proceeds will go to the CA and to Dorset Riding for the Disabled Association.
The two Open races highlight an attractive six race card. The Ladies’ contest has attracted a high quality 20-strong entry, including Alan Walter’s Fleur De Nikos, who ran her field ragged in Stratford’s Ladies’ hunter chase in May. Big Moment, who overturned the previously unbeaten pointer Minouchka at Cottenham, Kiama, the winner of six races in 2008, and evergreen Rimpton Boy, winner of 29 races to date, are other major players. Course specialists Golden Jack, Future To Future and Silver Monarch catch the eye, along with Croix De Guerre, Dr Cerullo and Brown Cockle, who annihilated his Restricted field here two years ago, but unseated when in contention at Larkhill in January and slipped up on the flat when leading at Buckfastleigh on Sunday. Fleur De Nikos will try to make all, but Zabenz made a first-class pointing debut at Larkhill and is fancied to follow up here.
Silver Monarch is among the 19 entries for the Men’s Open, along with Cheltenham hunter chase winner James Pine, Touch Of Flame – the winner of an epic men’s open against Sonevafushi at Larkhill in May – Wessex Area stalwart Trade Off, and the consistent Knighton Combe. Blu Teen kept tabs on Kingscliff until falling four out at Milborne on Saturday and may gain compensation.
The 27 entries for the opening Club Members’ race include Candlelight Valley, Koquelicot and Knighton Combe – all winners at the 2007 corresponding meeting – Future To Future and Tyneham, who hacked up in the Portman Hunt race here last April. Knighton Combe followed his 2007 win by finishing second in last season’s renewal and is fancied to regain the Challenge Cup.
The 21 entries for the Novice Riders’ race include Candlelight Valley and East Lawyer, who came from the clouds to give Lucy Cowen a comeback winner at Tweseldown on Sunday. Thisthatandtother is the automatic selection if facing the starter. In his absence, stable companion Spuddler’s Dream will get the vote.
There are 28 entries for the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate, including Marie McGuinness’s recent winners Shady Hollow and Supreme Royal. Midnight Queen has chances, but the two to choose from are Drybrook Bedouin and Shillingstone, second and third to Blue Magnum at Larkhill last season, and both potentially top-class.
Port Talbot has been second in his last four races and may finally prevail in the closing Maiden.
The Badbury Rings course lies 3 miles NW of Wimborne on the B3082. Gates open at 9.00am, first point-to-point race: 12.00 noon. Admission is to either of two car parks at £20 or £10 per car.
