04 March 2010 Preview: Blackmore & Sparkford Vale - Charlton Horethorn
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
MATAKO: could land the hat-trick
photo: Tim Holt
Matako, unbeaten in two outings this season for Pat Bryant and Suzy Berry, can complete a hat-trick in the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Ladies Open on Sunday.
The 16-strong entry includes Balinova, who ejected Claire Allen out of the saddle at the third last at Whitwick on Saturday when in contention, stable companions Barneys Mate (runner-up to Matako at Badbury Rings) and Brown Cockle, and Double Honour, who stayed on remorselessly to take last year's contest in testing conditions.
Challengers include Carrie On, who was pulled-up at Barbury Castle but capable of much better, the ultra consistent Nobody Tells Me, and the Charlotte Tizzard-trained pair Emile Zola and Coombe Hill, the winner of Larkhill's thrilling Coronation Cup in February. Coombe Hill may be the biggest threat to Matako, but Double Honour will take all the beating if conditions are testing.
Horse & Hound Cup winner Southwestern may appear in the Mens Open as his preliminary for another crack at the Christie's Foxhunter, although connections seem to favour the East Devon fixture at Ottery St Mary 24 hours earlier. Silver Monarch, who would prefer good ground and Charles Whittaker's Scrappie, purchased after winning four races for Lord Daresbury last season, have chances, but in Southwestern's absence, Richard Barber's choice from Pezreuil and Thisthatandtother will get the vote.
The opening seven-entry Hunt Members race has its usual high-class look. Coombe Hill holds an engagement, along with 2007 winner Ask Again and Cappoquin, winner of both his 2010 outings. Royal Auclair, who has been regularly hunted all season by new Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Joint Master Emma Barber, won well for Amy Derham at Milborne St Andrew and is fancied to follow up.
Jayjay Valentine sauntered home in bottomless conditions in a 2m 4f Great Trethew Maiden in February and is fancied to double up in the Restricted. Winning stable companions Fredwal, Irish Vixen and My Minds Maid, Black Forest Lodge winner Master Flight, and the Alison Dare-trained New Series may be the strongest challengers.
Round Tom, who was caught on the run-in at Milborne, can gain compensation in the 2m 4f Maiden. Oscargo, Sonofvic, who held every chance when departing at the second last at Larkhill, and Vintage Class, who was collared close home at the Wiltshire course on Saturday, may be three for the 3-mile contest.
The B&SV hounds will parade after the third race and two Pony races - qualifiers for the Wessex Series Final - take place at the end of the meeting.
Access to the course is off the B3145 midway between Sherborne and Wincanton. First race: 12.30 pm. The entrance fee is £20 per car; £15 per car with a single occupant; £5 for pedestrians.
