07 April 2009 Preview: Portman - Badbury Rings
TRADE OFF: may bid for a third course win
The Mixed Open is the feature of the Portman meeting on Easter Saturday at Badbury Rings. Trade Off - already a dual course winner this season - catches the eye, although connections may opt for Wincanton's mid-week hunter chase as an alternative.
Long Night and Touch Of Flame chased up Trade Off here in February and could renew rivalry, along with Tyneham, who has been placed five times since winning the Hunt race at last year's corresponding meeting, and Golden Jack, already the winner of seven Badbury Rings races. Silver Monarch put up a tremendous performance when winning the Wilton Ladies Open here in March and is fancied to follow up. Croix De Guerre seemed to relish the sounder surface when reversing previous placings with the prolific Lady Myfanwy - a winner since - at Cothelstone last month and should be the strongest challenger.
There are nine entries for the opening Intermediate race, including recent winners Double Pops, Spicketts Girl and Woodbridge Quest, who impressed here in March. Mrs O'Connell has chances, but Ellies Horse won two Wadebridge races earlier in the season and is fancied to fight out the finish with Woodbridge Quest.
Tyneham will be the automatic selection if the Snook family try for a repeat win in the Hunt race. Louise Alner has a strong hand with Bilton's Nap and Mrs O'Connell and her chosen runner may provide the strongest opposition.
Thisthatandtother, who departed at the seventh fence at Littlewindsor, can resume winning ways in the Countryside Alliance Novice Riders race. Thatlldoya, Sweet Nap - a good runner up here in March - and Humbel Origins, who provided Nick Hillier, 47, with his first-ever win at Larkhill, may be three alternatives.
The 19-entry Restricted race looks challenging. Turnworth made a winning reappearance at Ottery St Mary and may get the better of Max's Choice, the easy winner of a Cothelstone 2m 4f Maiden in March, but brought down there on Saturday.
Bobbys Choice, Misttori Belle and Sweet Nap have each finished runner-up in their last outing and may be the three to choose from in the closing Open Maiden.
The course at Badbury Rings is off the B3082 between Wimborne and Blandford. First race: 2.00pm. Admission: two car parks £20 and £10, £5 pedestrians.
