FOLKESTONE preview United Hunts meeting, 14th May 2009

With the South East point-to-point season brought to an early end by the abandonment of the Parham meeting this coming Saturday, attention reverts to our traditional swansong - the United Hunts evening meeting at Folkestone, where some 50 local horses from a total of 144 are amongst the provisional entries for the six races on offer.

New champion Peter Bull has YOUNG COLLIER and MASTER T entered for both the 7.50 and 8.20 (2m and 2m5f) races and one will run in each if the ground stays on the firm side. These are hot races, but both should run well. Bull has also entered HONOURABLE SPIDER in the 3m7f race at 7.15 and he'll take his place if the ground is on the soft side. His double entry for the 6.05 novice event will allow him to run MASTER ALF if it is soft or CAPTAIN'S LEGACY if the anticipated firmish ground stays as it is.

Philip Hall rides DELGANY GALE for the Grissell yard in the opening Maiden. This Parham winner will like the fast ground and is consistent and genuine. Hall has taken the ride on Chris Thomson's GOLDING HOP, a Maiden winner at Godstone two weeks ago, and this is another who will like the ground and the drop in trip. HIGHLAND CHIEF, who Philip trains, is in the 2m5f Open. "He'd have to raise his game, but I don't think I could have had him better", he says.

Nick Pearce has lined up two Simon Tindall horses and both have solid chances. SAY GRACE goes for the Grants Cherry Brandy Final (6.40). "She's fresh, fit and well and I'm expecting a really big runs", he says. JACK'S PRESENT is in the 6.05 Novice race over 3m2f. "She'll love the trip and is getting loads of weight off the others."

If the ground stays on the fast side Marcus Gorman and THE TAILOR CAREY should go close in the closing 2m5f race at 8.20.

Chris Lawson runs two for Bill Poulton - SHA BIHAN in the 8.20 and HATSNALL in the 7.50. The ground should be fine for Hatsnall, but Sha Bihan would prefer more cut and possibly a longer trip.