DUNSTON HARRIERS MEETING –Ampton
SUNDAY January 15th 2012
Advanced Going – Good To Firm

12.00pm East Anglia Area Club Members Conditions  – 20 entries

The East Anglian point-to-point season gets under way today with most of the usual suspects coming out to play! Interestingly of the 21 entries for the Club Members race only one horse, Saddlers Blaze has had a run so far this season – a fact that speaks volumes about early season pointing.  The key to finding the winner of this competitive event is to find the fittest horse and paddock inspection is definitely recommended.

On this occasion we’re concentrating on six horses although this is a very open race with most of the entrants in with a chance. The magic saying – “might revive when fresh” is a comment attributed to Jack’s Present.  Still only 10, last season this Nick Pearce trained mare failed to inspire, but she did win first time out. If the decline has been reversed she could be in the mix.  Last season was also a disappointment for the Kemp yard. However if all is well and their yard is in good form there is bound to be a strong showing from Where’s My Baby. Only running once last season something was clearly awry but this is a class act and if fit and ready will take a lot of beating.  The Rucker’s usually buy top quality animals and in Bay Cherry the trend is continued. Rated 125 under rules this 9 year old has 11 wins to date mainly gained at some of the lesser tracks in the North of England.  Likely jockey Angela Rucker is no AP but given the right horse she knows how to get them home so a strong showing is likely.  Finally That’s Rhythm – this one has been entered in a number of races so far this season but has yet to set foot on a point-to-point course.  At his peak he was rated at over 140 under rules which was not that long ago.  If running near to his top mark he should certainly show up in this field and it was only just over 12 months ago he ran in the Charlie Hall coming just over 14 lengths behind winning chaser Nacarat.  Finally we must consider the Fleur Hawes duo of Va Vavoom and Star Double, both of whom seemed past their best last season.  If as with so many in this race, they have addressed whatever problems were ailing them then they could well play a major part in the race but question marks clearly remain unanswered.

On balance the Kemp’s deserve a change of fortune and if back to his best Where’s My Baby should get his head in front followed home by Jack’s Present.

 

Selection: Where’s My Baby                            Alternative: Jack’s Present

12.35pm Open Maiden – 22 entries

There are 22 entered for this contest and with the safety factor being 15 there is a small possibility of a split on the day.  Moyode Wood was 2nd on his UK debut at Barbury Castle last month in a Restricted beaten 7 lengths by Kiss Me Twice, he then unseated at Whitfield 3 fences out on his next appearance.  He was placed 3 times in 5 starts in Irish points and will be the mount of the promising George Gorman.  One Wish was 2nd at Whitfield beaten 3 lengths behind Rich Live.  Previously he had been placed 3rd in Ireland when beaten 11 lengths by Topanga Bay at Lisrona in April 2011. Quand Je Reve De Toi was placed 3rd at Tweseldown beaten 18 lengths by Bien Connu, but had shown nothing under rules.  Macdougal was placed 3 times under rules but finished 22 lengths 6th behind Midnight King at Cottenham last month on his pointing debut.  John Ferguson has Elvis The King entered here, he fell on his first appearance this season when in 4th place at Whitfield, but with the yard going so well is impossible to leave out from this race.  Previously he was 3rd at Higham last January when beaten 16 lengths behind Pingpong. Roi De Garde was 2nd in the Whitfield race Elvis The King fell in, beaten 11 lengths by Nobby Kivambo.  Roi De Garde's trainer Antonia Bealby also has Tango In The Night entered for this contest. He was 4th at Whitfield last month beaten 12 1/2 lengths behind Be My Slave.  John's Delight was 6th at Cottenham beaten  30 1/2 lengths by Oscar The Myth but may find this track with the emphasis on stamina more to his liking.  Salsero was placed 4 times last season including two 2nd placings, his last run being at Horseheath in a 2 runner club members race when beaten 15 length by The Rodeo Clown.  He seemed to run better races outside of Maiden company.  Teeton Grand Slam was placed 3 times from 5 starts last season, her best run being when 4th at Guilsborough beaten about 7 lengths behind Gunmoney.  On her final outing last season she was beaten the length of the Thorpe run in by Chac Du Cadran when finishing 2nd.  Big Behoochie was sent off the 4/6 favourite for a Dingley maiden last May but could only finish 3rd, beaten 4 1/2 lengths by David's City in a very slowly run contest.   Ballymager was placed twice last season but is one who would appreciate soft conditions underfoot.  Although well beaten on his sole start so far, Grandpa's Spells did show a little ability in a Garthorpe Members race when finishing 6th beaten 24 1/2 lengths behind Sovereign Quest in March last year.  We'll have to mention Prince Du Nord for the sole reason he's owned by one of the team. Well beaten in 3 bumpers over the Summer and Autumn, he will relish the step up in trip and has reportedly schooled well at home, but is one who would appreciate soft conditions underfoot and may best be watched on his pointing debut.  The unraced Quirky Kirky is a half brother to winning chaser Gypsy George.

Quite tricky to call this race but we'll side with One Wish to come on for the Whitfield run and with John Ferguson's yard doing so well Elvis The King is given a narrow vote for our next best ahead of Tango In The Night.

Selection: One Wish                             Alternative: Elvis The King

1.10pm Intermediate – 16 entries

Briery Star continued on her upward when winning at Whitfield (3rd course win) before Christmas. The 3rd went on to score at Larkhill last Saturday, so the form looks rock solid.  Jolly Rock was a first fence faller in another race on that Whitfield card; he only made two appearances last season, but was placed in good company before winning his Restricted (firm in places in the going description). Medic went on to finish 3rd in that race, but his form previously wouldn't match that of Jolly Rock's, suggesting the former would have been involved in the finish if he had completed. Citizen’s Arrest was pulled up in the same race, and was last of five to complete at Larkhill on Saturday (held by Briery Star on that form).  What A Laugh made an impressive English pointing winning debut when scoring at Chaddesley Corbett in between Christmas and the New Year.  He scored easily, and in a very respectable time. He was placed over hurdles in Ireland.  Dusshera completed a hat-trick last season, and ran a good third on her seasonal debut at Chaddesley. The time of that race gives her a bit to find with What A Laugh, and her best form has been achieved with some cut in the ground.  Cheyanwe is a winner of two Irish points (one on Good To Firm going), and is from a successful local yard, and deserves plenty of respect.  He looks the pick of the David Kemp trained pair.  Stablemate Halcyon Times is consistent at a modest level, but will need this to cut up if he's going to score.  Possible South-East raider, Forgotten Symphony won his only start at Detling last season, but the ground was soft that day, and he may not be risked on the faster surface he will encounter here.  Batalov is consistent, and although his two victories last season were achieved elsewhere, he has run well on this course before.  Mill Five Acre beat a stablemate of Batalov, who was a subsequent winner on an easy surface at Marks Tey last year, he failed to reproduce that run afterwards, and conditions on Sunday will probably be too quick for him.  Thenford Ryde is a safe conveyance, but needs to up his game to take this, and has the Novice Riders' event as an alternative.

Selection: What A Laugh                                   Alternative: Briery Star

1.45pm Ladies Open – 11 entries

The surprise entry here is the classy Horner Woods.  Previously trained by Jessica Harrington to finish 2nd behind Cooldine in the RSA chase back in 2009 he picked up an injury a few months later and had a year off.  He then moved to Nicky Henderson’s yard but didn’t shown much in his two races for him and then unfortunately suffered another injury and has had another year off.  He clearly had plenty of ability in the past but it remains to be seen how much of this remains.  The ex-Oliver Sherwood Mount Sandel seemingly felt no ill effects from his fall at Barbury in December when following up a week later with a win over Armoury House  in the Ladies’ at Tweseldown. It would be interesting to see how he performs against William and Angela Rucker’s Sagalyrique who ran in both the Racing Post Chase and Topham Chase in 2011 whilst trained by Donald McCain.  He was well-beaten by Billyvoddan at Chaddesley just after Christmas but that’s no disgrace and he should come on for the run.  He has better recent rules form than Mount Sandel and would be our pick.  The Hairy Lemon is probably the best of the others.  He nearly sprung a surprise on his Pointing debut in a Men’s at Horseheath last season and put in a couple of decent runs in Confineds but always seems to just fail to deliver.  Jumbul Sale is returning from a year off but previously showed ability.  Ski Dazzle can occasionally spring a surprise.  The others would have chances if the race cuts up.  Horner Woods could take this if anywhere near back to his best but he would be a risky gamble.

Selection: Sagalyrique                               Alternative: Mount Sandel

2.20pm Mens Open – 13 entries

A small, but select list of entries for the men’s open, the several of whom have risen through the pointing ranks.

Divine Intavention and Ballyeightra Cross met last season in the Red Mills Intermediate Hunter Chase at Cheltenham.  Both prominent in the betting, Ballyeightra Cross jumped the last upsides the first two, but weakened on the run-in to finish third, whilst Divine Intavention unseated his rider following earlier mistakes.  Ballyeightra Cross won an intermediate and Mens Open prior to Cheltenham, whilst Divine Intavention won the intermediate at this meeting last year in addition to a restricted at Cottenham, a Men’s Open at Andoversford, and ended the season with a Hunter Chase victory at Market Rasen.  This season Divine Intavention has already run twice, winning the Mixed Open at Black Forest Lodge on the opening day, and followed this with a second at Tweseldown to Lorikarad.

Current Exchange won all four of his starts last season, commencing with a Restricted win at Whitwick Manor, followed by a victory in the Intermediate at Bangor, a Confined win at Whittington and finished with a Men’s Open win at Aspatria.  Start Royal, a regular in East Anglia at Higham and Cottenham, won five races last season, although the last two were only 3 and 2 runner affairs.  His first outing this season resulted in a 4th behind Offshore Account at Barbury Castle.  A staying track like Ampton may not suit his style of running, but it is not likely to be too testing with no rain forecast.  Sarahs Gift, a stable companion of Start Royal has been running under rules and has won several races on sharp undulating courses, although all were left-handed.  Last season he was successful at Plumpton and Fakenham (second consecutive year) in handicap chases between 2 ¾ miles and 3 ¼ miles.  East Anglian stalwart Caveman could have his seasonal debut in this race.  Last season he passed the post in first place on three occasions, although one of these was a walkover.  One of his defeats was in the men’s open at Fakenham, to Star Double, who had an uncontested lead which he never lost.  Of the remainder, Dead or Alive was last seen finishing 8th in the Aintree Foxhunter, whilst Lysander’s last visit to the racecourse was a 6th place behind Ballabriggs in the 2010 running of the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.  During that season he also finished a close 3rd to Diamond Harry in a fixed brush hurdle handicap at Haydock.  The Ferbane Man, formerly with Tim Vaughan was the winner of three chases and a hurdle the most recent under the guidance of AP McCoy at Wincanton last April.  That’s Rhythm fell at the first fence in this year’s Grand National when trained by Martin Todhunter.   Previously the winner of three hurdle races and three chases his best recent run was just over 12 months ago when only 14 ½ lengths behind Nacarat in the Charlie Hall chase at Wetherby.

Selection: Ballyeightra Cross                Alternative: Current Exchange

2.55pm Restricted – 21 entries

Another excellent 20+ entry.  Amongst Friends won the Bangor Maiden by 5L in May 2011 but has fallen since. Argentato has firm ground form when 2L 2nd to Finnish Melody in the March 2011 Cottenham Restricted in a fast sub 6 min. time – winning a Maiden at Marks Tey in early March on soft ground beating Katepost and Inspired Forever both who went onto win Maidens in April at Marks Tey and Catsfield respectively, but p.u. at the 10th on his last run in the May Dingley Restricted and again a weakening p.u. in the December Cottenham Restricted under Bridget Andrews – at the same meeting Oscar the Myth beat the (running v. wide on the final bend) favourite Macklin by 5l and should progress although Ampton will prove a tougher test.  Caged Tiger may go for the older horse Conditions race and comes off a p.u. following two 2nds at High Easter and Brafield in 2011 but will be favoured by the ground.  Dancing Dawn has no real form but worth a mention as from the in-form Ferguson yard.   Nobby Kivambo and Rich Live both won divisions of the December Whitfield Maiden with the latter running and staying on well, but in a time 8sec. slower. Lady Ann Lewis p.u. and Laverty 6th also ran in the Restricted at Whitfield and will have come on for the run.  Good Man Jack ran 2nd to Jacalou by 1.5L in the March Tweseldown Restricted but will probably find this company a little tough.  Master Workman from the Kemp stable comes with a Maiden win in Ireland but may need the run before progressing.  San Jose beat Argentato in the Open Maiden at Northaw in 2010 but was not seen in 2011.  Ted Gunther 3L 2nd to Doctor Kingsley (won Intermediate at Whitfield in December) in the Dingley Restricted last May and could well be in the frame.  Tobougg Welcome 2L 2nd to Sartori Strike in the April Godstone Restricted is another who will progress from the run -  Louisthenineteenth  p.u. in the same race but came 2nd by a neck to Man from Moscow in the Intermediate at Penshurst later in April so will have every chance.

Selection: Rich Live                              Alternative: Louisthenineteenth

3.30pm PPORA Club Members Conditions (Novice Riders)

Ballygalley Bob won at this meeting last season getting the all conquering Fryer stable of to a great start however there could be a couple to find him out although this track is definitely designed to bring out his best points and the uphill finish plays into his hands.   Pat Smith got off the mark in fine form at Cottenham last month on Flowersoftherarest but Ampton is a quirky course and this one might just get found out here if the race does not go his way.  One to catch the eye in “Flowers” race was Latalanta.  If running, following this one would be a real punt but stranger things have happened between the flags and if reproducing the Cottenham run may well trouble the judge.  The Saunders family have a couple of runners in the race and as both Lucy and George have now had a season under their belts they will perhaps be better prepared for the rigmarole of race riding.  The Hairy Lemon is the better of the two horses and could make a bold show.  However we feel that the likely winner will come from the highly successful Hill yard with Sarah’s Gift likely to start as a hot favourite.  Last win under rules was only back in April 2010 and in the capable hands of Joe Hill looks a pretty nailed on winner.  Sadly there will be no value here so your scribe may well go for a bit of a dabble on Latalanta each way.

Selection: Sarah’s Gift                              Alternative/Mug’s Money! – E/W Latalanta

Enjoy some great racing