08 April 2010 Preview: Portman - Badbury Rings
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
The Grand National will be shown on a big screen at the Portman Point-to-Point at Badbury Rings this Saturday, where gates open at 10.30am for a busy day's entertainment.
Thisthatandtother can win his 10th Point-to-Point for Jack Barber in the Mixed Open. Candidates include February course winner Long Night, who followed up in facile style at Kingston St Mary on Monday; Matako - another to win at February's Countryside Alliance (Wessex) meeting here - prolific Point-to-Point winner Trade Off and strong stayer Rockwithacaveman, who was second in a recent Taunton Hunter Chase.
The four to consider are Thisthatandtother, Rocklandslad, who beat Monday's winner Ha Ho Magregor here before disappointing at Didmarton, Silver Monarch, who was upsides Thisthatandtother when the pair fell independently at Charlton Horethorne and Commander Vic, who cantered home in the Tedworth Gold Cup on Saturday. Thisthatandtother gets the vote, with course specialist Silver Monarch considered the biggest danger.
Fully Loaded, this season's current national Leading Horse with six wins, is an automatic selection if turning out for the Novice Riders race. Duxy Hill Lady and Larkhill runner-up Pertinent are the two for the minor placings.
Different Trades, who chased home the unbeaten Civil Disobedience at Larkhill, is a confident selection for a quality 24-Entry Intermediate race. Obvious challengers include Garton King, who was upsides Different Trades when the latter fell at the last at an earlier Larkhill fixture, Ned The Post - Polly Gundry's record breaking 288th winner at Wadebridge - course winner Deloughtane, Kingston St Mary winner Ha Ho Magregor and the Leslie Jefford-trained Turtle Tim. Garton King is the likely favourite to maintain his unbeaten record, but Different Trades is fancied to gain revenge for his Larkhill defeat.
Louise Alner has a strong hand in the Hunt race and her chosen runner from Trade Off and Vintage Class will get the vote.
Russian Rain, who made a winning debut at the Wilton, may well follow up in the Restricted. New Series, who ran a fine race when second at the Tedworth on Saturday and Siddington winner In The Circle may be sporting alternatives.
Rateable Value looks the one for the Maiden contest.
The course at Badbury Rings is off the B3082 between Wimborne and Blandford. First race: 2.00pm (gates open at 10.30am). Admission: two car parks - £20 or £10 per car; pedestrians £5.
