Point to point

Apr 12 2008 The Journal

HUNT racing enthusiasts have a feast of action in prospect in today’s Morpeth fixture at Tranwell which has attracted a record-breaking 199 entries on an eight-race card starting at 1pm. There will also be a couple of pony races after the concluding Restricted race.

After partnering Robbers Glen to an impressive 18-length victory over Uncle Neil in Monday’s Buccleuch Cup Maiden Hunter Chase at Kelso, Val Jackson can complete a great week by steering Silver Chieftan to a second course win from Road King in the members’ race.

Pirongia Mountain would have made a winning debut at Dalston last month had he not blundered badly at the last and been headed near the finish by Iowa and The Artful Fox. That form has worked out well and the six-year-old is fancied to gain compensation by landing the first division of the two and a half mile Open Maiden from Lewesdon Duchess and Rock Port.

The other division appears to be at the mercy of Amour Daria who shaped like a future winner when going down by a head to Festival King at Crossford over this trip. His next run – when pulled up two out in the Dalston mud in a three-mile contest – can be discounted and the youngster gets my vote ahead of Digger Jake.

There are 26 entries in the Dodson and Horrell PPORA Club Members race for novice riders but the business end of proceedings may chiefly concern Dr Hellier, Mitchel Henry and Spring Double.

The progressive Dr Hellier has won his last two completed starts at Crossford and Kelso and a repeat of those efforts should see of the veteran Spring Double who was still close up when falling three out in Farlington’s race at Crossword.

Nothing makes particularly strong appeal in the Ladies Open and it may pay to follow ex-hurdler Tynedale who scored on his reappearance on soft going at Sheriff Hutton back in January.

The nine-year-old failed to finish on his next two starts for just failing to overhaul Harry Hooly in a lower grade contest at Kelso a fortnight ago. He can regain the winning thread at the expense of Lady Brig and What A Night.

The featured Men’s Open race is the final Northern Area qualifier for next month’s Volkswagen Touareg Hunter Chase Final at Towcester and the one they all have to beat is Garden Feature who stayed on well to land the four-mile Percy Mixed Open last time out. The main danger is recent Kelso scorer, Behavingbadl, a model of consistency this term since joining Jackie Williams.

Confirmed front runners, Flagmount King and Waterford are set to cross swords in a competitive-looking NPPA Club Members race with 39 entries but they may have to settle for the minor placings behind Sacred Mountain, who has won four of his last five starts between the flags.

Former Irish pointer, Silk Parasol made virtually all when cruising to a 25 length victory over Ems Melody at Kelso and a follow up is on the cards in the Restricted race from Seaview Lass and Saddler’s Way.

PETER BURGON