08 April 2009 Preview: Bedale - Hornby Castle
The Bedale Hunt hold their Point-to-Point on Saturday and have received some good entries. With a six-race card resulting in 128 entries, and both the Restricted and Open Maiden been large fields, divisions may be possible.
The first race is the Confined; Abandon Ship was a good third recently and recent Mordon winner High Moor has place claims, whilst Master Wolfe and Scrappie have been in good winning form and will be a threat. Like them, Jabo has now won his last two races, however the dark horse looks to be Father Murtagh, unbeaten in Irish Points and once second in a Punchestown Hunter Chase. He could be the class horse but does have to overcome a long lay-off.
In the Hunt Members, Buckshaw has shown some good efforts in Maidens lately and Texas Ranger could win easily on some of his past form but does not look the force of old. Nina Chester has shown she has the ability to win a race, whilst Elusive Swallow has the best form but is struggling to get his head in front. It looks between Monte Cristo and Deja Vu, the latter having looked to have the beating of Monte Cristo until unseating two out recently.
The Restricted race has a vast amount of entries; Accordion Roilelet will be expected to run well, Aldea was a close second lately and can go close, and Muller has some interesting form and could have a say. Once Before may need soft ground but is certainly interesting, Persian Prince was a shade disappointing lately, whilst Phenix Jack could be the best if recovering from his last run. However Its Teescomponents and Colm McCormack were impressive at Mordon and can follow up here.
The Ladies Open looks a strong event. Blandings Castle is going from strength to strength this season for Pip Tutty. Lutin Du Moulin finally got off the mark in Point-to-Points at Mordon, Cadoulitique looks to have each way claims, whilst Well Presented could give the Masons another good run; however, Sea Scout has only found the immensely talented Minouchka too good in his career and there is nothing of that caliber here.
The Mens Open looks as though it will go the way of Cherry Coward. Lou Du Moulin Mas, Le Passing and Holy Joe all have flaws and will have to settle for places at best. Archie Babes looks useful but lacks stamina, whilst Ask Bobby looks a glimmer of his former self. Unjust Law should take this with ease as he has done with most of his wins this season.
The Open Maiden ends the day with 36 entries. And Me made a promising return lately and will come on for that, Apollo Saturn Five looks to have place claims, Brother Mark and Buckshaw could continue to progress, Miss Sunflower was a good second last time out, and Overjoyed looks the big danger when running a creditable third at Mordon. However Glad Star, who never runs a bad race, may have benefited from a break and can win this for the Clark team.
