17 February 2010 Preview: Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) - Badbury Rings
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
TRADE OFF (right): will be a popular selection in the Mens Open
photo: Tim Holt
A Point-to-Point with a difference takes place this Sunday, 21 February, with the Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) meeting at Badbury Rings.
Attractions include ferret racing, a junior beagle chase, falconry display, silent auction and a host of tradestands and food outlets. Countryside Alliance (CA) Chief Executive, Simon Hart, officially opens the racing at noon and the finale is an inter-hunt camel race. Proceeds will go to the CA and to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.
The two Open races highlight the six-race card. The Ladies contest has attracted an 11-strong entry, including last year's winner Zabenz, who retained his 100% pointing record at Black Forest Lodge on Saturday. Opposition includes Pete and Kathy Musgrave's consistent Nobody Tells Me, Irish Hunter Chase winner Winning Counsel and Wadebridge winner Matako. Zabenz will be the selection if making a quick reappearance. Prolific Midlands raider Beet De Bob, who made a pleasing return at Higham in January after a season's absence, is the suggested alternative.
Trade Off, winner of the 2009 Mens Open, is among the 13 entries for this year's contest. Chipley runner-up Le Duc, a possible ride for in-form owner-rider Jack Barber, should be suited by the Badbury course. Course winners Hambaphambili, Macrihanish and Woodbridge Quest, Wadebridge course specialist Ellies Horse and Taunton Hunter Chase winner Twenty Degrees have chances. Silver Monarch is a four-time Badbury Rings winner and can make it five at the expense of Le Duc.
The Alison Dare-trained Rocklandslad, winner of two of his three outings last season, catches the eye in the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate race. Dual 2009 winner Murdol, Hazel Goody's Aill Na Serracht, the consistent Ha Ho Magregor and course winner Flying Schuttle will put up strong challenges, but Rocklandslad is a confident selection.
Long Night and Touch Of Flame, second and third in last season's Mens contest, hold entries for the opening Club Members race. Gunner Be Quick and Tricky Tangler fought out the South Dorset Hunt race on Sunday, but Sheknowsyouknow was placed in her nine 2009 races, winning three, and can add to her tally here.
Fully Loaded, winner of three races this season before finishing third at the Tiverton, can resume winning ways in the Novice Riders race. The dangers are Spuddler's Dream, Tuesday's Child and Charlie Whittaker's Scrappie, who won four races for Lord Daresbury last season.
Bless My Soul and Detling third Heynewboy may be two to choose from 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.
