Bibury trainer Dibby Brown could run Cheltenham Festival hopeful Cousin Pete at the rearranged Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury this Saturday, writes Russell Smith.
The lightly raced 10 year old was set to bypass the fixture two weeks ago when it fell prey to the weather, having fininshed a half length second to subsequent winner Sir Jack Yeats in a hunters' chase at Market Rasen five days earlier.
However, the son of Kayf Tara may now take up his engagement in the Timico Mixed Open with Brown feeling he needs more match practice ahead of a possible crack at the St James's Place Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase.
"He jumped very green at Market Rasen," she said. "I feel he's not learning anything stood in his stable, so we're thinking of running again. When he won at Larkhill, he jumped super, but at Market Rasen, he did't seem to get in a rhythm - whether it was the track being sharper or the fences being bigger. Cheltenham is not an easy course. It's undulating and tough, and against those horses you can't make mistakes."
Cousin Pete, who also holds entries at Garthorpe and Badbury on Sunday, could face Templebraden, runner-up to Ni Sine Mo Ainm in this contest last year, with Cradley trainer John Bryan's 11 year old showing his liking for the course when second to Lotus Island last month.
Golden Doyen, formerly a smart hurdler for Philip Hobbs, and now with Janet Ackner at Exford near Minehead, stayed on nicely for third behind Saddlers Encore here last time.
The Caller ran a cracker when beaten half a length by Barel of Laughs at Bangor-on-Dee on Sunday, and could make a swift reappearance for Mary Vestey's Upper Slaughter stables, near Stow.
Other possible contenders include Alan Hill's Pride of Parish, who was going well ehen falling at Fakenham last Friday, and his Kingston Blount conqueror Peeping Thom, from Craig Pilgrim's Shrivenham stable.
With five possible runners, owner-trainer Tim Underwood will be hoping the wait for the fixture proves worthwhile as he bids to get off the mark for the season. Underwood, who sent out 18 winners from his Beedon base last season, to be crowned National Leading owner, has yet to get on the scoresheet this term, having had just 4 runners.
Tempelpirate went close to opening is account when beaten a head by Kashmir Peak in a dramatic finsih at Cocklebarrow last month, before unseating Sam Burton at Larkhill. The 11 year old could bid to repeat last year's success in the Jamie Snowden Racing PPORA Conditions Race for Novice Riders, which opens the card at 1130. Kashmir Peak, who has since been a well beaten fifth behind William Money at Chaddesley Corbett, may renew rivalry.
Underwood is expecting a big run from Cheltenham Mati who makes her reappearance in the CA Club Members Conditions Mares Race. The six year old won 4 of her 11 starts last term and the trainer reports, "In thoery, she should bolt up. She has improved a lot from last year and has really muscled up well."
Follow The Paint, a 15l second to Sobre Tresor at Wadebridge last month for Laura Horsfall's Towcester stable, rates the main danger.
Underwood has five entries in the Sporting Agenda Hunt Members Race, with Golden Crisp his likely runner. "She finished the season by winning a ladies race at Trecoed," he said. "She has a bit of ability and should be there or thereabouts." Peeping Thom is also entered here, while Ericht, owned by Nicky Henderson and ridden by daughter Camilla, could also line up. The 12 year old, trained by Georgie Nicholls at nearby Kingston Lisle, was third to Karinga Dancer at Higham last time out.
Underwood admits he's not yet quite worked out Cnoc Scion, his entry in the Jockey Club Estates Open Maiden. As a youngster at Bennetsbridge, the 8yo split the smart Clondaw Cian and The Dutchman, winner of last month's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. The son of Gold Well finished third for Underwood twice last season, including in this contest, before being pulled up after being hampered in his last run here last month.
"He's a real mystery," said the trainer. "He didn't get the rub of the green when he was baulked last time. He also made some noise, so I had him scoped, and he had a little nodule on his larynx, so I am going to try him with 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 Bumper at the International when trained by Shark Hanlon, has since joined Simon Edwards, and will bid to go one better.
Underwood is hoping cheekpieces will bring an improved showing from Thirdtimeben in the Ramsbury Vodka Young Horse Open Maiden. The daughter of Beneficial finished sixth to Definitelyanoscar in a mares maiden over this course and distance five weeks ago.
The one to beat here may be Dissertation from Andrew Quick's St George's Super- Ely stable, near Cardiff, with the six year old mare having finished a close third to Irish raider Bailarico at the International five weeks ago. Bally River Boy provided Winchcombe trainer Jake Slatter with his first winner when scoring at that fixture and he may bid to follow up in the Fullers Brewery Restricted Race. Jockey Charlie Dando, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting accident a year ago, could continue his comeback on Kit Barry, owned and trained by his father David at Little Sodbury.
The current going is Good to Soft according to Clerk of the Course John White. "Despite the rain we've had it's lovely ground."
Competition is also hotting up in pursuit of the Dubarry Leading Trainer Award, worth £1,000 in sponsor's product to the winner. At this half way stage, Phil Rowley leads the charge with 25pts, David Brace in second (20pts) courtesy of William Money's brace of wins, with Sam Jukes and Chloe Newman filling the lower placings. However, with 13 races still to be decided, there are plenty of opportunities for others to come out of the pack.
Bibury trainer Dibby Brown could run Cheltenham Festival hopeful Cousin Pete at the rearranged Vine & Craven meeting at Barbury this Saturday, writes Russell Smith.
The lightly raced 10 year old was set to bypass the fixture two weeks ago when it fell prey to the weather, having fininshed a half length second to subsequent winner Sir Jack Yeats in a hunters' chase at Market Rasen five days earlier.
However, the son of Kayf Tara may now take up his engagement in the Timico Mixed Open with Brown feeling he needs more match practice ahead of a possible crack at the St James's Place Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase.
"He jumped very green at Market Rasen," she said. "I feel he's not learning anything stood in his stable, so we're thinking of running again. When he won at Larkhill, he jumped super, but at Market Rasen, he did't seem to get in a rhythm - whether it was the track being sharper or the fences being bigger. Cheltenham is not an easy course. It's undulating and tough, and against those horses you can't make mistakes."
Cousin Pete, who also holds entries at Garthorpe and Badbury on Sunday, could face Templebraden, runner-up to Ni Sine Mo Ainm in this contest last year, with Cradley trainer John Bryan's 11 year old showing his liking for the course when second to Lotus Island last month.
Golden Doyen, formerly a smart hurdler for Philip Hobbs, and now with Janet Ackner at Exford near Minehead, stayed on nicely for third behind Saddlers Encore here last time.
The Caller ran a cracker when beaten half a length by Barel of Laughs at Bangor-on-Dee on Sunday, and could make a swift reappearance for Mary Vestey's Upper Slaughter stables, near Stow.
Other possible contenders include Alan Hill's Pride of Parish, who was going well ehen falling at Fakenham last Friday, and his Kingston Blount conqueror Peeping Thom, from Craig Pilgrim's Shrivenham stable.
With five possible runners, owner-trainer Tim Underwood will be hoping the wait for the fixture proves worthwhile as he bids to get off the mark for the season. Underwood, who sent out 18 winners from his Beedon base last season, to be crowned National Leading owner, has yet to get on the scoresheet this term, having had just 4 runners.
Tempelpirate went close to opening is account when beaten a head by Kashmir Peak in a dramatic finsih at Cocklebarrow last month, before unseating Sam Burton at Larkhill. The 11 year old could bid to repeat last year's success in the Jamie Snowden Racing PPORA Conditions Race for Novice Riders, which opens the card at 1130. Kashmir Peak, who has since been a well beaten fifth behind William Money at Chaddesley Corbett, may renew rivalry.
Underwood is expecting a big run from Cheltenham Mati who makes her reappearance in the CA Club Members Conditions Mares Race. The six year old won 4 of her 11 starts last term and the trainer reports, "In thoery, she should bolt up. She has improved a lot from last year and has really muscled up well."
Follow The Paint, a 15l second to Sobre Tresor at Wadebridge last month for Laura Horsfall's Towcester stable, rates the main danger.
Underwood has five entries in the Sporting Agenda Hunt Members Race, with Golden Crisp his likely runner. "She finished the season by winning a ladies race at Trecoed," he said. "She has a bit of ability and should be there or thereabouts." Peeping Thom is also entered here, while Ericht, owned by Nicky Henderson and ridden by daughter Camilla, could also line up. The 12 year old, trained by Georgie Nicholls at nearby Kingston Lisle, was third to Karinga Dancer at Higham last time out.
Underwood admits he's not yet quite worked out Cnoc Scion, his entry in the Jockey Club Estates Open Maiden. As a youngster at Bennetsbridge, the 8yo split the smart Clondaw Cian and The Dutchman, winner of last month's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. The son of Gold Well finished third for Underwood twice last season, including in this contest, before being pulled up after being hampered in his last run here last month.
"He's a real mystery," said the trainer. "He didn't get the rub of the green when he was baulked last time. He also made some noise, so I had him scoped, and he had a little nodule on his larynx, so I am going to try him with 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 Bumper at the International when trained by Shark Hanlon, has since joined Simon Edwards, and will bid to go one better.
Underwood is hoping cheekpieces will bring an improved showing from Thirdtimeben in the Ramsbury Vodka Young Horse Open Maiden. The daughter of Beneficial finished sixth to Definitelyanoscar in a mares maiden over this course and distance five weeks ago.
The one to beat here may be Dissertation from Andrew Quick's St George's Super- Ely stable, near Cardiff, with the six year old mare having finished a close third to Irish raider Bailarico at the International five weeks ago. Bally River Boy provided Winchcombe trainer Jake Slatter with his first winner when scoring at that fixture and he may bid to follow up in the Fullers Brewery Restricted Race. Jockey Charlie Dando, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting accident a year ago, could continue his comeback on Kit Barry, owned and trained by his father David at Little Sodbury.
The current going is Good to Soft according to Clerk of the Course John White. "Despite the rain we've had it's lovely ground."
Competition is also hotting up in pursuit of the Dubarry Leading Trainer Award, worth £1,000 in sponsor's product to the winner. At this half way stage, Phil Rowley leads the charge with 25pts, David Brace in second (20pts) courtesy of William Money's brace of wins, with Sam Jukes and Chloe Newman filling the lower placings. However, with 13 races still to be decided, there are plenty of opportunities for others to come out of the pack.
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