PREVIEW: HOLDERNESS (SUNDAY 22ND MARCH)

The splendid old parkland setting of Dalton Hall near Beverley plays host to the Holderness point to point next Sunday22nd March. The 74 entries across the six race card include some very good horses and there should be some exciting racing to keep everyone well entertained.

Racing gets underway at 1.30 pm with the Smailes Goldie Holderness Hunt Members and this features a rematch between last year’s one two Blue Sans and Sunset On Fire. The former prevailed by a mere short head before going on to win the prestigious Grimthorpe Gold Cup and providing Sunset On Fire is fit enough for what will be his seasonal debut there should be little between the pair again. The Clark family who own and train Blue Sans have an able deputy entered in Sam Magee who ran well in good company at Friars Haugh last time out. That race was over two and a half miles and if he appreciates this much greater test of stamina he is of definite interest.

Of the others, Paul and Karen Clifton have a choice of two. Native Nellie progressed nicely to lose her maiden tag at Charm Park earlier in the month whilst Heart Of A lion was hampered and unseated his rider on his reappearance the same day. With the young mare being in form at the moment she looks the pick of the pair.

Race two is the Peter Ward Homes Conditions level 2 and the standout performers here are Line Em Up and Morozov Cocktail. The trainer rider of the former Dale Peters has his string in fine form and Line Em Up completed a hat trick of wins this season when a comfortable winner of the Intermediate at Helmsley last month. Morozov Cocktail did extremely well to defy a ten pound penalty when winning at Hutton Rudby last weekend and whilst he is in fine form at the moment he may find conceding the same penalty here to be a tough task. Arthur’s Seat followed up his win at Friars Haugh by running third behind Morozov Cocktail at Charm Park and is now five pounds better off here which will bring him into the equation.

Of the others, Benefact is another entry for the Easterbys but may be better on quicker ground than he will encounter here a comment which could also apply to Drumlee Spud as both were winning on the fast ground last spring. Courting Flow has been a consistent performer with a good record but he is beginning to look a little unreliable having run out last time out whilst Poncherello and Getupearly are also worth a look at likely bigger prices. The latter ran an honest race when he was only caught late on having lead all the way at Helmsley last month.

The Agrii Mixed Open doesn’t feature a large entry with eight horses forward but what it lacks in quantity it certainly makes up for in quality. Summerville Boy and Camdonian are both high class pointers with prolific winning records and they have already clashed several times. Last time out it was Summerville Boy who came out on top but the previous meeting at Helmsley saw Camdonian get the spoils. With Dalton Park placing a real emphasis on stamina, which is definitely a strong suit for Camdonian, the only certainty is that the pair will give their all again. Alberts Back split the pair at Helmsley so he is definitely a threat if his stamina holds out whilst Will and Tom Easterby have two good entries in Morozov Cocktail and The Story So Far. Both have been in winning form this season but look like they may need to step forward to get the better of these high class rivals.

The Clark family also have Sam Magee and Blue Sans holding this as an alternative engagement and the latter will certainly appreciate the stamina test having won over four miles. Last, and by no means least, Ballydonagh Boy is in top form once again. He is sure to give his supporters a run for their money but is is vulnerable to top class opposition nowadays.

Race four is the ResQ Restricted and with the choice of Driveondonn and Sports Magic, George Atkinson looks to hold the aces here. The pair have posted some great performances when winning this season and Driveondonn was particularly impressive when cruising home by a wide margin at Charm Park where Rue Galilee, who could reoppose here, was well beaten in second.

Jack Teal has a trio of entries with Star Present, Miss Tele and Guess What and the last named of those looks like the pick of them having followed a stroke of bad luck when looking like winning at one Friars Haugh meeting by winning nicely at the next. Being only five he has plenty of scope to progress.

Cheshire raider Fayrely Fruitful has done absolutely nothing wrong having won two from her four career runs and she has to be given very serious consideration as who knows how good she could be with another year to mature. Native Nellie is another young mare who is going the right way whilst others worth a mention include Millena Agent who ran a very good third last week at Hutton Rudby together with Mickthesoldier, Getupearly and Drumlee Spud although the last named may need faster ground.

Race five is the Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers Conditions level 1 and the one to beat here has to be Largy Pearl whose only defeat in six runs this season and last was by no less than Barton Snow in a Stratford hunter’s chase. Form doesn’t come much better than that and it makes him hard to oppose. The main dangers looks to be Zhiguli who has plenty of ability and was only narrowly denied in a driving finish at Hutton Rudby last weekend, and Largy Shark whose three outings this season include falling at the last at Alnwick when disputing the lead and winning well last time out at Friars Haugh over this shorter distance.

Others who may be worth an each way flutter at longer odds include Gustavo Goodway who won in a small field at Charm Park, Envious Editor who isn’t the horse he once was but still performs consistently at his level nowadays and Follow Your Arrow who ran really well at Hutton Rudby when a close second having been caught close home. He looks like he will also appreciate this drop back in trip.

The card concludes with the AKP Group Maiden and as is the norm it is a case of working out which of those who have showed promise is likely to improve most for the experience. Alice Dawson’s Midnight Dragon ran a great race when second in the young horse maiden at Alnwick where Short Sell was just two lengths further back in third on debut. Helm Bar and Talktotherocks filled the same positions in the similar contest at Charm Park where Helm Bar looked like he would benefit from a stiffer test of stamina so the extra two furlongs here is a plus. As well as Talktotherocks, Jack Teal also has Neska Blue who ran very well when third at Helmsley together with the unraced Bresil Hill and with the yard having a good record with debutants they both come into the reckoning whilst others to note include Black Aquila and Boom Boom Boris. With both of them having a pair of thirds on their latest runs this really has the look of an open betting heat given there are so many with realistic prospects.

Admission is £15 per person with under 16s free and is cash only. As well as trade stands there will be home made refreshments serving freshly made and locally sourced beefburgers alongside sandwiches and cakes together with a bar. Well behaved dogs are welcome on a lead. The postcode for travellers is HU17 7PW