Secretary: Mrs Susie Old

Address:  Belflyns Stables, Ibberton, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 0EN

T:  01258 817101

M: 07967 589543

E: andrew@aold.orangehome.co.uk

Entries:  Mr Terry Sellby

Address:  The Chase, Hinton Martell, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7HE

T:  01258 840650

M: 07770 427394

E:  terry.selby@btconnect.com

Entry Fee: £30 for a single race, £15 per additonal race same horse

Entries Close:  Monday 31st March 2014, 12 noon

Races:  Intermediate - 4,5,6 & 7 year old Maiden (2m4f) - CA Club Members Novice Riders - Mixed Open - Restricted - Open Maiden - Confined

Certain Flight, who ran well for a long way in the Cheltenham Foxhunter, can resume winning ways in the Portman Mixed Open at Badbury Rings on Sunday. The nine-year-old, already the winner of Chipley Park and Milborne St Andrew Opens and a Huntingdon Hunter Chase this season, could face challenges from course winner John Daniell, Barbury Castle winner Latest Trend, Pastek, who stayed on resolutely to win at the Wilton, Sue Popham’s consistent Swansbrook and Theatre Evening, who gave the up-and-coming Subtle Sovereign something to think about at Charlton Horethorne. Aiteen Thirtythree, who returned from a five-year pointing absence to win at Kilworthy, and Wilton Ladies’ Open winner Rossmore Lad are dangers, but Certain Flight gets the vote.

Aiteen Thirtythree is an automatic selection if connections opt for the Novice Riders’ contest, which has attracted 11 entries. Chepstow chase winner Ace High and Larkhill winner Jayo have chances, but Constantius is one to consider at longer odds if reproducing his 2012 form.

Subtle Sovereign has impressed this season and can make it four consecutive wins in the Intermediate, which has attracted nine entries. Stable companion Kostaquarta, a good runner-up at Cotley on Sunday, dual 2014 winner Turtle Boys and Wilton Restricted winner Carlos Gardel may provide the strongest opposition.

Kostaquarta and Pastek are among the nine entries for the Confined and must be respected if taking this option. Azulada Bay, who had good Open race form last season, and Hackwood Park runner-up Peyekashe are two more for the shortlist. The suggestion is Merry Terry, who returned to something like his best when runner-up to Thinkaboutthat at Ston Easton.

Treborough Hill third Molly Oscar and Larkhill winner Posh Totty can fight out the Restricted. Siddington runner-up Tucumcari and Wilton winner Sparkling Miss can contest the minor placings.

Two Maiden races complete the seven race card. Calusa Comet and Undeutroi are two suggestions for the 2m-5f contest. Dads Birthday and Last Edition are two to choose from in the 3-mile event.

The course at Badbury Rings is off the B3082 between Wimborne and Blandford (DT11 9JL). First race: 2.00pm.

Intermediate (5 ran)

1. Kostaquarta (IRE) (J Barber, 2-1); 2. Carlos Gardel (M Legg, 4-1); 3. Bobbys Choice (IRE) (A Doyle, 20-1). 6min 44. 10l, 10l. (Jack Barber)

Open Maiden 456&7yo, 2m5f (6 ran)

1. Calusa Comet (IRE) (T David, 7-4F); 2. Rock Of Fife (M Hampton, 6-1); 3. Ellviss (IRE) (Robert Hawker, 9-4). 5min 47. 8l, 8l. (Zara Phillips)

CA Club Members (Nov Rdrs) (8 ran)

1. Aiteen Thirtythree (IRE) (Miss N Parker, 1-2F); 2. Flanshan (IRE) (Miss P Skipper, 9-2); 3.Killing Me Softly (H Webb, 16-1). 6min 33. 10l, 10l. (Kevin Parker)

Mixed Open (5 ran)9

1. John Daniell (Miss A Bush, 9-4); 2. Ace High (M Hampton, 6-4F); 3. Extra Bold (Miss A Goschen, 6-1). 6min 29. Nk, 8l. (Ollie Bush)

Restricted (8 ran)

1. Posh Totty (J Barber, 2-1); 2. Tucumcari (IRE) (Miss Laura Thomas, 7-1); 3. Sparkling Miss (M Legg, 5-2). 6min 42. 2l, ¾l. (Jack Barber)

Open Maiden (3 ran)

1. Midnight Breeze (C Gethings, 4-1); 2. Golden Squirrell (IRE) (Robert Hawker, 5-4); 3. Last Edition (E Barrett, 4-6F). 6min 45. 6l, 1¼l. (Ollie Bush)

Confined (2 ran)

1. Gunner Be Quick (R Tory, evens); 2. Merry Terry (M Legg, 4-7F). 6min 43. Nk. (Monica Tory)

N/A

The Zara Phillips-trained Calusa Comet was an appropriate winner of the Portman 2m-5f Maiden following the running of the Grand National 24 hours earlier. The ex-Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old sports Peter Luff’s 1985 West Tip Grand National-winning colours, while his trainer had been at Aintree the previous day to see her husband Mike Tindall’s Monbeg Dude finish seventh. “Peter Luff has two eventers with me, so he sent Calusa Comet to me after he disappointed under Rules,” said Zara, after the ex-hurdler had made all the running under Tom David. “The trick has been to find out what makes him tick, but he’s worn every piece of headgear imaginable, apart from blinkers, today including cheekpieces, a tongue tie and a hood.”

Former top chaser Aiteen Thirtythree completed a weekend double for Natalie Parker with a facile Novice Riders’ race success. The winner is a real family horse as he owned by Natalie’s mother Tracy, trained at Bilbrook by her father, Kevin, and led up by her sister, Laura. “Credit to Paul Nicholls and Paul Barber for this,” said Kevin. “I drove Aiteen Thirtythree to Newbury for them in November. He pulled up in a Pertemps qualifier and they gave him to us after the race for our girls to ride in point-to-points. I brought him straight home from there.”

Trainers Jack Barber and Ollie Bush were both in double form. First-season trainer Jack led off aboard Kostaquarta, who benefited from a bit pricker and cheekpieces to take the Intermediate. “He wore them for the first time at Cotley a week ago and they helped to keep him straight,” explained Jack. “He’s improved further in them today. He still needs to race left-handed, but today’s the best he’s jumped in his life.” Jack completed his double with Posh Totty, who was prominent throughout the Restricted. “We bought her at Umberleigh on the last day of last season to ensure we had a fast ground horse in my new yard, but we hope she might turn out to be a bit better than that,” smiled Jack, celebrating his ninth training success.

Ollie Bush achieved her double with John Daniell and Midnight Breeze. The former collared Ace High in the dying strides to take the Mixed Open under Ollie’s daughter, Amanda Bush. “Amanda deserves all the credit for this one, as she’s done all the work while I’ve been out of action for a while and couldn’t assist,” stressed her step-father, Grant Cann. Midnight Breeze delighted “outsider of three” backers and Kentisbeare owner Helen Stoneman by taking the 3-mile Maiden. “He’s my first winner since Lady Wurzel won in February 2005,” beamed Helen. “I’ve had winners in partnerships in the meantime but this is the first in my own colours since. He’s the fifth and final winner we’ve bred out of [10-race winner] Fly The Wind, but she’s still going strong at home, enjoying her retirement, aged 29.”

Rupert Tory limbered up for next weekend’s London Marathon aboard Confined winner Gunner Be Quick, who got the better of sole rival Merry Terry after the pair had jumped the last upsides. “I warmed up for today with a 10-mile run this morning,” added the jockey. “I’m running the Marathon to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund and any sponsorship would be most welcome.”