15 April 2010 Preview: Wessex Area
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
The two Wessex Area meetings this coming weekend are the South & West Wilts at Larkhill and the Seavington at Littlewindsor.
SOUTH & WEST WILTS
Claire Douglas can extend her lead in the National Lady Novice Riders' table on Big Moment in the South & West Wilts Ladies Open at Larkhill on Saturday. The pair ran up an early season hat-trick, although Big Moment has been off the course since falling at Cottenham in February behind Olival, who holds an engagement on Saturday. Opposition could include Caroline Taylor's Charing winner Badger, Bell Rock, who would relish fast ground, and Fruitfull Citizen, a prolific winner for Lucy Jones, but yet to make an appearance this season. Portland Bill ran well behind Thisthatandtother at the Avon Vale here, but the fascinating local entry is Trade Off, a multiple-winning Larkhill specialist who returned to his best at Badbury Rings on Saturday. Big Moment gets the vote, with Badger the suggested longer priced alternative.
Jack Barber can choose between Le Duc and Thisthatandtother - both winners last weekend - in the Mens Open. Trade Off will be a major contender if taking this option, while Present Oriented was not disgraced behind Ask Again at Hackwood Park on Easter Monday. Commander Vic impressed here in March and when sauntering home in the 3m6f Tedworth Gold Cup at Barbury Castle. Thisthatandtother is the automatic selection if facing the starter. In his absence, Commander Vic looks the one.
Cappoquin failed to cope with Civil Disobedience and Different Trades here in March, but is fancied to return to winning ways in the Intermediate. Opposition could include Front Page, a winner on the first day of the season in November but beaten in five outings since, and course winner Ghonny Withthebowe. Pastek was a first-ever winner for Charlie Brown at Barbury Castle and may give punters a sporting run for their money.
Charlton Horethorne winner Sonofvic stands out in the Restricted contest. Divine Intavention unseated at the first in a Fakenham Hunter Chase, but looks the one for the forecast.
Caroline Hobbs has a strong hand in the Hunt race with last year's winner Lile Na Casca and Phiroza, who took a Maiden contest to complete a double for Caroline on last year's card. 2008 winner General Blackthorn was runner-up last season and looks the obvious danger again.
Family Guy was runner-up to the promising John Daniell at Badbury Rings on Saturday and can get off the mark in the Maiden contest.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 2.00pm. The entrance fee is £20 per car; £15 per car with a single occupant; £5 for pedestrians.
SEAVINGTON
Picturesque Littlewindsor stages the Seavington meeting this Sunday, 18th April. The seven race card begins at 2.00pm, preceded at 1.00pm by two pony races, qualifiers for the Wessex Pony Racing Series Final at the end of May.
The Ladies Open race catches the eye. Entries include course winners Carroll's O'Tully and Brown Cockle, who was second in the Eggesford 4-mile Mixed Open on Sunday, the latter's stable companion Barneys Mate, and Perouse, who may find the Littlewindsor undulations to his liking. Carrie On, winner of five of her last six races, including a defeat of Horse & Hound Cup winner Southwestern at Ottery St Mary, is the obvious selection. Katherine and Alex Smith-Maxwell have entered Winning Counsel, and this ex-Irish Hunter Chase winner may be the one for the forecast if connections travel down from Worcestershire.
Come What Augustus is unbeaten in four outings this season and should complete his nap hand in the Men's Open. South Dorset winner Gunner Be Quick looks the principal danger.
Seven are entered for a quality-looking Hunt Members race including last year's winner Carroll's O'Tully. Jane Western's Hunter Chase winner Back Nine and Spanchil Hill, who was a first-ride winner for Philip Prince at Larkhill in March, are two strong challengers. Different Trades disappointed at Badbury Rings on Saturday but can get the better of Back Nine, who will be suited by Littlewindsor's strong test of stamina.
Last year's Novice Riders' race winner King's Wood is a confident selection if turning out for this year's event. The winner of six of his last seven races, including an Exeter Hunter Chase and the Eggesford 4-miler on Monday, King's Wood stands out, although Mendip winner Gabor, and Hollow Star, a winner at Milborne St Andrew in February, will be supported. The suggested alternative is Network Oscar, winner of the 2009 Classic 4m1f Grimthorpe Gold Cup, and certain to find the testing Littlewindsor track to his liking.
Kingston St Mary winner Ataraxia and James H Young's Hackwood Park scorer Trenley Lawn are two to consider in the Restricted contest.
The two Maiden races look challenging. Flanshan and Spot The Tiger have failed to complete the course in five outings between them to date, but can reward intrepid punters in the 2m4f contest. Dee Valley Boy was a promising third at the Taunton Vale Foxhounds Easter Monday fixture and is the suggestion for the 3-mile event.
The course is situated on the Dorset/Somerset border 3 miles south of Crewkerne off the A3066. First race: 1.00pm (ponies); 2.00pm (Point-to-Point). Admission is £20 per car for 4 adults (plus £5 per additional adult). Single occupancy £10. Pedestrians £5. Children under 16 free.
