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The loss of both Milborne St Andrew and Buckfastleigh deprived owners of opportunities to run their horses last weekend and as a consequence there has been a very large entry of 154 horses for Sunday’s meeting at Badbury Rings near Wimborne. As a result racing has been brought forward to 11.00am with now eight scheduled races following the division of the final Maiden into three races. It is perfectly possible that other races will divide on the day due to the safety factors.

Badbury Rings is situated on a chalk-based surface and as such drains well when other courses are waterlogged. The latest going report is Good, Good to soft in places with more rain forecasted. Entry Costs are £15.00 on the day with Under 16s free. There will be a number of trade stands to browse, food and drink outlets as well as bookmakers to have a wager or two. This meeting in 2024 featured the racecourse appearance of No Drama This End for Will Biddick who is now one of the favourites for a race at the Cheltenham Festival next month so look out for the next potential star!

The feature race is the Wessex National Mens Open race for which 25 horses have been entered. Will Biddick has both Illico de Cotte already placed in two Opens and a Hunter Chase at Wincanton and the ever-popular Macklin who was last seen in a Hunter Chase at Cheltenham in May. Whichever is chosen to represent the stable is worthy of consideration. Famous Clermont the winner of the Aintree Foxhunters in 2023 did not get far on his last outing when unseating Gina Andrews at the fourth fence but on his best form he would be on the short list. Bass Rock has won both his outings for the promising Lucas Murphy but this is a rise in class for him. Douglas Longbottom has been placed in his three outings this season and this course may play to his strengths. Go Sacre Go was very impressive when winning at this course in November but was pulled up at Wincanton on his last outing. Important Notice had good form last season and is certainly an each way option as is the progressive Corporal Jackjones. Great Valley won his last four races in 2025 but may need this outing. Will Biddick’s stable pick is the selection.

The Ladies Open is another high quality race with an entry of 21 horses. Both of Will Biddick’s horses mentioned above hold entries so it will be interesting to see which one is chosen for this race. Kilfillum Woods has been placed twice this season and ought to be ready to run a good race for Clara Brewitt. Walkin Out goes well for Anna Johnston and the mare is seeking her thirteenth career victory. Learntalot should have come on for his seasonal debut at Charing and a similar comment applies to Walk of No Shame trained by Sam Loxton. Tigerbythetail was a prolific pointer but did not confirm that form when running under rules. On his return to pointing he is a tentative selection.

The meeting begins with the Tattersalls sponsored GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden over the shorter trip of two and a half miles. There is not a great deal of form to go on but Josh Newman has two entries Docket Man and Electric City who have both been placed this season with the latter runner up to Woodstock Octo at Dunsmore who franked the form when winning at Larkhill last weekend. Chris Barber always to be considered in this sort of race has two entries namely the unraced Hang Out and the ex Irish Stick Season. Tom Lacey was successful with his two four olds at Larkhill and relies on the unraced filly Madam to You. Gina Andrews has L’Hybris is Born who was placed on his debut and must come into the reckoning. Hoo’s The Jet is another with place form for former trainer Josh Newman and is now with rookie trainer Grace

Mogg. Tom Scudamore has two entries A Bob On Oxo and Admiral Oxo and his choice is another to consider. On form alone Electric City is the choice.

The Countryside Alliance Club Race for Novice Riders has received 23 entries. Bass Rock looks the stand out choice based on his two wins already this season and a hat trick is likely. Another one seeking his third success is Dorset Dazzler but he fell early in his last outing at Larkhill. One True King may appreciate the drop in class and the booking of Aimee Jones is interesting. Scoresby would have won at this meeting last year but for unseating his rider at the last and he may be the one to trouble Bass Rock the most. Teescomponentfly has provided Jack Stenhouse with three of his career victories but he may need this outing. Bass Rock is the choice.

The Restricted race features a number of winners already this season including Follow My Order the winner of a Maiden at Larkhill and was then runner up to Boley Bob in a competitive Restricted two weeks ago. Couer D’Alene won well at Chaddesley Corbett and was going well when unseating James King on his latest outing. He will be fancied to make amends. Protect The Future won on English debut at Charing and is progressive. The Gooner was a good second at Larkhill and a repeat would give him every chance. The mare Far Out West improved with every race last season but may need this race and a similar comment applies to Up Killoughey another winner of two races last season. Dorset Diamond was placed in a Hunter Chase at Taunton and has place chances here. Couer D’Alene is the choice.

The first division of the Maiden may provide Diamond Appeal with the opportunity to break his duck. Runner up at Charing he looks the likely winner. Grey Area is in the capable hands of Bradley Gibbs and he will be seeking to atone for his fall on his English debut. Savant Du Mesnil will be expected to improve on his debut for Josh Newman and Jasmin des Blins will want to make up for the unseat of Sam Lee at Horseheath. Will Biddick has the unraced Amroth Boy and he could be one to watch. Diamond Appeal is the selection.

Division Two includes Dollanstown runner up in November at Dunsmore and will be fancied to go one better. Prince In The Dark makes his English debut for Luca Morgan and is one to note. Myfanwy’s Magic out of the brilliant mare Lady Myfanwy brings placed Hurdle form when trained by Martin Keighley and now with Claire Hart may bring his experience to good use. Wildkatze ran well on her return to racing after a long gap. Southgate Avenue now with Liam Corcoran was placed over Hurdles in Ireland and is another to consider. Dollanstown is the choice

The third division holds an entry for Docket Man who is entered in the opening contest. This looks an easier heat and this twice placed gelding looks the one to beat. Jeu de Pic has been placed on his two outings for Albi Tufnell and is sure to be in the mix. Winding Lake was placed at Badbury in November but was a distant fourth at Wadebridge on next outing. Affinaka was placed in Ireland and the intended mount of Gina Andrews will have his followers. Docket Man is the preference.