21 December 2009 Preview: Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club - Cottenham
by James Crispe
WHERE'S MY BABY: engaged in the Club Members and Mens Open
photo: Jackie Oliver
The recent cold snap is threatening the Cambridgeshire Harriers Hunt Club Point-to-Point, which is scheduled to be held at Cottenham on Bank Holiday Monday December 28.
On the evening of Monday December 21st there was a covering of snow on the course, though the good news is that the snow came before the really low temperatures, hence the ground underneath the snow is currently unfrozen.
A total of 124 entries have been received and although seven races are scheduled, there is a high probability that the closing two-and-a-half mile maiden, which is due off at 2.30pm and has attracted 28 entries, will need to be divided on the day. Should the number of declared runners exceed the safety limit of 16, the race will be run in two divisions with the second of the two starting at 3.00pm.
The Mens Open has attracted a high class entry of 23, led by the winner of the corresponding race at the December 6th fixture here, Cedrus Libani. He may be opposed by Caveman and Where's My Baby - two of East Anglia's top horses of last season - plus a quartet of exceptionally talented recruits from National Hunt racing in Aztec Warrior, Billyvodan, Locksmith and Nadover.
Cedrus Libani is also engaged in the Ladies Open, where the other 11 entries include former Royal Ascot winner Full House, the Norfolk-trained dual previous Cottenham scorer, Scotland Yard, and Robin de Sherwood, who was chasing Cedrus Libani when coming a cropper at the second last fence three weeks ago and has since been victorious up in Northumberland.
Where's My Baby may sidestep the Mens Open to contest the Club Members Race which gets proceedings under way at 11.00am. But this looks only marginally easier as his ten potential rivals are headed by Start Royal, who shaped like a future top notcher when winning a Maiden at this meeting 12 months ago.
Goscar Rock and Inner Steel, who both won Maiden races here on December 6th, are among the 17 entries for the Restricted race. The card is completed by a Novice Riders race in which Lease Back, another who was successful at the last fixture here, stands out among the 12 engaged.
Cottenham is four miles north of Cambridge near the B1049, post code CB24 8RG. It is best approached using junction 33 of the A14.
Take the A10 signed for Ely. Then take the third left (after the Park and Ride and the Recycling Centre) to Landbeach. Go straight through the village of Landbeach, past the playing field, and take the first left out the other side. The course is half a mile further down this road.
Admission will be charged at £10 per head with under 17s free and racecards priced at £2.50.
