07 April 2011 Preview: Morpeth - Tranwell
by Peter Burgon
COMMERCIAL EXPRESS: may bid to follow up a recent Overton win
photo: Grace Beresford
The Morpeth Point-to-Point at Tranwell makes a welcome return on Sunday April 10th and the track should be in pristine condition as it has not been raced on since March 2009.
It has attracted 135 entries on an eight race card starting at 1pm and will be followed, around 4.50pm, by two pony races, in which the hat-trick seeking duo of Ben-Neagh Spring Rascal and Chiumbo will take some beating in their respective contests.
The fixture is being advertised locally as the Morpeth Horse Races and also includes a farmers' market, a parade of the Morpeth Foxhounds, as well as food and trade stands.
The opening two and a half mile Open Maiden Race has been divided in advance. The first division looks the more competitive affair on paper, with 4 of the 14 entries shortlisted to get off the mark. Barachois Silver was not disgraced when 4th behind the useful Sorcier over a longer trip at Corbridge; Merry Eric failed to justify strong market support when 6th to Perellie at Alnwick; Berrydale Covert is better than form figures of P446 might suggest, however the selection is Coole Murphy, who has been placed in two of his three starts this term at the West Percy and Tynedale fixtures.
The second division is a potential minefield for punters with none of the 14 entries boasting any worthwhile form this season. Red Myst ran well for a long way on his debut at Kelso three weeks ago before being pulled up three out and, by process of elimination, gets a tentative vote.
Benny Boy usually goes well fresh and can repeat his 2009 win in the Members Race at the main expense of Sam Gawn.
Joueur D'Estruval made virtually all at Crossford in February and, surprisingly, is the only one of the 15 Ladies Open Race entries with winning form in 2011. Siobhan Doolan's evergreen 14 year old ex-Irish chaser can strike gold again from Sacred Mountain and Itzacliche.
The three mile Open Maiden Race has 31 entries and will be divided on the day if declarations exceed the course safety factor of 18. My trio to follow are Bishops Ploy, Reef Dancer and Watch The Wind, who were all placed on their latest starts.
The Mens Open Race has 16 entries including Yorkshire raiders Moment Present, Sonevafushi, Oedipe and Quechua Des Obeaux. The leading Northern Area challengers are Aggies Lad, Bafana Boy and Noir Et Vert, however all three are also entered in a Hexham Hunters' Chase the following day.
Commercial Express ended a long losing run at Crossford last month and a similar effort will see him go close in the NPPA Club Members Race. Others to consider include Almost Blue, Commonburn and Farriers Flight. The latter won first time out at Alnwick in January and resumed winning ways in the Hurworth Restricted three weeks ago.
Stable companions Hubble Bubble and It Did Happen merit consideration in the concluding Restricted Race, however the one that makes most appeal is ex-chaser Another Dark Rum. He scored with plenty in hand on his hunt racing debut at Crossford and has scope for further improvement.
