DUNSTON HARRIERS HUNT MEETING – AMPTON 15^th JANUARY 2006

Advanced Going: Good to Firm

Key:

Red – first choice selection.

Green – selection if first choice doesn’t run.

92 horses entered here for the seven race card and to be fair it is not exactly an exciting entry. Good to see the Kemps are entering again but lack of entries from East Anglia does create a few worries and one wonders how many will be entered come April. Still, let’s not worry too much, in general most things turn out better than expected and if you are involved with racing or simply a spectator you have to be an optimist. The forecast for the weekend is particularly encouraging and even if it’s a bit cold you can put on enough clothing to keep the chill out. It would seem that we are unlikely to get disappointing fields of only three runners like last week so let’s hope for the best and a good days racing. Here are our comments for this week.

11.30am.Confined - 14 entries

Cantarinho failed to live up to the hype last season, but gets into this race un-penalised and should get back on the winning trail. Most of the other entries have alternatives at the meeting and may prefer to take those options. It’s hard to pick between the others, the majority of who are now well into the veteran stage. Fair Exchange has a good record here but time looks to have caught up with him now, his win at Northaw was in a poor contest. Homme de Fer is a game old-timer who is nearly always in the money but will surely struggle to contain Cantarinho. McAttack returned from a lengthy absence to score in Restricted here last season, he likes goodish ground. Colonel Conca arrived in East Anglia with a big reputation after a good season in the northern area in 2003, but was very disappointing in his two outings locally in 2004 and missed last year completely. Royal Action and Paul Chinery have enjoyed a good number of wins over the years, but the old fella (we mean the horse) missed last season and is best watched today. Good Vintage is a most unlikely runner.

Selection: Cantarinho (McAttack)

12.05pm. Open Maiden - 23 entries

Absolutely Barking was placed second twice in the north last season, beaten ½ length in the first and a short head next time out and should go well in this. Alfie Moon was consistently placed last year, he may eventually win a race but it will probably not be this one. Combe Castle is a very lightly raced 11 year old whose only form was a 2 ½ length second in a heavy ground hurdle two years ago. Fair Promise was placed on his last three starts last season and a place is about the best he can expect here. Maestro Please has moderate form under rules including a 5 ½ length third in a Wetherby hurdle, he could still be improving and is one for the shortlist. Punta Cana has been running in Irish hurdles, the best of his runs was a 5 length 4^th in a three mile maiden hurdle on fast ground, he may run well at a decent price. Selfcertified’s best effort is a well beaten 3^rd, however, he is only lightly raced and may be capable of improvement

Selection: Maestro Please (Absolutely Barking)

12.40pm. Intermediate - 11 entries.

This could be an absolute cracker, with some really promising young pointers entered. However, some have alternatives at Barbury Castle and ground conditions will play a big role in who we see. Rebel Army is a real good staying prospect, had two wins last year, including one over the very long course at Flagg Moor (no mean feat for a six year old]. Has only run on soft ground so far, unlikely to be like that this weekend. Judge Reilly had every chance when unseating 5 out in Rebel Army’s Flagg race. He slogged through the mud to win at Northaw later in 2005. Honourable Spider won two races on softish ground at Aldington last season and was a close 2^nd in his other start. Hi Up Brinkley managed 3 victories last year, all on ground close to good and may prove the one most suited to conditions this weekend. Tartar Sabre has a consistent record in this area and although has a bit to find on the formbook his ability to handle fastish ground gives each-way prospects. Tupgill Turbo has been placed on the flat over here before going over the Irish Sea to win 2 points last spring (one only had 2 runners], also placed in a novice in Ireland, he could make his presence felt.

Selection: Rebel Army (Hi Up Brinkley)

1.15 pm. Ladies Open - 10 entries

A Few Bob Back has won six times under rules and was rated 123 over hurdles, he won twice last season including a novice chase, so clearly retains ability and if fit could run well. Dick McCarthy is consistent in his points but at 14 is probably on the downgrade. Fair Exchange is not the force of old, but he could still run into a place if he is on a going day. Unusually this is the only meeting that Little Brown Bear is entered at and it would be no great surprise if he turns up and will be the likely favourite having won two of his four starts last year. Millenium Way was rejuvenated by the change of yard last year winning five points and a Hunter Chase and will surely be involved in the finish. Parsonhumfrywebber did well to win twice last year, however he takes a lot of getting fit and it would be a surprise to see him involved in the finish first time out. Spring Gale has an admirable record in points but at fifteen it is difficult to see him beating the best of these.

Selection; Little Brown Bear (Millenium Way)

1.45 pm. Mens Open - 14 entries

Rather like the Intermediate this race revolves around whether connections of the better horses are prepared to run them on ground which is likely to be faster than they have shown their best form on. Swincombe is easily the form pick here. His easily beat Denvale at Marks Tey last year but after a good 2^nd in a Leicester Hunter Chase he suffered a crashing fall at Towcester. He did not reappear after that, but hopefully his confidence has not been affected. Madmidge has proved a prolific winner in East Anglia since joining the Kemp’s stable. Has won on firmish and softish ground and over this course so looks sure to be in the shake up. My Best Buddy, like Swincombe, is ideally suited by some cut in the ground. Has won 4 points in his career but also a beaten favourite on 7 occasions shows that punters are usually better off looking for some value elsewhere. Private Pete was a decent soft ground performer in the past and has won at Ampton but looked to be past his best on the evidence of his two outings last year. Gatchou Mans won an Open at Fakenham last year (when Madmidge unseated) but has had a rear view of that rival on many occasions.

Selection: Swincombe (Madmidge)

2.20 pm. Restricted - 14 entries

Jane Williams launched many a successful raid into this area last season but we have yet to see her in this new campaign. Her entry here is Sweet Citizen who was a good 2^nd in a Welbeck Restricted on his only run last year (Hi Up Brinkley was 3^rd). This looks the best form on offer but it should be noted that this horse’s record is of just one victory in 25 starts. Pampered Lad won his maiden at High Easter and was placed in this class afterwards. He should find an opening in a Restricted this year and will enjoy the uphill finish here. Cosmic Sky really deserved his win last year as lady luck failed to smile on him on more than one occasion, on a line through Alfie Moon he has the beating of Pampered Lad. The locally trained John The Mole is an out an out stayer but will probably need the run. Kalypso de Laugere is a consistent sort who should make the frame. Hilltop Harry won an Irish Maiden in 2002, but has failed to show much under rules in this country. However, this lightly raced sort is in a good yard and is worth a look in the paddock. Lisronagh Cross won on his Irish debut but was well beaten in better company since.

Selection: Sweet Citizen (Kalypso de Laugere)

2.55pm. PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) - 12 Entries.

Tribal Run beat the useful Minella Silver at Towcester last year, form that puts him way above his rivals, needs the soft and unlikely to get that here. This is a real old boys reunion with most of the entries lights of former days. Homme De Fer would have more hope in this than the Confined. Garrison Friendly is a past winner of this race but missed last year. Maltby Son hasn’t won since 2000 but did manage a 2^nd at Lockinge in 2005. Croft Court is a good ride for a novice but last won in 2001. Village Copper has shown a liking for Ampton in the past and will benefit from his run at Cottenham. Runningwiththemoon won at this meeting last year and won twice more afterwards, likes fast ground and sure to have plenty of supporters.

Selection: Tribal Run (Runningwiththemoon)

Have a good days racing!