PREVIEW: SEAVINGTON (SUNDAY 19TH APRIL)

Racing returns to Cotley when the Seavington, with an entry of 51, host the second of two meetings there this Sunday with the first race at 2pm. This is preceded by a Family Dog Show which starts at 12 noon in the lower car park while there will also be trade stands, bar, refreshments and bookmakers and a bouncy castle to keep children entertained. Early bird tickets are £13.50 until Friday 17th then £15 via www.gbpointing.co.uk or www.pointingwessex.co.uk. Entry on the gate is preferred as cash due to poor card coverage while accompanied under 16’s are free. Gates open at 10.30am.

The Berensens Solicitors LLP Maiden Conditions race has 7 entries including Chris Barber’s Stick Season who was beaten at odds-on last weekend by What A Pleasure at Chilfrome but he showed enough in an earlier race at Badbury Rings in decent company to suggest he can win a race of this nature. Freddie Fleetfoot and Troubleisotheway finished in the placings behind Kow Boy Sivola at Cothelstone last time and they too should find a race before long as should Dreamaboutit, 2nd last time at Dingley. Fran Poste has Laudable in here and he has a couple of decent seconds to his name from his last two starts and would be the choice if choosing to come here.

The £1,000 Mixed Open is sponsored by Everys Solicitors with a generous £650 to the winner, and it has attracted a field of 10 including several coming here in good form. Will Biddick has a soft spot for Regatta de Blanc and it was pleasing to see her return to winning form on Easter Monday since re-joining his yard after a spell under Rules. Opposing her are Beacon Edge who has won 2 of his 4 starts for Josh Newman but failed to peg back Hidden Heroics when giving the winner 5lbs last time at Kilworthy (Camino Rocio back in 4th). Ninth Wave too found the weight telling at Cothelstone when Far Out West took advantage of a 12lb advantage. He had won the previous week on this course (as did Shang Tang in the Ladies Open) and it would be no surprise to see him run well again here. Mount Sinai has won her last two at Howick for trainer Chis Barber. She opened her account at Dunsmore in December before falling early at Chaddesley Corbett and then failing to stay at Cocklebarrow. She shouldn’t be underestimated. Likewise Emailandy comes from Paul Nicholls’ yard and while he may be well down the pecking order in the yard, does have two hurdle wins at Plumpton to suggest he should not be ruled out in this drop in grade. The Philip Hobbs trained Tiny Tetley has won 5 under Rules but unseated very early on pointing debut.

The A J Wakely & Sons Maiden with 6 entries and Buyitdirect was unlucky to not win here last time after just failing to catch Don’t Ask Aiden (with Bright Focus back in 4th). He should make amends. Teresa Clark has Granny Smith entered here and she ran a nice race to finish second to Winding Lake last weekend at Dunsmore and if she were to reappear quickly, she is also of interest. Camps Bay showed a little on pointing debut at Larkhill for Heidi McCreesh and may enjoy quicker spring ground.

The Restricted race sponsored by Symonds and Sampson has an entry of 15 of which many hold very good chances. Dollanstown regained winning ways last time at Cherrybrook in convincing fashion to add to an earlier win at Badbury Rings. Dani Kenealy’s Slide Rule too won easily on the Cherrybrook card and is open to improvement. Trainer Chris Barber has three entered. Farm Assured who won her only start at Kilworthy; Skeeter Rock who won a maiden at Larkhill at the end of last month and the ex-Dan Skelton trained Jack Black who won his maiden easily at

Maisemore on yard debut and may prove the best of his trio. Don’t Ask Aiden and Savant du Mesnil took the maidens here at the last meeting and clearly handle the course well, while the Luke Price-trained Galudon beat the re-opposing One Tree Hill in the Restricted that day before unseating last time at Penshurst. Kow Boy Sivola routed his opposition on Easter Monday at Cothelstone and too brings an interesting profile. Jack Black is the selection.

The 9 entries in the Novice Riders Conditions race sponsored by Saffery Accountants include Ninth Wave and Emailandy who are mentioned above and either of them would be of interest if opting for this instead as it looks weaker than the Open. Others include Ben Lilly who was sent off favourite at Cothelstone. He could be of interest if the first two don’t run. Finisher won on seasonal debut for Lilian Bartlett at Badbury Rings and would be the best of the rest. If Ninth Wave is re-routed here, then he should take this for a second course win.

The finale is a combined Seavington and Cotley Members Race and of the 4 entries, River Don looks the better of Harry Ryall’s two following his win at Cothelstone on Easter Monday. After showing promise in his earlier races, he finally benefitted from the quicker ground to win well from Down the Inner and Valentin du Maine. Harry’s other entry is Reiver’s Court who would be a popular winner for the meeting organisers, Bob and Marilyn Bracher. Harry’s pair is matched by Josh Newman who has Talimar Pearl a winner last time at Trebudannon beating a useful one in Jeu Gagnant, and Champagne Blue who also broke his maiden at the same meeting. Talimar Pearl is the selection.

The course is 1m south of the A30, 1.5m from Chard – TA20 3EP.

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