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PEZREUIL: may bid for hat-trick in Confined

Dennis The Legend is selected to take the Mens Open, one of the feature races at the Taunton Vale Harriers meeting at Fennington Farm, Kingston St Mary, on Sunday.

The winner of six Point-to-Points and two Handicap Steeplechases, the nine-year-old returns to the Pointing field after taking the prestigious John Corbet Cup Hunter Chase at Stratford in May. The 15 entries include Sporting Rebel, already a dual winner this season, alongside course winner Barney Blue, but Dennis The Legend is the selection.

Theatre Diva, who overturned Turthen at Larkhill before finishing a staying-on fifth in the Coronation Cup, can resume winning ways in the Ladies Open. Brown Cockle, fourth to Theatre Diva and Turthen at Larkhill, Sue Condry's Black Forest Lodge winner Cookies Bank and Pete and Kathy Musgrave's consistent Nobody Tells Me, also catch the eye. The prolific Croix De Guerre may be the biggest danger, but Jackie du Plessis' horses are in tremendous form and Theatre Diva is a confident choice.

Sheriff Roscoe, who fell at the second last at Buckfastleigh when upsides subsequent Haydock Hunter Chase winner Cowboyboots, may seek compensation in the Confined. Other candidates include Carrie On, who pulled up on reappearance at Barbury Castle, Cookies Bank, Long Night, who came back to his best at Badbury Rings on Sunday, Pimbury - just touched off at Chipley in January - and Pezreuil, who is progressing rapidly through the ranks. The unbeaten Civil Disobedience is the choice if facing the starter, but in his absence Pezreuil can complete his Pointing hat-trick.

The Restricted has attracted 28 entries and is difficult to solve; Cousin John ran well at Buckfastleigh after a long absence and can challenge recent winners Henri Prends Garde and Different Trades.

The Hunt race entry includes Bucket Awl and Harbridge, who have both made promising reappearances this season. Oh Vlo took the 2009 contest and is fancied to retain the trophy.

The card also features two Maiden races. There are 35 entries for the young horse contest, including Diego Velasquez, How Are You Going, Light Touch, Little Choice, Terminalexcitment and Weather Permitting, who have all shown good placed form this season. The two to choose from are Larkhill runner-up Allerford Jack and Sonofvic, who held every chance when falling two out at the Wiltshire course.

Kalamazoo, who swerved and unshipped Lizzie Kelly ten yards from the line at Buckfastleigh and Orvita, a non-completer in his last two outings, are candidates for the older horse event, but Ataraxia may be a more reliable betting proposition.

Pony racing, the first in the 2010 Wessex Series, completes the day.

The course is 3 miles N of Taunton off the A38 or A358. First race: 12.00 noon. Admission is £20 per car including all occupants, £10 car and driver only, £5 pedestrians.

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