Berkshire owner-trainer Tim Underwood is set to launch a five-pronged attack on the Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury on Sunday, as he bids to get off the mark for the season, writes Russell Smith.
Underwood, who sent out 18 winners from his Beedon base near Newbury last season to be crowned leading owner, has yet to get on the scoresheet this term, with just three runners to date. Tempelpirate went close to opening his account when beaten a head by Kashmir Peak at Cocklebarrow two weeks ago. The 11 year old is set to go one better under Sam Burton as he bids to repeat last year's success in the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race for Novice Riders which opens the card at 1130.
Underwood said, "I know he got beaten the other day but I wanted him to be switched off for the first circuit and instead he was racing all the way. He is in with a serious squeak." Tempelpirate could renew rivalry with his Cocklebarrow conqueror although Kashmir Peak, who gave Nikki Stubbs a winner on her first ride, also holds an entry at Chaddesly Corbett.
Top-rated is recent Larkhill winner Pink-Eyed Pedro for David Brace, who trains at Pyle in Glamorgan, for his grandson Connor. Miss Gotaway, from Ed Walker's Ottery St Mary yard, is another live contender after finishing fourth to Asockastar on her reappearance at Tiverton, although she too holds an alternative entry.
Underwood is expecting a big run from Cheltenham Mati who makes her reappearance in the Countryside Alliance Club Members Conditions Race. The six year old won four of her eleven starts last term and her trainer said, "In theory she should bolt up.She's improved a lot from last year and really muscled up."
Follow The Paint, a 15l second to Sobre Tresor at Wadebridge last month for Laura Horsfall's Highfields Stables near Towcester, rates the main danger.
Underwood has five entries in the Sporting Agenda Hunt Members' Race with Golden Crisp his likely representative. "She finished the season by winning a ladies race at Trecoed," he reported. "She has a bit of ability and should be there or thereabouts."
Richard Bandey, who has entered three from his Wolverton yard near Tadley, could rely on Victoria Hill, who has been third on both his outings so far, most recently when taking minor honours behind Ballycahane at Cocklebarrow. "He's run two good races this season," he reported, "And finished both races in the same way getting headed going to the last."
The entry includes Peeping Thom from Craig Pilgrim's Shrivenham Stables while Ericht, owned by Nicky Henderson for his daughter Camilla, could also line up. The 12 year old trained by Georgie Nicholls at Kingston Lisle near Wantage, was third to Karinga Dancer at Higham last week.
Underwood admits he's not yet fathomed out Cnoc Sion, his entry in the Jockey Club Estates Open Maiden. As a youngster at Bennettsbridge, the eight year old split the smart Clondaw Cian and The Dutchman, winner of last month's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. The son of Gold Well finished twice third in Underwood's colours last season, including in this contest, before being pulled up after being hampered at the Barbury International meeting. "He's a real mystery,"said the trainer. "He didn't get the rub of the green the last time when he was badly baulked. He also made a bit of a noise so I had him scoped and he had a little nodule on his larynx so he will wear a tongue tie. If it helps, we'll be knocking on the door."
Skyhill Allstar, who chased home Bally River Boy in the first division of the open maiden at the International meeting ehen trained by Shark Hanlon, has since joined Simon Edwards, and could bid to go one better, as could Snow Puma, runner-up to Inmyday in the second division on the same card.
Underwood is hoping cheekpieces will bring an improved showingfrom Thirdtimeben in the Ramsbury Vodka Open Maiden for 4-6 year olds over the shorter 2m 4f. The daughter of Beneficial finished sixth to Definitelyanoscar in the mares maiden at the International meeting three weeks ago on her debut. The one to beat here may be Dissertation, from Andrew Quick's St George-Super Ely stables, near Cardiff, with the six year old mare having finsihed a close third to Irish raider Bailarico at the International meeting.
Feature race of the day is the Timico Mixed Open. With top-rated Cousin Pete highly unlikely to run after a second at Market Rasen on Tuesday, the race looks open. Templebraden, from John Bryan's Cradley yard, was runner-up to Ni Sine Mo Aimn in this contest last year and showed his liking for the course again when second to Lotus Island three weeks ago. Golden Doyen, formerly a smart hurdler for Philip Hobbs and now with Janet Ackner at Exford, was noted staying on nicely to Saddlers Encore here last time.
Mon Parrain was third to Grandturgeon in a Warwick Hunter chase for Kim Smyly's Stanway stable , while Miss Gotaway is also entered up. Pride of Parish (Alan Hill) and his Kingston Blount conqueror Peeping Thom, are also entered.
Bally River Boy, a first winner for Jake Slatter, bids to follow up inthe Fullers Brewery Restricted Race. Jockey Charlie Dando, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting accident last year, could continue his comeback on Kit Barry, owned and trained at Little Sodbury by his father David.
With the Barbury season at halfway, the leaderboard in the Dubarry Leading Trainer Award is distilling into a discernoble pattern. A good day for David Brace would allow him to piggyback current leader Phil Rowley, while if Tim Underwood's plans come to fruition, he could yet claim a defence of his 2016-17 crown. Scores can be found on the web site.
Berkshire owner-trainer Tim Underwood is set to launch a five-pronged attack on the Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury on Sunday, as he bids to get off the mark for the season, writes Russell Smith.
Underwood, who sent out 18 winners from his Beedon base near Newbury last season to be crowned leading owner, has yet to get on the scoresheet this term, with just three runners to date. Tempelpirate went close to opening his account when beaten a head by Kashmir Peak at Cocklebarrow two weeks ago. The 11 year old is set to go one better under Sam Burton as he bids to repeat last year's success in the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race for Novice Riders which opens the card at 1130.
Underwood said, "I know he got beaten the other day but I wanted him to be switched off for the first circuit and instead he was racing all the way. He is in with a serious squeak." Tempelpirate could renew rivalry with his Cocklebarrow conqueror although Kashmir Peak, who gave Nikki Stubbs a winner on her first ride, also holds an entry at Chaddesly Corbett.
Top-rated is recent Larkhill winner Pink-Eyed Pedro for David Brace, who trains at Pyle in Glamorgan, for his grandson Connor. Miss Gotaway, from Ed Walker's Ottery St Mary yard, is another live contender after finishing fourth to Asockastar on her reappearance at Tiverton, although she too holds an alternative entry.
Underwood is expecting a big run from Cheltenham Mati who makes her reappearance in the Countryside Alliance Club Members Conditions Race. The six year old won four of her eleven starts last term and her trainer said, "In theory she should bolt up.She's improved a lot from last year and really muscled up."
Follow The Paint, a 15l second to Sobre Tresor at Wadebridge last month for Laura Horsfall's Highfields Stables near Towcester, rates the main danger.
Underwood has five entries in the Sporting Agenda Hunt Members' Race with Golden Crisp his likely representative. "She finished the season by winning a ladies race at Trecoed," he reported. "She has a bit of ability and should be there or thereabouts."
Richard Bandey, who has entered three from his Wolverton yard near Tadley, could rely on Victoria Hill, who has been third on both his outings so far, most recently when taking minor honours behind Ballycahane at Cocklebarrow. "He's run two good races this season," he reported, "And finished both races in the same way getting headed going to the last."
The entry includes Peeping Thom from Craig Pilgrim's Shrivenham Stables while Ericht, owned by Nicky Henderson for his daughter Camilla, could also line up. The 12 year old trained by Georgie Nicholls at Kingston Lisle near Wantage, was third to Karinga Dancer at Higham last week.
Underwood admits he's not yet fathomed out Cnoc Sion, his entry in the Jockey Club Estates Open Maiden. As a youngster at Bennettsbridge, the eight year old split the smart Clondaw Cian and The Dutchman, winner of last month's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. The son of Gold Well finished twice third in Underwood's colours last season, including in this contest, before being pulled up after being hampered at the Barbury International meeting. "He's a real mystery,"said the trainer. "He didn't get the rub of the green the last time when he was badly baulked. He also made a bit of a noise so I had him scoped and he had a little nodule on his larynx so he will wear a tongue tie. If it helps, we'll be knocking on the door."
Skyhill Allstar, who chased home Bally River Boy in the first division of the open maiden at the International meeting ehen trained by Shark Hanlon, has since joined Simon Edwards, and could bid to go one better, as could Snow Puma, runner-up to Inmyday in the second division on the same card.
Underwood is hoping cheekpieces will bring an improved showingfrom Thirdtimeben in the Ramsbury Vodka Open Maiden for 4-6 year olds over the shorter 2m 4f. The daughter of Beneficial finished sixth to Definitelyanoscar in the mares maiden at the International meeting three weeks ago on her debut. The one to beat here may be Dissertation, from Andrew Quick's St George-Super Ely stables, near Cardiff, with the six year old mare having finsihed a close third to Irish raider Bailarico at the International meeting.
Feature race of the day is the Timico Mixed Open. With top-rated Cousin Pete highly unlikely to run after a second at Market Rasen on Tuesday, the race looks open. Templebraden, from John Bryan's Cradley yard, was runner-up to Ni Sine Mo Aimn in this contest last year and showed his liking for the course again when second to Lotus Island three weeks ago. Golden Doyen, formerly a smart hurdler for Philip Hobbs and now with Janet Ackner at Exford, was noted staying on nicely to Saddlers Encore here last time.
Mon Parrain was third to Grandturgeon in a Warwick Hunter chase for Kim Smyly's Stanway stable , while Miss Gotaway is also entered up. Pride of Parish (Alan Hill) and his Kingston Blount conqueror Peeping Thom, are also entered.
Bally River Boy, a first winner for Jake Slatter, bids to follow up inthe Fullers Brewery Restricted Race. Jockey Charlie Dando, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting accident last year, could continue his comeback on Kit Barry, owned and trained at Little Sodbury by his father David.
With the Barbury season at halfway, the leaderboard in the Dubarry Leading Trainer Award is distilling into a discernoble pattern. A good day for David Brace would allow him to piggyback current leader Phil Rowley, while if Tim Underwood's plans come to fruition, he could yet claim a defence of his 2016-17 crown. Scores can be found on the web site.
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