08 April 2010 Preview: West Somerset Vale - Cothelstone
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Racegoers at Cothelstone this Sunday will be able to watch all the action close-up on a big screen (first race 2.00pm preceded by pony racing at 1.00pm).
Le Duc can resume winning ways in the West Somerset Vale Mixed Open; Jack Barber's 11-year-old pulled up in Cheltenham's Christies' Foxhunter, but found Pointing more to his liking when scoring at Badbury Rings in February.
Croix De Guerre and Nobody Tells Me - first and second at the Quantock Staghounds meeting here in March - have chances, along with Tonic Du Charmil and course winner Thunder Child. Sheriff Roscoe finished second in a Taunton Hunter Chase before winning at Kilworthy and looks the one for the forecast.
Fully Loaded can win his seventh race of the season in the Novice Riders contest. The 30 Entries include Sue Condry's dual-winner Cookies Bank, Croix de Guerre, Fully Loaded's stable companion El Hombre Del Rio, the Hobbs' prolific winner Saint Romble, Charlton Horethorne winner Tallow Bridge and Shady Hollow, who was a first-ever winner for Malcolm Harding at Dunthrop a fortnight ago. McSolo, who put up a good fight against Royal Auclair at Milborne St Andrew and Pertinent, who was just touched off by Spanchil Hill at Larkhill, look the dangers, but Fully Loaded goes beautifully for the Pugsley sisters and is the selection.
Quantock Staghounds winners Sew On Target and What Er Say are among the 29 Entries for the Restricted race. Opposition includes Ewar Finch, a winner at last year's corresponding meeting, in-form Nicholas The Spark and Misttori Belle, who has been off the course since winning at Holnicote in May. Bowntobebad impressed when making a winning debut at Black Forest Lodge and can follow up here; Sew On Target and What Er Say can fill the places.
Murdol, winner of the 2009 Hunt race, is among the eight Entries for this year's contest. Amber Love and Dandooley, a good second at Kingston St Mary on Monday, may put up the strongest challenge.
Astania, who was still in contention when unseating behind Sew On Target at the Quantock Staghounds and Karina Lynch are two suggestions for the 2m4f Maiden contest. Rapid Pete could be one to consider for the three mile race.
The course lies north of Taunton off the A358, 3 miles NE of Bishops Lydeard. First race: 2.00pm (pony racing from 1.00pm). Admission is £20 per car including all occupants, £10 single occupancy, £5 pedestrians.
