Cothelstone Preview 11th April 2021
The annual Quantock Point to Point run at Cothelstone was one of the last meetings to be held before Covid forced the season to be cut short this time last year. Normally held in mid-March, the fixture has moved to this Sunday and has attracted a good entry of 137. Due to Covid restrictions, the meeting will be run behind closed doors following BHA and Government guidelines and no public will be admitted. However there will be a live streaming service available which can be found using http://bit.ly/Cothelstone for a small charge of £9.99.
The first race is the Hunt race and it has been extended to other local hunts including those not able to run their own meetings. With 9 entries former course winner Rien du Tout may turn out again after being pulled up last week at Cherrybrook. Trained by Charlotte Budd, he signed off the shortened season winning at Larkhill and could be forgiven his run in a Hunter Chase at Wincanton on heavy ground. Charlotte also has Taken by Force entered and he too is a course winner who could prefer the quicker ground here. Peter Doggrell’s Earth Storm is also a course winner, having taken this race last season at 33-1. Florrie Webb is an interesting entry from Ireland for Will Biddick. Placed twice under Rules in Ireland, he could benefit from the switch to Pointing and could be a shrewd purchase. Mixboy has won 11 times under Rules and is best watched after running out at Cherrybrook
The Jockey Club Mares and Fillies race has attracted 25 entries. Of those Eastern Promises ran a nice race when finishing third at Barbury in December and should build on that. Thekitchenmechanic and Oyster Pearl finished second and third in this race last year and both have had a run this season in December with both showing up well for a long way in their respective races. Dean Summersby’s Honest Opinion ran well on debut at Wadebridge when 4th while Boss Baby finished a good second here last year in the Open Maiden but failed build on that this season pulling up last time in a Hunter Chase. Debutant, Lassue, is out of winning mare, Annie Fleetwood while Benny’s Miracle is a full-sister to the useful Tuff Nano. Madame Hannah may have bumped into a nice type when second on debut last season just in front of Aunt Lily and both go over obstacles for the first time here. Ben Clarke’s Lettie Lutz was only just beaten on debut at Chaddesley Corbett in a flat race and is of interest on her debut over jumps for this shrewd yard.
Open races at this course are often hotly contested and this year has attracted 25 entries. Virak heads the ratings and won three times last season. He will be hard to beat if coming here in that form. Trainer David Brace enjoys his jaunts across the Bristol Channel to plunder prizes at this track and has 9 time winner Robin des People who showed himself to be in good health when taking the Veterans’ Conditions race at Maisemore. A dual course winner, he could be in the mix. Ballyknock Cloud has an impressive 6 from 6 between the Flags but didn’t progress when sent under Rules. The admirable Moscow Prices always runs his race but may find a couple too good. Country Legend was a very good mare during her novice season and would appreciate the drier conditions. She ran well enough at Larkhill in December and could be an each way bet. Coco Live easily took a four runner Open at Charing at the end of March while Fifty Shades, a winner at Barbury may find this coming too quick after Higham.
The Restricted Race with 17 entries sees Famous Clermont entered for trainer Chris Barber. He won nicely at Larkhill in December under Will Biddick and was just touched off under Tiernan Power Roche at Kimble. If this race doesn’t come too soon, he could go in again. So Socksy won an Open Maiden comfortably in December at Barbury while O’Faolain’s Lad won his maiden at Larkhill last year before returning there only to fall early on on his seasonal debut. Mustmeetforapint was third at Wadebridge but may prefer a softer surface.
The Conditions Race has 27 entries and has several who are also entered in the Mixed Open. Others include Tree Sparrow for Camilla Scott who only had one outing last season but would prefer this drier ground. Teresa Clark’s Pancrace missed last season but is another who should prefer the surface. A few of the entries are at the latter stages of their career and that includes Broughton’s Rhythm who was extremely consistent under Rules despite only winning twice but he did prefer a bit of cut when trained by Oliver Sherwood. Creative Inerta is another who is consistent and could run well. Alan Hill has Hawkhurst who took a similar event at Chaddesley Corbett in December before finishing a close third at Hutton Rudby.
The finale has the biggest entry with 37 in the Open Maiden. Of those with form Charles Ritz catches the eye judged on his debut second behind all the way winner, Tip Top Mountain at Wadebridge. Jasmin des Bordes also filled second spot behind the useful Maitree Express at Larkhill in December. Transition Period for the Dean Summersby yard, was in the process of closing on the leaders when he fell at the last on debut. He should improve.
Organisers would like to thank sponsors Eastleigh Care Home, Roberts Waste, Evolution Equine, Holiday Resort Unity, Hawkins and Print Concern. And all entry money for the Restricted Race this year will be donated to NHS Charities.
