22 December 2008 Preview: South Devon Hunts Club - Ideford Arch
SYKEE SAVAGE: has an entry in the competitve looking Intermediate
Ideford Arch is the place for Point-to-Point racing for their rescheduled meeting on Sunday January 10th, where the South Devon Hunts Club has 124 entries for their seven races. The Club Members' race starts proceedings at the new start time of 12noon.
Contraband is the class horse in the first event, and this former Cheltenham festival winner will have benefited from his Open run at Black Forest on the opening day of the season. Alroyal won three times over hurdles in his heyday, and Quizzling ran well behind Burntoakboy at Wadebridge.
Wadebridge form could also hold the key to the Novice Riders' race, where the nineteen nominations include Lord of Illusion and Lourd Hymn, who filled the first two places in a similar event at the showground. King Georges and Just Muckin Around also ran well in that race and others to consider include Hornbill, The Quarry Man and the Welsh trained pair Koumba and Noadibou.
Welsh Pointers have an excellent record at the early Devon & Cornwall Area meetings and the pocket-sized mare Lady Myfanwy has three wins to her credit at Ideford Arch during the past two seasons. She heads the entries for the Mixed Open, and bids to add to her career total of thirteen wins. Seaforde also came from across the bridge to be runner-up to Burntoakboy at Wadebridge and Dancer Life only just went under to Little Ed at Black Forest. Reverend Simon Beveridge is hoping to aim Orsus at the Grand Military Gold Cup, and this winner over jumps could make his seasonal debut here.
The eighteen entries for a competitive looking Intermediate include former bumper winners King of the Jungle, Gold Again and Watching Football. The Irish Pointing winner Shuil An Burren will test them all along with improving sorts such as course winner Come What Augustus, Martin Pitchwood, Sulawacee and Sykee Savage.
The Open Maiden for young horses over two and a half miles has been split with nineteen entries in each division. Matako and Nomad chased home Ellies Horse at Wadebridge and figure in the first section. Winter Sport catches the eye in the second division where his second to Pasco at Newbury one year ago would put him to the forefront here.
The three miles Maiden closes the card and has attracted twenty-two entries. Stillhertoes has run well on this track, but Taralina's experience under rules may prove decisive and she will not lack fitness for her Pointing debut.
The course at Ideford Arch is well signposted just off the A380 between Exeter and Newton Abbot. Entrance for a car and all passengers is £20, with single occupants reduced to £10. There is no better way for the family to get out and about to shake-off the Christmas cobwebs and there is plenty of home cooked food for those still hungry. Don't forget the early (11 o'clock) start.
