Harris running into form
One Wiltshire yard showing healthy signs of a return to form is Milton Harris' yard at Sutton Veny outside Warminster. Two winners from his last 5 runners in the last week, and a further second on the Flat beaten a neck, are testament to a yard hitting the sweet spot.
On Friday evening Bumper winner Bari Breeze was a well-backed 6/5 favourite to improve on a 2 1/2l second at Stratford in late May, and stable confidence was justified as Paddy Brennan kicked on from Newton Abbot's home turn and made the winning distance 6l.
Meantime today, Away For Slates was able to maintain a winning year with his third chase victory in a 2m chase at Plumpton.
Plumpton is normally a happy hunting ground for fellow Wiltshire man Seamus Mullins (an adopted West Countryman), but his Bagan was only able to finish mid-division in the middle distance handicap hurdle. Expect Seamus to figure as Plumpton gets embedded into its season. He has an impeccable record here.
Point-to-Point fixtures for Wessex are pretty much complete now, and the migration of fixtures to the pre-Christmas period continues, including the Avon Vale Races on Sunday December 19. Look out for the start of the season in Wiltshire, Somerset & Dorset when the Portman launches the campaign at Badbury Rings on Sunday November 7th, before normal service is resumed at Larkhill on November 28th. You can see the full fixture list here.