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POSH DUDE: has a great chance in the opener
photo: Sweet Photography

The East Anglian Pub Team are back with a comprehensive guide to the best bets for this Sunday's meeting at Cottenham.

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12.00 p.m. PPORA Club Members Conditions - 30 entries
This race kicks off the East Anglian season and what a cracker to get us under way. With 30 entered there is a mix of old favourites and new recruits, primarily from the National Hunt field both here in the UK and across the water in Ireland. Simon Sherwood's Posh Dude won the Restricted at this meeting last season and went on to pick up a Confined race at Chaddesley Corbett next time out; he never really cut the ice in Open Company so this level could be his forte and is bound to be fit. Robert Abrey's Forget the Ref won this race last year but would seem to have more to do this season; this was the mare's only win last season but it should be noted she won first time out the year before so could it be three in a row.

Little Legend ran a couple of impressive races in the South East last season but might be quirky and there are others which are preferred. Likewise Mnason ran well last season but will probably need the race. Overall it is the new recruits who will probably provide the winner. Mister Pous has won over £110k mainly in France and will be guided by the Mansell/Houldey team - a combination that looks to have a very profitable future in Pointing. Tumbling Dice has had 48 runs under Rules, including 7 victories and is clearly no slouch. As is often the case, many of the NH recruits appear to be on the decline.

Alan Hill makes a habit of picking up early season races at Cottenham and Ocean du Moulin, whose last win under Rules was in 2008, could prove a useful recruit to Pointing. Elaine's Fancy is another with winning Irish pointing form but she never cut the mustard under Rules, so returns to Pointing where she might be more at home. A lot revolves around fitness and the present cold snap will not have helped any trainers, so results may well be unusual but on the information provided, the opening selection for 2010 will be Mister Pous, with a good run expected from Posh Dude.
Selection: Mister Pous (Posh Dude)

12.35 p.m. Mens Open - 17 entries
A fascinating race is in prospect if the main protagonists take part. The race contains some of the top Pointers from last season headed by Quotica De Poyans (also holds an entry in the Ladies Open) and Cedrus Libani. Quotica De Poyans won the 2½ mile Maiden at this meeting 2 years ago before winning his Restricted in mid-January. He was not seen again until he won a three runner Members at Friars Haugh in February; this was followed by a win in a Hunter Chase at Kelso, but his unbeaten run ended when he fell at the third last in an Aintree Hunter Chase.

Cedrus Libani won the corresponding race last year, and followed up in the Mens Open at the following Cottenham meeting. He then failed to jump with any fluency under his owner in a Ladies Open at Higham, but soon got back to winning ways for Burton in a 2½ mile Hunter Chase at Ludlow. An impressive win followed in another Hunter Chase at Ludlow ahead of the Aintree Fox Hunter winner Silver Adonis, but was beaten into second on his final run in a four-runner Mens Open. Start Royal has won all his Points, three at Cottenham and two at Higham, but fell on his Hunter Chase debut at Fakenham. Quechua Des Obeaux won a two horse Mens Open at Welbeck, finished second in her next two races behind two in-form horses, and then finished her season with a win in a Mixed Open at Hexham. Ruairi won first time out in a Mens Open at Whitfield, but then ran two disappointing races; he finished the season with a 15 length second to Roulez Cool in a Men's Open at Ashorne.

As in previous seasons there are usually a number of horses that appear following runs under Rules. Of those the highest rated would be Tumbling Dice, a seven time winner for Tom Taaffe in Ireland where he competed against some of the best, particularly at distances up to 2½ miles, but he has not run since June '09. Soleil Fix would have a good chance if this race were to be run at Fontwell - where he has won four and placed three times from seven runs, but his latest efforts elsewhere are ro/f/u/f. Dream Garden was rated the second highest five-year-old in 2008 following wins in a Maiden and Restricted at Thorpe Lodge; he then switched to running under Rules and won two Novice Chases - also in 2008. Most of his runs under Rules last season were over hurdles, a second at Huntingdon on Boxing Day the best of them. Mount Benger has won under Rules (most recently a Novice Chase at Cheltenham in April last year), as has Orfeo Conti whose latest win was at Southwell in August last year, but his most recent form (PPP) is off-putting.
Selection: Quotica De Poyans (Tumbling Dice)

1.10 p.m. Aga Ladies Open - 14 entries
A high quality entry. The obvious stand-out is the ex-Paul Nicholls Kicks For Free who has appeared at four Cheltenham Festivals; if anywhere near his best he should take this and he's likely to go off favourite, however, he's not straightforward and his last two runs were well below par so he's worth taking on. The main threats are likely to come from Double Mead who is a decent handicapper (OR119), likes fast ground and should be race fit as she placed second for Kim Bailey in a chase at Haydock in late October.

Quotica de Poyans, who is 3 from 3 in Points, and was impressive when winning a Hunter Chase at Kelso last season; he made several jumping errors in his last race and was well-behind when falling, let's hope that didn't knock his confidence as he looks to have a great future. Minouchka comes from the same stable as Quotica de Poyans and is returning to Points after a spell under Rules which culminated in a win over 3m4f in a Hunter Chase at Kelso in May; she is reportedly going to stand as a broodmare so this may be her swansong. Big Moment, who usually goes well fresh (especially here), has moved to a new yard which introduces an element of uncertainty, but he will have plenty of loyal followers.

Aughlea Bridge is an interesting recruit from Ireland where he's run consistently well, including beating Punchestown Ladies' Cup winner Zest for Life and Nina Carberry in a Point-to-Point over the 3m4f banks course at Athlacca. Inaro seems more of a stayer nowadays and will probably find others have too much speed. Moustique De L'Isle and Xila Fontenailles have outside chances. If you don't feel like taking short odds on Kicks For Free, our selections are:
Selection: Double Mead (Quotica de Poyans)

1.45 p.m. Restricted - 23 entries
Not a bad field in this race with a few horses that have shown potential. Camisky won a Maiden at Higham in 2008 and has been placed twice in moderate Restricteds. Castleconner Lad had eight placings in Maidens before winning at Cottenham last March then followed up with a second at High Easter and third to Peadar at Fakenham in April; he could win a Restricted but that's about his level.

Divine Intavention was second here in a short Maiden in February then followed this with a win over the same distance at Larkhill in April. He subsequently ran in two Hunter Chases and was fourth at Towcester, then returned to Pointing and was third in a Restricted at Maisemore. He's not the easiest of rides but would appear to have sufficient ability to win a Restricted. Made Welcome won a decent Hunt race at Fakenham at 16/1 under Ben Rivett, but it would take a strong ride from Ben to be placed here. Mambo Ruler was backed from 14/1 to 6/1 in a Maiden in March and duly obliged, aimed to follow up in a Restricted at Higham and started as favourite, but pulled at the last when swallowing tongue; he would appear to have some potential. Miss Teeny Bash won an eight runner Maiden and followed up with a second in a Hunt race.

Mr Johnson was third in the short Maiden at this fixture last year and went on to win at the next Cottenham meeting; he ran once more last season in a Confined at Andoversford but was unplaced. Rapidolyte de Ladalka is rated 9-7 and is from a yard that normally collects the spoils from at least one race at this meeting; after an easy run on his debut last year he won next time out at Whittington and appears to be a good prospect. Sharmon was second at Easingwold and followed up with a win in a short Maiden at the same course; he may need an easy track and could like it here.
Selection: Rapidolyte de Ladalka (Divine Intervention)

2.20 p.m. Open Maiden 6yo+ - 22 entries
An entry of 22 for this contest and with the safety factor being 18 there is an outside chance of a split on the day. Tough Cookie ran on the opening day of the season and finished second, beaten seven lengths, behind The Slug at Black Forest Lodge in the fastest time of the three Maiden divisions run that day. Last season he was placed twice including a second at Bangor beaten two lengths by Beau Troubadour; he must enter calculations here. Caught In Time has been placed second three times from eight runs but doesn't seem to be the most resolute of battlers; on his final run last season he was beaten six lengths by Imperial Circus at Whitfield. Argentato faced some tough tasks last season when running in Ladies Opens, now at this level he must be given a squeak. On his final run last season at Northaw he was second, beaten 20 lengths, by San Jose. Bridget Andrews will be riding the Burman horses this season.

Search Me has been placed three times from five starts but the form is not very good and on his final run was ten lengths third to Trooper Kit at Peper Harow. Free From Magee has been placed on a few occasions, and on his final run was second to Cristera, beaten 25 lengths, at Kingston Blount is now 11 years old and more younger rivals are fancied. Alan Hill always does well at this track and he's got the ex-Ferdy Murphy inmate Viel Gluck, who has been placed eight times under Rules. He was third at Sedgefield in April 09 in an Amateurs Chase when partnered by Nina Carberry, beaten 4¾ lengths behind Toulouse Express. Blue Dark was placed on four outings from ten starts when trained by Alan King including a second to Minnie Hill at Wincanton in November 09 when beaten 2¾ lengths.

Maz Scudamore does well with her runners here and has Aim For The Stars in this contest; he showed a modicum of ability under Rules when with Henry Daly and was third to Like Minded in a Kempton Novice Hurdle in November last year. Tank Top was placed nine times under Rules when with Tom George but hasn't completed on his last two outings, but was third at Newbury in December 09, beaten 14¾ lengths by Knighton Combe in a Handicap Chase. Classical Music was placed twice from nine runs in Irish Points including a second at Inch when beaten two lengths by My Go Now in March this year. Stress has five placings in Irish Points including a second at Ballydurn when going down by a length to Shieldwall in April 09, but his most recent form under Rules in the Emerald Isle isn't much write home about. A trappy contest in which to find a winner but we'll side with the recent runner-up Tough Cookie for our selection and any Alan Hill runner has to be respected so Viel Gluck will be our next best.
Selection Tough Cookie (Viel Gluck)

2.55 p.m. PPA/HSS Open Maiden 4&5yo - 11 entries
Alforone showed steady improvement last season and finished with a staying on second at Easingwold. A half-brother to a winner of a selling hurdle, he will have plenty of supporters. Bendecido's best effort in Irish Points saw him stay on well to finish runner-up, but it's worth noting that particular race, run on testing ground was run in a time of 6m 50secs suggesting he needs more of a test than this race will provide. Elvis The King, Hijack The Duke and Now Then Charlie are all owned and trained by John Ferguson (won with Lotta Presents here last season). Hijack The Duke was too keen in two autumn bumpers, but certainly looked the part. The other pair are unraced, but Now Then Charlie (half-brother to a multiple winner in Ireland) is the pick on pedigree.

Heart Dancer is another debutant from a yard who like to come raiding here; he is from the family of top class French chaser Jair Du Cochet. Kiss Me Twice had a run in a Ludlow bumper in October and shaped with plenty of promise to finish fourth. Our Poppy Day is from a top yard, but didn't show much in 2 outings last year. Dust In Time has placed efforts in bumpers and a hurdle to his name, but the form has a regressive look to it. He was well beaten two weeks ago at Black Forest Lodge.
Selection: Alforone (Now Then Charlie)

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