News

MIC AUBIN: Hunter Chase winner amongst a good entry for the Hunt Members
photo: Neale Blackburn

Entries from Fergal O'Brien's stable at Naunton and Kim Smyly's yard at Stanton dominate the North Cotswold Members Race on Monday afternoon; both trainers look keen to pick up the prize.

The O'Brien entries include Bradley, Frosty Spring and Marblehead, who all carry the colours of Taddington-based Sue Collett, plus Geoff Slatter's Physical Features, while Dante Citizen, Good Return, Isle of Skye and Lindsay could be the Smyly representatives.

Cutsdean Owner Chris Clarke has entered Bunny Girl and Mic Aubin, who won a Hunter Chase at Newton Abbott recently, in the same race, but if problems befall the main contenders Twiga Woods could cause a surprise.

Opium de Bois and Hambaphambili finished second and third in the Mens Open last year but the latter is fancied to turn the tables this time around. Von Galen won a modest two-runner race at Dunthrop last week where his jumping was a joy to behold; his trainer Chris Leigh was unable to witness that success but the Adelstrop trainer has a second opportunity in this race.

Stratford-on-Avon trainer Fred Hutsby has entered Butler Services for the Conditions race, but he will do well to finish in front of Sweden and Shernally should they take their chances.

Alex Smith-Maxwell took the Ladies Race last year with Hi Tech Man and she will be hoping for a repeat performance on Monday, but she has a second string to her bow in the shape of Winning Counsel who will be getting weight from her rivals. These are likely to include Shernally and Skyhawk from the Dick Baimbridge stable and his runners are always to be feared at this meeting.

Andoversford-based James Richardson has the knack of producing something useful at this time of season so it may pay to keep an eye on The Snickett, who will have the assistance of Claire Allen; this partnership could go close in the four- to seven-year old Maiden.

Most of the horses in the older Maiden have already had numerous chances to open their accounts so on paper the race will not take a great deal of winning and could fall to War Hawk who has been placed on several occasions in Ireland before joining the Richardson stable.

Besides the Point-to-Pointing there is generally an array of goods and/or services on offer to fill the gaps between races, but this Bank Holiday fixture usually attracts a large crowd so it is recommended you arrive early to avoid delays.

Back to Top