Jukes to test ground for Heythrop chance

» TRAINER-RIDER Sam Jukes will assess ground conditions before deciding whether to let Iberico defend his crown in the Lord Ashton Of Hyde’s Cup at the Savills Heythrop Hunt meeting at Cocklebarrow, near Aldsworth, in Gloucestershire on Sunday (12.00).

Jukes, who is based at Dymock, near Ledbury, gained a memorable success when powering the 13-year-old home in the Smith & Williamson-sponsored Men’s Open over 3m 6½f last season - the first of the sport’s four “classics”.

Iberico was a staying-on second to Shotavodka at Barbury in November, but connections swerved a return visit to the Wiltshire course last month.

Jukes is keen to let Iberico take his chance, but admitted: “We are a little bit concerned about the ground and I will walk the course on Saturday.

“He goes on good to firm, but he is a little bit older and we want to look after him. He is bouncing at home and we’re hoping to run.”

The meeting, which has general sponsorship from Soho Farmhouse, has attracted 129 entries.

The main card is preceded by two pony races, sponsored by Webblite, starting at 10.30. There is a heated picnic tent, sponsored by Talk Talk, with a capacity for more than 1,000, and a food hall - the Food Heaven sponsored by Neptune and Happerley.

Entertainment also includes terrier and hound racing, a parade of the Radley College beagles and the “Tough Farmer” tug-of-war challenge.

Admission is £12.50 on the day, with advance tickets £10 at cocklebarrowraces.com/tickets and tthe course is located at Cocklebarrow Farm, Aldsworth GL54 3PP, approximately one and a half miles south of the A40.