29 April 2010 Preview: Fernie - Dingley
by Christina McElhinney
DENVALE: amongst a bumper entry for the Fernie Four Miler
photo: Jon Hodd
The Fernie Point-to-Point takes place this Saturday, 1st of May, at Dingley, with a fantastic entry of 195 for the seven-race card.
Forming part of the busy Bank Holiday Point-to-Point schedule, the Fernie hosts the Midlands Area Feature race, the Fernie Four Miler Mixed Open, run over a true distance of 4m100y. This year's renewal has attracted no less than 43 Entries, with former Cheltenham Foxhunter winner Amicelli, this season's multiple Open winner and admirable stayer Denvale, plus Hunter Chase winners Pristine Condition and Picabo Kid all entered. Also engaged are multiple Ladies Open winner Blue Business, the talented if quirky Teeton Bollinger and the young improver Sweden.
Amicelli's form may not yet be up to the standard that saw him win a Cheltenham Hunter Chase last term but he has managed a second to the prolific Briscoe Place and a win over Teeton Bollinger between the flags so far. Denvale has been in fantastic form for Owner / Rider Richard Hunnisett and Trainer Gerald Bailey, but he didn't appear to quite get home when fourth in this race last season.
Picabo Kid took a Hunter Chase with the likes of Kadount and Scotland Yard in opposition but has since pulled up in the Amateur Jockeys' Association Hunter Chase at Cheltenham, when stepped up against the likes of Theatre Diva, Templer and Take The Stand; he may appreciate the return to Pointing but would have to find a little against the best in the Four Miler.
Last year's hero Teeton Bollinger is undeniably talented, having already won twice this term, but was turned over by Caveman at the Essex meeting at High Easter; Blue Business is not the easiest of rides but he is a talented and consistent Open horse who has already won once and been placed on numerous occasions this season, suggesting that he could make the frame in the feature. Connections of Blue Business have also engaged Sweden, who followed a second on his seasonal debut by pulling up twice but has since gone some way to putting the record straight with a two-runner Open victory over Pristine Condition; should both take up their engagements here - particularly if the latter should form part of Jake Greenall's title challenge - the rematch would add an intriguing element to the race.
The card starts with the Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members race for Novice Riders; 29 are engaged, including Inishturk who provided Bridget Andrews with her first winner earlier this season and was not extended to follow up at the Easton Harriers meeting for the same Rider. Teeton Dazzler provided Lizzie Harris with her first winner at the Grove & Rufford, whilst Star Double has been kept in good form by Fleur Hawes this season and managed a third behind easy Hunter Chase winner Lisadell King at Fakenham at the beginning of April. Parkinson has already registered a comfortable win when partnered by Ed Turner this season and could also go well. Chris Smith rode New Time to a good win at the Cotswold Vale Farmers and has since followed up; the partnership could be another to watch in this race.
The second race is the 18-Entry Confined, which could be contested by Hot Lips Page, a winner over the weekend, along with Point Proven, second in the Quorn Confined to the Hutchinson family's Zilcash. They also have Mendo, who looked useful when winning the Brocklesby Confined before unseating on his next start, engaged for the race; other potential runners include Nautical Lad, who has already won two this season at the age of 15 and would be a popular winner.
The card also features a Confined Maiden which has 29 entered; it would be no surprise to see the Stuart Morris-trained Anamcqueen in the frame given that her form figures read 3442 from her first four starts this season, whilst Showman was third in the 2m4f Maiden at the Tedworth.
The Restricted, which follows the feature race, has 30 potential contenders, including Heythrop Restricted second Alliance Main, along with Cumberland Farmers Maiden winner and Belvoir Restricted second Brave Admiral. Current Exchange won a division of the Holcombe's 2m5f Maiden whilst Dusky Lory followed his Maiden win with a third at the Vale of Aylesbury with Garth & South Berks Restricted at Kimble. Sheila Crow's Enter Paradise would have to be strongly fancied if contesting after two seconds and a win this term. Latenightdip has two Restricted places to his name in the last two seasons and was second to the useful-looking Commander Kev last time. Of the others with winning form this season, My Mate Vic looked useful when scoring on his Pointing debut in a Maiden division at the Cleveland however and could bid to step up from that here.
The concluding Maiden has already been divided into two races with 23 Entries.
The course at Dingley is on the A427 between Market Harborough and Corby; admission prices are £15 for car and driver, with £5 for each additional passenger and £5 for pedestrians. Under 12s are admitted free; racing commences at 2.00pm.
