02 March 2009 Preview: Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers - Buckfastleigh
THE old racecourse at Buckfastleigh looks set to be the scene of some high class action on Sunday where the Westcountry Champion Chase is the highlight on the seven-race card which begins at 1pm.
Worth £1,000 in total prize money, it is part of the national Order of Excellence series of races and has the highest prize money of all the races held in the Devon and Cornwall area.
Only horses which have won a race are eligible to come under starters' orders and they include Bowden's Lane who won the first leg of the Order of Excellence at the Heythrop meeting at Dunthrop in January. He's won again since at Howick and he'll be the pick for many punters.
However, there will be plenty of people staying loyal to locally trained horses and Paddy The Piper will get plenty of support following his easy win at Great Trethew last month. He was decent under Rules and put behind a poor run in January, where his trainer/rider Mandy Hand had steering problems, to make winning races look easy. Hand, a veteran of the changing room at 46 years old, has also entered her other horse Dantes Back which she also owns with her husband Reg. Rockwithacaveman was prolific last year and got back into winning mode at the course last time, and Thoor Ballylee and Whizaar are also course winners. The latter won a decent Mixed Open in February beating Southwestern in the process. This horse has since won doing handstands and is off to the Christie Foxhunters' at the Cheltenham Festival next week.
There are plenty of horses to note in the Intermediate with supporters of Ellies Horse likely to give him another chance following his defeat at Great Trethew where the sticky ground didn't suit some runners.
Ivorsagoodun is likely to have plenty of support in the Restricted following her course win while Hollandia could add another win to his Intermediate victory at Ideford Arch last month in the Confined.
The Open Maiden has been split into two division with Ridiculousdecision and Super Lady two to note in the first division and Barrel Rock and Lucette Annie two who could go well in the second division.
It looks set to be a busy day at the south Devon course with the seven races preceded by two pony races at noon.
A licensed bar, catering and numerous trade stands will all add up to make it a great day out for all the family for just £20 per car full (£10 per car with one occupant).
The course is one mile south west of Buckfastleigh at Lower Dean adjacent to the A38.
