03 February 2009 Preview: Old Raby Hunt Club - Witton Castle
The Yorkshire area Point-to-Point season resumes on Sunday after a 2 week break with the Old Raby Hunt Club meeting at Witton Castle where 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.
Starting at 12.00noon with the Club Members Maiden race, there are several with bits of form. Oaklands Bobby, who ran a big race at Cottenham and looked like winning until weakening after the last, 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 minimum margin when second on her last run at Easingwold, can win for Louise Pounder.
The Intermediate is a Connolly's Red Mills Qualifying race with the final being held at Cheltenham in May. Of the 18 entered, Alisons 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, can win for reigning Ladies Champion Jockey Jacqueline Coward.
The Ladies Open looks a hot contest with all the Area's top Ladies horses having been entered including General Grey, who stayed on strongly to be third in last years contest, along with Hunter Chase winners Plutocrat and Encore Cadoudal. Jill Dawson can 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, who won last years Mens Open race with ease and then went on to win five more races, looked as good as ever when winning a Novice Riders race without having to get into top gear and can 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 and the consistent Father Owen, who lost his maiden tag at the Burton meeting on Sunday, can run a big race. The Sheriff Hutton maiden winner My Old Piano, and Quinta De Lobo will again be in the shake up, however The Tinkerator, who ran a race full of promise until blowing up two out at Bangor-On-Dee, can win for Clive Mulhall and The Jumping For Fun Partnership.
There are 28 in the first division of the Open Maiden in which Forge Valley, who was just touched off close home on his Point-to-Point debut at North Carlton, will not be far away. The Chris Pimlott trained Dreamaker, who was in touch until weakening two out, can improve, whilst Its Tees Components ran with promise in Bumpers and Hurdles and should not be far away. However, the selection is Wantage Road who can give in-form Tom Greenall another winner.
With 27 in the second division of the maiden the Easterby and Greenall team have a strong hand with the unraced Tabloid, plus Winds and Dragons, Plume Doudaries - who has been placed on several occasions in novice hurdles - and Aldea. Lewesdon Duchess has place form in Maidens whilst To The Wind, who was running a huge race prior to falling at the last at Sheriff Hutton, can improve on that again for Lady Susan Watson and can go very close. However, the ten-year-old Double Gem has only been out the first three twice in ten runs under rules and has an impressive rating of 97 for a maiden. If fit enough after a lengthy absence he will take all the beating.
