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Point-to-point: Burton can start with an early winner on Milton de Tresor

Mick Connaughton
Saturday 12 January 2008 01:00 GMT
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Due to the volume of entries (383) for this weekend's two-day Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Club meeting at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, the time of the first race has been brought forward to 11.30am for both days.

Former champion Richard Burton will be in action today and tomorrow and can make a successful start on Milton De Tresor in today's opening Intermediate (11.30). The ex-eventer made an impressive racecourse debut at Tweseldown last month.

Bon Accord, unbeaten in five races and one of the best new prospects seen out last season, misses today's feature event, the Mixed Open (12.30). The ground could prove too soft for many of the more fancied runners, such as Mouseski, and a chance is taken with Carapuce, who has won six times under Rules – twice on heavy going at testing Carlisle last season when trained in the Borders. He could prove a bargain as his new connections paid only 5,000gns for the nine-year-old at the Doncaster Sales in May.

Burton also rides course winner Classic Shot in the Members Conditions race (1.00) and the Sheila Crow-trained Gunner Be Quick, who is sure to improve on his only start late last season in the first division of the maiden (1.30).

Reigning champion James Tudor partners newcomer Delayed In Dublin in the second division of the maiden (2.00) today for Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill, who has made an excellent start and had a treble at Cottenham last month. Tomorrow Hill and Tudor also team up with Camisky who was going well within himself in third when falling four out at Cottenham last time and can make amends in the maiden (2.00) which, with 59 entries, is certain to be split.

Paddy For Paddy bypasses today's Mixed Open for tomorrow's Mens Open (1.30) by which time conditions should be bottomless enough for the veteran to give Burton another winner.

WEEKEND'S FIXTURES: Today and tomorrow (Two-day meeting): Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Club at Barbury Castle. (First race: 11.30am; both days). 3m NW of Marlborough. Main entrance off Marlborough to Broad Hinton road; 10m from Exits 15 and 16, M4.

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