28 April 2009 Preview: Stevenstone Foxhounds - Vauterhill
by Granville Taylor
Good racing looks assured at Vauterhill, North Devon, on Bank Holiday Monday next week (May 4) where the Stevenstone has a total entry of 122 for their seven races. The Hunt race starts proceedings at 2.00pm where Jack's Taxi can follow up his recent Trebudannon victory.
Tonic du Charmil went down fighting behind the useful Whizzaar at the Four Burrow, and has the best credentials for the Mixed Open from the in-form Ashley Farrant yard.
The Restricted looks wide open with 11 of the 25 entries holding winning form this season. Cupidus, Twoee and Mr Redwood are tentative suggestions with good recent form.
The Boss Roche can regain winning ways in the Confined. He had recent Axe Vale winner Xila Fontenailles behind him when chasing home Jack's Taxi at Trebudannon, and would not have to improve much to hold Cookies Bank and Dante's Back here.
The 18 nominations for the Intermediate include several improving types. Ha Ho Magregor was taking on Hunters' Chase winners Nobody Tells Me and Bob Bites Back when a good third at the Western, and can score for the competent Suzy Berry at the main expense of Wee Fly and Brook Castle.
There are 19 entries in each section of the divided Open Maiden. Bonny Busona deserves to get her head in front after four seconds in her career and ran well enough at Kilworthy last month to suggest that her winning turn will come. Her owner/rider Lee Rowe also has prospects in the other Maiden section with his eight-year-old mare Break The Ice, who might have been a bit unlucky when a well backed runner-up at Cherrybrook.
The Vauterhill course is near High Bickington , 2 miles SW of Umberleigh and 10 miles south of Barnstaple, signed from the A377, B3217 and B3227 (EX37 9BT).
Admission costs £10 for car and driver with £5 for each additional adult passenger up to a maximum of £20 per car.
