THE Harkaway Point-to-Point received a total of 155 registrations for its seven-race program ahead of the Chaddesley Corbett game next Tuesday, December 28th.
The number of registrations and runners has improved for every meeting in the last few weeks and the Harkaway Point-to-Point has continued the trend, although the Restricted with 25 registrations and a safety factor of 16 is threatened with splitting.
However, the organizers of the game next Tuesday in Chaddesley Corbett are eagerly awaiting to respond to the results of government deliberations in the next phase of their fight against Covid.
This meeting is hosting the first of nine women’s races to commemorate the life of the popular amateur jockey Lorna Brook, who tragically died in a riding accident in Taunton last spring and culminates in a final there on June 2nd.
A worthy tribute to Brooke, this event has drawn a contestant who should offer a race of the highest quality, with 15 of the 26 contestants having a rating of over 100.
Interestingly, Ballykan, who has shown consistent form between the flags, will struggle to prevail, while Hawkhurst, who has already taken three wins this season, is unlikely to improve that record.
Maitree Express and Silsol also fall into the “Fight” category when they compete against Dubai Quest, Red Indian, Tango de Juilley, Samtegal and The Dellercheckout.
The former has won its last five races and is ridden by regular partner Gina Andrews, while Red Indian won two races impressively before finishing the field at the Cheltenham Foxhunters.
Samtegal has a useful form according to the rules for Paul Nicholls, but has to meet in the deller checkout against Flora Guy, who is ridden Tango de Juilley, and Immy Robinson. The former put in a spectacular performance in spreading a large field at Ffos Las but that tactic will be successful in this company.
The Dellercheckout beat a useful yardstick at Miss Seagreen in Knightwick and is the optimistic choice in a difficult to predict competition.
The Men’s Open also attracted a high profile contestant, including last year’s Cheltenham hero Porlock Bay, and it will need a useful horse to lower its colors, but one that is capable of doing so is last year’s Dudley Cup- Winner Premier Magic, although the Formbook says this needs significant improvement.
Phil Rowley was able to saddle the Irish import Complete Sizing in a baptism of fire, while his stable mate Salvatore in Cheltenham was beaten by Porlock Bay and extensively beaten by cousin Pascal in Revesby Park on his season debut.
Trio for Rio and Tommie O’Brien showed their rivals clean heels recently in Knightwick and must step up those efforts to make a name for themselves in the company.
Cheshire trainer Joe O’Shea has a strong hand in the 2-1 / 2 mile Restricted, which opens the procedure at 10-30am, with Alfoski, Envious Editor and Willywonga all potential runners.
Alfoski was the formidable winner of a Revesby Park Maiden earlier this season and is more than capable of winning a race of its kind because of that feat, while Envious Editor may have stamina problems so this course can help.
Willywonga kept getting better and better over the course of last season and with one more improvement expected, the scales could tip in his favor. Fier Jaguen, Latenightfumble and Goldenbrave risk their reputation against O’Shea’s selection.
Four- and five-year maiden races have generated a lot of interest so far this year, but are potential minefields for players who need to rely on the market for guidance. Those with limited experience include Fabstroke, Stellar Stream, and Theultimatepackage, while Tom Ellis pits newbies, Elkevenrift and I’mnottalkintoyou pits Phil Rowley’s Galassian.
Bradley Gibbs teams up with Not Bad Are You, while Don Constable hopes to unleash another Ahoy Senor with Yes and Yes.
The Veteran Conditions Races are also proving to be hugely popular and based on recent form, Virak, trained by Sam Loxton, should be a close favorite. Gabriel the Great and Golden Tobouggan will make sure he doesn’t have everything his own way, cases for Mr. Love, Mr. Snuffles and Optimized, but No Limitations gets the vote.
Virak also has an entry in the PPORA Club Members but would have to admit weight to most of his rivals, as does Fifty Shades, who has to bear a 10 pound penalty.
Doc Carver owes one course success and that’s one point in his favor while the rest is a great deal.
On the days that close the race, Felicie Du Maquis, Clive Boultbee Broooks runner in the 3-Mile Maidn, starts the race in good form. His two runs resulted in two second places and both times he was unlucky to meet a superior opponent.
Interesting to see how he fares now that connections have now raised him to 3 miles, but this is a chance well worth going against Francesco du Clos, Pyleight Court and Shamilan.
The first race starts at 10.30 a.m. and DY10 4QT is the zip code that must be entered for navigation devices.