PREVIEW: EGGESFORD (SUNDAY 10TH MAY)

The first of two meetings held at Upcott Cross has received a healthy amount of entries on their six race card. With three weekends left of the competitive season, the leaderboard championships are hotting up and will produce some good racing! Entry is £15 per person with under 16s going free. First race due off at 2pm. Postcode EX21 5AE.

The Totnes and Bridgetown Races Company Conditions (Level 2)

The opener to the card looks like an extremely competitive race for Grassroot Rider. At only five years old, Clonagoose has had an incredible season for Emma Summersby and has looked one of the most progressive horses of the season across the country, winning five times. Emma also has Hidden Heroics entered who won at Vauterhill on Bank Holiday Monday, giving Harry Neale his fourth win in the saddle. Lucas Murphy is ahead in the Novice Men’s Jockey Title and is booked to ride three of the 13 entries. He looks to have the choice of Josh Newman’s Woodstock Octo and Clondaw Drake or the Paul Nicholls runner, Emailandy. Woodstock Octo remains unbeaten in his five races since joining Josh’s yard and Clondaw Drake won a Conditions Race at Lower Machen when he was last seen three weeks ago. Emailandy may have needed the run for confidence at Stafford Cross but ran well in defeat behind Walkin Out. Josh also has Getaway Drumlee entered for Hannah Morgan, who won a competitive Conditions at Didmarton but pulled up at Trebudannon over a month ago. 

Ruralis Insurance Services Maiden Race

Although being pulled up before the last, Duffry Sea, for Leslie Jefford, travelled well throughout his race at Flete Park. Quite possibly the track did not suit on the day and he will be one to keep a close eye on, on a track like this. Emma Summersby has one of two four year olds in the field. Champagne Dude will look to make his racecourse debut here after being purchased for €9,000 last July at Tattersalls Store Sale. Josh Newman has the other four year old, Crystal De France, who finished 2nd on debut in Ireland for Harley Dunne. Martin Sweetland will be hoping for a clear round for Alyson Dalton, who has not had much luck this season. She finished 2nd to Savant Du Mesnil at Cotley and had two unsuccessful runs at Flete Park when being carried out at the first meeting and falling at the 2nd fence at the second meeting. 

The Simpkins Edwards Efford Champion Mixed Open

Regatta de Blanc is back to winning ways since coming back to trainer Will Biddick and took the 4 mile race at the first Flete meeting and an Open at Cothelstone. Jewel In The Park will be looking to have his first run in Open company and has been a great horse for trainer Chris Barber and Ed Doggrell. Josh Newman plays a very strong hand with five of the 12 entries. Hearts Corner won his 9th run of his career when coming home unchallenged at Flete Park on Saturday under Ellie Callwood. Al Gasparo was last seen when falling at Stafford Cross but has won four Opens previously and Beacon Edge came home in front at Vauterhill. Important Notice won at both Trebudannon meetings and Clondaw Drake won at Lower Machen. Tigerbythetail holds multiple entries over the weekend and has been in the winners enclosure twice this season under regular rider, Molly Legg. 

The Ashgrove Kitchens and Rangemoore Ltd Intermediate Race

Intermediate races always seem to be very tight contests and nine entries here, make it look like a very competitive race! Dollanstown has looked very impressive in his runs this season and won three of his six races for Will Biddick and owner Jeremy Hill. He was last seen winning at Cotley beating Skeeter Rock. Josh Newman has a very nice prospect in Make Idaho Great, who started off his winning ways when taking a Maiden at Charlton Horethorne and has since won two Restricteds at Kilworthy and Flete. Luke Price is enjoying another great season and Galudon is another to climb up through the ranks quickly this season. Both Emmas Wish (John Heard) and Absolut Grey (Emma Summersby) both took a while to get their heads in front but now both know where the winning post is, having backed up their Maiden win by taking a Restricted next time out. They may, however, find a Restricted with a penalty an easier option first. Danielle Kenealy had a great bank holiday weekend including a double at Vauterhill and will be hoping Emberscombe can continue the good form after winning a Restricted at Cothelstone by 25 lengths. 

The Duke Of York Iddesleigh Conditions Race (Level 3)

It looks one way traffic for Clonagoose in this race and he should be able to keep the winning streak rolling in this. Owners John Gardener and Torben Hughes are great supporters of the sport and it’s wonderful to see them enjoy Clonagoose’s success together. Martin Sweetland is switching Windance back into the Point to Point field from Hunter Chasing but the younger legs of Clonagoose may be hard to keep up with! Bruce Vaughan partnered Designer Destiny to finish 2nd at Shelfield Park behind What’s Up Harry and could find himself battling out for the minor honours here. 

The C & R Construction Restricted Race

All Rise Malone was a run away winner at South Hill under Emma Freeman for Will Biddick and looks a great horse for connections to go forward with if reappearing a week later. Absolut Grey (Emma Summersby) took the Restricted at Flete Park last week and now carries a penalty in this as will Emmas Wish (John Heard) who won a Restricted at Trebudannon. Dance Ifyoucan, for Josh Newman, put in a green display at Kilworthy but will have learnt a lot from the experience and will be hoping to provide Josh with another winner. Another winner at Kilworthy was Farm Assured for Chris Barber. She will need to improve her jumping from her debut run. Charlotte Leary celebrated well when Riskamatriark won the Maiden at Dunsmore beating Suvla Bay, who has won since. He steps up in company now and should run well.