PREVIEW: HURWORTH (SATURDAY 14TH MARCH)

The delightfully quirky once a year course, in the beautiful setting of Skutterskelfe Park at Hutton Rudby, once again plays host to the Hurworth point to point this Saturday 14th March. With 79 entries across the six race card a good day’s sport looks guaranteed.

Racing commences at 1pm with the Lynas Engineers Hurworth Hunt Members, Subscribers and Farmers and this looks a perfect opportunity for last season’s leading Yorkshire horse Surprise Attack to return to winning ways. Having pulled up first time out this season at Sheriff Hutton on unsuitable ground he ran a stormer in the high class open race at Duncombe Park in February when beaten only two lengths into fourth place. A repeat of that would make him hard to beat here.

William Brown could saddle both Jimmil and Isocrate and that pair look to be the pick of the opposition. The former is a consistent performer who always runs a solid race however Isocrate looks to be the pick of his two and his second to Camdonian in the open at Sheriff Hutton was an excellent effort, Admittedly Surprise Attack did pull up in that race but that is best ignored given the pair’s subsequent performances.

Best of the rest looks to be Moonlight Flit who has rather lost his way since returning from an absence after winning twice in 2023. The only time he has completed since saw him beaten only three lengths in total when fourth to Morozov Cocktail at Dalton Park last March and a repeat of that would make him competitive.

Next up is the Restricted race sponsored by Steven Beane and lots come here with a chance, The standout on paper has to be George Atkinson’s Driveondonn who put up a spectacular winning performance at Charm Park two weeks ago where he cruised home a long way clear. He now has the five pound penalty to contend with but if in the same form he’ll take some catching despite it. The rest of the likely contenders look a very well matched bunch and it will be a case of who can step forward either with the benefit of experience or for the benefit of a previous outing. Jardin Carre definitely falls into the latter category. He was over 30 lengths back in third behind Driveondonn at Charm Park but was in need of the run there having suffered a setback and he is well thought of by connections. Native Nellie also won at Charm Park, a performance that suggests she is going the right way whilst Second Subaltern drops in grade after running a super race on the same card when only beaten five lengths in total by Morozov Cocktail in the conditions race and that puts him right in the mix.

Of the others, Jack Teal has two likely prospects who could both take a hand. Job Well Done pulled up early last time out when something obviously went amiss but her win at Duncombe Park previously was a good effort whilst Lets Go Harry looks a promising sort having won two from three in his debut season last year. Paddy Moans could travel down from the Scottish Borders with a live chance too on the back of a Friars Haugh win and a good second at Alnwick whilst Baby Chou, Callaghy, Titanium Bullet, Millena Agent and Getupearly have all shown enough previously to be worth a look.

Race three, the Rosedene Nurseries Mixed Open, looks a cracker on paper and features a rematch of several of the leading protagonists from the high class Duncombe Park open in February. Camdonian came home in front there where he cemented his high win to run ratio and he is certain to be a popular choice again however Alberts Back and Summerville Boy were both hot on his heels that day.and have little to find. Two other Duncombe winners could also line up in this. The Story So Far made Tom Easterby work hard in the hunt race and would need to be in a better mood to challenge these however Tag Man won impressively and looks a good recruit. He could give them all a real run for their money,

Also in the mix are a brace of winners from Charm Park a fortnight ago although both Ballydonagh Boy and Morozov Cocktail may find this company hot enough based on previous form.

Others worth a mention include Zhiguli, the ultra consistent Red Opium and also Ruler Of The

River who makes the transfer from racing under rules. She comes here with decent recent form but stamina may be an issue.

Last but by no means least is the dark horse of the race Spyglass Hill who has the highest rating based on his win in the Walrus Hunter Chase at Haydock in 2024. He’s since been running back under rules and if he retains his form for the Culloty family he also comes right into the equation.

Race four is the Yorkshire Property Agency and Jockey Club 0 – 110 Series Conditions and several hold alternative entries here. Ballydonagh Boy, Morozov Cocktail and Red Opium would probably find this an easier option than the hot open race and any of the three would hold a live chance in this. Job Well Done Getupearly and Second Subaltern have the choice of this over the restricted race and the latter would definitely be of interest if he can build on his fourth behind Morozov Cocktail at Charm Park from which he has five lengths to make up on the winner.

There are two interesting contenders who hold this as their only objective, the first of which is Padjoes Legacy. The sole entry from Gina Andrews’ leading Warwickshire yard, which is on fire form wise at the moment, he is sure to be a popular coming here on the back of a win at Ampton. He wouldn’t want it too soft however and he isn’t always the most straightforward of horses either. Benefact is the other to pay close attention to. Having signed off last season with a brace of wins at restricted level on quick ground, his reappearance run, when only four lengths behind the useful Line Em Up at Duncombe Park, was a cracking effort which suggested that he had both stepped forward again and also that he didn’t mind the slower ground which he will likely encounter here.

The Joslin Rhodes Veteran Horse Conditions is race number five and the aforementioned Spyglass Hill is clear top here on ratings and if he retains his ability he’ll take a lot of beating. Zhiguli is a solid and consistent performer who ran a cracker on reappearance at Sheriff Hutton but he has the five pound penalty to concede which makes this a stiff task. Morozov Cocktail. Red Opium and Second Subaltern also hold this as another alternative and they can go well here if this is the preferred option.

Duke Account holds this as his sole engagement and he made a promising return to action at Duncombe Park following a season off. He was progressing well at the end of 2024 and he will definitely come on for benefit of that run. He would be a popular winner for owner breeders the Brader family who have been great supporters of Yorkshire pointing of very long standing.

Racing concludes with the Carter Jonas Maiden and this looks likely to fall to one of four. Apieceofthemoon was only headed in the dying strides when beaten a neck at Charm Park and is a definite for the shortlist whilst Blackhill King looked a certain future winner when making a promising British debut when fourth at Duncombe Park in February and will also be a leading contender here. The other two likely to be in the shake up are the Jack Teal pair Willielle and Bresil Hill. The former has something to find with Apieceofthemoon from Charm Park but keeps running into a place and, whilst the latter has yet to see a racecourse, Jack has a formidable record with his unraced youngsters and they always need respect as a result.

A couple of others who may warrant consideration are Thats Where Its At who was a distant third on his second outing in a Larkhill flat race and Aberfeldy who comes from Ireland having chased home Boley Bob in his last point to point. With that horse now doing very well for Joe O’Shea it marks Aberfeldy down as potentially of interest.

Gates open at 11am and admission is £15 per person with kids under 16 free, The renowned tea tent is back again with hot food and delicious cakes and there will be kids games, slides and bouncy castle (weather permitting) together with beer tent, shopping village and bookmakers taking bets. After racing there will be young horses schooling followed at 4,30pm by live music from Gavin Bell. The event is dog friendly and please note it is cash only. There is free parking on the hill which provides a panoramic view of the racing and the postcode for travellers is TS15 0JL.