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THE POLOMOCHE: Local raider hoping for Mixed Open victory
photo: Julie Drewett

A huge entry has been received for this weekend's meeting at Barbury Castle, the first South Midlands meeting of the season.

The Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate kicks off the action at 12 noon and it is likely that Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen will partner one of his father's runners Ashtown Boy or Rumbavu, who were both progressive last season and could go close here.

The Mixed Open has attracted some high class performers; The Polomoche, who is trained locally by Marcus Foley won a Hunter Chase at Aintree last season, and Start Royal, from the in form yard of Alan Hill and boasting a tremendous record in Points. Others of interest are Roll On Rose, Description, who also holds an entry in the Laidies Open, and the very useful Master Medic, who won over £60,000 when in training under Rules.

The Gorman family will be hoping that She Is A Cracker really is a cracker and can repeat her Cottenham victory last weekend if she lines up in the Club Members Conditions race. Cossack Dancer, Or Bleu and According to John all have decent form under Rules and it will be interesting to see how they go in the Point-to-Point field.

The closing race on Day 1 is the Restricted race and some consistent types could line up here, though if Rumbavu took his chance here rather than in the opening Intermediate it would be hard to oppose him. Sky Hole and Harry Teal look interesting types.

The opening race on Day 2 is the Novice Riders race where a chance to witness a star of the future riding his/her first winner is likely! Mr Melodious and Barneys Mate both have some decent form and are likely to run well. Blue Business, Honour's Dream and Posh Dude all have each way claims.

Angela Rucker will be looking forward to unleashing Kicks For Free in the AGA Ladies Open, a very classy performer last season who clocked up some impressive victories. He could face some decent opposition here with the likes of Description and Upton Springs who both have rock solid Ladies Open races. Interesting entries also include Nevada Royale who had good form whilst trained by Paul Nicholls and Gidam Gidam who has won no less than £80,000 under Rules and could be the biggest danger to likely favourite Kicks For Free.

The classy Chapoturgeon is a fascinating entry in the Mens open, with an excellent record under Rules and still only a seven-year-old he is a very exciting prospect for the forthcoming Point-to-Point/Hunter Chase season. However, proven Pointing stars Start Royal and Different Trades will certainly make his task as tough as possible.

The ground on Tuesday was reported to be ‘good with an excellent grass cover' by Clerk of the course John White.

All fences will be moved onto fresh ground for Day 2 of the meeting.

Barbury racecourse is situated on the Broad Hinton road, SN8 1RS. Entrance is £10 per person.

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