16 February 2009 Preview: Old Raby Hunt Club - Witton Castle
SONEVAFUSHI: is entered in the Mens Open
The Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point season resumes on Sunday after a 4 week break with the rearranged Old Raby Hunt Club meeting at Witton Castle. An excellent 160 entries have been received; the Open Maiden race - with an entry of 55 - has been divided, resulting in a 7 race card.
Opening the afternoon's racing at 12noon is the Club Members Maiden, in which there are several horses with bits of form. Oaklands Bobby, who ran a big race at Cottenham and looked like winning until weakening after the last to finish 2nd, will be better for the race. Robin Tate's Summer Equinox showed enough last year to be placed, but Nina Chester who ran well in Ladies races and went on to be beaten by the slenderest of margins when 2nd on her last run at Easingwold could win for Louise Pounder.
The Intermediate is a Connollys Red Mills Qualifying race with the final being held at Cheltenham in May. Of the 18 entered, Allisons Treasure won two races at the end of last season and then went on to finish second in a Cartmel Hunter Chase. Cop Howe will strip much fitter for his fourth in a hot Ladies Open, Jimmys Duky was consistent last year whilst Royal Return easily won a Sheriff Hutton Restricted on her sole appearance last year. However, Buy Onling, who chased home Pristine Condition at Sheriff Hutton, could win with reigning Ladies Champion Jockey Jacqueline Coward on board.
The Ladies Open looks a hot contest with all the area's top Ladies horses entered. These include General Grey, who stayed on strongly to be third in last years contest, along with Hunter Chase winners Plutocrat and Encore Cadoudal. Jill Dawson could well take the race with Pass It On, who was highly rated when trained by Jonjo O'Neill and should be able to justify his high rating.
Sonevafushi was the easy winner of last years Mens Open race. He went on to win five more races last season and looked as good as ever when winning a Novice Riders race this year. He is a likely candidate to win the race for the second year running at the expense of Oaklands Luis, Sir Alf and Teeton Babysham.
The Restricted race has 19 entered. The consistent Father Owen, who lost his maiden tag at the North Carlton meeting on February 1st, could run a big race. The Sheriff Hutton maiden winner My Old Piano, and Quinta De Lobo are sure to be in the shake up. However, The Tinkerator - who ran a race full of promise until blowing up 2 out at Bangor on Dee - could win for Clive Mulhall and The Jumping For Fun Partnership.
There are 28 in the first division of the Maiden. A likely candidate for the race is Forge Valley, who was just touched off close to home on his pointing debut at North Carlton. The Chris Pimlott trained Dreamaker should be improving, whilst Its Teescomponents has run with promise in Bumpers and Hurdles and should not be far away. The race could go to Wantage Road, who may give in form Tom Greenall another winner.
The Easterby and Greenall team have a strong hand in the second division of the Maiden, with the as yet unraced Tabloid; Winds and Dragons; Plume D'Oudairies, who has been placed on several occasions in novice hurdles; and Aldea. The latter two are certainly running well at the moment. As for the other 23 runners, Lewesdon Duchess has place form in Maidens whilst To The Wind, who ran a huge race until falling at Sheriff Hutton, may well improve on that and be in with a chance for Lady Susan Watson. However, the 10yo Double Gem, who has only been out of the first three twice in ten runs under rules and has an impressive rating of 97, will take some beating if he has recovered from his lengthy absence.
The Sinnington meeting at Duncombe Park will now be held on Saturday 28th February with all entries standing after the postponement of last Saturday due to snow on the course.
