EASTER PREVIEW 2009

PIVOTAL WEEKEND FOR BULL

Many contenders for honours at the two point-to-points scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend are gazing at the skies above Kent, hoping for the promised rain to provide the good racing ground that most horses prefer. The meetings, at Charing on Easter Saturday and Aldington on Easter Monday, are hugely popular - but the number of participants is almost entirely down to the state of the going. At Charing the organisers are confident of good ground, but if the rain doesn’t arrive they are on standby to water the course.

One rider for whom the weather is academic is Hannah Grissell, who has been stood down by the stewards for a whip offence at Towcester last month, but Soldershire, trained by her sister Rose, is expected to run at Charing, possibly against Jenny Gordon’s Big Moment in the Ladies’ Open. The field for the Mens’ Open here is headed by last week’s winner Cape Stormer, who could face Letterman, Lord Atterbury and Native Performance. Impressive Penshurst winner Master T is in the line-up and will run if the ground is on the firm side.

Pete Bull is leading the riders’ championship ahead of Nick Pearce - and this could be a pivotal weekend for his title chances. He’ll have runners whatever the weather as Master T's preference for firm is offset by Master Alf's need for soft in the Club at Charing. Honourable Spider and Master Alf are both in the Mens’ at Aldington, both want it good or softer, and Spider is more likely to run than Alf. Bull will also be on Captains Legacy in the Club race at Charing if the ground is good or softer.

Biggest field of the day at Charing looks set to be the Open Maiden, with Dr Sparrow and Marcus Gorman planning an appearance. Hitzfromtheblitz, also entered here, is more likely to run at Aldington.

Philip Hall has three prospects for the Restricted at Charing, but all are also entered for Aldington and final plans depend on the forecast rain.

Trainer Chris Lawson has bypassed Charing altogether, but is strongly supporting Aldington’s reintroduced Hunt Members’ race and has other multiple entries. “Obviously the weather plays an important role this week and most of mine will need some cut in the ground Without some rain, most of my string will at home,” he said.

The powerful Nick Pearce-Simon Tindall stable, enjoying a resurgent season, have mapped out an Easter campaign for six of their horses: Letterman will go for the Mens’ Open at Charing, and Florence Mary, an unraced 4-year-old homebred, goes for the Maiden. Say Grace is aimed at the Restricted at either Charing or Aldington. Independent Trader will run in the SE Club Race at Charing while Jack’s Present will run in the Mens’ Open at Aldington and Sheriffs Friend heads for either the ladies’ or the novice riders’ at Aldington.

Charing’s main programme is preceded by pony racing at 12.45pm. Admission costs are £5 for pedestrians and £20 or £30 per car and all occupants, with a £10 discount for single occupants. Charing racecourse is on the A20, five miles NW of Ashford at the junction with A252. Satnav code is TN27 0JD. Aldington, where racing starts at 2.00pm, is off the M20 at junction 10, six miles SE of Ashford (satnav code TN25 7EJ). Admission here is £25 per car and all occupants, £5 per pedestrian.