03 February 2009 Preview: Cambridge University Draghounds - Cottenham
BURNTOAKBOY: could make it two from two at Cottenham this weekend
A huge entry of 226 horses, the biggest at the course for some ten years, has been taken for the seven-race Cambridge University Draghounds meeting at Cottenham on Sunday February 8th.
However, the meeting is under threat from the current cold snap. On Monday evening the course was below three inches of snow, although at least the turf was frost-free before the snow fell.
The first race time remains unchanged at noon but, owing to the size of the entry, races will be run at 30-minute intervals, so at least two divided races, and possibly three, could be accommodated before darkness falls.
Cappa Bleu, who was simply awesome in brushing aside a top quality field on his British debut at Horseheath last Saturday, heads an entry of 37 for the Mens Open. Also engaged are the winners of the four other Mens Opens staged in East Anglia this season - the Cottenham winners Burntoakboy and Moscow Court, plus Caveman and Chilling Place.
The Ladies Open is even better endowed with 43 entries, and is similarly chock-full of previous winners at this level such as Big Moment, Shareef, Pirate Flagship and, most notably, last year's Aintree Foxhunters' winner, Christy Beamish.
The Hunt Race has been reinstated at this fixture since last season and the organisers have been rewarded with a competitive 13-entry contest that should prove a pleasant aperitif to the following feast.
The course is best approached using junction 33 of the A14. Take the A10 signed for Ely then, after passing the new park and ride car park, take the second left turn 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 £12 per head to include a complimentary racecard. Under 17s are admitted free, OAPs at a £2 discount and students and young farmers at £6 per head on production of a valid identity card.
