FITZWILLIAM HUNT MEETING – COTTENHAM - Sunday 14th March 2010

Advanced Going: Good to firm

1.00 p.m. Hunt Members –7 entries

The Hunt Members at Cottenham kicks us off at 1pm, only 7 are entered. Bobbies Ryde ran well when 2^nd in Mens Open at Dingley at the end of last season where he runs his best races and will appreciate the ground. Boscall Hill and Find the Way both fell last time out and will struggle in this race. Moisyr Anshan form looks poor but did run OK when 4^th in a Maiden in Ireland. O Ellie ran quite well when 2^nd in a Maiden at Ampton last week but we had three horses that were brought down or fell at the 4^th last and that form probably is weak. Running Attraction's form is not good enough to be fancied in this. Wicked Nice Fella won this race last year beating Bobbies Ryde by half a length. We expect this race will also finish with those two first and second should they run.

Selection: Bobbies Ryde (Wicked Nice Fella)

1.30 p.m. Red Mills Intermediate –8 entries

A very poor entry of only eight (how many will declare?). Lotta Presents is the horse to watch but he fell at the 1^st last time out in the Intermediate here in early Feb; this followed a commanding win in the Restricted at Higham in Jan – made a mistake here at the last so jumping could be an issue. Goscar Rock could be in the frame - took the Restricted here in February beating Captain Marshall easily but was a weakening 6^th at Horseheath last time out. Foulstons Ruler won the older Maiden at the Cottenham meeting in February by 15 lengths and has followed that with a Restricted win at Higham last Saturday (so may not run this week). Gentleman Anshan, rated a star in Mackenzie, and a promising 6yr. old had an easy 6 length win in a Cottenham Restricted; this followed a 25 length short Maiden win at the same track last season - not seen again that season – was the ground too firm, could be this weekend?

Selection: Lotta Presents (Gentleman Anshan))

2.15 p.m. Mens Open– 14entries

The entry conditions for the Men’s Open penalise the winners of a Steeplechase or Hurdle race under Rules including Hunter Chases since June 2007 or two or more Men’s or Mixed Opens since July 2007. Of those entered, Coat of Honour, Bonne Noel’s and Took My Eye have each won a Hunter Chase and will therefore carry a 7lb penalty, as will Keepthedreamalive who won a 2½ mile Novice Chase in March 08, and Basic Fact who won a 2m 5f Handicap Chase in December 07. Coat of Honour finished 2^nd, a neck behind Caveman on his debut last year, then won a Hunter Chase and finished 2^nd in another at Fakenham; his first run this year was in a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon where he finished 4^th to Accumulus. Bonne Noel’s won a Ladies Open at Higham, Men’s Open at Brafield and then a Hunter Chase at Fakenham, but so far this year has failed to show any glimpse of that form. Took My Eye won a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon last season in addition to a Men’s Open at Higham; he showed improved form on the quicker ground at Higham last week, where he held off the challenge of The Accordion Man to win the Men’s Open. The yard of Alan Hill is represented by course winners More Trouble and Start Royal. Both won their Maidens on this course in December 08 and have continued to progress. More Trouble won a further five races last season, all at Kingston Blount, which included a Men’s Open. Start Royal remains unbeaten between the flags, winning twice last season, and twice this season, the latest being an Intermediate at Higham in January' however, with More Trouble also being entered at Kingston Blount and Start Royal in a Hunter Chase we may not see either. Mic Aubin also won an Intermediate on his latest outing; this was at Cottenham’s last meeting where he beat Maire de Beaulieu. Basic Fact has yet to run this season; on the evidence of his form from last season, PPP22221, he is likely to be at his best later in the season.

Selection: Start Royal (Coat of Honour)

2.50 p.m. Ladies Open –14 entries

If either of the Rucker’s horses runs they’re likely to go off favourite. Honest Endeavour won four Ladies’ last season and finished a close 2^nd behind Carryonharry at Godstone last month. Petit Lord has developed a case of seconditis having finished in that position in each of his last three runs: twice behind Big Moment here and once behind Mid Div and Creep at Horseheath; his Horseheath run impressed and he finished well ahead of King Du Berlais. King Du Berlais’ pointing wins have come at stayer’s tracks but he ran well here behind Scotland Yard and Bell Rock last season and would have a chance if reproducing that form. Bell Rock has won here four times but his last victory was two years ago; his form last season and this has been disappointing though a 2½ length 2^nd to Scotland Yard at this meeting last year was a notable exception; he has a chance if back to that form. Inaro has decent Hunter Chase and Rules form but was well-beaten by Scotland Yard at Higham last weekend; that was his first race since falling here in December and he should come on for the run. Breeze to the Top won a Confined at Guilsborough last season but hasn’t been seen since December when well beaten here by Big Moment. Spinaround was 3^rd behind Olival here last month and has place chances. Desert Secrets won two chases at Leicester but his Rules form has tailed off recently. Five Seven Live had a memorable series of battles with Home by Midnight in 2008 but neither he, Scotmail Too or Fantastic Champion have been seen this season and will probably find others too good. Leatherback was well behind when running out at Ampton last weekend.

Selection: Honest Endeavour/Petit Lord (King Du Berlais)

3.25 p.m. Restricted – 13 entries

Of the thirteen entries, only two have previously been placed in this class. The first to have seen action in this class is nine year old Freddie Ed, who lost first place to Our Whiz by just a neck in the Restricted at Bangor in May 2009; this was following another close 2^nd place in the Ladies Restricted race at Cold Harbour, where he finished just ¾ of a length behind the winner' however, he has not been placed this season. The other entry with Restricted level experience is Edward Stanner trained Premier Buck, who finished just ½ length behind Fresh Fruit at Horseheath in January; following that performance, the eight year old’s form dropped slightly with a 3^rd place at Godstone, despite starting off as favourite. Both horses are likely to do well. With the exception of Ghonny Withthebowe and Saddlers Melody, the remaining entries are all Maiden winners, four of which have moved up this season and are lacking experience between the flags. The Quinlan family owned, ridden and trained Belavard has had one start and one win between the flags together at North Carlton last month. After finishing 3^rd in the 2.5 mile Maiden at Cottenham last month, Coral Point travelled to Barbury to win a similar 2½ mile Maiden. Nothingtoloose is a winner of the 2½ mile Maiden at Cottenham from last season, where he was followed by 3 lengths Pocket Park. Pocket Park went on the win the same race last month on this course by 3 lengths.

Selection: Premier Buck (Freddie Ed)

4.00. p.m. Open Maiden 8yo+ –16 entries

Sadly the very title of the race says it all – this is for horses that have never won and are over 8 years old. Now there may be some very good reasons why this is the case but by and large the horses are of a fairly mediocre standard. Jonlahy a former Irish pointer has run quite encouragingly on a couple of occasions this season and with two 2^nds under his belt in similar quality races a place at the very least is assured. The ever present Castleconner Lad deserves a win on the very basis of “try and try again” but sadly in every race in which he has already taken part there has been one or two better horses – perhaps this will be his race. The Iron Giant shaped reasonably well on his first run for new trainer David Kemp but was behind Castleconner Lad and it would be a surprise if the placings were reversed. Boscall Hill ran his most encouraging race at Ampton last week until being brought down by the unfortunate Flytomoscow; jockey Phillip Slane was carted off in the ambulance so perhaps it is too much to expect the pair to come back so soon. Slane has another entry in Find the Way but sadly this one remains lost and seems unlikely ever to find the way to the finishing line. In summary this is a poor race and if fit, Jonlahy should fulfil his earlier promise followed home by Castleconner Lad.

Selection: Jonlahy(Castleconner Lad)

4.35. p.m. Open Maiden 4, 5, 6&7yo – 23 entries

An entry of 30 for the final 2½ mile Maiden contest in the area and with the safety factor being 16, a split on the days looks an odds on possibility. Argentato is top rated on the strength of his runs in Ladies Opens despite still being a maiden. He unseated his rider in the shambolic start to the Ladies last Sunday, doubtful if he‘ll run here as he returned with a cut leg from Ampton. Victor Grumps was 5^th on his seasonal reappearance at North Carlton when beaten just over 19 lengths by Byways Boy; last season he was placed 2^nd on his final run when going down to Ocean Fou at Garthorpe by 10 lengths. Amatara was well beaten when running on the flat for Brendan Powell, but finished 2^nd on her pointing debut at Barbury Castle last month when beaten 15 lengths by Coral Point in a short Maiden; being a 4 year old filly she will be getting a lot of weight from some of her rivals today and must enter calculations. Personal Flair was 2^nd in a match for his Members beaten 6 lengths by Dan Kahtan at Marks Tey last month; he was pulled up at Horseheath on his next appearance. Lord Brownlow was 3^rd last season on final run at Charing when beaten just over 15 lengths behind Prince Rodney; he appears to have stamina limitations even over these shortened trips. Red in Bed was placed 4 times from 6 appearances last season; she was 3^rd at Higham to Three Chords in January, but beaten 40 lengths, then finished 5^th beaten 28½ lengths behind Bynack Mhor at Marks Tey in a quickly run race; a place is a strong possibility here. Solana was placed 2^nd to Mid Div and Creep beaten 10 lengths in a Mare's Maiden at Horseheath in February 08, however, she took a heavy fall on her final appearance last year at Guilsborough in April and is probably best watched. Don Cantillon has two unraced 4 year olds entered, Elegant Touch and Jump Up and anything from his yard is always worthy of a look in the betting market and the trainer was successful in one of these heats in December with Inner Steel. Alex Embiricos successful trainer of the Maiden winner at Higham last Saturday has two entered who've both just had one run in a bumper, Time War and Knowsall; of the pair Knowsall has the better form.

Selection: Amatara (Whichever Don Cantillon runs)

Enjoy some great racing