31 March 2009 Preview: Spooners & West Dartmoor Foxhounds - Cherrybrook
DANTE'S BACK: likely to bid for a repeat win in the Hunt Members
Seven competitive races are on the cards for the Spooners & West Dartmoor races on Sunday April 5th at Cherrybrook, near Tavistock.
Action gets under way at 12.30 when the useful Dante's Back bids to repeat last year's Hunt race victory under Mandy Hand. Holly Walk and Dutch Bill are amongst the 14 entries for this event.
Holly Walk is also in the Mixed Open, but would have to be at her best to cope with recent Taunton hunter chase winner Nobody Tells Me, and Tonic du Charmil. Long Night, Lord of the Road and Mioche D'Estruval are others to consider here.
The Boss Roche, Lisheen Storm, Cookies Bank and Xila Fontenailles head the entries for the Confined, and the latter's stable companion Tres Bien lines up for the Intermediate where nine of the 19 entries have winning form this season. Jack's Taxi had subsequent dual winner Jean's Joy in his wake when scoring at Black Forest Lodge, and his trainer Camilla Scott was in good form at the Cattistock last Sunday when Southwestern was an impressive winner of the Open.
The Restricted has also attracted 19 entries. Max's Choice will be fancied to follow up his Cothelstone success, but each way value in this event could lie with Heezawizard who was placed at long odds in a similar contest at Buckfastleigh.
The Confined Maiden for eight-year-olds and over has 14 nominations. Harpurs Girl and Fair Play Man ran well behind Super Lady at Buckfastleigh and would not have to improve much to figure here. The other Confined Maiden is for five to seven-year-olds. Barrel Rock made an encouraging debut at Great Trethew in February, and Praise Hymn looked an unlucky loser at that track last weekend. These may have most to fear from Madam Noso, who faced a very stiff task when a creditable third behind subsequent winners Newbay Bob and Shacklesborough at the South Dorset.
The course is located two miles north of Tavistock, about one mile from the A386. Admission for a car and driver is £10, with £5 for each extra adult passenger.
