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The East Anglian Pub Team are praying that the cold weather doesn't hit Marks Tey tomorrow, as they have some interesting selections for the East Essex Point-to-Point.

12.00 noon. Hunts Members - 2 entries
Selection: Dan Kahtan (Personal Flair)

12.35 p.m. Open Maiden- 43 entries
A motley bunch has been assembled for this race and with a safety factor of 18 and 43 entries there is a strong possibility of a split. Bynack Mhor was second at Cottenham behind Goscar Rock beaten a distance. That winner looks useful and as Bynack Mhor hails from Alan Hill's yard he must be one for the notebook; his form under Rules however was nothing inspiring, but the same could be said of their winner last week Mad Jack Duncan. Salsero was fourth last week at Cottenham beaten 28 lengths behind Pocket Park; he'd been placed 3 times under Rules when trained by Lucy Wadham including a second at Plumpton in December 08. Ringa Bay finished second in his only start in an Irish point; he was sent off favourite at Whitfield last week, but got no further than the 8th fence when falling, if not marked by that experience and making a quick reappearance he must be one for the shortlist.

Tabloid, formerly owned by Lord Daresbury, pulled up at Higham in January for his new connections, but was previously placed second at Whitwell. However he has failed to complete in his last 4 races. Orient Legend was placed in all his 4 outings last season and must be strongly considered in this contest; he was second here in February 09 beaten 3 lengths behind Olympe De Farges, and again filled the runner's up berth at Dingley in April 09: he returned with an injury that day but now fully recovered he should go well here. Marine Gunner was placed twice from 3 outings last season and was second at Detling on his final appearance in March 09. Coleraine was second on his pointing debut at Horseheath in January 09 beaten a head by The Single Player, however, his form tailed off after that run and he was disappointing in his two subsequent efforts.

Caged Tiger was placed third 3 times from 5 starts last season but isn't the most resolute of battlers. Silver Tenor was second at this course in March 08 beaten 3 lengths behind Call Me Alfie, however, he missed last season. Mister Tibus was second to Craven at Taunton beaten ½ a length in March 07 when trained by Jonathan Geake, but his other form is very moderate and he has failed to complete on his last two outings under rules. Massapoag was placed third beaten 9½ lengths behind Le Platino in a Catterick Bumper when trained by Malcolm Jefferson in December 07, but hasn't run since April 08. Batalov has been placed six times in 15 Irish pointing starts; he's been second twice including at Kinsale in May last year. Quite a difficult race to call and with the prospect of a split, even more so.
Selection: Bynack Mhor (Orient Legend)

1.10 p.m. Confined - 22 entries
The Tory Hayter-trained Ballynonty has been in action this season with a second place in the Intermediate at Higham last month. The nine year old has winning experience on the Marks Tey course as it was here in April that he beat Jack Ford in the Restricted by five lengths. After fifty starts between the flags, Find Me Another also has winning experience on the course; back in March 2008 the veteran took the Ladies Open here after a win in similar company the previous month at Ampton. Despite the time that has passed since these performances, the fourteen year old has been racing this season and has managed a second place in the Club Members race at Horseheath a fortnight ago.

The Robert Abrey-trained Forget The Ref has proven ability after winning this race last year, six lengths ahead of Sha Bihan, and also the Confined here at the April Meet the prior season. The nine year old won the Intermediate at High Easter in March 2008, ahead of third place Jilted Lover, and so far this season has managed a first (PPORA Club Members) and second (Mens Open) on the Cottenham course.

The Pipers Son finished 12 lengths ahead of Forget the Ref in the 3m6f High Easter Members race as joint favourite in April 09. After the vast distance, the 5-2 Joint favorite was just two lengths behind winner Teeton Bollenger. A close encounter with another entrant was also had in the Confined at Brockelesby Park, where The Fairhill Boy finished just two lengths behind. The eight year old has been placed seven times from nine starts between the flags, however is yet to see action this season.
Selection: The Pipers Son (Forget the Ref)

1.45 p.m. Mens Open - 21 entries
The entries are headed by Bon Accord, the runner-up in the 2008 Cheltenham Foxhunters, when beaten 6 lengths by Amicelli. Unfortunately he has only run once since that fantastic performance, when he was pulled-up on his return to Cheltenham a month later. Another two of the entries have run in the Cheltenham Foxhunter. Last year both Chilling Place and Marblehead took part, but both were outclassed. Chilling Place finished seventh, whilst Marblehead was well behind when falling at the third last. Prior to this run, Chilling Place won two Opens, one of these being at Higham. He finished his season with a second place in another Hunter Chase at Cheltenham. Marblehead did not fare so well in 2009 and failed to attain the same level of performance achieved in 2008, when winning four races including a Hunter Chase at Exeter.

Caveman, the winner of this race last year, has yet to hit peak form, although his last run at Higham when third to Star Double was a vast improvement on his seasonal reappearance at Cottenham. From the same stable, Go North also holds an entry. His performances improved throughout last year, and he holds a 2 to 1 advantage over Where's My Baby. However Go North ran at Detling last week and was pulled up. Where's My Baby has yet to finish outside the first two in Points, and only just failed to peg back Start Royal at Cottenham when conceding weight. The Accordian Man had his first run of the season at Higham, finishing second to Blue Hills, conceding 8lbs to the winner.

The Club Members race at Higham provided a win for Itsallupintheair, who also won on this course last year. However his victory at Higham was fortuitous, since Henry's Pride, with the race at his mercy, fell three out. Big Rob, a fair performer under rules when trained by Brendan Powell, often is let down by his jumping. Five year old Art Trend has previously been in the care of top trainers Peter Chapple-Hyam (won a mile and half maiden) and Paul Nicholls (won two mile one furlong maiden hurdle).Neither of last week's selections turned up at Cottenham, but they both won elsewhere. With some of these holding multiple entries providing selections is fraught with the danger of non appearance.
Selection: Bon Accord (Marblehead)

2.20 p.m. Ladies Open - 20 entries
A good entry but at the time of writing there was a lot of uncertainty about the going and several horses have entries elsewhere so the race may cut up. Mad Victor loves soft ground but hasn't been seen for a year. If the ground is right and he's back to his best then he has a great chance. Go North would have been our second selection but he pulled up at Detling last weekend and usually runs in Mens races. We doubt he will take part; in which case, the main threat should come from Delightful Cliche who ran consistently well last season. Although lacking in pace when compared to the best Ladies horses, he stays and must have an excellent chance.

Mid Div And Creep won easily at Horseheath two weeks ago, is fit, and could exploit any weaknesses in the others. Inaro performs best on good going or faster so this is unlikely to suit him. King Du Berlais finished 12l behind Mid Div And Creep at Horseheath but should come on for that run. Marblehead fell in the Foxhunters last season and disappointed afterwards; on his best form he should certainly be in the frame. Petit Lord placed second twice behind Big Moment at Cottenham this season but tends to lose out in a close finish. He has multiple entries this weekend.

Public Esteem won a weak Ladies' at Garthorpe last season on good-firm. Spring Lover won four chases with Venetia Williams; his form tailed off last season but it will be interesting to see how he goes for his new yard. Badger, Find Me Another, Full Irish and Unmistakably didn't impress in their runs this season but may have come on. Bedtime Boys goes well fresh but wasn't at his best last season
Selections: Mad Victor (Delightful Cliche)

2.55 p.m. Connelly's Red Mills Intermediate - 20 entries
Ballynonty although entered elsewhere would probably choose to run locally and following an uncompetitive second to the progressive Start Royal in a Higham Intermediate in January. Entries who have run this season are Thenford Ryde who finished second at the weather affected Open at Horseheath. This form can probably be discounted but his poor run in the Larkhill Open in January is certainly more indicative. The 6yo Irish Rebel won the Club Members at the same Horseheath meeting, again form in doubt but will come on for the run and has excellent prospects. Lofty Legend seems to be skipping a grade and is unlikely to trouble the judge.

Curradoon favours fast ground and only slightly appeals following a firm ground second by 1½ lengths to Fergal's Find in a Worcester Hunter Chase in May '09 (without blunders would have won - hence 96 rating) but no previous form except a Maiden win at Ledbury in March '09. Portavo, not seen since a Restricted win at Parham in '07, will need the race and hopefully can get back to that form. The promising novice Ben Rivett will be on the family owned Sodantay (not sure why skipping a Restricted). Dakota Boy and Lady Ann Lewis could well be in the frame.
Selection: Ballynonty (Irish Rebel)

3.30. p.m. CA Club Members (Novice Riders) - 15 entries
With rain, sleet and snow forecast this week conditions at Marks Tey will be testing and stayers will play an important part in this race. Unmistakably will strip fitter for his pipe opener at Horseheath and having already won a hotly contested Lady Dudley Cup (3m2f) back in 2006 when the going was good to soft should have no trouble in staying the Marks Tey track; disappointing last season, new trainer Martin Ward has great patience and often seems to find one more race in other stables former stars - this could be the one.

Simon Andrews has a nap hand with four entries to further enhance the Novice Rider Championship hopes of daughter Bridget. Inishturk has already proved himself with an encouraging display when beating the highly fancied Jewel Song at Horseheath two weeks ago but Marks Tey is a very different course. It may pay to follow course and distance winner Briars Mist who likes nothing better than a stamina testing plod in the mud; off the course for twelve months this should not be of concern as he won first time out back in 2008 so seems to run well fresh.

The Turner duo of Parkinson and Thoutmosis have ability on their day but probably need at least one more run to achieve full fitness. The Accordion Man ran a fair, but well beaten, second to Blue Hills at Higham back in January. Whilst this was encouraging, it was in the hands of James Owen and it remains to be seen if a Novice Rider can get the same tune out of this former useful pointer. Finally, and not to be overlooked, is Latalanta, a winning Hurdler when trained by George Moore, might well be worth a closer look in the paddock.
Selection: Briars Mist (Unmistakably)

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