AN old and strong tie with Jersey will be renewed tomorrow evening at Les Landes when Cawthorne Cracker lines up for the first race.
The horse is in the care of the training partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero; the former is the grandson of the third Baron Daresbury, better known locally as Edward Greenall, who lived here for many years when he owned and ran Randalls Brewery.
He was a keen sportsman and, apart from horses, enjoyed powerboat and motor racing.
On his death the title passed to his son Peter, who was an enthusiastic and very capable amateur jockey, and his son Oliver is keeping the family tradition and now re-forging a link with the family’s past.
More on Cawthorne Cracker’s prospects shortly, but the main race is the Quilter Cheviot International Summer Cup, a handicap over nine furlongs.
Cueros slipped up last time, giving Victoria Malzard a nasty fall, and he will be ridden this time by Paul Gallagher, while Victoria is on Never Said Nothing with just 1lb less.
The latter is due a win after two promising runs, but he meets several others in good form including Chelsea Annie, Burristo and Birkie Boy.
Resilient Power lurks at the bottom of the weights and it’s interesting that he runs here instead of the shorter low-level handicap; partnered by Elisha Whittington the combination will be hard to keep out of the frame.
The Lieutenant-Governor’s Trophy, sponsored by the Crown and so maintaining a long tradition of Royal support of racing here, is a mile and a half handicap.
Sumatran Tiger fought like – well, a tiger last time and deserves compensation for her defeat and top UK jump jockey Tom Cannon takes the mount.
Allegro Jete is consistent and Whatzupwithme ran by far his best race at Les Landes last time and will be partnered by Raul Da Silva, who has won many admirers here.
The Sure Business Summer Handicap is over the minimum distance of five furlongs.
These sprinters meet each other regularly and sometimes one wonders whose turn it is this time.
Profit And Loss was so impressive last time that it is not hard to envisage him doubling up, but he has gone up 7lb and Gemcutter, who finished best of all and is now 8lb better off, could turn the tables if getting a clear run.
Mr and Mrs Anthony Taylor sponsor the opening contest, the La Verte Rue Associates Handicap Hurdle.
Man Of The Sea, who fought out a battle with Sumatran Tiger on the level last time, but is equally effective over hurdles, carries top weight, giving 19lb and more to his four rivals.
Next in the weights is George Bancroft and it is noteworthy that Tom Cannon is booked to ride. He should be too good for the other local runners, but Cawthorne Cracker is in cracking form, having won at Stratford on the 18th on this month and may be too good at the weights for George Bancroft and Man Of The Sea.
The last race, the SG Kleinwort Hambros Handicap over seven furlongs, is for horses rated up to 55.
These low-level races are often the most competitive and this looks no exception.
It can pay to follow a horse which has been running well without success in a better grade. This puts Zhuhair bang in the picture along with Cool Dandy.
Agapanther is yet to show much, but Celine De La Haye had a double at the last meeting and her small string is clearly in good form. It’s sometime since we’ve seen the best of Zhuhair, but this could be his day.
