New Forest preview

The New Forest point to point takes place next Sunday 15^th December at Larkhill.  A Bumper entry of 127 horses has been received and as a result two of the races have been divided meaning that there are now eight races and in addition before the scheduled point to point races there are 2 charity races starting at 9.45 and 10.15 before the first race over the fences at 11.00. It will be a great day to enjoy the horse racing at the premier point to point course in the country.

There will be a bar and food outlets as well as some trade stands plus the bookmakers to have a bet with. Entry costs are £15 person, under 16s free. Racecards are £3. Access from the west to the course may be preferable to avoid the worst of the potholes.

The course is in ‘great nick’ according to the Course Inspector Robert Fear after their first meeting and despite all the problems created by Storm Darragh no problems are anticipated. The course has been rolled and the bends moved out and the latest going report is good, good to soft in places.

The meeting begins with a divided flat race over two miles with ten entries in each division. The race was to be sponsored by Merlin Ferris. There is little form to be viewed but of those that have run Mrs Pen finished second at Great Trethew so should not be short of fitness and Perseo was third at Godstone last season. Of the newcomers Defying Gravity from the shrewd David Phelan yard, Green Bonnet from Myles Osborne’s stable and He’s A Ripper from Kelly Morgan’s yard should be on the short list.

The second division features Fayrely Fruitful who was placed in a similar race at Chaddesley Corbett last season and if making the trip from Shropshire looks to have every chance. The rest are virtually all newcomers so the well-bred Fountains Blenhein trained by Teresa Clark, South Sands trained by Mark Grant who has a good record in these races and the Christopher Barber trained Kalimalka Chest should be considered.

The two and a half Maiden race sponsored by GPG Law has attracted an entry of seventeen horses. Of those with form this season Codetalker ran well to be second at Dunsmore and a repeat of that form may be good enough. Ted The Thief from the in-form Josh Newman yard should be considered on his English debut and Wait at the Gate trained by Stuart Payne ran a very promising debut in England when finishing third at Stafford Cross last season. Will Biddick has entered both Good Boy Eric and Sienna Earth and his chosen representative should be considered. Dave’s Sister was placed in Bumpers on her two visits to Larkhill last year and if able to transfer that ability to fences she would have chances.

The feature race, the Southwick Court Fine Wines sponsored Mixed Open, is headed by the prolific Grace A Vous Enki who will be seeking his seventh consecutive success at the Wiltshire course. It will take a good horse to lower his colours but this race does also an entry for his exciting stablemate Ihandaya who would be well supported but whether they will both run is the question. Il Pino created a very favourable impression when winning his point to point and then a Hurdle for Paul Nicholls but has now returned to Will Biddick for a point to point campaign this season. Time Leader from the in form Hannah Roach stable easily won a Ladies race at Hexham but this race is much stiffer. Saint Calvados, My Drogo and Lord du Mesnil all bring good Rules form but the choice of trainer Nicky Sheppard would be the selection.

The Restricted race sponsored by Fawcetts features Bushtucker Park who looked unlucky when closing down Calidad at Badbury until falling at the third last and will be looking for recompense. Snap Fish won his Maiden at Badbury in good style but he had little to beat. It’s A Diamond won a Maiden at Dalton Park and now with Will Biddick it will fascinating to see him perform in this race. Rocky Creed improved throughout the season and the same comment can be made about the Gordon Treacy trained  Holkham Hall who won at Upcott Cross. Carryonaway brings course form having won a Maiden last season and this lightly raced gelding has each way chances.

The Conditions race sponsored by Le Mieux has attracted a strong entry of twenty-three horses and several entered in the Mixed Open also hold entries in this race. My Drogo may opt for this race for his point-to-point debut but there are still many strong potential rivals for him. Kayf Hernando won well at Dunsmore for Tom Hutsby and trainer Justin Brotherton, and he should be on the short list. Switch Hitter may improve for his seasonal run earlier in the month as should Diligent and Millbank Flyer. . All Loved Up ran well for rider Hugh Lillingston last season as did Douglas Longbottom for local trainer Bea Coward. Hung Jury had some good form last season and Yippee KI Yay from Nicky Sheppard’s yard should not be discounted. Kayf Hernando is the selection.

The final race, the Maiden Conditions, sponsored by Earlcote has been divided into two divisions of fourteen horses. In Division One Celtic Harmony was travelling well when brought down at the third last with Always Force It running on well to finish second and they may reoppose. Ted the Thief is also entered in this race and if chosen then he should be considered. Far Out West ran out at Dunsmore but has place form in Ireland. Ideal Du Tabert has place form under Rules in Ireland and is an interesting contender. Crawter trained locally has form at the course and is another to consider.

The second division may go to Southfield Scope a half brother to the prolific Southfield Theatre. Runner up to Holkham Hall at Upcott Cross he has the best form. King Orry was placed in an Intermediate at Dunsmore but drops back to Maiden company. Codetalker who is also entered in the short Maiden is progressive and the same comments apply to I Think He Is who was fourth at the last meeting. The last named may be the toughest rival Southfield Scope has to cope with.

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