This Sunday sees the opening of the East Anglian Point to Point season at its traditional venue, Cottenham, with the first race at 12 noon. A six race card kicks off with the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race, the first of the new races exclusive to PPORA members which count towards the PPORA members awards. Always a competitive race this year’s renewal looks to be no different. If running it would be worth keeping an eye on the Francesca Nimmo trained Derksen, he’s sure to be fit and seems to like a right handed track and decent ground. Torran Na Dtonn, who missed last season, is set to run and his trainer Andrew Pennock, who has a great record at Cottenham, is very happy with the horse’s fitness level.
Runners from last years opening Conditions Race
The Men’s Open, due off at 12:35, looks to be the race of the day with top class point to pointers Now Ben, Broken Eagle and Just Cause all entered. Of the three Now Ben is the highest rated and this three time course winner represents last season’s champion trainer Philip Rowley and leading male rider Alex Edwards. Mr Mix, an ex Paul Nicholls’ horse and newcomer to the pointing ranks for Stuart Robinson could also be a standout contender. If all turn up this could prove to be a really high quality contest.
Now Ben and Alex Edwards winning at Cottenham last season
Alan Hill rarely comes away from Cottenham without a winner and as well as Broken Eagle in the Men’s Open and Sharp Suit, who has never been out of the first two at this track, in the ladies, he has the interesting Captiva Island entered in both maidens. An ex Olly Muphy horse with a rating of 110 over hurdles he could be one to follow for the season not just on Sunday. Connections are leaning towards to the 2m4f maiden as he is a horse with plenty of speed.
He could however face stiff opposition from the James Owen trained Linkenholt who is expected to run a big race having improved physically over the summer and having relaxed markedly according to his trainer. Owen also runs Full Batten in the restricted, another to have improved over the summer and Cottenham is the ideal track for him. With Net D’Ecosse also a possibility to take his chance in the ladies, for which he would surely start as favourite, it could be a successful day for the James Owen team.
Point to Pointing is always a great family day out and Cottenham provides superb viewing for spectators with fast, competitive racing guaranteed. The track is easily
