WESTON & BANWELL HARRIERS
COTHELSTONE
Wednesday 14th May 2008
PREVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
The Weston & Banwell Harriers have an excellent 151-horse entry for their evening meeting at Cothelstone next Wednesday (14 th May). Two pony races, qualifiers for the Wessex Area Pony Racing Final at Larkhill on 28 th May, are scheduled for 3.45pm, followed at 5.00pm by the first of eight point-to-point races.
The Men’s Open has the look of a first-rate contest. The 20 entries include Holnicote winners Barney Blue and Canada, and Elliot’s Choice, a surprise course winner last season. Prolific pair Golden Jack, winner of the Wessex Hunter Chase on Thursday evening, and Highway Oak would be suited by a sound surface, while The Quarry Man – a multiple winner for Richard Woollacott – and Spread The Dream – a course winner here two years ago for the Guy Landau stable – are interesting. The race should be between the former top-class Murphy’s Cardinal, winner of two races this season and a possible ride for former Champion Richard Burton, and Rhys Flint’s Iris’s Prince, current 2008 Leading Horse with eight wins. Rhys is closing in on Nick Scholfield’s All-time Novice Riders’ record (25 wins in 2007) and Iris’s Prince gets the vote to reduce the gap.
Polly Gundry and Rachael Green are likely to renew their Championship duel in the Ladies’ Open. Rachael could ride Brown Cockle, Castle Cazza or Reviewer, while Polly has entered Dr Cerullo, odds-on when turned over in the Axe Vale Hunt race but capable of better. Tsar’s Twist and Beadnell Bay are contenders, along with Croix De Guerre, who lost his unbeaten record in completed point-to-points to Brown Cockle at Holnicote. Goblet Of Fire is the likely winner if turning out, but Royal Katidoki, who spoilt his chance by pulling too hard at Horseheath, may be a longer-priced alternative under Angela Rucker.
Five are entered for the opening Hunt race. Martin Pitchwood has won twice this season and can provide Kira Clark with a winning first ride.
The Countryside Alliance Novice Riders race (23 entries) looks a cracking contest. Candidates include the Alison Dare-trained Crested Penguin, the Matthews family’s consistent Harbridge, Highway Oak, The Baillie, and Pat Tollit’s Touch Closer, a narrow winner at Littlewindsor for Phine Banks. However, Rhys Flint’s choice from Bobosh, Lady Myfanwy and Iris’s Prince is the automatic selection.
Thirty-eight are entered for the Restricted, including course winner Summer Liric. I’m An Optimist (another possible ride for Richard Burton) and Gary Lever’s Marias Rock may contest the finish.
Crested Penguin, Elliot’s Choice and Spread The Dream are among the 16 entries for the Confined, but Mister Putt may be another yet winner for Polly Gundry.
The two Divisions of the Open Maiden look challenging. Cameo Capers may follow up his promising Cotley debut in Division One. Stable companions Mendip Dane and New Mill Moll could be the two for Division Two.
The course lies north of Taunton off the A358, 3 miles NE of Bishops Lydeard. First race: 3.45pm (ponies); 5.00pm (point-to-point). Entrance is £20 per car; £10 per car with a single occupant.
