Charing Preview 22nd Feb 09

GOOD OMENS FOR CHARING RACES

Healthy entries and a drying course are good omens for Charing point-to-point this weekend. The race of the day, a round of the Brightwells Insurance Order of Excellence, promises to be the Shepherd Neame Mens' Open, where Bee An Bee makes his seasonal reappearance. Unbeaten in six completed starts last year, including five Opens, the 12-year-old blotted his copybook only once. In his first attempt at Charing he ran through the wing of a fence, giving his owner-rider David Robinson a career-ending injury. David's son Stuart took over the ride and went on to win the Area Championship.

The pairing will have high hopes of another win, not to mention the enhanced prize money from Brightwells, but face stiff competition from a total entry of 20.

Stuart Robinson also hopes to run Magnus Veritas in the Club race. The Grissell yard has a probable five runners with Kingsun a definite for Edward Grissell in the Restricted. Philip Hall rides Glenbower Woods in the Open, while sisters Hannah and Rose Grissell are in friendly discussions over who rides Myson, Hercules Morse and Soldershire.

Nick Pearce rides Independent Trader in the Club race and is taking Theatre Knight for Hannah Grissell to ride in the Ladies. He expects both to run well.

Jenny Gordon brings three across from Hampshire: Big Moment will contest the Ladies' Open, but could be up against it if Roaringwater turns up in the form that saw him beat Big Moment at Detling last month. Alfie's Isle runs in the Maiden and new acquisition Parzando (from Stuart Robinson) is in the Restricted.

Kent trainer Chris Lawson brings five to the meeting, although he says most will need the run. Supreme Vintage is aimed at the Conditions race and will strip fitter for his run at Detling last month when unshipping Tom Cheesman. Either Finnow Shan or I Had A Sister will go for the older Maiden race. Lunch Was My Idea, who has missed some recent work with a bruised foot, goes for the Restricted and both Fleetwood Forest and Sha Bihan go for the Mens' Open.

The main programme starts at 12.30pm, with pony racing starting at 11.15am. Admission is £25 per car and the post code for satnavs is TN27 0JD.