Inform Free set to Land Another Ladies prize

The Berks and Bucks Draghounds stage the final South Midland area meeting of the season at Kingston Blount Racecourse on Sunday 25th May 2008. This meeting has 123 runners entered on a 6 race card commencing at 2.30 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.

We should see plenty of runners at this meeting as Alan Hill and his team have put in a big effort to keep the course conditions ideal, with plenty of tractors watering the course on the run up to this meeting. The course at present looks in great condition with a good covering of grass throughout.

The North Oxfordshire Wines Jockey championship for Gentlemen riders sees Tom Ellis on 24 points going into the final meeting of the season holding a 4 point lead from David Bass in second on 20 with the other riders looking to far behind to mount a challenge. The Lady riders championship does not look such a close contest with Chloe Boxall well clear with 11 points from Rachael King in second with 6. The novice riders event looks a much closer contest with David Bass holding the narrowest of leads with 3 winners from Chloe Boxall a close second with 2 wins, it will take a great effort from any of the other riders currently back on 1 winner. Robert Waley Cohen and his prolific scorer Irilut are set to take the owners championship with 24 points as all of his main challengers are not entered at Kingston Blount on Sunday so he will be crowned champion come 6.00 pm on Sunday evening.

Hunt Members Race

With only 6 runners entered for the first race this looks a tricky little contest, especially as Duchamp who looks to have the best overall form is also entered in other races on the card. Duchamp would take a good deal of beating if he did turn out here and would be the selection. The others look a fairly poor bunch with Running Times probably the best of them although keep an eye in the betting market for Accumulus as he would not need to be that special on his pointing debut to get involved here.Not the most enthralling race to get the meeting underway but a good chance for Duchamp to gain some confidence and record another success.

Selection : Duchamp

Alternative : Running Times


Open Maiden Race Over 2m 5f

A very hard maiden race with many of the runners showing similar lines of form. Maddie's Dream has plenty of ability and if anyone can get her to co-operate will surely win a race like this before long. Berkeley Court, Kingston Heath and Rose I Suppose also look to have a good chance in a wide open race. The one I do like in this race is Fortiszamo who ran a very good race at Chaddersley Corbett recently and should also go well. Not really a race to get to heavy involved in betting wise but a very competitive race with hopefully Fortiszamo just getting on top as they hit the line.

Selection : Fortiszamo

Alternative : Berkeley Court


Mens Open Race

Two winners from the previous meeting here go head to head in this race with Left to Himself taking the Mens Open race and Lord Alfred winning the Restricted in comprehensive style. Lord Alfred recorded a slightly quicker time on that ocassion and was not extended leading from start to finish. I think he looks a horse to follow and has a very good chance of stepping up in grade and taking this race. He may however not get such an easy lead in this race with the free running Longville Lad in the field but should not be to inconvenienced if not able to dominate. Left to Himself does look one of the biggest dangers to the selection along with To The Top who loves this Kingston circuit and Tooley Park who has been taking on stronger opposition recently. The other horse which should also be in with a shout is Gillie's Nephew who ran well in the 4m Midlands Grand National and this drop back in trip should also benefit her, especially as this race looks as if it will be run at a very strong early pace.

Selection : Lord Alfred (N.B)

Alternative : Tooley Park


Ladies Open

The Ladies Open race looks to be the best race on the card but unfortunately we won't be seeing Polly Gundry and her rising star Kiama as they are taking their chance in the Stratford Hunter Chase on Friday night. This should leave the door open for Free to continue in his rich vein of form and take another Ladies race prize at Kingston Blount. The main opposition looks to come from Ballyalbert, Royal Katidoki, To The Top and Tooley Park. All of these horses can put in a decent performance on their day but will need to be at their best to beat the in form Free.

Selection : Free (NAP)

Alternative : Ballyalbert


Restricted

Checked Shirt and Sheknowsyouknow were both winners of the Maiden races at the previous Kingston Blount meeting but both need to improve a great deal to get involved here. I think the 3 horses to concentrate on are Parsifal, Craigmor and French Bey. French Bey ran a good race behind Burn Brook at Dingley recently and looks an improving type who could easily take this race. Parsifal and Craigmor have also been running consistently well in Restriced races and look as if they are both capable of running well here. I think French Bey will be good enough here to take this race and finish her season in style.

Selection : French Bey

Alternative : Parsifal


Open Maiden Race

The final race of the South Midland season looks a very open contest. Declans Choice, Maddie's Dream, Not In Thyne and Present Love all look to have strong credentials, but the one I like is Where's Dexter who ran well to finish 4th at Northaw recently on only his second start, with plenty more improvement likely. I think he should take this race on his way to bigger and better things next season. Not in Thyne who keeps finding one to good should also go very close and Present Love can also be in the shake-up. The most likely danger though could be Preston Crest who ran extremely well on his debut before pulling up and with plenty of experienced gained from that opening appearance will be looking to go close here. A fascinating race to finish the season but let's hope we can finish with a winner and Where's Dexter does the business.

Selection : Where's Dexter

Alternative : Preston Crest


We will be hoping to report plenty of winners in our review of this meeting on Tuesday.

I hope that many of you have enjoyed the site in its opening season and if you have any suggestions or improvements you would like to see added to the site then please email any comments to info@southmidlandp2p.co.uk