Grey's Foxhunter focus at Milborne (From Dorset Echo)

Grey's Foxhunter focus at Milborne

8:53am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Sport By Echo Reporter

CHAPOTURGEN can achieve the win required for Cheltenham Christie’s Foxhunter qualification by taking the South Dorset Men’s Open at Milborne St Andrew on Sunday.

The grey, winner of the Jewson Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, put up a superb performance to land the season’s opening Hunter Chase at Newbury and should have little trouble following up here.

Opposition includes last year’s winner Vintage Class and 2010 Coronation Cup victor Coombe Hill, who returned to his best at Larkhill in January.

Also among the contenders are Newton Abbot Hunter Chase winner Louis Pasteur, Chipley Park runner-up Ned The Post, and Foynes Island, last seen when landing an Exeter Handicap Chase for the Philip Hobbs stable in April.

Mahonia, a dual 2008 winner under Rules for Paul Nicholls, is an interesting entry, but Chapoturgeon is a confident selection.

Foynes Island and Mahonia are among the 20 top-class entries for the AGA Ladies’ contest.

Taunton Hunter Chase winner Armoury House, Larkhill runner-up Gwanako and stable companion Trueflyingcolours, who got off the mark at the 2011 meeting, also catch the eye.

Kent Grand National winner Kilbeggan Blade and Whitfield winner Palypso De Creek will relish testing conditions.

Chloe Roddick has a strong hand with Mahonia, Sericina and former Munster National winner Dear Villez and her selected runner is fancied to fight out the finish with the Smith-Maxwells’ dual Hunter Chase winner Double Mead.

Barneys Mate, New Little Bric and Pastek, who were second, third and fifth respectively at Barbury Castle in December, can renew rivalry in the 21-entry Novice Riders’ contest.

Ideford Arch winner Glacial Call and Ice Tea will be supported, but Barneys Mate is a standing dish in this type of race and should follow up his recent Chipley Park success.

A total of 136 horses are entered for the South Dorset Hunt’s eight-race card, beginning with the 2m 4f Maiden at noon.

John and Floss Symes’ Robin Will had good form under Rules and can challenge Chaddesley Corbett third The Fish Pot.

The Hunt race has attracted an eight-strong entry.

Diflock impressed when winning his only point-to-point at Stafford Cross in 2008, but Rupert Tory can gain his South Dorset Hunt Race success on his 2010 winner Gunner Be Quick.

Waldo Pepper, a popular Wadebridge winner for jockeys’ valet David Luff, is among the 22 entries for the Restricted.

I’m The Article and Toby Lerone have won well at Larkhill and Barbury Castle respectively this season and can provide a Richard Barber 1-2.

The three-mile Maiden will be run in two divisions.

Aironageestring and Earth Beat are two suggestions for Division One.

Parstara, who led over the last when runner-up at Larkhill in January, and Tiny Tenor are two possibles for Division Two.

* The course at Milborne St Andrew is just off the A354 midway between Blandford and Dorchester. First race is at noon. Admission is £15 or £25 per car, with a reduction for single occupants.