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GALAXIA: could bid for swift follow-up to Oakley win
photo: Jackie Oliver

Dingley hosts the Woodland Pytchley this Saturday, with the meeting representing a possible return to the track for Roulez Cool.

Robert Waley-Cohen's French-bred, a faller when favourite for the Christie's Foxhunter at the Festival, heads the 13-strong list for the Mixed Open; chief amongst potential opponents are recent winners Galaxia and Aztec Warrior, whilst Buckby Lane has shown a return to form in useful places efforts in recent starts.

Aztec Warrior, a previous inmate of the Henrietta Knight yard, scored his first Pointing success in Novice Rider company at Garthorpe and has since followed up in the same grade at the Belvoir, but was behind Buckby Lane when both were beaten in the Midlands Area Club Mens Open by Farmer Frank.

Bobbies Ryde justified odds-on support to win the Members at the Fitzwilliam (Milton) at Cottenham in mid-March; she has three career wins at Dingley and could come here on a recovery mission after blundering away chances when second to Petit Lord at Brafield last time, whilst Buckby Lane looks to have stronger form having finished second to Thisthatandtother and Denvale since his Garthorpe outing.

The Hookie Bookie may be another multiple winner over the course but his recent record contains a frustrating amount of second places; of the remaining possible runners Waynesworld has made a pleasing start to the season with an easy Members win and a subsequent second to the useful mare Shernally, but should Roulez Cool take up his engagement he will be hard to beat and may find a confidence-boosting opportunity at the possible expensive of Galaxia, who made a pleasing start to his Pointing career and confirmed the promise with an Open win last time at the Oakley.

The day's racing begins with the Hunt Members with the Fernie, for which eight have been entered; Zilcash looked to have a strong chance of making a winning Pointing debut at Thorpe Lodge before slipping but did not impress overly when confirming that promise next time out in the Cottesmore Confined, where he had The Luder, entered here in the Mixed, in second. Connections have also entered Mendo, who made a successful Pointing debut in the Brocklesby Confined and could have more to offer.

Mendo could, however, be aimed at the Confined, leaving Zilcash to represent the Hutchinsons in the first race; Aztec Warrior and The Luder both have alternative options in the same contest, suggesting that the Hendersons may target both races, although if Buckby Lane also swerves the Mixed the race could be more competitive.

The Open Maiden has 19 entered; Boscall Hill was third to Bobbies Ryde at Cottenham, albeit in a four-runner contest, whilst Definitely It has shown glimmers of promise in two fourths from as many starts. Greek Star has had a significant break since following a debut fourth by pulling up last time, whilst Lady Chatelaine was leading until a mistake cost her Rider her stirrups in a division of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Mares Maiden on her first start.

O Ellie was second to an impressive winner at Ampton earlier this season but has since pulled up, whilst Romeo Du Dollar showed promise before being hampered and unseating at Garthorpe. Tay Jay Vay represents the Waley-Cohens and as a result has to be afforded another chance after pulling up on his debut, although Teeton Coral looks a likely future winner having managed a fourth and a second from two starts thus far.

Good Return recently landed a Maiden for connections and the French-bred is amongst the possibles for the Restricted; Silver Tenor struggled when stepped up to this level last time behind Canticle, whereas Clande Boye took a long time to win his Maiden but eventually did so over this course last season. Easy Dancer may represent the best progressive form, running on nicely to win at Kingston Blount last time.

The closing contest is the 2m4f Maiden for four to seven-year-olds; Teeton Coral holds another option here, whilst Deal In Silver looked to have potential last time out when finishing fourth but needs to learn to settle.

Grand Silence looked to have a strong chance against Cocoa Nut Spice last time out until hanging right and not following the effort through in the closing stages; Oneforthetrack was a long way back when fourth in an early-season Maiden at Higham but the winner that day, Three Chords, put in an impressive performance and has since followed up in a Restricted. The entrant with most untapped potential, however, could be Spotthestripe, who stayed on well to chase home 4/5 favourite Princess Fyona in the Whitfield Mares Maiden contested by Lady Chatelaine on her debut.

The course at Dingley, known for being one of the best-viewing Point-to-Point venues, lies 1m east of Market Harborough, just off the A427. Market Harborough station, to which a train service from London St Pancras operates, is just 2m away.

Admission prices are £15 per car and driver, plus £5 for each additional passenger; under-16s are admitted free of charge. Racing commences at 2.00pm.

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