PREVIEW: DEVON AND SOMERSET STAGHOUNDS (SUNDAY 3RD MAY)

The Devon & Somerset meeting returns to South Hill next Sunday with Early bird tickets at £12.50 from www.pointingwessex.co.uk until this Friday at 6pm or tickets are £15 per person (under 16s are admitted free if accompanied by an adult) on the gate. The first race is at 2pm with a bar and refreshments available and trade stands on site. The course is situated 2 miles north of Dulverton off the B3223 at TA22 9PT. Cars can access the course off this road but lorries must NOT go through Dulverton and instead are directed via Winsford.

The Devon & Somerset Staghounds Challenge sponsored by Sir Stephen Waley- Cohen and Robert Waley-Cohen sees 5 entries which include Skilful Lord who won this race last year as part of a 4-timer and could prove a worthy pick. He’s had one run this season and that should put him spot on for a repeat win. The former Joe Tizzard trained Investment Manager has yet to find form for Dani Kenealy but he may appreciate this spring ground,. Just Loose Change also hasn’t clicked pointing yet but judging by his form under Rules which saw him win 3 times for Nicky Martin, may find the quicker surface more to his liking. The final two entries are for Heidi McCreesh, both purchased from Stuart Williams where they won on the Flat and they are still learning about life over jumps.

The Tom Malone Bloodstock Maiden race has attracted 11 entries including Devon Rouge who ran a nice race on debut for Rebecca Vanstone when 3rd at Lower Machen while Jack Oddsocks ran well to take 4th at Badbury Rings for trainer Les Jefford and should win a race. Emma Summersby has her horses in great form and Monderra could build on a good second at Cherrybrook when he led for much of the way. Others with placed form to consider are Stick Season, Troubleisontheway, Balinoulart and Silent Auction.

The PFG Fabrication sponsored Mixed Open looks to be a competitive affair with 10 entries and Josh Newman having 3 of them, all of which look to have a chance. A winner at Wadebridge and Didmarton this season, Beacon Edge was sent off favourite at Cotley but made a costly error three out. Clondaw Drake was the benefactor after Ask Dai was demoted at Lower Machen having been hampered by him while Josh’s third entry, Hearts Corner, has won all three starts this season and would clearly come here in the best form. Crawter shrugged off a disappointing run at Exeter behind Macklin to win an extended Open at Larkhill and his Intermediate win at Cheltenham last May puts him right up there. Jewel in the Park has progressed well this season taking an Intermediate from Talimar Pearl at Dunsmore followed by a Conditions race at Chilfrome by an easy 12 lengths (Punches Cross also a winner on that card). His appearance at Axe Vale for a walkover last Sunday supplies the next 1 against his name but he could be progressive enough to take this race. Histrionic has probably run better than his form figures suggest. He won nicely on pointing debut at Larkhill under Lucas Murphy and possibly should have won again under him at Ston Easton when making a mistake at the last. Recently purchased by David Martin for grandson, Will Higgs to ride, the good ground here may be more in his favour too. Teescomponentsfly took the Novice Riders here last season while Tigerbythetail, a dual winner this season may run elsewhere.

The Novice Rider’s Conditions race is sponsored by Stag Environmental with 13 entries and it too looks competitive with several also entered in the Open. Others include the Newman pair, Casper’s Court who won three last season but he may head

to Flete instead. Josh’s other entry is Holiday Fund who won at Cherrybrook last time. He was beaten at odds-on here last season though which could be a concern. Jockey Aimee Jones is flying at the moment and is currently leading Lady rider within Wessex. She has the choice of two mounts, One True King who dead-heated in an extended Open at Cothelstone with Tigerbythetail and Au Fleuron who was second last time at Ston Easton. Call Simon has won 2 races for Aran McManus but his wins have come with plenty of cut in the ground. Wick Green was awarded the race at Flete Park last time under Alice Frampton and could opt to return there.

The Conditions race for horses 8 years and over is sponsored by the Martin family in memory of Vanessa Martin and 13 entries have been received with several already mentioned. Luke Price has a couple in; Galudon who has won 3 of his 4 starts this season including last weekend at Parham and Inchidaly Robin who was 2nd on the same card. He’d have to shoulder a 10lb penalty here, but did win this race last year so enjoys the course. Talimar Pearl supplemented his win over the useful Jeu Gagnant at Cherrybrook with an easy triumph in a match at Cotley. Conor’s Gift has won 2 for trainer Les Jefford and looks like she has a preference for quicker ground. Ben Lilly hasn’t opened his pointing account for David Pipe yet but handled quicker conditions when winning both on the Flat and over hurdles so it would be no surprise to see him go well here.

There are 9 entries in the finale, the Wedgewood Groundworks-sponsored Restricted with some progressive types including Buyitdirect who won in good style when beating Granny Smith at Cotley by 12 lengths and proved hard to pull up. Dangers could be Kow Boy Sivola if he reappears quickly after finishing second at Axe Vale to Follow My Order last Sunday while Luke Price has 3 entered; Rhythm of Life who won at Higham in early April as well as ex-Irish No Hard Feelings who finished alone at Chilfrome in his sole start for the yard. But the best could prove to be Eco Pete who won a bumper in Ireland and was also placed 5 times over hurdles. That could be good enough here. Will Biddick introduces All Rise Malone who won a point in Ireland and could be of interest. Chris Barber has Walkingtheline who won a maiden on soft at Howick but she then pulled up at Larkhill on quicker ground