161 ENTRIES FOR ALBRIGHTON & WOODLAND (NORTH)
There is an excellent entry of 161 for the seven-race card at Chaddesley Corbett this Sunday, with the possibility of further divides on the day.
Racing gets underway at 11.30 with 30 entered for the two-and-a-half-mile Maiden for four-, five- and six-year-olds. There are several interesting newcomers from top stables so the race should prove informative. Of those with form, Santos Blue won a bumper at Revesby Park in November and shaped well in both subsequent points before falling and unseating. Stellar Stream has had two placed efforts, including a third over course and distance in December. Another to be considered is the five-year-old Magnetic Zero who is now with Nigel Padfield, having been a respectable third in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last October.
The Conditions Race has attracted 36 runners and the pick of them appear to be Benefactor, Fier Jaguen, Golden Tobouggan, Killaro Bay, L’incorrigible, and Oistrakh Le Noir. The Tom Ellis charge Benefactor should be ideally suited by the two-and-a-half miles here. The Bradley Gibbs trained and ridden Fier Jaguen won a Restricted over course and distance in December and then won an Intermediate at Higham. Golden Tobouggan and Killaro Bay are both reliable performers and have each finished runner-up twice this season. L’Incorrigible might be an interesting contender, having won a bumper and a maiden hurdle for Tom Lacey. Oistrakh Le Noir won a conditions race at Ffos Las in November but has not shown the same form in two subsequent runs. If he declares here, the improving Fier Jaguen may be good enough to win.
The Mens Open has attracted 14 entries. L’Incorrigible’s form to date has been around the two-mile mark, but if he stays three miles he could be considered. Chameron, trained by Sam Loxton, won an Open in good style at Buckfastleigh. Fifty Shades is a good stayer having won the three-mile six-furlong Lord Ashton of Hyde at Cocklebarrow. The veteran Deans Road improved throughout last season and won two Ladies and a Stratford hunter chase but lacks a recent run. Marcle Ridge won an Open well at Barbury, but disappointed slightly when fourth in a Hereford Hunter Chase. However, he may be good enough back in this company.
The Lorna Brooke Ladies has attracted 17 for the contest. The outstanding entry is the Sam Loxton trained veteran Caid Du Berlais who has been a prolific pointer and hunter chaser over the years. The Tom Ellis trained Dundrum Wood won a Ladies easily at Alnwick and at eight still has plenty of potential improvement. The race should mainly concern these two, but others to consider are Hawkhurst and Dandy Dan.
The pick of the 20 entries for the PPORA Novice Riders are Cage of Fear, Ellipsism, Mr Love, Stacks Mountain and Virak. Virak provided Olive Nicholls with her first win in a similar race here in December but fell in a Ladies at Cocklebarrow. Cage of Fear won his first point well at Chipley Park. Stacks Mountain beat Ellipsism by four lengths at Cocklebarrow and each of them should have good chances here. Mr Love was a good handicap hurdler for Dan Skelton and won well in his first point after a break, now in the hands of Nick Pearce. If Virak jumps a clear round, he should take all the beating.
The pick of the 16 entries for the Intermediate are Fier Jaguen, Indirocco, Racing Snake and The Big Sting. The Big Sting won a Maiden and Restricted before finding Indirocco too strong at Chipley Park. Racing Snake won a Ffos Las Restricted but only came fourth in a subsequent Intermediate. Fier Jaguen is fast improving and if he takes this option, he may be good enough to win again.
The final race is a Maiden Conditions for horses that have run in at least two points. The main contenders of the 28 runners appear to be Forest Chimes, Francesco Du Clos, Howitsdone, and Santos Blue. The Phil Rowley trained Forest Chimes was beaten around five lengths by Alfoski at Revesby Park, having shown promises last season. His other entry Francesco du Clos had promising form in Ireland before coming second at Cocklebarrow. Howitsdone ran a couple of good races in Maidens last year. Santos Blue has an excellent chance if he runs here instead of the opening shorter Maiden.