Bollinger and Dazzler look poised to strike for Tice

The next South Midland meeting will be staged at the Brafield-On-The-Green Racecourse on Sunday 13th April 2008. This meeting has a massive 165 runners entered on a 7 race card commencing at 1.30 p.m. For directions to the course please click here. There will also be several stalls a fully licensed bar and various other catering facilities.

After the recent snow and rain we should see plenty of runners at this meeting, as the going should be near perfect. Unfortunately, due to last week-end's bad weather forcing the postponement of the Pytchley at Guilsborough they have re-arranged their fixture for this Saturday which we hope will not have a knock on effect to Sunday's runners.

Hunt Members Race

Not the greatest of races to get the meeting underway but a very open and competitive race does look likely. Nearly every runner holds a chance and finding the winner looks very difficult. Grecian Star would probably have the best form but with him coming into this race without a run under his belt this season could be his downfall, although it would be great to see this old horse record another victory and then hopefully his connections will retire him as he has been a grand servant to them throughout his career. If he is unable to retain his level of ability for another season, this will leave the door open for either Good Vintage or Theparsonhumphreywebber who have both been running fairly well, I am going to stick my neck on the chopping block and plunge for Grecian Star to still retain enough ability to win a race of this nature and it would be great to see him back in the winner's enclosure.

Selection : Grecian Star

Alternative : Good Vintage


Open Maiden Race Division 1

The first division of the Open Maiden race looks a good chance for Pennytino to open his account for the season. Pennytino ran a very decent second on his last run and should hold every chance of going one better here. The dangers look to be Oriental Gentlemen who finished a good 3rd over the 2m 4f trip and if able to stay on better would go very close in an open race. The other dangers look to be Velvet Red and Watchthisspace. A very interesting little maiden race looks on the cards.

Selection : Pennytino

Alternative : Oriental Gentlemen


Open Maiden Race Division 2

A very difficult race to predict with so many unexposed horses in the field, the most likely winner from the horses which have already run is Jubilee George whose 3rd behind Victor Victorious should be good enough to take this race. The problem for punters in this race are many of the horses have not shown much form so it is likely that one of these unexposed horses is far more decent than has shown on the track so far. A very tricky race best avoided as there are so many if's and buts but Jubilee George should give you a good run for your money and should be followed home by Inchadoney Boy who looks a big danger as he is a likely improver on what he has achieved so far and would of finished a decent second but for falling two out last time at Marks Tey. A good race to watch and maybe another 1 or 2 can go in the notebook, but looks a nightmare for punters.

Selection : Jubilee George

Alternative : Inchadoney Boy


The Ladies Open Race

The Rucker team hold all the aces in this good looking Ladies Open race, with either Honest Endeavour or Pirate Flagship both looking very hard to beat. Whichever horse Angela Rucker decides to ride will be the tip for this race. The opposition are capable of winning this race with the likes of Free, Northall Lad and Teeton Priceless all quite capable sorts, they do not however look strong enough to beat either of the Rucker runners and you won't get rich backing either Honest Endeavour or Pirate Flagship because they look certain odds on favourite chances, but you will more than likely find the winner of this race.

Selection : Angela Rucker Selection : Honest Endeavour or Pirate Flagship (N.B)

Alternative : Free


Mens Open

A fascinating Mens open race looks on the cards with Teeton Bollinger hopefully taking on a revitalised Denvale and just to make things even more interesting Noakarad De verzee and The Hookie Bookie who are both capable of rubbing shoulders with the front to in what seems a cracking contest. The winner should come from one of the above four, my preference is for Teeton Bollinger to stalk the field and pick them off one by one, this horse looks to have a fantastic engine and has a great cruising speed, Stuart Morris gets on well with the horse and has an excellent chance of taking this race and should be placed in a Maiden Hunter chase before the end of the season. The other runners will be no pushovers but I believe Teeton Bollinger's class will prevail and set up the first part of a double on the card for Stuart Morris and Joan Tice.

Selection : Teeton Bollinger (NAP)

Alternative : Denvale


Confined Race

This does not look the strongest race on paper and looks a good chance for Teeton Dazzler to get back to winning ways and complete a double on the card for the Morris/Tice partnership. Teeton Dazzler will probably have most to fear from Longville Lad, Bobbies Ryde and Gillies Nephew. Longville Lad led from flag fall at Kimble and looked back to his best, if he can retain that form he will be very hard to beat. Gillies Nephew looked to be going well at Kingston Blount before unseating the rider and if able to stay on his feet is also capable of running a very decent race. Bobbies Ryde has also shown some decent form although I feel he will be able to find an easier opportunity to win a Confined race than this. All in all if Teeton Dazzler continues on an upward curve he could make them all go at the main expense of Gillie's Nephew who comes into her own around this time of year and could push Teeton Dazzzler all the way to the line.

Selection : Teeton Dazzler

Alternative : Gillie's Nephew


PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders)

A very open Novice riders race completes the card with several of the 37 entries holding good chances. The horses I like are Nonantais who has run several decent races this season, Prioritisation and Winsley who seems to of come into his own this season with Nolan Byrne's forceful riding tactics. I think Winsley could be good enough to hold on in this race with his main danger looking to be Prioritisation who has also shown some improved showings.

Selection : Winsley

Alternative : Prioritisation


Hoping to report a few winners in our review of this meeting on Tuesday.

Please email any comments to info@southmidlandp2p.co.uk