PREVIEW: SCARBOROUGH RACES (SATURDAY 18TH APRIL)

This Saturday 18th April sees the second of the two Scarborough Races fixtures held at Charm Park near Wykeham. The seven race card has attracted an entry of 91 drawn from far and wide and with a number of high class horses pencilled in there are some mouth watering clashes in the offing.

Racing cracks off at 1pm with the Transcore Conditions (Level 1) run over two miles four furlongs and this looks like a fascinating rematch between Largy Pearl, who is one of the top pointers in the country and the Easterby family’s Largy Shark. The pair clashed previously at Dalton Park and the former had to work hard to master the latter, ultimately coming home two lengths ahead. Now five pounds worse off at the weights, it looks another close race on paper although Largy Pearl may find the Charm Park course more to his liking. This certainly isn’t a two horse race however and Albert’s Back has some good form to his name this season. He has been a bit in and out form wise but he’s got the ability to shake the others up if at his best. The consistent Zhiguli looks the best of the rest whilst the Jack Teal Pair of Guess What and Diamond Flush both have winning form, they need to improve again to threaten the best of these but do have youth on their side.

Race two is the Goffs GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden for 4 and 5 year olds and with many of these unraced there is a lot of guesswork involved. Jack Teal does extremely well in this type of contest and he has several entered. Bresil Hill and Ifyouhaveaplan have both been out already and can improve with the benefit of that experience whilst he also has the unraced pair of That’s Phwaroah a 14000 euro son of Telescope and Swing By a £20000 four year old by Order Of St George who is related to stacks of winners in France. He looks well worth keeping an eye on.

Other unraced ones to note include Admiral Bonzo a nicely bred son of Vadamos, Manhatane a four year old daughter of Bathyron who cost 6500 euros and comes from the immediate family of the top class Fastorslow, One Not Out a son of Jack Hobbs from the Easterby’s and Rockatansky a son of Maxios out of a useful winning mare. He represents the powerful Chris Barber yard which is well known for its prowess at producing winners on debut and he also needs close attention.

Lastly, Barbar Esko comes here on the back of four outings in Irtish points where his record was in and out but he did show promise. The experience will stand him in good stead.

Race three is the Thankyou Barry Foxton For 50 Years Of Fence Building! Restricted and lots come here with winning form. Working out form lines isn’t easy but the ones who look to be of particular note include a pair who boast a record winning on their only run thus far. Firstly Jack Teal’s My Caraline whose win in a Tranwell maiden was franked when runner up Follow The Leader won at Hornby Castle and also Farm Assured who won at Kilworthy in Devon. That was only a match however coming from the Chris Barber yard she could be anything. The same yard also could saddle Jack Black who won last time out at Maisemore.

Others who have been in good form lately include Baby Chou, Callaghy, Howsmenoftomorro and Millena Agent together with the Jack Teal trained Miss Tele, Lets Go Harry and Job Well Done however the one who is taken to come out on top is Joe Wright’s Wotter Trotter who made a successful transfer from a brief hurdling career with Dan Skelton to win at Sheriff Hutton a fortnight ago. He looked an extremely useful recruit and it will take a good one to beat him here.

Race four is the Moneyweb Mixed Open which features a host of classy pointers. Sam Magee won the point to point classic Grimthorpe Gold Cup at Sheriff Hutton last time out in a common canter for the Clark family who could also saddle Tag Man who posted another easy win at Hornby Castle last weekend. Whichever they select will give them a great chance. Largy Pearl holds this as an alternative engagement and should he line up it would certainly make it a race to savour given his fantastic record. Mick Easterby’s Albert’s Back can boast some good winning form too as can Will Easterby’s Morozov Cocktail although he had his winning run interrupted last time out when well beaten by Sam Magee,whilst Gina Andrews’ Tigerbythetail is another prolific winner who adds a great deal of interest.

Other to note include Hollywood Harmon and Whats The Solution who both come here on the back of a spin over the National fences at Aintree last week. Both have similar profiles being prolific winners last season on better ground. Whats The Solution won here last year and holds Hollywood Harmon on that run whilst Gustavo Goodway and Ballydonagh Boy also have winning course form. The latter is a legend in these parts but may find this company a bit hot.

Race five is the Broadland Property Conditions (Level 2) where the one to beat must be Dale Peters’ Line Em Up. He blotted his perfect record this season at Dalton Park where he fell having just taken the lead going well. He’s a classy sort and doesn’t carry any penalties here. The two chief dangers appear to be Getupearly and Driveondonn. The former has run some great races in defeat this season when second all three times and thoroughly deserves to get his head in front whilst Driveondonn is very much on the up. He was a very impressive winner at the first meeting here and he definitely looks the chief market rival. The useful and consistent Zhiguli looks to be next on the list whilst others who could run well at a good each way price include Baby Chou, Benefact, Nephin Beg and Courting Flow although it would be a surprise were they good enough to beat the best of their rivals.

Race six is the Ward Bros Malton Maiden and this looks an open contest where plenty of those who have been pointing have got bits and pieces of form but none leap off the page as standing out. Falstaff was a good third to Wotter Trotter at Sheriff Hutton which looks the pick of these whilst Tiger Talk has also run very well previously however he hasn’t been going forward of late. Apieceofthemoon and Eleventh Day also look like they will win a race in time although they were both behind Falstaff at Sheriff Hutton so may have to wait a little longer for their turn to come. Of the young and unexposed ones, Ifyouhaveaplan and Hard To Know have both shown a bit of promise from just one run. The latter one is perhaps the more likely of the two as his fourth at Alnwick was a solid effort.

From another angle there are a few making the transfer from racing under rules who could be likely candidates. Turbo Boy sports a fourth in a Sedgefield bumper from two outings whilst Nanny Daisy and Peaceinthevalley have both been hurdling. The latter has some good form in the book from a handful of runs and if he has the stamina for this step up in trip then he looks like he could be the one to be on.

The day concludes with the Jockey Club and PPA Hands And Heels Series Conditions (Level 2). The Cherry Coward pair of Zhiguli and Ballydonagh Boy both hold alternative entries here and this looks a good opportunity for either to make their mark. The latter in particular is made for a contest like this. Driveondonn also holds this as an an alternative and should it turn out to be the chosen option he is likely to go off favourite on the back of his course and distance romp at the first meeting here. His win last weekend at Hornby Castle showed he is still in top form. Second Subaltern, Callaghy, Millena Agent and Nephin Beg have all been running into the places of late and can play a part in this type of contest as could Moonlight Flit who has a couple of recent seconds but he’s not the most resolute so needs treating with caution. Finally, Diamond Flush hasn’t hit top form as yet this season but his second to Line Em Up at Helmsley was a good run. If he is at his best he can go very close.

Entry is £15 with under 16s free and whilst both cash and cards are taken, cash is preferred. The dog show will once again be running alongside the racing and other attractions include a range of country and fashion trade stands and childrens’ entertainments. There will also be a BBQ, refreshments a licensed bar and music after racing. There is ample parking on grass and the viewing for spectators is excellent from many vantage points.The postcode for travellers is YO13 9QU.