Cornish course set for action after weather delay
Point-to-point reporter and tipster Donna Harris shares her thoughts on the leading contenders in each race
AFTER a month-long delay, the South Cornwall Hunt finally has the opportunity to welcome point-to-point fans for an evening of entertainment at Trebudannon.
Originally due to take place on Sunday, April 21, but called off because of waterlogging, the racing community will make a long-awaited return to the picturesque course near Newquay this evening.
A total of 93 entries have been received for the six-race card, which is due to get underway at 5pm.
Whilst the national championships have already been decided, there is still plenty to play for, with the Devon and Cornwall points table running up until the season finale at Umberleigh on Saturday, June 8.
At Trebudannon, the feature race of the evening will be the Parnalls Solicitors Mixed Open in which Dean Summersby, recently crowned national leading trainer (six to 14 horses), saddles Hell Red and Lakota Warrior. Hell Red, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, won the Mixed Open at Upcott Cross earlier this month, whilst his stablemate Lakota Warrior was a winner at Cherrybrook last Wednesday under Gina Andrews. They could be taken on by the ultra-consistent veteran Sixteen Letters (Josh Newman), with the 12-year-old on a treble of wins this season and 14 to date. He is also a previous course winner and looks to act on any going.
Kicking off the action will be the Hunt Members, sponsored by Mr and Mrs Perkins and Mitchell & Webber. Of the six entries, Whitsand Bay (Josh Newman) stands out, having won at Upcott Cross on Monday. With this in mind, the eye is also drawn to Dean Summersby’s trio: Hell Red, Jet Smart and Russian Invasion. Jet Smart is another to have run and won at Upcott Cross on Monday, whilst Russian Invasion has been victorious at Parham and Bratton Down this season so could be favourite with the bookmakers. Another to consider is Great d’Ange (Myles Osborne), following his second behind Walkin Out at Bratton Down earlier this month.
Next up is the Jockey Club and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Veteran Conditions, which could see Poli Roi (Tim Vaughan) add to the trainer’s winning streak this season. A winner at Ystradowen last month, the 12-yearold will need to bounce back from a disappointing fifth at Holnicote earlier this month. Challengers may include Clever Des Essence (Laura Jones), a three-time winner last season and third at Cherrybrook last week; or Dorrells Pierji (Dean Summersby) after his three-length win at Bratton Down last weekend.
The Truro Tractors and Truro Property Development Conditions looks a hot race and those that stand out are Honest Opinion (Dean Summersby), a winner at Upcott Cross earlier this month under Charlotte Summersby, who is currently leading the ladies’ championship title. They could come up against Joey Steel (Jimmy Cole) or Tight Call (Tim Vaughan), the latter being the highest rated and a 10-length winner at the Welsh International meeting in Trecoed this month.
A Restricted sponsored by St Ewe
Free Range Eggs and R J Trevarthen Ltd follows and this could go the way of Getaway Cory (Tim Vaughan), a dual point-to-point winner this season; Champions Hill (George Beilby), a runner-up at Cherrybrook last week; and Share A Moment (Ryan Chapman), who looks to be on an upward curve after winning her maiden at Bratton Down earlier this month.
Closing the card will be the Kivells Maiden, with those to watch from the 25 entries including Jambo (Will Biddick), Canyouseeme (Luke Price), Holiday Fund (Josh Newman) and Fongs Way (Nikki Frost). Canyouseeme looks interesting, having finished a four-lengths second at Ystradowen last month under James King, whilst Holiday Fund was second at Bratton Down last Sunday and Fongs Way was second at Upcott Cross on Monday.
Trebudannon (TR8 4LP) is located at St Columb Major, and will be signed off the A30 and A39 main roads. Entry to the course is £15 per person, including a race card, with under-16s free of charge. Dogs on leads are welcome.