Robinson in line to land first win of year

May 5 2008 The Journal

ALL roads lead to Witton Castle today for the Zetland fixture which has 165 entries on a seven-race card starting at 2pm.

Darlington amateur Simon Robinson has drawn a blank so far this term but holds all the aces in the Members Race with a choice of rides on Ben From Ketton or Crashtown Leader. The latter is still a maiden over fences but hinted that his winning turn was not far away when finishing five lengths second to Knightsbridge King in a fast time at Morden five weeks ago.

Cop How has won three of his four starts this season under Jacqueline Coward and the partnership had so much in hand when scoring at Easingwold last week that it will take something special to lower their colours in the Intermediate Race.

Robin Tate’s lightly-raced five-year-old filly, Chummy’s Double caught the eye when runner-up to Flaco at Whitwell-on-the-Hill last month and the youngster fulfilled that promise by making every yard of the running to land a 2.5 mile Cleveland Maiden contest next time out. Mark Walford’s mount is still on the upgrade and can follow up from Pertinax and Quint De Lobo in a competitive-looking Restricted Race.

The former Venetia Williams-trained chaser Sonevafushi is a class act on his day and had little more than an exercise canter when completing a hat-trick of wins in Open company at the recent Holcombe meeting.

He showed his liking for the Whitton Castle course when scoring here in February and will be at cramped odds to strike again in the Men’s Open from Shanteen Lass and Albatros.

Jacqueline Coward has struck up a formidable partnership with Narciso and the duo can extend their winning sequence to four in the Ladies Open.

The eight-year-old sprinted clear from two out to beat Wilfie Wild at the Middleton meeting and should again have his rival’s measure here. The other danger, Welcome to Unos, has been runner-up to my selection at the last two Morden meetings and I cannot see those placing being reversed.

Big Tree gave us a good run for our money when beaten only 1.5 lengths in third behind Run Atim at Balcormo Mains nine days ago and Vicky Simpson’s charge deserves another chance in the first division of the Open Maiden. In a wide open contest, Artic Omen and Fast Approaching make most appeal of the other 31 entries.

The concluding division of the Open Maiden may chiefly concern Hello Noddy and Special Order. Slight preference is given to Hello Noddy who ran a blinder at Easingwold where he was only headed near the finish by Come On Pops and a repeat of that effort should see him go one better.

Yesterday’s Lauderdale meeting was postponed due to waterlogging and will now take place next Sunday as part of a double-header with the Cumberland meeting at Aspatria the previous day.

PETER BURGON