News

COMEALONG CORNWALL: winner of her last two starts
photo: Neale Blackburn

Point-to-Point enthusiasts from a wide area will converge on Didmarton for the Duke of Beaufort's meeting on Saturday afternoon.

This fixture provides something for everybody with excellent racing and good viewing for racegoers as well as an extensive tented village for those people who prefer to spend their time looking for bargains.

Pony racing precedes the Point-to-Point meeting, commencing at 11.30am. Due to the large number of Entries and rather than disappoint all the children involved the first Point-to-Point race has been re-scheduled for 1.00pm.

The Members race is always a competitive affair but this year it looks a straight fight between Ned The Post and Sheknowsyouknow.

Ned The Post carries the colours of Roger Maggs who hails from nearby Chavenage while Sheknowsyouknow represents Mike Hawker's stable at Chippenham.

On this years form the former looks likely to prevail because he won an Intermediate at Chipley Park prior to finishing second in the Mens Open at Whitwick. Sheknowsyouknow is a habitual front runner and this course could just play to her strengths and the mare allowance may tip the scales in her favour.

There is a good crop of young Riders making their debuts this year. Rollo Deutsch is included in this category and he should have a good ride on Craven; this combination were well beaten at Barbury recently but will have learnt from that experience and have the ability to cause an upset.

Smoke Trail had useful form under Rules, as did Eggmount and Madam Crystal but it is likely their careers are heading in a downward path.

Whatever Sheknowsyourknow's fate in the Members, her Rider Mark Wall has a good chance of winning the Conditions with Comealong Cornwall. The mare has won her last two races and will be fancied to add to the Bibury Rider's tally. Ash High ran well on his seasonal debut while Le Millenaire should now be race fit after his recent outing at Whitwick. That remark also applies to Lord Bellamy and the winner should come from this quartet.

Katherine Smith-Maxwell seems to have an abundance of riches in Ladies races this year. Picaroon won last weekend so Double Mead is likely to be her representative on Saturday. The ex-Kim Bailey trained gelding could provide the Owner's daughter Alex with yet another winner.

Stratford Stroller raced prominently at the North Hereford fixture; he fell in the closing stages of that contest but could be the one for the forecast if recovering from that fall.

King Harald finished second at Barbury a few weeks ago under a fine ride by Alfie Bradstock and a repeat performance would see them figure in the shake up for the Mens Open. Openditch has finished runner-up on two occasions already this season - could it be third time lucky for Mark Wilesmith's mount?

William Twiston-Davies is following in the footsteps of his brother Sam. Both have progressed from pony racing to Point-to-Points and the latter has already made a name for himself under Rules. William rode another winner last weekend and Needle Prick could add to his already impressive tally in the Mens Open, while Niver Bai also has the speed to make his presence felt.

There are 41 Entries for the Open Maiden and winners of this type of race at this meeting generally go on and progress further up the ladder later in their careers.

Tom Bellamy and Basis Point have struggled so far this season, while Le Comte's form seems to be heading in the right direction and he is likely to have Mark Wall's assistance in the saddle.

Icansingarainbow has run consistently in all his races so far this season but always seems to find one horse too good for him at the business end of the race. Julie Houldey's North Nibley-trained gelding will need Dave Mansell to be at his best if he is to prevail.

To hear all updates supplied throughout the week and on the morning of the meeting, call the Talking Point news line on 09068 44 60 61*.

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