03 March 2009 Preview: Derwent - Charm Park
The Derwent hunt holds it's Point-to-Point on Sunday at Charm Park near Wykeham. The meeting has received 137 entries with the seven race card beginning at 12-30 with the Hunts Members race. The Maiden race has received 51 entries, which has resulted in two divisions.
The Hunts Members race, which is for members of the Derwent and Staintondale Hunts, kicks off the meeting with 8 entries. Dreamaker has been running well in maiden company lately, and most recently finished third at Brocklesby, however he will most likely have to settle for a placing again. Misty Gem would have a big say for Colm McCormack if returning to her best form after running some very good efforts last season, Robber ran well and looked immensely fit on his return at Duncombe Park and will have come on for that, however Willywonthe who did extremely well to get within a neck of Ask Bobby at the Sinnington meeting, should win.
The Confined race has attracted a respectable 26 entries and at the top of this list is Be The Tops who gave Emma Dwyer an excellent start to her pointing career last season. Unjust Law should run a good race, along with One Five Eight, Over To Joe and Abandon Ship. Le Passing possesses obvious chances for Toby Greenall, and Keen Whip, brother to the useful Skew Whip, showed he could yet fulfil expectations when powering away under a powerful ride from Mark Walford last time. However, the pick must be the very consistent and unlucky Lutin Du Moulin who last time almost caused a big upset by getting within a neck of Narciso at Witton Castle.
The Mens Open has a disappointing 12 entries, however that is made up for by some nice horses being entered. Distant Memory won the Burton Members nicely last time out, however this looks a big step at this stage of his career. Le Passing may take his chance in this rather than the Confined and we have yet to see anywhere near the best of Lou Du Moulin Mas and if he is in the mood he should take the beating. Queenies Girl is usually knocking on the door, however the recent Brocklesby winner Johnny Venture beat a very competitive field with a few useful horses behind him and can win for the in form Chris Pimlott yard.
The Ladies Open looks a competitive event. Cop Howe would be the most likely winner, although after his exertions to win last Saturday, may not take part. Hunter Chase winner Encore Cadoudal could have a say if returning to that form along with One Five Eight and Plutocrat who looked to be returning to something like their best form lately. Interdit and Wilfie Wild were class horses in their prime, although do not seem the force of old. Blandings Castle ran well on its debut in Points in a Brocklesby Ladies, although Well Presented, who finished 16 lengths ahead of him that day, can take it for the in form Mason team.
The Restricted race looks an interesting event and Once Before has useful form under rules and disappointed on his return to pointing and can improve. My Wee Woman will be hoping for soft conditions and if she gets them could go close. Recent winners include Chancery Lad, Impact Zone and Poppy Day, with the latter running the best for Joanna Mason. Father Owen looks very progressive and continues to improve, whilst Elusive Swallow continues to go very close and it is only a matter of time before he has his moment of glory. The race can easily go to the highly touted My Old Piano. The race he won at Sheriff Hutton is working out very well and it was hard to tell what would have happened when falling when heavily backed at Witton Castle. He can make amends here.
The Maiden race has received a vast amount of entries and has resulted in this being split. Wantage Road is the pick in Division One, for the Easterby and Greenall team, while the finale gives Fli Mi Son a good chance to break his duck.
