05 May 2009 Preview: Minehead Harriers & West Somerset - Holnicote
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
The Minehead Harriers & West Somerset Hunt point-to-point has received 108 entries for Saturday's meeting at Holnicote.
Seven races are scheduled, beginning at 2.00pm, preceded by two pony races - qualifiers for the Wessex Area Series Final at Larkhill on 31 May - from 1.00pm.
Barney Blue, who put up a tremendous front-running performance at last weekend's Devon & Somerset Staghounds (D&SSH) fixture, could seek his fifth course success in the Mixed Open. Other candidates include Mister Putt, who was second to stable companion Craigmor at Woodford, Simons Seat, a good runner-up here for Martin and Jennie Salter seven days ago, the lightly-raced Swift Wood, and Spuddler's Dream, who was second to Southwestern at Ottery St Mary at the end of February. Croix De Guerre was scheduled to run at Cheltenham on Wednesday and in his likely absence, Barney Blue is selected to make all.
Swift Wood holds an entry for the Confined, along with Mounsey Castle who departed at the sixth when making a comeback at the D&SSH. Candidates included Martin Pitchwood and Krac D'Argos - first and second in the Axe Vale Intermediate at Stafford Cross - and Cookies Bank, who was in pursuit of Thisthatandtother when blundering badly at the second last at the same fixture. Celtic Society landed his fourth win of the season at Flete Park on Saturday and can make it five here.
Cookies Bank holds an entry for the PPORA Novice riders' race, along with Tribal Venture, winner of three races for Olly Murphy this season, but well beaten by Thisthatandtother at Milborne St Andrew in February. Thisthatandtother went through the wing with the race at his mercy at Cold Harbour on Sunday so is unlikely to take up his entry. In his absence, Newton Abbot Hunter Chase winner Alroyal and Gunship, the winner of his last two races for Mark Hoskins and Cathy Hamilton, are fancied to fight out the finish.
The Hobbs family have a strong hand with Saint Romble, Mounsey Castle and last year's winner Fool On The Hill in the Hunt race (12 entries). Gin ‘N' Fonic, winner of the D&SSH Hunt race, and Jafaro Des Bois, who was well in contention when going through the wing at the third last in the D&SSH Intermediate, look the strongest challengers.
The 30-entry Open Maiden looks challenging. Two to consider are Great Appeal, who was just touched off at the Axe Vale and Bless My Soul, a good second to subsequent Bumper winner Shacklesborough at Charlton Horethorne before finding Maglinn River too good at Woodford.
Craigmor, winner of his last two races under Alice Mills, is among the 12 entries for the Intermediate. Krac D'Argos may set a fast pace, but Niver Bai, who was fifth on reappearance at Woodford, gets the vote.
Seventeen are entered for a competitive-looking Restricted race. Quite A Splash and D&SSH winners Derry city and Misttori Belle will be popular, but Shaver Baines finally got off the mark at the Berkeley and is selected.
The course is just off the A39, 3 miles W of Minehead and 2 miles E of Porlock. First race: 1.00pm (ponies); 2.00pm (Point-to-Point). Admission: £20 per car; £10 single occupant, £5 pedestrians.
