19 February 2008 Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) - Badbury Rings
Brown Cockle: won at this meeting last season
A Point-to-Point with a difference takes place this Sunday, 24 February at Badbury Rings.
Attractions include gundog and falconry demonstrations, a junior beagle meet and a parade of all types of hunting hounds. Countryside Alliance President, Baroness Mallalieu, officially opens the racing at noon and the finale is a jousting competition where horsemen will battle it out for the hand of fair maiden Clarissa Dickson-Wright. Proceeds will go to the CA and to Dorset-based charity Coping With Chaos.
Point-to-Point racing gets underway with a competitive looking Club Members race. The 17 entries include Knighton Combe and Menantol - first and second in last year's contest - Barbury Castle winner Splash And Dash and Moscow Court, who was in second place when falling at the last at Tweseldown. Spuddler's Dream could represent Richard Barber, but Rash Move continues to impress for Ken and Fred Hutsby and looks the one if travelling from Warwickshire.
Badbury Rings specialist Machrihanish is among the 12 entries for the Men's Open, along with Trade Off, who would relish fast conditions, and Rhys Flint's consistent Bobosh, who has chances if taking up the engagement. Dennis The Legend won four races last season, but Ray and Wendy Geddes' Hautclan will have benefited from his recent Tweseldown run and is the selection.
The 17 entries for the Novice Riders' race include Kingston-Banker, Diamond Monroe - runner-up to the prolific Lady Myfanwy at Ideford Arch - Earl Of Buckingham, and Lord Anner, a good second in a similar event at Milborne St Andrew on Sunday. Royal Tir is a strong stayer, but Bobosh is fancied to provide 16-year-old Rhys Flint with yet another winner.
Menantol and Machrihanish are among the 22 entries for the Ladies Open, along with Dr Cerullo and Bally Blue, who were first and second at Black Forest Lodge. Richard Barber has entered Brown Cockle - a winner at last year's corresponding meeting - Rye Brook and Oracle des Mottes, while front runners Gregory Peckory and Lunar Crystal are two others to catch the eye. The Alan Hill-trained pair Bell Rock and Bering Gifts are prolific fast-ground specialists but Oracle Des Mottes will be an automatic selction if facing the starter.
There are 14 entries for the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate, including recent impressive Chaddesley Corbett winner Fergal's Find. The Hutsby representative Oscar Royal has disappointed this season, but may offer the strongest challenge.
Point-to-Point racing closes with the Open Maiden race. Coombe Hill has been runner-up on three occasions this season and is fancied to hold off the consistent Millview and stable companions Deer Valley and Northern Pitcher.
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 charges: two car parks at £20 and £10 per car, including all occupants, 50% discount for single occupants.
