11 March 2009 Preview: Holderness - Dalton Park
ASK BOBBY: entered in the Mens Open
The Holderness Hunt holds their Point-to-Point this Sunday in the grounds of Dalton Park. The meeting has attracted 123 entries with 39 of these being in the Open Maiden race, this has therefore been split resulting in a 7 race card, with the first race at 1.30.
The first race is the Hunt Members race, with 10 entries. Beauchamp Oracle tops the list and recently came back to form with a second at North Carlton but may need to improve again. Celioso won this race last year, but this looks more competitive, whilst Major Shark could have a say on his best form, but can be inconsistent. If Hardybuck can back up his recent second to Ile De Paris at Duncombe Park he will go close.
The Confined looks a competitive event with 22 entries and the horses with stamina look as though they will have the advantage. Robber should have benefited from his recent run, Buy Onling never seems to run a bad race although jockey bookings should be noted, however the race looks between the recently impressive Whinny Bank and the stamina-ladened Gunner Royal - with the latter getting the vote.
The Mens Open is supported by some classy horses. Ask Bobbys win has been backed up with the second winning a Members race with ease recently, whilst Henrys Pride looked a strong stayer when getting very close to the useful Lady Brig lately. Network Oscar is being aimed at the Grimthorpe Gold Cup, however has not shown his best so far, but the very classy Sonevafushi will take all the beating and is no doubt on course for a trip back to Aintree.
The Ladies Open has attracted a healthier field and near the top of the list is Cadoulitique who recently ran well in a Leicester Hunter Chase. Encore Cadoudal returned to his best at Charm Park, this track should suit better and can go close, however the race looks between Henrys Pride and Narcisco, with marginal preference for the former.
The Restricted race looks an open event with 23 entries; over half of these have chances. Poppy Day won her maiden well at Brocklesby and looked booked for fourth until departing at the last recently at Charm Park. High Moor won his maiden at the South Durham meet last year, whilst Quinta De Lobo continues to knock at the door and can go close. Others with chances include Chancery Lad, Scrappie, Southern Classic and Impact Zone with the latter looking the best. However, the race looks between The Tinkerator and Aldea. The Tinkerator was a fast finishing second behind Whinny Bank at Witton Castle, whilst Aldea managed to beat some useful looking maidens on his Point-to-Point debut at Duncombe Park, and can follow up.
In Division One of the Open there are several horses here with bits of form, these include Hailes Hill Lad and Cherryland, who both finished third recently at Charm Park. The Irish form comes from Well Worthy and Whitpark Legend, with the latter hitting the frame five times from 11 starts in Ireland. In A Good Way caught the eye when third in a competitive Members race recently on only his second career start and is one to watch, whilst Nectar De Guye continues to run very well but fails to get his head in front, with a string of seconds to his name in maiden company. However the one with the top form and looking very hard to beat is Eurospoofer who has run 3 very creditable races since joining the Andrew Nichols team.
Division two looks much more open, with the pace most likely to come from Abbey Whin. Making their debuts in Points are Devils And Dust, who ran some good races under rules for Donald McCain, and Glenteviot, who was not disgraced in his only start under rules in a Bangor On Dee bumper. Phenix Mag caught the eye when well in contention and travelling well turning in to the straight at Helmsley Point until fading and can improve on that for Rachel Clark. Star Edtion has apparently been working very well up the gallops and continues to improve every week. However Buckshaw, who chased home Persian Prince on his pointing debut at Witton Castle, looks more than capable and can take this event.
