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BORDER FUSION: Course and distance winner
photo: Phil Britt

The East Anglian Pub Team take a look at the Cambridge University United Hunts Club meeting from a punter's perspective.

12.00 pm PPORA Club Members Conditions - 12 entries

A modest field kicks off the 2011/2012 season but what a difficult race to preview. In Pointing terms household names such as Waley-Cohen, Howlett, Henderson, Ferguson, Scudamore and Gorman all have entries and perhaps in Ashtown Boy we have another Long Run but a modest rating would suggest otherwise. The highly thought of Timeshift is back again under the watchful eye of trainer Zoe Hammond. Perhaps not quite the force anticipated two seasons ago this is still a very good pointer and should be in the shake up if ready so early in the season. John Ferguson has already had a highly successful season as a National Hunt trainer and formed a winning partnership with former Pony Racing stalwart Jack Quinlan. He has two entered for the race and The Rodeo Clown is the most interesting. Hopefully this will see the welcome return of jockey James Owen, sidelined last season through injury. The combination has won in the past and with the benefit of top training facilities will surely be fit. This represents a very strong contender. She Is A Cracker, a raider from south of the river, is from the top yard of Carolyn Gorman. Only average under Rules she has run much better between the flags. The yard has had some great inmates including Cape Stormer and Merry Vic so a good show is expected. However it is away from the best rated horses that we look to get the season off to a good start. Say No last ran under Rules on 28 October when a creditable 5th place in a 17 runner Novice Hurdle at Wetherby. Only 5, the horse "won" two Points last season including a walk-over but will no doubt have grown up in the intervening period. From the Bealby yard so is sure to be fit. Say No is likely to be ridden by one of the yard's work riders which have produced a number of highly competent professional jockeys over the years. This is a difficult race and in all fairness everyone has a chance but in an early search for value we'll stick to the Bealby yard entry but an each way punt may be more successful!

Selection: Say No Alternative: Timeshift

12.35 pm. Mens Open - 9 entries

Only nine entries for the Mens Open, of which only one has Pointing form from last season. That horse happens to be the useful Border Fusion, who ran only twice last season, beating Caulkin over course and distance in February and Oedipe in another open at Garthorpe in March. Apart from Barton Park, who has not run for several seasons, the remainder have been running under Rules, unfortunately four of these hold alternative engagements either at Cottenham or Black Forest Lodge. The ex-Paul Nicholls trained Qozak is the winner of 10 races under Rules both here and in France. His last four runs have all been at Taunton, of which he won three and was 2nd in the other. In these four races he only had a total sixteen opponents.Ravethebrave, now under the care of Alan Hill, won a novice chase on his reappearance last season for Alan King at Folkestone. In his next six runs he finished 2nd on three occasions, fourth, sixth, but did fall at the first in a novice handicap chase at Cheltenham. Last season, Working Title ran in hurdle races, an all-weather jumper's bumper during the freeze, and chases for Nicky Henderson. His hurdle form was superior, winning at Uttoxeter in September and Kempton in November. His best run over fences came on his next outing at the Hennessy meeting at Newbury, where he finished fourth, behind Mount Oscar. Monogram was the winner of a maiden hurdle in October last year. His latest three runs in the spring were in novice chases, where he finished either 2nd or 3rd and had a tendency to hang right under pressure. The ex-Irish trained Old Si won five of his races for Dessie Hughes, the most recent was on his final outing for the stable in April at Limerick. Although only eighth, his run in the valuable Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown last December was respectable. Sam Cruise has won a couple of chases, the most recent in July last year. Running over a variety of distances last summer, apart from unseating his rider on one occasion he finished no worse than fifth in his subsequent runs, the last being in October 2010. Moonwolf ran 29 times on the flat in his native New Zealand. Transferred to U.K. he won his second race over hurdles at Fontwell last year. On his only attempt over fences in June he fell at the third last.

Selection: Ravethebrave Alternative: Old Si

1.10 pm. Ladies Open - 10 entries

A high quality entry for the first race in the AGA Ladies' series headed by the ex-Paul Nicholls horses Kicks For Free and Qozak and the ex-Nicky Henderson Working Title. Only 5lbs separates these in the official handicap with Qozak top-rated at 140 so there should be little between them. Kicks for Free and Qozak are in the same ownership and it's extremely unlikely they will both run. Qozak has won ten of his twenty starts under Rules; his three wins in Novice Chases all coming at Taunton earlier this year on everything from Good-Soft to Firm. Kicks For Free proved himself a high class Pointer last season winning two Ladies' here. Lightly raced, he was last seen at Tabley in April when brought down. Working Title ran at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009 and 2010 (County Hurdle and Jewson Novices' Chase) and has since put in some very good performances both over fences and hurdles. His last two runs were disappointing but hopefully the change of scenery will revitalise him. He's never been tried on ground faster than Good. Old Si was previously with Dessie Hughes and ran in a Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown back in 2008. Rated a stone or so below the top three, he triumphed on his latest chase appearance at Limerick in April. Whilst he's never won over further than 2m4f this is an easy trip which should suit. The rest are likely to find the race too hot: Decision was progressive under Rules winning two of his last three hurdles starts for Lawney Hill. Small and tough, he likes fast ground and should go well. Posh Dude clearly likes the track placing 2nd in a PPORA Members race and then comfortably beating Start Royal by 6l in a Mens here last season. He would have a chance if the big guns don't turn up. Alrafid won a weak Ladies at Aldington but has otherwise shown little, Good For Blue won a hurdle at Huntingdon in 2010 but was purchased very cheaply out of Richard Phillips' yard, Ski Dazzle won an Intermediate here last season but can be unpredictable, Zanzibar Boy often seems reluctant.

Selections: Qozak if he goes for this rather than the Mens, otherwise Working Title Alternative: Kicks For Free

1.45 pm. Restricted - 8 entries

Argentato has firm ground form when two lengths 2nd to Finnish Melody in the March Cottenham Restricted in a fast sub 6 minute time - winning a Maiden at Marks Tey in early March on soft ground beating Katepost and Inspired Forever who both went on to win Maidens in April at Marks Tey and Catsfield respectively, but pulling up at the 10th on his last run in the May Dingley Restricted. Bedrock Fred has found the going tough after a short Maiden win at Eyton-on-Severn in March beating Mick the Millar by seven lengths, followed by a seven length 2nd in a watered Restricted at Cold Harbour in May and in this company may well find the same pace issue so perhaps best watched. Gentle Jim optimistically tried a Hunter Chase at Fakenham in May and was last of six beaten 100+ lengths following a win in the April Parham meeting, and was placed in three previous Maidens in the South. Mr Meister is worth following; two Maiden runs in 2011, posting a three length win when odds-on at Cold Harbour in May after a second place at Bitterly in April on good watered ground. Now Then Charlie, from the currently very successful (under Rules) Ferguson stable pulled up when weakening in a 3m Beginners Chase at Chepstow just about 5 weeks ago - could have an advantage having effectively already run this season, this follows a win in a short Maiden at Dingley in April beating the favourite Caught Looking by 10 lengths but may have an issue with the trip. Ordelia was placed and won in two Maidens at Garthorpe in March and April, both on good / good to firm ground followed, but pulled up in a Restricted at Ashorne perhaps having found the pace a little hot.

Selection: Mr Meister Alternative: Now Then Charlie

2.20pm. Open Maiden - 21 entries

The entries with Pointing form are fairly evenly matched here. Accessallareas was placed on this side of the Irish Sea in 2010, and made the unusual trip westward to be placed in Irish Points last season. Still yet to totally convince as far as stamina is concerned, but the yard launched a successful raid here last season. Aim For The Stars, was runner-up in this event last year, but only managed one outing after that, when departing at the last (when probably beaten) in April. From a prolific winning family, he will be well fancied on Sunday. Could Be Good and Send For Tim both have placings to their names, though they both look to need an easy three miles (like Cottenham). Elvis The King managed 3rd in a weak Higham Maiden last season, but his yard have been in tremendous form under Rules, and he can only improve. Quand Je Reve De Toi is very lightly-raced and ran under Rules (well beaten), after a highly promising 2nd on her Brafield debut in 2010. Mr Maybe has placing in Irish Points in 2009, and in the South East area over here last season. Just a modest level of form, but his experience is an asset. Ex-Irish Pointer Sharivarry has two placings from his five starts last season, and changed hands for £11,000 at Doncaster this summer. Of the ex-Rules performers the most interesting is Money Tree, placed in a selling hurdle over 2m6f when trained by Donald McCain. He was snapped up at Ascot sales in the summer by the Hill training combo. They have an outstanding record here, and this one when must be on the short list. Aconitum is a 21 race maiden under Rules, and didn't take to chasing when trying that. He has also has worn all types of head-gear in the past. Roi De Garde was placed in a poor Southwell chase, and needs to do better than that to take this. The Recovery has shown some ability under Rules when running from Dessie Hughes yard in Ireland. He was purchased out of that yard for £3,800 at Doncaster sales this summer. Better form however is boasted by What A Laugh, who has been placed in a hurdle and an Irish Point, on ground no softer than good. The lightly raced Dancing Jack, who showed ability when departing two out in a 2008 Irish Point, is with a very shrewd yard, and any move in the betting market should be noted.

Selection: Money Tree Alternative: Aim For The Stars

2.55 pm. Brightwells Open Maiden 2m4f - 21 entries

A total of 21 entered for this contest and with a safety factor of 16, there is a slight possibility that we may have a split on the day. This race throws up its usual mix of unraced types, Irish Pointers, the odd few that ran in Points last season and ex Flat and NH horses. Anything Don Cantillon runs in these races is worthy of attention and he has Hightown entered in this. On his last run he was 3rd at Uttoxeter in May beaten 12 lengths in a 2m hurdle by Cotillion. Alan Hill has a fine record at this venue and runs Money Tree here. Formerly trained by Donald McCain he has been placed three times under Rules including a 2nd at Wetherby in a 2m6f selling hurdle beaten, a length by Yabora in June. Sizing Ireland, formerly trained by Nicky Henderson, has been placed five times from seven runs, his best performance being a 3rd at Hereford in a 2m4f hurdle in March, beaten two and three-quarter lengths by Royal Riviera when ridden by AP McCoy. Ancient Times has been busy in his short life, running 18 times and placed six times including a 2nd at Perth in September 2010 when beaten six lengths by Al Dafa in a 2m hurdle. Bobowen has been placed four times under Rules in Ireland and once in a Point. He was 3rd at Thurles in February beaten 15 lengths behind Four Commanders but probably ran a better race at Gowran Park in March in a large field maiden hurdle when 5th to Bagber beaten five and three-quarter lengths. Celtic Ballad is another horse who's crammed a lot into his five years with 21 runs including appearances on the Flat in France. He's been placed six times including three seconds, the most recent being at Wetherby in June when going down by a head to Kings Realm in a 2m hurdle. Vic Thompson sends Gin Cobbler down from his Northumberland yard and this ex-Howard Johnson inmate has one placing in his career at Hexham in May when 3rd, beaten 17 lengths by Sara's Smile in a 2m hurdle. The yard has been victorious here before. Another yard that does well here is Antonia Bealby's and she has three entries, Jimsun, Roi De Garde and Tango In The Night. Jimsun was 6th in a Huntingdon bumper in early October, beaten 59 lengths by Cydonia. He's a half-brother to the connections' winning Pointer Canticle. Roi De Garde has been placed twice in his career including a 3rd at Southwell in April in a 2m5f chase when beaten 11 lengths by Apache Brave. Tango In The Night lost his jockey at the first in a Garthorpe maiden in April before finishing down the field in a Market Rasen bumper in July. Johnstown Castle has been placed twice from three runs in Irish Points, most recently when 2nd at Oldcastle in April beaten 15 lengths by Ballybough Gorta. Macklin from John Ferguson's yard was 3rd in this contest, a further 12 lengths behind Johnstown Castle. John Ferguson's yard is really flying under Rules at present and he also has the unraced Colonel Iain entered here. The market would be the best guide to this one's chances. A very trappy contest to call but we'll side with Don Cantillon's Hightown as our main selection and the Alan Hill trained Money Tree as our next best

Selection: Hightown Alternative: Money Tree

Enjoy some great racing!

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