CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY DRAGHOUNDS HUNT MEETING - COTTENHAM

Saturday 7^th February 2010

Advanced Going: - Good

12.00 noon. Hunts Members – 10 entries

The Hunt Members race has ten entries. Castledockrell won the Maiden at Horseheath last week, but that was only a two runner race. Duke of Stradone tends to run his best races at Higham. Keepthedreamalive has been running under Rules and then ran out in the Mens Open race here in December but not shown anything recently. Liberty Ben won at Huntingdon in 2008, but has run poorly under Rules last two runs. Macs Flamingo could be very interesting if retaining his old ability. Maree Hall has been disappointing under Rules recently. Sirius Storm ran well when 2^nd here in the Club Members race in December and would have a chance. Tuesday Club was beaten a long way when 3^rd in a four runner Restricted race here at the end of December.

Selection: Sirius Storm (Macs Flamingo)

12.35 p.m. Intermediate– 15 entries

Fresh Fruit and Irish Rebel can probably be discounted as having run and won at Horseheath last Saturday. Ballynonty, suited by fast ground beat Lord of the Knar 2 lengths and ran a creditable. 2^nd to Start Royal at Higham (Int.) on 24^th January; although a Hunter Chase 2^nd to Took my Eye at Huntingdon in April should be perhaps be discounted due to the probable ground but should be in contention if the rain holds off. If from a still mainly unraced (this season) entry list, 6 yr. old Sweden from the well known Rucker stable makes the trip, he will be worth watching but may want the run before progressing, his two wins last year were a Restricted at Ampton and a Confined at Garnons. Last season at Horseheath Rock Charlie and rider Tom Jonason got up in the closing stages to beat Minehill Lad; the same team are due to compete again and if fit could trouble the judge. Lotta Presents will have come on for his Restricted win at Higham on 24^th January. Maire de Beaulieu has the speed and was 2^nd in a Conditions race at this track last season but never went further. With the weather over the past month we are going for the horses that have run this season.

Selection: Lotta Presents (Ballynonty)

1.10 p.m. Mens Open – 29 entries

Horses paths cross regularly, but rarely as far apart as some entered in this race. Neither Balladeer nor Penny Park have run since September ’07, but ten months earlier Balladeer beat Penny Park in a Novice Chase. At a different level Mr Tee Pee and Merry Vic met at Cottenham in December ’07 in a Restricted, Mr Tee Pee coming out on top. Both had a highly successful season in ‘07/’08 both winning four races. Mr Tee Pee has since competed unsuccessfully under Rules, whilst Merry Vic has been absent. More recently, Coat of Honour and Moscow Court met in the corresponding race last year, when Coat of Honour was just edged out by Caveman; Coat of Honour went on to win a Hunter Chase at Fakenham and the finish second in another. Last season All Things Equal won a Confined at Chaddesley Corbett leading all the way. Reach For The Top made all to win a Mixed Open at Siddington, but then ran out at the last when upsides Irilut at Ashorne. Those to have run this year include Blue Hills who beat The Accordion Man in a Club Member’s race at Higham. On 8lbs better terms and a run under his belt, The Accordion Man could be expected to gain revenge, whilst Lotta Presents won the Restricted at Higham (is selected to win the Intermediate). Where’s My Baby was just denied by Start Royal at the last Cottenham meeting; Start Royal has since franked the form winning at Higham. Two ex National Hunt horses whom at some time in their career have raced for Paul Nicholls are Saintsaire and Roby De Cimbre. Saintsaire has not won since December ’07, whereas Roby De Cimbre won four Chases between May ’08 and April ’09; on his penultimate start for Paul Nicholls he was sent off favourite for the Galway Plate in July, but finished well behind.

Selection: Roby De Cimbre (Reach For The Top)

1.45 p.m. Ladies Open – 22 entries

This race should see the return of Scotland Yard the top Ladies’ pointer in EA last season; Fleur Hawes’ horses are in great form and it would be no surprise if he won this. Big Moment and Skyhawk are probably the main threats. Big Moment has had a terrific start to the season with 3 wins from 3 starts, however, he only beat Scotland Yard’s stable-mate Pouilly by a neck at Higham and Pouilly has never shown anything near Scotland Yard’s ability. Skyhawk impressed when winning at Bratton Down late last season and should be in the frame. Petit Lord has twice finished 2^nd to Big Moment but will have to be ridden more positively to have a chance of reversing that form. Inaro fell on his only PTP start but on Hunter Chase form has the ability to go close though the yard lost a lot of time due to bad weather and he may need the run. Olival has been placed in 5 of his 6 PTP runs. Winning Irish pointer Tragic Realm had good form over 2m 5f Hurdles for Evan Williams but was well-beaten when tried over regulation fences; a switch to PTP may suit him better. Of the others: Ballybough Jack and Cathedral Rock have both disappointed this season; Bell Rock has a great record here but was below par last season; Caramia has been placed 2^nd twice in 3 PTP starts with a novice rider on board, he then put in some decent performances under Rules and may improve when back between the flags; Leatherback will probably need the run; Shareef won twice last season but will find this tougher; Roaringwater has not run since beating Big Moment in January 2009 and the rest are best watched.

Selection: Scotland Yard (Big Moment)

2.20 p.m. Restricted – 15 entries

A relatively small entry, just fifteen in total, with many of the non-runners from last week entered this week, much of the previous preview still holds true. The selection for last week, Captain Marshall began to improve in 2009 under the training of David Kemp after an unimpressive 2008 season; after winning the Open Maiden on the second attempt at Cottenham, he progressed to the Restricted level; having the added advantage of running and winning on the course, he remains the selection this week. Gleeson, only ever having competed between the flags, lacks course experience here but as stated last week, does have speed on his side; past performance is however mixed, he pulled up in the Restricted at Garthorpe but managed a 3^rd place at Guilsborough in April 2009. Fourth and 7-4 favourite in the aforesaid Restricted race was Pass the Parsel (Ire), one of the more experienced horse in the entry, with no fewer than five places in the Restricted class to date; after winning the 2½ mile Maiden at Welbeck in March 2008, he has struggled to improve from the Restricted level, despite being close on a couple of occasions, notably finishing a head behind Prince Car at Cottenham in March last year. Despite having never won a Maiden, six year old Getyouracttogether (Ire) looks promising, after gaining a first and second from two starts this season; finishing 2^nd in the Restricted at Wadebridge by just two lengths, following a win in the lightly contested Members Race at Chaddesley Corbett the previous month. Another promising entry is Peter Hall trained Goscar Rock (Ire) who returns to Cottenham after comfortably winning the seven year olds and over Maiden here last month, thirty lengths ahead of evens favourite Bynack Mhor. As mentioned last week, Lunch Was My Idea returns this season; with seventeen starts under Rules and three between the flags, which includes winning a Maiden, and 2^nd in the Restricted at Northaw at end of 2008 season, could be worth a look.

Selection: Captain Marshall (Gleeson)

2.55 p.m. Open Maiden 8yo+ - 22 entries

The Older Horse Maiden race is the slot for horses that are described as ‘difficult to train’ and have never fulfilled their potential or simply aren’t very good and in the 25 runners entered for this race we have examples of both. Of the ones who have potential and have probably suffered training setbacks Foulstons Ruler stands out. Only eight, with very little mileage on the clock if fit, this one should certainly be there or thereabouts having so far been placed in two of his three completions with three winners behind him in his last placing when runner up in a hot Maiden at Higham last season. Castleconner Lad gives of his best but his enthusiastic pilot might get the result the horse deserved if he offered the ride to an Owen or Braithwaite. Creadon Boy was an expensive young horse who has failed to deliver and possibly has little scope for further progress. Jonlahy ran encouragingly at Horseheath last week but is unlikely to be ready to run again so soon. Mad Jack Duncan was brought down at Higham a fortnight ago having previously just been touched off at Cottenham in a Young Maiden race. Now running against older horses which in many cases are probably less capable than those he ran against at Cottenham, this could be a golden opportunity. RedskyatNight has ability but is unreliable and will find this difficult particularly if there are plenty of runners. Uncle Albert has form under Rules and the Flat and was 2^nd in his only run between the flags last season; but he is still a Maiden and may not quite have what it takes to stick his head in front. War Hawk has some useful Irish p-to-p form but has been off since 2008; worth a look in the paddock to see how he looks, if fit this one could go close. Of the rest of those entered the initials p/u, f and the number 0 feature throughout, with one horse having had 46 runs so far and never troubled the judge. For some who are Ex NH the change of formula could conjure success so it is never surprising to see a complete outsider bolt up. On balance however we have selected those with tried and tested p-to-p form.

Selection: Foulstons Ruler (Mad Jack Duncan)

3.30. p.m. Open Maiden 456&7 yo – 10 entries

Quite a small entry of 31 for this race but there is a possibility of a split on the day. Knightsbridgelives was 2^nd here on December 6^th beaten 4 lengths behind Inner Steel. Just Judy was 3^rd in this race, 5 lengths behind Knightsbridgelives and could show considerable improvement on that run. Grand Silence was 4^th here on December 28^th beaten just over 6 lengths behind Mr Johnson. Pollen Jock from Antonia Bealby's Lincolnshire yard was travelling well when falling 2 out in this race and if suffering no ill effects from that experience could go well at a decent price. Law Court was 3^rd on his debut in a Huntingdon Bumper when beaten 11 lengths behind Topsham Belle, but disappointed on his next outing at Stratford; he unseated here in Grand Silence's race at the 5^th fence on his pointing debut, but has been extensively schooled and could be one for the each way value. Jamesdoubleyou was 2^nd on the opening day of the season at Black Forest Lodge beaten 12 lengths behind See You Jack and was giving the winner 12lbs that day. Pocket Park only ran once last season when finishing a promising 3^rd at this course beaten 3 lengths behind Nothingtolose. He fell on his reappearance here on 6^th December when in 4^th place at the 9^th obstacle, but any market moves should be noted. Kandelin finished 2^nd on first run last season at North Carlton when beaten 2½ lengths by Father Owen; his form then rather tailed off, but he is trained by Gerald Bailey and maybe a horse to catch fresh, any runners from this yard usually merit serious consideration. Naturally Inspired has been placed 4 times under Rules from 10 outings when trained by Malcolm Jefferson; on his final appearance at Sedgefield in April 09, he was 2^nd over this distance beaten 11 lengths by Role On. Divine Intavention was placed 2^nd in his final start under Rules: that came in a Towcester Bumper when he went down by a head to Hideaway in April 09. Salsero was placed three times under Rules when trained by Lucy Wadham including a 2^nd at Plumpton in December 08 beaten 2¾ lengths behind Lutin Collonges, but was well beaten on his final appearance under Rules in March last year at Fontwell. Dan Kahtan was placed on his final two outings over Hurdles in Ireland and was 3^rd at Cork in April 08 when beaten 17½ lengths by Model Athlete; he is now in the care of David Kemp so expect a bold showing. Rebel Prince was placed once on the Flat when 2^nd at Nottingham over 10 furlongs beaten 1¼ lengths behind Loulou when trained by Mick Quinlan, could go close if his stamina holds out, but he is only a 4 year old so gets weight from a lot of these. A difficult race to call; we'll side with Knightsbridgelives to confirm the promise of his earlier run here and Naturally Inspired has got decent Rules form over this trip.

Selection: Knightsbridgelives (Naturally Inspired)

Enjoy some great racing