THE popularity of the Downhills course near Corbridge as a point-to-point venue is confirmed by a season’s best entry of 159 for a seven-race card at tomorrow’s Braes of Derwent fixture, starting at 1.30pm.
The track has been watered daily since Wednesday to ensure a perfect jumping ground with total prize money of £2,500 on offer. Admission is £8 per person and punters can also enjoy three pony racing contents immediately after the main event.
Boher Storm overcame a slipping saddle to score between the flags with plenty in hand at Tramwell last month.
The gelding only needs to put in a clear round in the Members’ Race to provide Sally Lyons, 16, with a winning debut ride. His rivals are headed by Rose de Bois who was awarded a Mosshouses contest last May after the half-length winner, Lesley Cottage, lost its weight cloth in the shadow of the post.
The Intermediate Race could go to the progressive Anns Benefit, who is bidding for a third win from her last five starts. Victor Thompson’s charge acts on a sound surface and travelled well when beating Athoss by four lengths at Alnwick last Saturday. The main threat comes from last month’s Holderness winner, Dannymolone
Tom Greenall lifted his seasonal tally to 29 with five winners over this Easter weekend and is worth following in the Men’s Open race in which he has a choice of rides on the David Easterby-trained duo, Network Oscar and the aforementioned Impact Zone. The other 27 entries include course winners Coastley, Lowlander and Themanfromcarlisle, while the ultra consistent Salveo should also go well on his ninth outing of the campaign.
The 18 Ladies’ Open entries are headed by the brilliant Minouchka who completed a four-timer at Whittington last week and her stable companion Farlington. The Elaine Smith-trained mare, Delfinia is on a hat-trick following her recent Bedale victory in the hands of 16-year-old Anna Dawson, while 2008 winner, Dr Hellier, may clash again with ex-chaser Rayshan after a thrilling battle at Kelso three weeks ago which saw the former come out on top. Gavin Hamilton’s Hawick yard is on a roll and can make three winners from as many runners in the last three weeks with My Final Bid in a competitive-looking Restricted Race.
After a string of placed efforts, the lightly raced 10-year-old stayed on well to beat Wantage Road and Hailes Hill Lad at Alnwick. That form has worked out well and my selection is preferred to Risky Rhythm and Commonburn, while Irish jockey, Daragh Bourke must also be noted is coming over for the ride on Shantor Castle or Paddys Unyoke.
The first of the Open Maiden Races should be a penalty kick for Gallant Girl following a promising effort in better company at Tramwell. Of the others, Risk Assessment and Cowboys Crunch were placed behind Witch Power at Alnwick and should again be in the shake up.
The concluding Maiden can go to Salmon Rising who shaped well when runner-up to Rock Port on only his second career outing at Tramwell and with further improvement on the cards, the youngster can go one better at the expense of Moscow Dawn.
PETER BURGON
