The Dunston Harriers at Ampton – Sunday 12th January 2020
Following on from two successful and highly enjoyable meetings held at Cottenham, the East Anglian point to point season continues at Ampton with the Dunston Harriers fixture on Sunday.
The six race card which commences at 12:00hrs is definitely a meeting to attend and could be a big coup for the course with last year’s Cheltenham Foxhunter winner, Hazel Hill, featuring amongst the 10 entries of the mixed open race, as he starts his preparations to defend his title in March. Having missed some recent engagements he would be a welcome visitor once again to East Anglia. Without him, the race looks wide open with the likes of Inchcolm and Sonofpresenting featuring along with the East Anglian trained trio of Chosen Rose, Just Cause and Tullys Touch.
Proceedings kick off with a Jockey Club and Retraining of Racehorses Veterans Race for 9-year-olds and over, with recent winner Horizontal Speed, who had several of these behind him at Barbury, and last season’s course winner Minella Friend featuring along with the aforementioned Just Cause who could by-pass the mixed open in favour of this easier contest.
Some of those entered for the maiden race have placed form in Irish points from last season, but it those with recent form which are worth investigating. Last fence faller at Cottenham, Huntsmans Jog, was still in contention in spite of earlier jumping errors, whilst On Parole was only beaten ¾ length in a Larkhill maiden in December. The other horse to consider is Mount Corbitt who was sent off 2nd favourite for a two mile point to point flat race at Barbury, eventually finishing 5th.
The restricted race has only 8 entries, but some interesting horses nonetheless.
Taboo won a maiden at Ffos Las in December, and Hard Ground won an Irish point in October at Portrush. Occupied made a promising return at Cottenham, whilst Normofthenorth won a maiden at Kimble last April on his only start in the UK. The most impressive winner of those entered came from Love Around who sprinted away from the opposition to win a point to point bumper at Stratford’s hunter chase meeting in May, but it remains to be seen if she can translate this form in points.
Recent restricted winner Fox Valley heads the entries in the intermediate race, whilst the concluding contest for novice riders has the runner-up in this race last year, Trojan Star, looking to go one better and add to his recent success at Barbury and may have most to fear from Knight Bachelor and Sounds Of Italy.
The first race is at 12 noon
Admission: Adults £10, Children under 16 Free, Racecards £2.50.
In attendance, trade stands, catering outlets and local bookmakers.
