Sixty-nine horses have been entered for the Knutsford Races on Sunday. Two pony races start proceedings, and the first of six points commences at 2.00 with the four- and five-year-old Maiden over two-and-a-half miles. There are three debutants in the eleven entries which are difficult to assess. Geordies Secret and Schiapars Magern have the best form on offer and whichever Gina Andrews choses to ride is taken as the most likely winner.

 

The Mixed Open is also over two- and-a-half miles with fifteen entries. The pick of them appear to be A Jet of Our Own, Loughan, and Time Leader. Loughan is in rude form having won four in a row. A Jet of Our Own looked useful in winning points but impressed in beating Fier Jaguen in the two-mile Hunter Chase at Cheltenham a fortnight ago. His front-running style will stand him in good stead here. However, the Hannah Roach trained Time Leader is one of the best pointers in training and will be extremely hard to beat.

 

The Restricted looks a competitive affair with runners entered from five different areas. It may prove best to focus on Barry Scott, Bestfriend Barnaby, Dondiam, Premier Fantasy and Surprise Attack. Barry Scott and Premier Fantasy are the only two of the eleven entries with winning form this season, having each won a Maiden. However, it may be worthwhile taking a chance with Bestfriend Barnaby who came third to Subtle Fortune in a good Intermediate at Eyton. He also won his Maiden here two years ago and will be suited by the course.

 

The PPORA Conditions Race (Level 2) is for Keepers with up to five horses, so it gives smaller yards a chance. Column of Fire, Eeze a Saint, My Friend Freddie, One for Billy and Pym have the best form to offer. The outstanding entry is the ex-winning chaser Pym trained by Claire Sherriff who has already won two Conditions Races this season and ran respectably when fifth to Gaboriot in the recent Cheltenham four-mile Hunter Chase.

 

There is a disappointing entry of only five for the Lord Daresbury Classic Final with £1,000 in prize money. The race, confined to horses that have run in the old North-West area, will have lost potential entries because of the abandonment of the three local April meetings in the area where horses could qualify for the final.

 

Perfect Attitude has won two Conditions Races well and will be competitive. The Creadan Rogue won an Intermediate early in the season and held on well in a Conditions Race at Eyton, where he was suited by the good ground. However, the latter’s stable companion Iskandar Pecos has been a revelation this season winning his last three Hunter Chases in a row, including the Cheltenham Intermediate Final last time out. The Hannah Roach owned/trained runner will be hard to beat.

 

The concluding all-aged Maiden has seventeen entries and ones to consider are Freestyle Fighter, Gallant Geronimo, Sabre Rattling, Whatchagotder and You and Me Too. Gallant Geronimo and You and Me Too have consistent placed form. Whathagotder was a good second at Mollington on the May Bank Holiday. The same day, Freestyle Fighter was impressive when coming a close second to Perryville in the faster division of the Eyton Maiden and should prevail here.