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 30th March 2015, 12 noon

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

Aiteen Thirtythree, who ran well for a long way in the Cheltenham Foxhunter, and Chapoturgeon are the two to consider from the 19 entries for the Portman Mixed Open at Badbury Rings on Easter Saturday. The former was unbeaten in his five previous races, including a facile victory on the 2014 corresponding card and a February Lingfield Hunter Chase. Chapoturgeon, winner of his only point-to-point at Milborne St Andrew in 2012, finished runner-up to Salsify in the 2012 Cheltenham Foxhunter, but has not appeared since finishing second to Mossey Joe in the Stratford Horse & Hound Cup 22 months ago. The pair could face challenges from Chapoturgeon’s stable companion, Posh Totty, Hameldown Tor, who provided Robbie Henderson’s 100^th career success at Milborne St Andrew, Certain Flight, runner-up in his two points this season, Cotley winner Steeltown and Cock Of The Rock, a Larkhill winner for Harry Cobden in March. Chapoturgeon gets the vote, with Aiteen Thirtythree fancied for the forecast.

Posh Totty is the likely favourite for the Confined, if connections take up the option, while stable companion Ghizao has chances if putting in a clear round. Theatre Evening, who led Hameldown Tor over the last at Milborne St Andrew, and Saturday’s Larkhill runner-up Peyekashe have chances, while King’s Wood would relish a test of stamina. Hincheslea Moor was a facile winner at Larkhill on Saturday and can challenge Posh Totty.

Milborne St Andrew runner-up Turtle Boys, Wak A Turtle, who sauntered home at Larkhill on Saturday, and Little Cornham, winner of four consecutive Quantock Staghounds hunt races, are the three suggestions for the Intermediate. Cottenham runner-up Credit Crunched and dual Buckfastleigh-winner Miss Gotaway should ensure a strong contest.

Cock Of The Rock, Credit Crunched and Hincheslea Moor are among the nine entries for the Novice Riders’ contest, along with Working Title, a joint-leader in the National Leading Horse Award race with four 2014/15 successes. The evergreen Barneys Mate may bid to add to his prolific tally, but Working Title is the selection.

Bill Dupont’s Roy’s Gallery can follow up his Didmarton Maiden success in the Restricted. Kilworthy winner doyen Dynamo and Larkhill runner-up On Your Max can complete the placings.

Two Maiden races complete the seven race card. Royalzaro can take the 2m-5f contest. Kernel Victor and The Mystro 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. Admission: £25 per car including passengers; driver alone £15; pedestrians £15.

Intermediate (5 ran)

1. Little Cornham (IRE) (W Biddick, 4-6F); 2. Turtle Boys (IRE) (Ben Clarke, 6-4); 3. Dbanks (IRE) (C Barber, 7-2). 6min 17s. Nk, dist. (Keith Cumings)

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

1. Royalzaro (FR) (W Biddick, 4-5F); 2. Boxatrix (D Andrews, 10-1); only two finished. 5min 33s. 20l. (Jack Barber)

CA Club Members (Nov Rdrs) (5 ran)

1. Cock Of The Rock (IRE) (H Cobden, 4-5F); 2. Working Title (IRE) (J Drinkwater, evens); 3. Shantou Breeze (IRE) (L Madgwick, 8-1). 6min 19s. 2½l , 10l. (Rachael Green)

Mixed Open (4 ran)

Restricted (5 ran)

1. Ruddy Article (IRE) (W Biddick, 2-1); 2. On Your Max (R Henderson, 5-4F); 3. Sparkling Miss (James King, 3-1). 6min 26s. 4l, 6l. (Jack Barber)

Open Maiden (9 ran)

1. Palfrey Boy (N Lawton, 12-1); 2. The Mystro (W Biddick, 6-4F); 3. Maddoxtown (IRE) (James King, 4-1). 6min 26s. ½l, 15l. (Patrick Picton-Warlow)

Confined (10 ran)

1. Posh Totty (W Biddick, 2-5F); 2. Fountains Flypast (H Cobden, 7-1); 2. Theatre Evening (IRE) (T Bishop, 7-1). 6min 14s. 5l, 12l. (Jack Barber)

N/A

Will Biddick dominated the Portman card with a four-timer – his second in seven days – to reach the 36-winner mark for the season. The Keith Cumings-trained Little Cornham (Intermediate) and Jack Barber trio Royalzaro (2m5f Maiden), Ruddy Article (Restricted) and Posh Totty (Confined) provided the champion’s four successes.

Little Cornham held Turtle Boys (Ben Clarke) by a neck after racing prominently throughout. “We came here for the better ground and may now go for a Novice Hunter Chase,” said Andy Pollard, joint owner with Janet Down and Helen Stoneman. Royalzaro was never headed after debutant early leader Captain Joe had fallen at the third. Bought for €3,000 at Arqana Deauville Summer Mixed Sale in July 2014, Royalzaro had been placed in two of his three previous point-to-points and is for sale. Ruddy Article benefited from being ridden prominently after swerving to his right when runner-up in his previous race, the Duke of Beaufort’s Members. Racing in the first two throughout, Ruddy Article comfortably held Robbie Henderson’s challenge aboard favourite On Your Max. Posh Totty earned a “my favourite horse” compliment from Will after making all in the Confined. “She just won’t let anything past,” beamed Will, who had patted the mare’s ears as the partnership crossed the winning line.

Harry Cobden moved to within one of his 10-winner seasonal target aboard Novice Riders’ race winner Cock Of The Rock. Working Title, bidding for a fifth success of the season, made all the running under Joe Drinkwater, but the pair had no answer when Harry produced Cock Of The Rock after the last.

Hameldown Tor made it two wins and two seconds from four Badbury Rings outings by taking the Mixed Open. Will Biddick led three out aboard Certain Flight, who was wearing first-time cheekpieces, but Robbie Henderson forced Hameldown Tor half a length in front at the end of a slowly run tactical encounter.

Exmoor trainer Patrick Picton-Warlow enjoyed his first success “for about four years” when Aubrey Loze’s Palfrey Boy took the 3-mile Maiden, where three of the nine starters completed the course. Palfrey Boy made all the running to provide a second winner between the flags for Philip Hobbs’ employee Nick Lawton.