Irilut Looking For Repeat Success

The first point-to-point meeting in the south midland area takes place at Whitfield near Brackley on Sunday 7th February 2010. They are expecting a big crowd for the South Midland Area Club meeting and have received a massive 276 entries on an exciting looking 10 race card. The first race starts at the earlier time of 11.00 a.m. with cars being charged at £20 each with single occupants at £10 each.

The highlight of the card is the Mens Open race that gets underway at 1.30. This could see another victory for the Robert Waley-Cohen trained Irilut who won impressively over the course and distance last season and should go close to recording a repeat success here. With 10 races on the card it promises to be a great opening days racing.

The first three races on the card are maidens for four, five six and seven year olds. Nomadic Dreamer and Twilight Eagle seem to have the best form but Sky Hole should also go well after finishing a decent third on his only outing. A very open race to kick off the proceedings. Division 2 looks just as tricky with not that much form on the board. Knightsbridgelives should run well following his decent second at Cottenham last year and should hold a good chance of going one better. Madam Crystal and Moscow Mule look the dangers along with Elite Beneficial who did not run to badly earlier this season on his debut appearance. Division 3, as mentioned last weekend at the Dunthrop, should again see a good chance for Jolly Rock to break his maiden tag. He faces some stern opposition from the likes of Horsham Lad, Double Tango and Don't Be Lost. Jolly Rock is the bet though to fulfil that promise of his decent second at Bredwardine and I will take him to score here.

The fourth race on the card sees Division 1 of the Restricted and this looks just as tricky as the above races. Goscar Rock should go well and the impressive maiden winner Gleeson should also be in the shake up. The consistent Frosty Spring will also have a say and with plenty of other horses in the race open to plenty of improvement this looks an extremely difficult race to solve. Gleeson will be the selection but I would not be surprised to see The Stroker pull off a bit of a shock and he could be worth an each way bet at a nice price. Division 2 is also a hard race to fathom, but the best form looks to belong to Run For Churchtown and I take him to score at the main expense of Drom who should again put his front running tactics to good use and be involved at the business end of the race.

With all the above races looking very difficult to solve I feel the Mens Open race is not quite so competitive. Irilut stands out on paper and should record another Mens Open victory. Irilut looks the best bet of the day on a very tricky card. The main opposition should come from Gaelsbob, Euro Bleu, Bowdens Lane and Saintsaire. Saintsaire formerly with Nicky Henderson will love the soft underground conditions and should go well. I am just not certain how much ability he retains as he has always been an inconsistent character. Bowdens Lane should also appreciate the conditions and should go well if the same front running tactics are adopted like many races last season. The biggest danger looks to be Euro Bleu who improved throughout last season and finished with a hunter chase victory at Folkestone in May. I think Irilut's class will shine through here and with plenty of front-runners in the field the race should be run to suit his hold up waiting tactics.

Another maiden race follows for the older age group of 8 year old plus with plenty of runners in the field holding good chances. It is very difficult to choose between Exuberance, Touchdown Kid, Timall and Uncle Albert. Exuberance and Timall look up to winning a race like this but I think Uncle Albert can put those two previous seconds behind him and record an overdue first success.

A competitive Intermediate race is up next and with Fresh Fruit recording 2 wins out of 2 already this season you would expect him to run well even though this is another step up in class. Plenty of strong oppostion against him though with Sweden, Ice Cool Benny, Maranach and No John No. This does look a very strong race but I will take a chance with Sweden to take this race from the improving Maranach.

An excellent entry has been received for the Ladies Open race with several horses holding good chances. Lagosta and Petit Lord set the bar but are closely followed by Duchamp, I Am Said I, and Virginia Preuil. I think Lagosta is the one to beat here closely followed by Virginia Preuil. A really exciting race looks in store and this should be a great race to watch for future races.

The final race of the day is the South Midland Area Club Members race. I really like the look of What of It who looks a really improving type and if fit to do himself justice looks the one they all have to beat. Heavy Weather, Noeud Vert and Pennytino all look stern opposition but like many of the races on the card this looks another tricky hard race to bring proceedings to a close.

Selections :

Race 1 - Twilight Eagle (Nomadic Dreamer)
Race 2 - Knightsbridge Lives (Elite Beneficial)
Race 3 - Jolly Rock (Horsham Lad)
Race 4 - Gleeson (The Stroker e/w)
Race 5 - Run For Churchtown (N.B) (Isle of Skye)
Race 6 - Irilut (NAP) (Euro Bleu)
Race 7 - Uncle Albert (Timall)
Race 8 - Sweden (Maranach)
Race 9 - Lagosta (Virginia Preuil)
Race 10 - What of It (Pennytino)


Let’s hope we can finally get the season underway at the third time of asking with everybody having a really enjoyable opening days racing .

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