15 December 2010 Preview: PPORC Two-Day Meeting - Barbury Racecourse
by Claire Hart
CAPPA BLEU: 2009 Foxhunter hero could return to Pointing at Barbury
photo: Tracy Roberts
This weekend sees Barbury Racecourse host the two-day Point-to-Point Owners' & Riders' Club meeting.
Barbury Castle is situated NW of Malborough on the Broad Hinton road; the first race on both days is at 12noon.
With over 200 Entries it promises to be two days of super racing with every category of race possible.
The new 2m4f sponsored Maiden race for four- and five-year-olds on the first day has the most entries, 37, so it is possible that this may split on the day. The winner of this race automatically receives an optional entry nomination to the Brightwells Premier sale at Cheltenham in 2011.
The Intermediate looks to be a competitive race and with the first four past the post qualifying for Cheltenham in May is sure to be well supported; ones to note are Comrade Bob, winner of a Restricted at the back end of last season and will be partnered here by Peter Mason; Little Legend, a young horse on the upgrade and the Julie Houldey-trained mare Princess Fyona who could go close with a useful 7lb mares allowance.
Only 16 are entered in the Mixed Open, but there is plenty of quality amongst them. Headed by Turthen, who is well known for his second in the 2009 Foxhunters, the field could also boast useful rules performer Nenuphar Collonges and best of the rest could be Horsham Lad, who comes from the Fergal O'Brien yard and is certainly on the upgrade.
Sunday's card could see the racecourse debut of William Twiston-Davies who has had a successful pony racing career and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his brother Sam. His mother Cathy has Battlecry and Naunton Brook entered in the opening Novice Riders race. Hot competition is likely however with 21 entered including a further useful Rules performer in Takeroc and the good Pointer Thisthatandtother.
The Ladies and Mens Opens are also fields of quality rather than quantity; the Ladies is sponsored by AGA and all declared runners will be eligible to enter for the Ladies Final at Cheltenham in May. This will be an exciting race with each of the 15 entered all having form in this sphere or similar, Turthen holds an Entry in this and will be partnered by Charlotte Tizzard; Honest Endeavour, Walter de Wodeland and Billyvoddan are others of interest.
The Mens event sees Cappa Bleu head affairs, the winner of the 2009 Foxhunters; if back to his best he will be the one to beat.
Admission is £10 per head.
