12 January 2010 Preview: Dunston Harriers - Ampton
by James Crispe
FORGET THE REF: A leading contender for the Mens Open
photo: Grace Beresford
An inspection has been called for noon on Wednesday (January 13th) to determine prospects for the Dunston Harriers meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday January 17th.
110 entries have been received for what is a seven-race card. Race 1, the Club Members for ten-year-olds and over, starts at noon and races take place every 35 minutes thereafter so that the closing Novice Riders' Race comes under orders at 3.30pm.
Many of East Anglia's top horses of last season are among the 19 engaged in the Mens Open, including Caveman, Go North and Rydal Park.
Caveman is the only member of that trio to have already had the benefit of a run this term. But he was disappointing at Cottenham on December 28th and, if fitness is to prove the decisive factor, the most likely winner is the mare Forget The Ref, who won at Cottenham in early December then posted a career best in chasing home the classy Cedrus Libani at the same venue three weeks later.
Go North also has an entry in the Ladies' Open and trainer Nigel Bloom may choose to run him there rather than clash with his stablemate, Caveman. He has 12 potential rivals including another East Anglian stalwart of 2009, Mid Div And Creep, the in-form Petit Lord from the Angela Rucker yard, and the West Midlands raider Mad Victor, who has won four of his last six starts.
Sweden, a second Rucker-owned entry and the regular mount of crack Shropshire-based jockey Richard Burton, stands out among a select entry of seven for the Intermediate race. Sweden proved his suitability to this tight hillside course when winning the Restricted race at this fixture 12 months ago.
Ampton is 4 miles north of Bury St Edmunds just off the main road to Thetford, the A134, post code IP31 1NS. Approaching from Bury, follow the signs for Thetford from junction 43 of the A14 then turn right at the pub in the village of Ingham. The course entrance is barely 100 yards down this road.
Admission will be charged at £10 per head with under 17s free and racecards priced at £2.
For the latest news following the inspection on Wednesday, don't forget to check out the very latest going updates and meeting prospects by calling Talking Point on 09068 446061*.
*Calls cost 60p per minute from a BT landline. Additional charges may apply when calling from other networks. BluetoGreen Ltd, LS7 1PZ. Customer Helpdesk 0844 993 0298
