Immy Robinson reports The Dellercheckout to be in great form as they bid to do the double at the Barbury International Racing Club meeting, which takes place behind closed doors at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, on Sunday writes Russell Smith.
With a bumper entry of 175 across the now seven scheduled races, the first race has been brought forward to 11.00 and with further divisions expected after the 48-hour declarations timings may change again. Ilona Barnett, fixture secretary, added, "in common with virtually every fixture to date, our entries have been enormous, and we're delighted so many owners and handlers are supporting this innovative fixture." With no public admission as the fixture has been graded as Level 4 Covid Prevention Status, it will only be participants and owners who will be present to see if the seven-year-old can repeat last year's win in the Alan King Barbury International Mixed Open.
Those eligible to attend are reminded they must pre-register their details using the E-Ticket Registration no later than noon on the Friday before the meeting.
Point-to-Point enthusiasts will, though, be able to follow how the The Dellercheckout - named after the 138 finish which Keith Deller hit to defeat Eric Bristow in the 1983 world darts final - fares with live streaming being provided by West Country Videos. More details, including the web link, are to be posted on the PPRC and Barbury websites.
Immy Robinson's mount, trained by her mother, Caroline Robinson, at Sheriffhales, near Telford, came home a length clear of Don Bersy 12 months ago, before rattling up a hat-trick of wins.
Immy said: "He is in great form at home. He likes the course and the ground should be nice for him.
"He won at Sheriff Hutton after Barbury and a hunter chase at Ludlow where he ran really well. He was then third at Haydock. In hindsight the ground was too soft and we should not have run him there.
"When he came in from his summer break we thought he had strengthened up over his top line, and he feels as good as ever."
The Dellercheckout is among a 33-strong entry, which also includes the David Maxwell-owned Jatiluwih, an easy 10-lengths winner at Bishops Court in October for Bethen Childs, who trains at Carhampton, near Minehead. Taunton trainer Tom Malone sent out Art Mauresque to score on the same card, and he could also bid to follow up.
Marcle Ridge blazed the trail before finishing sixth at 100-1 in the St James's Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for trainer Sam Jukes, from Dymock, near Ledbury, and is another live contender.
With clerk of the course John White reporting on Monday that the going remains good, Sara Bradstock warned that Flintham would need easier conditions if he is to make his comeback after being sidelined with a leg injury since finishing second at Chepstow in February 2018.
The Oxfordshire handler said: "We would not run on good. We would want it to be at least good to soft"
Gloucestershire trainer Sally Randell has entered Barney Dawn here and in the www.barburyraces.co.uk PPORA Club Members Novice Riders Conditions Race (Level 2), which has 34 entries, but expects the 10-year-old to improve for the outing in whichever contest he tackles.
"He is definitely going to run, but I don't know in which race yet," said the Withington handler. "He is probably going to come on for the run."
Georgie Benson, who works for Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill, is set to ride Barney Dwan and her boss provides what looks to be one of her main rivals in the novice riders' race in Diplomate Sivola.
Formerly owned by David Maxwell and trained by Philip Hobbs, the seven-year-old, a three-time winner under rules, is set to have his first start for the Aston Rowant handler with Ben Sutton on board.
Hill said: "He turned up here fit, so we have just had to keep ticking him along. As you can see from his form he has a bit of class."
Tim Underwood, who trains at Beedon, near Newbury, has entered Cheltenham Mati. "I think if she finished in the first four I would be delighted," he said "It is very competitive."
Francesca Nimmo's Ettington yard, near Stratford, could hold the key to the Tattersalls Ireland Four And Five-Year-Olds Open Maiden over 2m 4f with four of the 21 entries. Her quartet includes Adjournment, who made Grizzman pull out all the stops at Larkhill in March.
Salt Of The Earth is on a retrieval mission for Alan Hill and Will Biddick, having unseated his rider at the 13th fence at Kimble when chasing Ahoy Senor.
The trainer commented: "I thought he was going well enough to win the race. Whether he would have we will never know, but hopefully we can put that right."
Tim Underwood believes Irish import Desperate Man comes into the reckoning, saying: "He finished fifth to Mossy Fen in a point-to-point and you have got to give him a squeak."
Bradley Gibbs has made a good start from his new base at Lemsford, near Welwyn Garden City, and has a likely contender in ex-Irish pointer Brother Byrne.
Hill is looking forward to saddling French recruit Sens Unique in the Jockey Club Maiden for Mares and Fillies over 2m 4f, which has attracted 21 entries.
He said: "She has done everything at home in a nice way and now has got to go to the racecourse, but we are quite excited."
Underwood is hopeful Kates Lane will be in the mix. "She had a breathing problem last year which we put right," he commented. "They don't always last a long time, but she ran a blinder when second at Cothelstone."
The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Six-Year-Olds and Over Open Maiden has already been divided with 34 entries.
Sally Randell is hoping I'm Wiser Now can live up to his name by taking Division 1 following his fall last time out. She said: "We really think he would have won at Maisemore. He was still on the bridle, so we hope he can make up for it."
Teresa Clark, who trains at Spaxton in the Quantock Hills, and Biddick could be the combination to follow in Division 2 with Jasmin des Bordes, whose fifth to El Presente at Exeter in October looks stand-out form.
Alan Hill gives a British debut to Irish import Backinthegame, who finished second on his last outing back in May 2019. "We are going to Barbury as looking at the videos he looks quite a stayer," he said.
Phil Rowley landed the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Flat Race with Raffle Ticket last year and Nobby in January 2018. The winner receives a £1,000 bounty toward a purchase at any Irish sale courtesy of the sponsor.
With his wife, Mel, having taken over the reins at their Morville yard, near Bridgnorth, her entries, Autumn Equinox, Fairy Rose and He's A Knowall, are of obvious interest.
Hill is hoping cheek-pieces will help Beautiful Prospect translate her good home work to the track after she disappointed at Maisemore Park.
Immy Robinson reports The Dellercheckout to be in great form as they bid to do the double at the Barbury International Racing Club meeting, which takes place behind closed doors at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, on Sunday writes Russell Smith.
With a bumper entry of 175 across the now seven scheduled races, the first race has been brought forward to 11.00 and with further divisions expected after the 48-hour declarations timings may change again. Ilona Barnett, fixture secretary, added, "in common with virtually every fixture to date, our entries have been enormous, and we're delighted so many owners and handlers are supporting this innovative fixture." With no public admission as the fixture has been graded as Level 4 Covid Prevention Status, it will only be participants and owners who will be present to see if the seven-year-old can repeat last year's win in the Alan King Barbury International Mixed Open.
Those eligible to attend are reminded they must pre-register their details using the E-Ticket Registration no later than noon on the Friday before the meeting.
Point-to-Point enthusiasts will, though, be able to follow how the The Dellercheckout - named after the 138 finish which Keith Deller hit to defeat Eric Bristow in the 1983 world darts final - fares with live streaming being provided by West Country Videos. More details, including the web link, are to be posted on the PPRC and Barbury websites.
Immy Robinson's mount, trained by her mother, Caroline Robinson, at Sheriffhales, near Telford, came home a length clear of Don Bersy 12 months ago, before rattling up a hat-trick of wins.
Immy said: "He is in great form at home. He likes the course and the ground should be nice for him.
"He won at Sheriff Hutton after Barbury and a hunter chase at Ludlow where he ran really well. He was then third at Haydock. In hindsight the ground was too soft and we should not have run him there.
"When he came in from his summer break we thought he had strengthened up over his top line, and he feels as good as ever."
The Dellercheckout is among a 33-strong entry, which also includes the David Maxwell-owned Jatiluwih, an easy 10-lengths winner at Bishops Court in October for Bethen Childs, who trains at Carhampton, near Minehead. Taunton trainer Tom Malone sent out Art Mauresque to score on the same card, and he could also bid to follow up.
Marcle Ridge blazed the trail before finishing sixth at 100-1 in the St James's Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for trainer Sam Jukes, from Dymock, near Ledbury, and is another live contender.
With clerk of the course John White reporting on Monday that the going remains good, Sara Bradstock warned that Flintham would need easier conditions if he is to make his comeback after being sidelined with a leg injury since finishing second at Chepstow in February 2018.
The Oxfordshire handler said: "We would not run on good. We would want it to be at least good to soft"
Gloucestershire trainer Sally Randell has entered Barney Dawn here and in the www.barburyraces.co.uk PPORA Club Members Novice Riders Conditions Race (Level 2), which has 34 entries, but expects the 10-year-old to improve for the outing in whichever contest he tackles.
"He is definitely going to run, but I don't know in which race yet," said the Withington handler. "He is probably going to come on for the run."
Georgie Benson, who works for Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill, is set to ride Barney Dwan and her boss provides what looks to be one of her main rivals in the novice riders' race in Diplomate Sivola.
Formerly owned by David Maxwell and trained by Philip Hobbs, the seven-year-old, a three-time winner under rules, is set to have his first start for the Aston Rowant handler with Ben Sutton on board.
Hill said: "He turned up here fit, so we have just had to keep ticking him along. As you can see from his form he has a bit of class."
Tim Underwood, who trains at Beedon, near Newbury, has entered Cheltenham Mati. "I think if she finished in the first four I would be delighted," he said "It is very competitive."
Francesca Nimmo's Ettington yard, near Stratford, could hold the key to the Tattersalls Ireland Four And Five-Year-Olds Open Maiden over 2m 4f with four of the 21 entries. Her quartet includes Adjournment, who made Grizzman pull out all the stops at Larkhill in March.
Salt Of The Earth is on a retrieval mission for Alan Hill and Will Biddick, having unseated his rider at the 13th fence at Kimble when chasing Ahoy Senor.
The trainer commented: "I thought he was going well enough to win the race. Whether he would have we will never know, but hopefully we can put that right."
Tim Underwood believes Irish import Desperate Man comes into the reckoning, saying: "He finished fifth to Mossy Fen in a point-to-point and you have got to give him a squeak."
Bradley Gibbs has made a good start from his new base at Lemsford, near Welwyn Garden City, and has a likely contender in ex-Irish pointer Brother Byrne.
Hill is looking forward to saddling French recruit Sens Unique in the Jockey Club Maiden for Mares and Fillies over 2m 4f, which has attracted 21 entries.
He said: "She has done everything at home in a nice way and now has got to go to the racecourse, but we are quite excited."
Underwood is hopeful Kates Lane will be in the mix. "She had a breathing problem last year which we put right," he commented. "They don't always last a long time, but she ran a blinder when second at Cothelstone."
The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Six-Year-Olds and Over Open Maiden has already been divided with 34 entries.
Sally Randell is hoping I'm Wiser Now can live up to his name by taking Division 1 following his fall last time out. She said: "We really think he would have won at Maisemore. He was still on the bridle, so we hope he can make up for it."
Teresa Clark, who trains at Spaxton in the Quantock Hills, and Biddick could be the combination to follow in Division 2 with Jasmin des Bordes, whose fifth to El Presente at Exeter in October looks stand-out form.
Alan Hill gives a British debut to Irish import Backinthegame, who finished second on his last outing back in May 2019. "We are going to Barbury as looking at the videos he looks quite a stayer," he said.
Phil Rowley landed the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Flat Race with Raffle Ticket last year and Nobby in January 2018. The winner receives a £1,000 bounty toward a purchase at any Irish sale courtesy of the sponsor.
With his wife, Mel, having taken over the reins at their Morville yard, near Bridgnorth, her entries, Autumn Equinox, Fairy Rose and He's A Knowall, are of obvious interest.
Hill is hoping cheek-pieces will help Beautiful Prospect translate her good home work to the track after she disappointed at Maisemore Park.
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