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GUNNER JACK: may step up to Mens Open level with a good chance
photo: Jon Hodd

The Bedale Hunt hold their meeting this Saturday at Hornby Castle, a fixture which is usually blessed with some good weather.

There is a seven-race card as the Open Maiden race has received 52 entries, resulting in two divisions. The first race is at 1.30pm and is the Confined Conditions race.

The opening race is the Confined race, which has received 22 Entries. Abandon Ship stays very well and could go well; Cop Howe does not seem to be the force he was in the past two seasons, however still looks to retain plenty of ability. Ginger Biscuit is lightly raced, but looks to have a big chance, whilst King Among Queens can improve on his win at the Brocklesby meeting. Lem Putt won his Restricted impressively at Charm Park, Nectar de Guye stays well but may have to settle for a place, whilst Phenix Jack has a ton of ability but is hindered by a breathing problem. Keen Whip won this race last year and with conditions looking to suit should be the one to beat, providing he behaves himself.

Selection: Keen Whip

The Hunt Members race is a joint race this season with the West Of Yore. Brother Mark was a recent winner at Corbridge, so should enjoy this track, Buckshaw has been running well however is still a maiden, Lewesdon Duchess was a very creditable second at the Hurworth meeting but will need to find a bit more here. Sendeed won at Corbridge but subsequently found the testing conditions too much at Hutton Rudby. Moment of Madness has been running well in Open company and could go close, however Texas Ranger was revitalised last season by Maxine Stirk and if in the same form, will be very hard to catch.

Selection: Texas Ranger

The Restricted race looks a difficult one to pick, with several progressive looking horses. Fernandina beat the useful-looking Pipsacre at Brocklesby Park; Adieu Mari was an easy winner at Welbeck and so too was Augustus Livius at the Hurworth meeting, however the latter may need more rain to be at his best. Blazing Bull should progress with time; Brother Mark and Minstalad both won their Maidens at Corbridge, with Brother Mark producing the faster time. Liverpool won recently and should improve further for that, Saddlers Singer was second at Corbridge whilst Mr Gossip was an easy winner at Dalton Park, where doubts about his stamina were quickly dismissed.

Selection: Mr Gossip

The Ladies Open looks very competitive; Andre Chenier is a recent winner, however he finished second behind Elizadoalott who was an easy winner of the Ladies Open at Welbeck and looks something special. Blandings Castle will improve for his recent second, Floreana beat Narcisco narrowly at Friars Haugh, Lutin Du Moulin can be forgiven for his recent fourth as conditions were extremely testing, whilst Old Rolla has been running consistently this season and may go well. Sea Scout has been disappointing since looking very talented in his early days, Wilfie Wild looks to retain plenty of ability at the age of 14 and Poppy Day, who looks very useful, will find this track to her strengths and can go very well.

Selection: Elizadoalott

The Mens Open looks one of the more competitive Mens races this season with 19 entries. Areyacoddinmee was a fast finishing winner of a Hunter Chase at Catterick, Fox Point was the easy winner of his Hunt Members race but will need to find more here, Gunner Jack has been impressive in both his wins this season and could be hard to beat, whilst stable mate My Old Piano who looks very talented may well beat all. Pen Gwen won well at Duncombe Park and could improve further for Kate Walton and Henry Brooke who is a jockey riding well at the moment.

Selection: Gunner Jack

The first division of the Open Maiden has 26 entries and again looks an open event. The one who could improve is Cedar Point, who was fourth at Dalton Park after a long lay off; Double Past could run into a place, Ebony Cloud looks to have some ability after a modest third at North Carlton, whilst Mick Flavin was only six lengths behind the useful Lie Forrit on his bumper debut and could go well. Nothing Left is improving steadily and could take a hand in the finish here along with Reef Dancer who looked to bump into a decent rival when finishing second at Friars Haugh. One More Gypsy and Pop Play Again both could run good races.

Selection: Reef Dancer

The final race concludes the divisons of the Open Maiden race and Action Strasse, who was once a decent hurdler, coud run well but has yet to show that form in points. Ajay has run some very creditable races under Rules and will no doubt stay so should go very close. Diamond Alice and Flag Hill were both second on their most recent starts and could improve further; Lady Hills was third on her racecourse debut and should improve further along with Yes I Can who was a very good second when finding only Augustus Livius too good.

Selection: Ajay

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