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Another East Anglian fixture means another preview from the region's Pub Team, who this week cast their eyes over the Entries for the Fitzwilliam (Milton) meeting which rounds off Cottenham's season.

1.00 p.m. Hunt Members - 4 Entries
A very poor entry with just four engaged, let's hope all entrants turn up to ensure some kind of competition. All four have run this season with Ballymager and Greek Star being placed. Greek Star was fourth at Horseheath in the Novice Riders behind some established campaigners, form that should be good enough; last season he won a Maiden at High Easter and was then third at Whitfield in a Restricted beaten only 3½ lengths. ]

Ballymager was third in a Maiden at Ampton last year and should come on for her first outing this year when fourth. Boscall Hill was a well beaten eighth behind Free Speech at the last Cottenham meeting. Elaine's Fancy is yet to complete in two starts this season.
Selection: Greek Star (Ballymager)

1.30 p.m. Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate - 11 Entries
11 Entries here, although a number have engagements elsewhere. Mountain Emperor with Gina Andrews up will be hard to oppose following his four length Members win at Higham on good ground in February, beating Caulkin (second in the Mens Open at Cottenham in Feb) and a narrow defeat on this track earlier this month to Vote For Doodle.

Commander Kev deserves respect following a three length second to Different Trades in an Intermediate at Chaddesley Corbett in early January, but he failed to frank this form when coming fourth in a Charing Members Conditions. Halcyon Times should go on this ground and comes off a 10 length third to the progressive Ide No Idea at Horseheath following a second to Ski Dazzle in the Intermediate at this track in early February, but can hang left.

Six-year-old Law Court began the season running well to win the Restricted here despite a blunder and trying to leave early for the boxes, but a fourth in the Intermediate at Thorpe Lodge in soft ground disappointed and others are preferred. The Fast Frog could come into a place, beating Ashtown Boy from the Waley-Cohen stable in a Restricted at Whitfield in early February (in a relatively slow time) following a pull-up when always behind in the Ampton Restricted. Native Bob was 35 lengths second to Forget the Ref in the two-runner Members at Ampton last weekend so may not run so soon.
Selection: Mountain Emperor (Halcyon Times)

2.15 p.m. Mens Open - 18 Entries
Another Mens Open at Cottenham finds Start Royal amongst the Entries. His latest run at Higham produced a 10 length victory from Foulstons Ruler, having asserted his superiority after jumping the third last. Prior to this run, he found Cork All Star too good at the earlier Higham meeting and Posh Dude the same at Cottenham's early January fixture.

An odds-on favourite, Start Royal was brushed aside by Posh Dude jumping the second last, who kept on well for a six length victory, with Tumbling Dice back in fourth. Posh Dude was winning a second race at Cottenham, having won a Restricted in December '09; his latest run in a Hunter Chase at Ludlow was disappointing, ultimately finishing sixth.

Caveman's first run of the season was in the Mens Open at Cottenham's last meeting, but he could not live with a revitalised Border Fusion and finished fourth. The benefit of this run was evident, when he sauntered to a comfortable win at Marks Tey 35 lengths ahead of Star Double, with Another Dude a further six lengths behind in fourth. Ski Dazzle holds an entry in a Mens Open for the first time; his success in an Intermediate at Cottenham's last meeting was in the hands of Bridget Andrews.

Valance made a winning reappearance at North Carlton in the fastest time of the day; that was his first run since winning a Mens Open at Garthorpe in May '09. Rocja was last seen on the course at Higham in April 2009; his win in a Club Members race was his third consecutive victory in 2009, the sequence having started at the corresponding Cottenham fixture in the Intermediate race.

Basic Fact ran in a two mile Hunter Chase at Leicester nine days ago, finishing a distant second to Takeroc, his first completion of the season. Neither Coat of Honour nor Took My Eye have shown any form this year, and may be waiting for warmer weather.
Selection: Start Royal (Valance)

2.50 p.m. Ladies Open - 9 Entries
Scotland Yard has won both his starts this season in good style and has shown none of the moodiness which marked his appearances in Hunter Chases last season; he has a great turn of foot and with Gina Andrews on board should take this fairly easily.

Double Mead would have presented the biggest threat but is entered for a Hunter Chase at Towcester on Thursday and is very unlikely to appear here. Big Moment has a great record at Cottenham and wasn't too far behind Kicks For Free here back in December; he was pulled up and dismounted in his last race and even though there was clearly no lasting problem, we doubt whether he retains the pace to trouble Scotland Yard.

The lightly-raced Parrain won Mens Opens at Higham and Fakenham last season but neither race was particularly strong; he disappointed in a Fakenham Hunter Chase last month and is likely to find others too good. Ski Dazzle won the Intermediate at the last meeting here in a decent time but has been found wanting when previously tried in Ladies. Freud Bacon hasn't been seen for over a year and is unlikely to be a threat.
Selection: Scotland Yard (Big Moment)

3.25 p.m. Restricted - 15 Entries
King Caractacus made a favourable impression when taking a 2m4f Maiden here on his racecourse debut last month; he comes from a yard who are very successful here and looks the one that this race revolves around.

Another course winner (over the full trip), Free Speech ran out of stamina at Ampton last week on the rain affected ground; he may be seen to better advantage here - he had Dalmatian almost 15 lengths behind when winning. Dalmatian took the Maiden on the same Ampton card, but that was a weak event and will need to improve to reverse placings.

Dalmatian also fell two out at the North Norfolk meeting at Higham when looking held by the winner Pingpong. That horse hasn't cut much ice in better company since, but with the Kemp yard coming back into form last week and an ease in grade he is a potential player here.

Argentato (Marks Tey) and Finnish Melody (Higham) both beat Katepast in their respective Maiden wins. The fact that Finnish Melody is the lighter raced and probably speedier of the pair makes her the more likely to follow up here. Harty's Quay's best run of the season was when fourth at Horseheath; he has disappointed since and doesn't look the most reliable of performers.

The Legal Limit made little show and eventually pulled up in that Horseheath race after a missing 2010. He showed improvement to run fifth in a competitive Restricted at Marks Tey and a return to an easier three miles could seem he go well at a decent price. The Rodeo Clown was in with every chance when exiting the contest at Horseheath four out, he's been absent since, but this easy three miles will suit him also. It's not very original, but it's impossible to get away from King Caractacus, despite his lack of experience. If he doesn't show it's a much trickier contest, with plenty to consider. A repeat of Free Speech's course win, would see him go well, but needs to put last week's run (possibly valid excuses in ground and track).
Selection: King Caractacus (Free Speech)

4.00 p.m. Open Maiden 8yrs + - 19 Entries
Just a modest entry of 19 for this race, so a division is a very remote possibility. Hugo Hackenbush was second on his last run at North Carlton last month, beaten 10 lengths by Red O'Donnell. Matriana was pulled up in this contest and Penyfan Man fell two fences out when in third place. Hugo Hackenbush missed last season but in the previous campaign was placed twice from three starts including a second at Howick, 30 lengths behind Doctor Supremo in March '09.

Jonlahy fell on his seasonal reappearance at Marks Tey but last season was placed five times from seven starts including four second placings; he's now 12 though. Rockfield finished last season with three second placings but hasn't shown much in two runs this season. On his last run he was fifth at Horseheath beaten 40 lengths by Punjabi Army.

Verbury Star was placed three times from five starts in West Country Maidens in 2009; on his final run he was second, beaten six lengths by Flying Whale at Trebudannon. He was sold at the Ascot sales in October 2009 but has yet to get round in two starts for his new connections, falling at Higham in January and pulling up last week at Marks Tey.

Caroline Fryer's yard is going well and she runs Don't Think Twice in this. He has been fourth on two outings this season and on his last run was beaten 38 lengths by Finnish Melody at Higham last month. Mister Tibus pulled up in this race but previously had been second to Pingpong at Higham in January, beaten eight lengths. Tuscany Star was placed second in a Members race at Detling last month, beaten eight lengths by Nessa.

The ex-Venetia Williams inmate Omme Antique, now in Nibby Bloom's yard, was placed eight times from 20 starts under Rules including three second placings; the most recent being in April last year when beaten eight lengths by Josear in a Taunton Handicap Chase; if he runs he must be one for the shortlist.

Northern Shadows was placed seven times from 12 outings under rules for Keith Reveley, including a second placing at Huntingdon beaten nine lengths by Golden Feather in January 2006 but he hasn't been on a racecourse since February that year.

Ashes To Ashes was placed second on his final three outings in Irish points but the last one was in April 2008 when he was beaten 10 lengths by Carraigeen Lad at Loughbrickland and he's now 13-years-old. If turning out here then Omme Antique's Rules form should see him win but he needs a softish surface; in his expected absence we'll side with Hugo Hackenbush who seems to be going the right way and Jonlahy deserves to win a race and will probably not get a better opportunity.
Selection: Hugo Hackenbush (Jonlahy)

4.35 pm Brightwells/PPA HSS Maiden Conditions 4, 5, 6, & 7yo - 9 Entries
At first glance this looks a straight forward contest with two horses, O Ellie and Midnight Ruler the main protagonists. However, look deeper and there are others in the field that could well get into the mix.

O Ellie ran a blinder last week at Ampton on ground that is far from his preferred choice but this is a shorter race and speed might just catch him out although a strong showing is expected. Midnight Ruler was second over course and distance in February; this was a very promising first run and the horse will surely have come on for the experience. Always Roses ran encouragingly at the Blankney meeting last month until blundering three out when in contention; with experience under Rules a strong run is expected and if staying on his feet should be there or thereabouts.

Grand Article has had 19 runs on the flat and under Rules winning prize money of almost £3000 so should know what to do when the flag drops; if running to his very best would not be without a chance. Of the remainder there are bits and pieces of form but overall, with a likely pull of 14lbs we feel Midnight Ruler might go one better and take the spoils with O Ellie following him across the line.
Selection: Midnight Ruler (O Ellie)

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