Cowards have three to choose from

Starting with the Confined, the Cowards have three to choose from and won’t know until nearer the day which to run.

Lewesdon Tom is also entered in the Hunt Race and the Men’s Open, Botany Cove could swerve this for the Intermediate at Sheriff Hutton on Easter Monday and a decision will be made on James Wyatt towards the end of the week when the team can assess how he has come out of his race from Whitwell on Sunday.

Moment of Madness was in good heart when last seen coming second at the Holderness meeting. Nalim has been a force to be reckoned with this season but with good ground on the cards it is likely to be too quick for him.

Royal Deal could take this, he likes a good test of stamina and this course is likely to play to his strengths as he has a tendency to drop himself out and then come with a late run at the end. He is not to be discounted until he has crossed the line.

Know The Rules could go close in the Hunt Race, although he is yet to recapture his form from last year. Kandelin was prominent until falling at the Middleton meeting on Sunday and could reappear again in good heart. Lord Multifix keeps progressing and is another who likes a staying course and could be the one to beat here.

In the Restricted Race, Castley Lane can improve on his seasonal reappearance for trainer Neville Ender. Mistissio was a good winner at Sheriff Hutton but hasn’t quite followed up on his two runs since.

“He has his own ideas”, said trainer, rider Richard Smith. “I’m going to put some headgear on him this weekend just to help him along a bit.”

Tambour Major was a good winner of his Maiden at Corbridge and could go close again but the winner is likely to be Ballyanrahan who was running well until coming under pressure at the Hurworth meeting, however this course should suit him and he can score again for his owner, trainer, Alice Petch.

A quality field has entered for the AGA Ladies Open Race, where the first three horses home qualify for the hunterchase final at Stratford in May. Palypso De Creek is likely to head to the Atherstone meeting on Sunday. Call Me Mulligan’s trainer George Moscrop looks set to take advantage of the 60 day rule as he was last seen finishing eighth of eight at Mussleburgh in January, but will need to be rejuvenated to score here. The race is likely to go the way of Ockey De Neulliac and Catherine Walton who is aiming for a four timer.

The Mens Open is part of the Bonhams sponsored series and the winner will qualify for the hunterchase final at Cheltenham at the end of this month. The race value is £1,000 and the additional prize money could attract some runners.

Cherry Coward said: “We might run Lewesdon Tom in this because of the good prize money but it will depend on the declarations on the day.”

Competition could come from either Classinaglass or My Old Piano, depending on which of the Bannister horses runs. Drom could run a big race if he is allowed to dominate and the ground is likely to be in his favour.

Racing finishes with the Open Maiden. Billy Two Tongues’ jumping leaves a lot to be desired and Harry Bannister will be doing well to get another clear round into Steph Easterby’s charge.

Kilmacallogue Bay is crying out to win and today could be his chance.

The Millar Man could go close if his mind is on the job, he was running well at Holderness and looked set to win when running out at the last.

Caddells Row makes his debut for Richard Smith, he has had four runs in bumpers and is fit and ready to run.

He has been jumping well at home but his debut will be a fact finding mission to see how good he is. The winner is likely to be Anddante who was running an excellent race when just pushed into third at Brockelsby and it would be no surprise to see him follow up here.

After racing the Hunters’ Challenge will take place, where competitors who have entered in advance will be able to take on a circuit of the course.

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