PPORA Race Previews: 17/05/26

Four PPORA-supported races take place this weekend, all on Sunday 17^th May. The PPORA Novice Riders Championship Final at Edgcote is covered separately in full detail, and this preview features the two races at Tabley and the one at Bratton Down.

Jo Priest's Karaktere D'Enfer wins at Chaddesley Corbett (Graham Fisher)

The first of the Tabley contests is a PPORA Restricted Race, for which seven have been entered. On form, Jo Priest’s Karaktere D’Enfer stands out – he took a competitive Young Horse Maiden on his pointing debut, then beat the prolific Inchidaly Robin in his Members. He looks the one to beat. Chris Barber’s Citizen Jane also won a Members race last time out, but it was a weaker contest. Peaceinthevalley, trained by Fred Timmis, was a good third in a Hexham Hunter Chase last week, and Heidi Brookshaw’s Prohus Yank also has Hunter Chase form this season. O’Hallorans Castle’s form has been in and out this season for Russell Teague, but he has run well on his last two starts, Kow Boy Sivola has placed form in this grade for Edward Rees but fell last time, and Luca Morgan’s Spanish Darling is the least experience entry, but is progressive, having won his only two starts over fences.

Scenic Tabley hosts two PPORA races this weekend (Marilyn Sweet)

The second PPORA race at Tabley is a PPORA ‘Small Keepers’ Conditions Race (Level 2), for trainers who have five or fewer horses. Races of this type are designed to reward the true amateur operations, and six entries have been received. Top-rated is Laura Pomfret’s Sambezi, who dead-heated with the useful Fumet D’Oudairies at Garthorpe then ran well again in better company at the same venue. Poncherello, owned and trained by the Garton family who run this meeting, would be a popular winner. He scored at Dalton Park in March and was third here last time. Two of the entries – Tom Britten’s Amidnightstar and Felix Foster’s Nephin Beg – won last time out. The former did so here, escapes a penalty, and looks the pick of the pair. Poppy Wynne’s Houston Calling remains a maiden and pointing debutant El Saviour, trained by Ashley Bealby, has shown nothing under rules for two years.

Skilful Lord can return to winning ways at Bratton Down (Tim Holt)

At Bratton Down, eight entries have been received for the PPORA Conditions Race (Level 3), for horses aged eight years and over, headed by course specialist Skilful Lord. The 12-year-old, trained by Danielle Keneally, has won four times here and will enjoy the quicker ground. Les Jefford’s mare Conor’s Gift ran well when second at South Hill recently, Luke Price’s Eco Pete is worth noting after a Holnicote third last weekend, albeit in a lower grade, and Darren McAlinden’s Castle Robin – who had useful rules form a few seasons back – would have been placed on his pointing debut but for unseating at the last, but the other entries have something to prove. Danielle Keneally is also responsible for Canastero, who started the season well, but has been out of form recently, Elizabeth Scott’s Presenting Point is approaching veteran stage and his placed form last season came in small fields, Helen Bament’s Fire Squadron is still a maiden and flat winner Top Button – trained by Heidi McCreesh has shown nothing in two pointing starts.