01 June 2012 Preview: Exmoor - Bratton Down
by Donna Harris
Another bumper weekend of Point-to-Point racing is in store over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend when celebratory flags are sure to be flying. The Exmoor Foxhounds hosts its meeting at Bratton Down this Saturday (June 2nd) with racing under starter's orders at 2.30pm and on Monday, the South Tetcott meeting takes place at Upcott Cross with the first race off at 2pm.
The members, sponsored by Acorn Rural Property Consultants, kicks of the Exmoor card and Mister Moonax, who has been runner up in two four mile opens in 2012, is sure to be a popular in the betting. He was second here to Crank Hill in the novice riders' race two weeks ago and could go one better.
Next on the card is the Rossettes Direct-sponsored restricted. Hallo Dolly, owned and trained by Sarah Prouse, recently won a mares' maiden at Trebuddanon beating the favorite Jewellery by two lengths. At the same meeting, King Kash was sent off favorite and pleased his backers when winning his maiden.
The ladies' open, sponsored by Bray Leino, could be a good opportunity to see the prolific winner Chesnut Annie notch up another win to take the lead for top point-to-point horse this season which she currently shares with My Old Piano. Likely to challenge are Alexandra Dunn's pair Double Mead and Rainbow Tree.
The men's open is sponsored by Moore Scarrott Chartered Certified Accountants. Entries include Udeman who won at Chaddelsley Corbett early in May destroying his field by 25 lengths in impressive style.
Also entered is Deb's Dasher, who had to settle for second when caught in the final 100 yards by Special Account at the last meeting on the course.
The intermediate is run in the memory of Donna Kingdon and is sponsored by Ashley Farrant and the Kingdon family. Entries include Leslie Jefford-trained Delta Borget who got up by a neck to beat Certain Flight at the course last time and My Runaway, a restricted at Stafford Cross last weekend.
The Old Station House Inn at Blackmore Gate has sponsored the open maiden which is the final race on the card with the bookies giving the best clues of the likely winner.
Bookies, trade stands, bar and refreshments are on course and there will be a ten minute break to hear the Epsom Derby. Entry is £20 per car load and £10 per car and single occupant.
The course is situated nine miles north east of Barnstaple on A399, 11 miles north of North Molton, postcode EX31 45G. Upcott Cross is located EX21 5AE.
