Bumper entry for Eyton as weather improves for Bank Holiday Monday

With so many meetings having been cancelled, there is a large entry of 150 for the seven-race card, which commences at 1.00. There is an improving weather forecast during the week, so hopefully the ground will be decent by the Bank Holiday.

The opening race over two-and-a-half miles for four- and five-year-olds, has attracted 23 runners, where only nine of them have seen a racecourse. It will be interesting to see how George Barlow’s Bear Market runs as he was very impressive in winning a bumper at Bangor in March. The Phil Rowley trained half-brother to the ex-Nicky Henderson trained chaser Follow the Bear looks the most promising of those that have run, but with debutants entered from Gina Ellis, Bradley Gibbs, Francesca Poste, Phil Rowley and others, this could be a race to watch out for future stars.

Many horses have multiple entries over the weekend so it’s difficult to know what engagements they will take. The Mixed Open is also over the shorter trip of two- and a-half miles. Depending on what turns up, the best of the nineteen entries to look out for are Caldwell Diamond, Forest Chimes, Grace A Vous Enki and Precious Bounty. Caldwell Diamond won a race over this distance at Paxford on Easter Monday and should be thereabouts. However, if the Nicky Sheppard trained Grace a Vous Enki runs here, he should have too much class against these rivals and notch up his sixth win of the season.

Of the eighteen entries to consider in the Conditions Race (Level 1), Kauto No Risk, The Creadan Rogue and the Dubai Way make most appeal. The Dubai Way has been running consistently over the season without winning. The Creadan Rogue won an early season Intermediate at Dunsmore and has some good placed efforts since. Kauto No Risk who won a good Members at Chaddesley Corbett on his seasonal bow and should come on for that run, is taken as the likely winner.

Nineteen have been entered for the Veteran and Novice Riders race. In an open looking contest, the ones with the best recent form are Emtidaad, Hadmeathehello, Runwiththetide and Ryans Fancy. Runwiththetide won an Intermediate earlier in the season, but Emtidaad has good consistent form in similar races and may have the edge.

There is a useful field of eighteen in the Intermediate and the ones to focus on appear to be Designer Destiny, Francesca du Clos, Goleirihem, Kauto No Risk, Mini Fortune, Subtle Fortune and Trevada. If Kauto No Risk runs here he would carry a five-pound penalty. Both Trevada and Mini Fortune have won two Restricted Races this season, but the latter is given preference to land a four-timer under the Championship leader James King.

With so many horses looking for an opportunity to run, there is a massive entry of forty two for the all-aged Maiden, which is likely to split on the day. There is a wide range of ability on show including a few unraced maidens. The ones to look out for with form are Bellamys Boy, Gallant Geronimo, Iconic Rock, Karismatic, Killard Point, Occupied Territory, O’Hallorans Castle, Our John, Perryville, and Schiapars Magern. Perryville had useful hurdles form for Mel Rowley and if the seven-year-old can produce the same level of form as he did when chasing home Kauto No Risk in the Members at Chaddesley Corbett, he will be very difficult to beat.

The concluding Members has eleven entered and the best ones are Column of Fire, Money Spinner, Reikers Island and Shang Tang. Shang Tang has run very well for Aimee Jones and will be competitive. However, Reikers Island has been a good servant to his owner/rider Dan Cherriman and may have too much to offer.