Badbury Rings hosts their second meeting of the season when the Portman hold their point to point. With little rain in recent days the Hunt are taking steps to water the course on Thursday unless rain arrives and for the Vertidrainer to be used on Friday and then watered again on Saturday. There will be plenty of trade stands to enjoy as well as the bookmakers, food stalls and bar. There will be a big screen provided by iStadia which does help viewing at the course. 

The principal race on the card , the Westover Group sponsored Mixed Open has attracted an entry of ten horses and the principals are likely to be Tom Barton, Moscow Prices, Golden Doyen and Dry Ol’Party. Tom Barton would be a popular winner for his owners the Four Dames Partnership headed by Annie Tory and trained by Sally Alner. Already a winner this season he was a good second to Green Winter at Larkhill and should give his young rider Liam Harrison another good ride. Moscow Prices won at the previous Badbury meeting but was rather disappointing last time. Golden Doyen ought to come on for his run behind Tom Barton at Larkhill as this was his first race of the season whereas Dry Ol’Party surprised more fancied rivals when winning a Ladies Open at Ston Easton for Chloe Emsley. Tom Barton is the selection with Dry Ol’Party the main danger. 

The main supporting race , the Trethowan Solicitors sponsored Club Members for Novice Riders, may go to the prolific Coco Live already a course winner this year and looking for his fifth successive victory. However he holds an entry in a Hunter Chase at Taunton on Thursday so may not take in this race. In his absence Apple’s Queen a good third at Milborne St Andrew behind Jack Snipe and Woodfleet may be the one to support. Blue Benny was not far behind Apple’s Queen and should give Hollie Greene another good ride. The veteran De Boitron ran well on his seasonal debut at Ston Easton and will have his supporters. Other veterans to consider are Trueflyingcolours and Persian Snow with the latter owned by David Maxwell and now trained by Bethen Childs. 

The Jackson Stops sponsored Restricted race looks an open race with the Larkhill Maiden winner Milberry looking to follow up. Gask Ridge was third at Kilworthy and must have chances. Tommo ought to come on for his run at Larkhill whereas Lawsons Thorns finished one place in front. Gowell is a potential challenger from Wales and if travelling the hint should be taken. Judge John Deed won at Kingston St Mary in 2015 and then finished third to Tom Barton at Badbury before a disappointing time with Paul Nicholls. Now with Rebecca Ffooks he could be a sporting bet to lift the prize. 

The meeting has two Maiden races, the Jaytrack Maiden for younger horses and the Harbour Innovations Open Maiden. Dino Boy trained by Tom Faulkner in Wales is entered in both divisions and if travelling to Dorset he may be too good for his rivals whichever race is chosen. A good second to Raddon Top at Woodford last season is now looking good form and in his only race this year he was second when he fell at the last at Ffos Las. In the younger Maiden Helford might be the other option for trainer Sally Alner and Liam Harrison whereas IveBeenTold should get his head in front having already been second at the previous Badbury meeting. 

The concluding race the Confined sponsored by the Woodhouse family in memory of Susie Woodhouse may give the gutsy mare Country Legend another victory. Already the winner of two races this season for owner Frances Bishop she is progressive and may be too good for her rivals headed by the veteran Trueflyingcolours and another mare Flights. The last named often finds one too good for her but this is a drop in class for her. Hinxworth last ran in a Hunter Chase at Leicester and this is certainly an easier task but he seems to prefer shorter trips. Country Legend is the selection.  

Badbury Rings, 4 miles NW of Wimborne off B3082 Postcode DT11 9JL. First race 2.00. Entry Costs: £30 per car. £15 per car (single occupant) and for each pedestrian. 

Race 1:                        Open Maiden 4,5,6yrs 2m4f 

1^st             Helford (Ire)

2^nd            

3^rd             

Runners:            2                        Distances:            l, l                                    Time: 5m 48s

Race 2:                        Conditions (Novice Riders) 

1^st             Apple’s Queen (Fr)

2^nd             De Boitron (Fr)

3^rd             Merrion Square (Ire) 

Runners:            4                        Distances:            7l, 25l                                    Time: 6m 14s 

Race 3:                        Mixed Open 

1^st             Moscow Prices (Ire)

2^nd             Tom barton

3^rd             Dry ol’ Party 

Runners:            6                        Distances:            2 ½ l, 25l                        Time: 6m 7s

Race 4:                        Restricted 

1^st             Milberry

2^nd             Lawsons Thorns (Ire)

3^rd             Tommo 

Runners:            3                        Distances:            3l, 2 ½ l                        Time: 6m 21s 

Race 5 :            Open Maiden 

1^st             Lure des Pres (Ire)

2^nd             Phar Island (Ire)

3^rd             Ivebeentold (Ire) 

Runners:            6                        Distances:            nk, 8l                                    Time: 6m 26s

Race 6:                        Confined 

1^st             Country Legend

2^nd             Trueflyingcolours (Ire)

3^rd             Hinxworth (Ire) 

Runners:            5                        Distances:            30l, 3 ½ l                        Time: 6m 11s