CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY UNITED HUNTS CLUB at COTTENHAM
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17th 2019
By Mike Ashby
With reported ground conditions as near perfect, an exciting start is anticipated as the East Anglian season gets underway for it’s earliest ever calendar start date. Cottenham racecourse will host this opening fixture for which 58 entries have been received for the six races, the first of which is scheduled for 12 noon.
The opening Conditions race, run over the 2 ½ miles has attracted the day’s biggest numerical entry and of the sixteen entered there are some interesting horses to consider. Bertimont, ex Dan Skelton stable, is owned by sisters Gina and Bridget and is now in the care of Gina’s husband Tom Ellis. With a preference for easy trips, the Cottenham course and the race distance could be ideal. Trainer Alan Hill has entered a couple and both have live chances. Hawkhurst and Captiva Island did the stable proud last year and they both have winning Cottenham form, so whoever is the chosen representative won’t be far away from supplementing their previous course success. Tangoed is young and fairly lightly raced but has won three of her four point-to-point starts. This shorter trip suits the chestnut mare and jockey Nathan Rahman knows her well, having partnered her to two of her wins. Undisputed shows consistent form but has only produced one career win to-date but a Philip Rowley entry has to be respected.
The Mens Open sees Philip Rowley stable star, Now Ben entered, looking to add to his already impressive Cottenham record of four wins. Winner of this race last year Alex Edwards mount is a multiple winner of points, totalling fourteen to-date, so will arrive well-tuned up for a repeat performance. Possible challengers include Cloudy Joker, who after a three year break joined the current stable of Max Comley, from Donald McCain but does appear to take chances with his jumping. Vivaldi Collonges has changed stables after being with James Owen last season when running in mainly novice rider’s events and young Benjamin Bromley knows him very well. A possible contender if Philip Rowley, his new trainer, runs both his entrants.
Any Gina Andrew’s possible mount, in a Ladies Open, has to be respected and entered here are two trained by Gina’s husband, Tom Ellis. The chosen representative, on the day, from Al Shahir and Bertimont could be the one to give top-rated Arthur’s Secret a proper race. Ravished is consistent but might find Cottenham too sharp and the same applies to Mercers Court , who has joined Caroline Fryer’s stable from Neil King’s NH yard. Mercers Court’s race record would indicate that the gelding is more at home over an extended distance.
Only four have put their names forward for the Restricted race which gives one of them a chance to supplement a previous success. Fox Valley will have the knowledge and assistance of Gina Andrews whilst Mr. Snuffles ran just the once last season but won his Maiden by 25 lengths.
The Open Maidens have several horses that have been entered in both the 3 mile race and the concluding 2 ½ mile contest. There are a number of ex-Irish pointers trying their luck, over here, for new trainers in the longer distance race. Fumet d’Oudairies is only a 4-y-o and will have been schooled to perfection by Tom Ellis. Allonok is another ex-Skelton horse now in the hands of Francesca Nimmo, which in itself is of interest. With husband Charlie Poste, their yard enjoyed some very successful visits to East Anglian tracks, last season. Ringa Ding Ding represents the Alan Hill yard and we all know that Mr. Hill’s training record at Cottenham is mighty impressive. All the horses mentioned in this paragraph are doubly entered in both Open Maidens and are capable of winning either race.
We have waited the best part of 11 months since we last raced at Cottenham. The course will have been meticulously prepared for an exciting and competitive start to the new season.
LET’S GO RACING!
Admission: £15 adults ( Senior Citizens and students £13 ) including racecard Children under 16 admitted free
First of six races is at 12 noon.
Cottenham racecourse is situated 4 miles north of Cambridge (CB24 8RG)
Directions:
From A14 take junction 33 past Milton. Turn left along Landbeach Road on a section of Dual carriageway. This road changes to High Street through Landbeach and then Green End. Turn right along Cottenham Road. The Racecourse is on your right.
From the North travel along the A10 until you reach the Waterbeach junction. Turn right along Landbeach Road. Turn right along Green End and then left at Cottenham Road. The Racecourse in on the right.
