Henry Phillips and Maletton have been placed on numerous occasions this season. The partnership has not made any serious mistakes but have just come up a rival that has proved better than them on the day.

The Novice Riders race on Sunday provides an ideal opportunity for the Claines  (Worcester) trained gelding and his rider to open their account together. They have more experience than Wendy Bayliss’s Home She Goes and Sue Bowens My Lord Oscar.

Zoe Hammonds Abberley trained Timeshift has obvious claims with the yard enjoying a good spell but after a lacklustre effort last time out he still has to prove that he retains his ability.

Maletton has an alternative engagement in the Mixed Open but their lack of experience could prove costly as the opposition includes Baddam, Boychuk, Kilbeggan Blade, Lucky Nellerie, Marblehead, Ned the Post and Upton Springs. Baddam’s front running tactics will stand him in good stead over this course although Boychuk might just finish the stronger.

Youwouldtoo was pulled up when favourite on her debut so connections will be looking for improvement in the Mares Maiden. Her jumping left a lot to be desired on her first run but there should be more to come and Zoe Hammond will make every attempt to maximise the mares chances.

Richard Beavis’s Gloucestershire stable has an impressive strike rate and only a major mistake at the last cost The Ginger Man a winning chance at Andoversford. That course’s layout is very similar to Upper Sapey so these undulations are unlikely to hinder to this ones chance – Deep Hall looks the biggest danger.

Don’t Tell Nina, Hall Kelly and The Herb have yet to capture earlier form but their chances cannot be discounted completely in the Restricted.  Must be the Music must have a chance of making the frame while this provides an opportunity for Inch Royal to answer his critics. Dockbridge did not beat much when successful at Andoversford but there was much to like about that performance and he could provide Danny Wright with his second success.

Dockbridges trainer Marcella Bayliss has Ruperts Vision entered for the Intermediate. He was pulled up at the Cotswold but this course should play to his strengths and he will not be far away. Iochtaran has something to prove after a disappointing performance last time out while others to consider include Chosen Milan, For Sahkey Money and Tirob.

The concluding Maiden has attracted 24 entries with most of the runners having already had several bits at the cherry this season. Bloodyburn Bay is an interesting newcomer as he has shown glimpses of form under Rules, while the chances of Mike Daniells pair Bothy Ballard and Silver Highway cannot be dismissed out of hand.

The Fellows’s families colours used to be a familiar sight on West Midland courses, although they have been absent for the last couple of years. Irish Joe is open to plenty of improvement after finishing second to Dockbridge and he looks sure to acquit himself well in this contest.

As her record shows Chestnut Annie’s wins to runs ratio is exemplary, as she has been a prolific winner between the flags in Wales over the past three seasons. The mare made of her rare forays outside the Principality to contest the Ladies Open at the Wheatland Point-to-Point, which provided a race that will live long in the memory.

Sally Randall adopted her customary front running role on the favourite, with the early lead being contested by Lady Myfanwy and they set such a strong pace that the opposition was soon trailing in their wake.

Chestnut Annie was meeting each fence on a perfect stride and at halfway she held a 4-length advantage over Lady Myfanwy who was followed by Jane Williams who was getting a good tune out of last years Dudley Cup winner Surenaga.

The leader continued to press hard and the advantage had been extended to about 8-10 lengths as they raced down the far side of the course, but approaching the 13th there were signs the pursuers had gradually begun to reduce the deficit.

Jane Williams and Surenaga start to draw clear of the gallant Chestnut Annie at the penultimate

Lady Myfanwy’s efforts petered out up the final hill, but Jane Williams and Surenaga were now starting to get into full stride. The climb to the home straight proved the mares undoing because Jane Williams brought Surenaga through to challenge and then lead at the third from home.

Surenaga puts in another majestic jump at the last

Having been passed the mare battled on bravely but her chances of success disappeared with every stride as Surenaga stayed on strongly to score by 9-lengths with Lady Myfanwy a further 12-lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Phillip Rowley admitted to shouting himself hoarse over the final three fences. “I did wonder if I was doing anything wrong as this horse had won the Dudley Cup last year for Sally Randell. I can only put the improvement down to the horse having less weight to carry. He has been sharpened up by the blinkers and was given a great ride by Jane”.

No wonder Jane Williams is smiling as Surenaga’s success took her to the top of the Ladies Championship

Miss Williams told the winning owner Ken Price afterwards “The horse was brilliant. I thought they had gone off too fast but couldn’t afford them to go too far clear. He made a couple of mistakes but luckily was there when I came back down in the saddle”.

Ken Price, Jane Williams and Surenaga in the winners enclosure

Earlier in the day, Rowley had taken the Members with Ease and Grace. The favourite History Master led for the first half of the contest before being caught and then passed by Alex Edwards and Ease and Grace.

The leader could be called the winner fully three fences from home and stayed on strongly in the home straight to prevail by two and a half lengths.

Declarations exceeded the safety limit in the Restricted and this was one of two races that required division on the day. On paper, the first half looked the stronger but it turned out to be a stroll for the well backed Just Gizmo.

Zipit and Tom Weston led after a couple of fences and continued to maintain that position but looked vulnerable as Just Gizmo moved into a challenging position meeting the rising ground.

Just Gizmo and Ben Poste are clear of French Canadian at the 17th

Ben Poste’s mount held a clear advantage at the 16th and the jockey just need to push him out with hands and heels to hold the challenge of French Canadian and Zipit over the remaining two fences.

Another good jump at the last seals their rivals fate

The Albrighton qualified gelding runs in the colours of Mike Mann and is trained at Burnthill Green by Sue Taylor. She explained “I got the horse when owner/breeder Mike Parr retired from racing. He can gallop but I thought he was beaten until a colleague pointed out that I was looking at the wrong horse!”

Division II of the Restricted went to the Charlie Willes trained Quatour Collonges under a well-judged ride by Ali Sterling.

The lead changed hands on a number of occasions before Ali Sterling’s mount hit the front on the climb into the home straight. He was followed by the favourite Squinch but that challenge was soon beaten off and Quatour Collonges maintained a narrow advantage over his rivals negotiating the final three fences. The Navvy finished strongly to claim the runners up spot but he was still a length behind at the post.

Quatour Collonges and Ali Sterling hold a narrow lead over Squinch (white breast girth) and The Herb after jumping the second from home

“He’s 8-years-old but still a big baby” according to winning trainer Charlie Willes. He told Pointingwm afterwards “He kicked the s**t out of the horsebox on the journey to the course and we thought he had lost the race on the way up. We’ll do nothing with him for 3 days and then see how he is. If everything is all right we might come back here at the beginning of June”.

Charlie Willes and a smiling Ali Sterling

The North West and West Midland Area Club race actually went to a horse trained down in Pembrokeshire. The locals put their money on the Emma Alvis trained Stone, but none of them stood a chance once Udeman had taken the lead.

The field was tightly bunched for the first circuit before Alan Johns sent the winner to the front with a circuit to go. Sam Drinkwater sent the favourite in pursuit but the bird had flown and Johns was looking round for non existent danger s turning into the home straight. Udeman recorded the fastest time of the day despite not being asked for any significant effort over the final three fences.

Rumbavu consolidated his position in the Leading Young Horse Awards with a hard fought victory over Qozak in the Mens Open. Ridden as normal by the trainer’s son Sam, Rumbavu was one of three horses vying for the lead as they jumped the final open ditch.

Inseperable at the 17th – Qozak and Rumbavu

Raleagh Houses challenge began to peter out half a mile from home where the race developed into a match between Qozak and Rumbavu. Tom Weston produced his mount with a perfectly timed run to hold a brief lead at the 16th but the two horses were inseparable at the penultimate and Rumbavu then gained a length over his rival with a better jump at the last which proved decisive on the run to the judge.

And its the same at the last

The winning trainer told the assembled press “He’s run 10 times, has won 5 times and been placed 5 time so he’s very consistent”.

Winning Counsel was backed into favouritism for the 8-year-old and over Conditions race but he started to drop back at half way. Bellosguardo and Galaxia battled for the lead for the remainder of this contest before the former got the better of his rival on the final turn. Chloe Boxall’s mount made a couple of mistakes at the final two fences but his rivals were in no position to take advantage of those errors.

Lambourn based Boxall explained “He was a flat winner in France we acquired him from Bobby McEwan who had brought him for his son to event but unfortunately the horse did not prove good enough. This is my first winner as a trainer. He’s the only horse I train but I would like some more!”

The concluding Maiden also required division on the day but both halves went to West Midland qualified horses.

Supporters of Gary Hanmer’s Windy Arbour must have been counting their winnings when the favourite appeared to be cruising on the heels of the leaders approaching the fourth from home.

Irish Lace had made most up to this point and still held a slight lead on the home turn but she was immediately passed by Windy Arbour who in turn was swallowed by Ed Barrett’s mount Skoobiddle who was responding to both the vocal and physical encouragement’s of his jockey.

Skoobiddle and Ed Barrett put past form behind them in Division I of the Maiden

“Roger (Maggs) has been very patient with this one,” said winning trainer Ed Walker. “We brought him at Ascot about 2 years ago. He then cracked a joint so was off for last season and then contacted a virus earlier this year. He ran with promise at Woodford recently so we knew he was on the way back”.

Barrett and Skoobiddle pose for pictures

Mark Wall took Royal Role to the front from the start of Division II and they never saw a rival for the remainder of the contest.

The 8-year-old jumping was exemplary and this partnership had opened up a useful lead when Mark asked his mount to quicken again after the 13th. The response was immediate and they had the race in their pocket before Pathlow ran out at the second from home, which increased the winners margin of victory.

“Now do you believe what I tell you” owner Mark Fentiman asked Mark Wall as they returned to the winners enclosure.

Royal Role and Mark Wall destroy the opposition in Division II

Claverdon based Fentiman explained afterwards “The horse was in training with James Evans but he did not enjoy being away from home and settled down once he returned to us. He has never run over 3miles before today and never jumped a fence in public before. It’s the first time I have been Pointing and this is my first winner”

Mark Wall, Royal Role and winning owner/trainer Mark Fentiman

Saturday’s meetings at Holnicote, Kingston Blount, Garthorpe and Cold Harbour provided the perfect appetiser for Chaddesley Corbett the following day and once again local horses and riders were to the fore.

West Midland horses ran consistently in all the races they contested at Coldharbour and left the meeting with two winners and numerous placed efforts.

Aqualung and Hannah Lewis made a bold bid to land the Confined at the Herefordshire course. Disputing the lead from flagfall, they were still in front as they raced down the back straight for the final time, although four horses still held a chance at this point.

Aqualung and Hannah Lewis have to play second fiddle to Foundry Square

Straightening up for the judge, Aqualung was making the best of his way home but Ben Poste had got the favourite Foundary Square into top gear and they came through to challenge at the last. Hannah Lewis’s mount fought back gamely on the run in but was a length behind as they passed the judge.

The General Lee’s success in the Ladies Open allowed Jane Williams to draw level with Jacqueline Coward in the race for the Ladies Championship, a battle which is likely to dominate the remaining weeks of the season.

With the ammunition running out at her mothers stables at Enville, Miss Williams needs all the support she can get to land this prestigious prize but she undoubtedly has all the attributes required to be a National Champion.

The General Lee and Jane Williams forge clear of Power Shared on the flat

Lorna Brooke is The General Lee’s normal pilot but she forged a close friendship with Jane when both ladies cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End last year for charity, so Miss Williams chances were given a boost with the acquisition of this ride.

Vinamix de Bersy led until the 8th but started to go backwards soon afterwards and the cudgels were immediately taken up by Williams on The General Lee. The horses impeccable jumping allowed this partnership to draw clear of their rivals down the back straight with only Claire Hart and Power Shared able to offer token resistance.

The General Lee held an 8-length advantage at the fourth from home, but a window of opportunity appeared as Power Shared began to close the gap.

Jim Squire and Judith Healey are all smiles as they pick up their trophies

Claire Hart and Jane Williams have battled it out all season for the AGA Total Control Championship but on this occasion Williams came out on top. She had kept a little bit up her sleeve and the favourite just lengthened his stride in the home straight and fought off the challenge of his rival over the final two fences.

Co owner Jim Squire said afterwards “We are and will be doing all we can to help Jane in her quest for the Championship. Hopefully with the help of Shernally and this horse we will be able to see her home. We hope to get another three runs into The General Lee before the end of the season. She has other horses to ride so will fit into these plans”.

Thirty-five minutes later and Ocean Club and Sam Drinkwater landed the 7 runner Restricted for Naunton trainer Richard Bevis.

A vast majority of the field was still in with a chance at the third from home but Ocean Club was noted making significant progress as they disappeared into the wood at the far end of the course.

Sam Drinkwater timed his run to perfection on the favourite coming through to dispute the lead at the last and then proving too strong for Cloak of Silence and Accessallareas on the run to the judge.

Sam Drinkwater and Ocean Club score an emphatic win at Coldharbour

Asked about future plans, Bevis stated “We might go to Bredwardine in a couple of weeks for the Mens Open. He is only a 5-year-old and will get a 7lb allowance and if the opposition has already won an Open they will have to carry a 7lb penalty. (Note: – This policy paid dividends last year with Mr Melodious). He’s a decent horse who used to be with Raymond Mould and could go back under Rules eventually”.

With the favourite The Vicar parting company with John Mathias at the 17th in the 4-mile Mens Open for the Crudwell Cup three horses were left to battle it out in the closing stages. Down the back straight for the final time and Maletton (a previous winner in 2010) and Henry Phillips were putting the horses stamina to good use and they held a narrow lead over Owenacurra while James Ridleys mount Up There was breathing down their necks in third.

James Ridley and Up There start to draw clear of Maletton and Owenacurra in the 4-miler

Nicky Sheppards Eastnor trained gelding had not jumped fluently up to that point but James Ridley knows him like the back of his hand and they stuck the front at the final fence before drawing clear on the run in.

Icansingarainbow may not be the fastest thing on four hooves but it must be despairing for connections as has always seems to find one or two horses too good for him and you wonder when his turn will come.

There was strong support for the Welsh challenger Ruttan Lake and his supporters never had a moments anxiety with the commentator able to call the Nathan Deakin ridden 8-year-old the winner a long way from home.

This partnership soon built up a long lead as they passed the winner post at halfway Deakin was able to see that his rivals were now 30-lengths in arrears. Like most of the crowd, the jockeys probably thought the Pembrokeshire trained gelding would be unable to keep up the gallop but he was showing no signs of stopping so Dave Mansell and Claire Hart on Icansingarainbow and The Athlete sent their mounts in pursuit.

They were unable to make any impression on the leader and Ruttan Lake jumped the remaining fences as he had done all the others and came home a distance clear of Icansingarainbow who was left to pick up another minor prize.

Trainer Zoe Hammond who had sent out Don Constables Owenacurra to secure third place in the Crudwell Cup saw her charge You Too Pet narrowly beaten in the concluding 2-1/2 mile Maiden.

The 4-year-old held the lead at the last but Patrick Geraty’s mount was caught close home by the favourite William Wallace who crowned a great afternoon by landing the hatrick for Shobden trainer Steve Flook.

Claudia Wilesmith had a runner at Coldharbour but Never So Blue was never seen with the chance in the 4-miler but the Upton-upon-Severn based trained enjoyed better luck on another of her long distance safari’s down South where she landed her 11th winner of the season.

The Magherally Man and Will Telfer had teamed up to score an impressive win at Brampton Bryan recently. They added a Holnicote Intermediate to their C.V. finishing 2-lengths clear of I’m in Charge (anybody remember Tony Hartlands horse of the same name back in the 1960’s?) with half a length back to the favourite Googoobarajagal.

Local connections enjoyed a frustrating day at Kingston Blount. Chris Clarke’s North Cotswold qualified Tywysog had to settle for third place in the 12-runner Restricted, while Mark Wall finished in the runners up spot on two occasions.

He finished behind Pertinent on the Martin Jones trained Baddam in the Mens Open, where the favourite Cedrus Libani again showed his wayward tendencies by refusing to start. Wall then teamed up with the Bruce Dowling trained The Selfish Giant who was beaten by Surprise Use in the 4-5-6-7 year old Maiden.

Meanwhile at Garthorpe Richard Spencer rode Court Again to victory in the 13-runner Restricted at the once prestigious Melton Hunt Club meeting.

IS RESTRICTED TO HORSES WHO HAVE BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE: –

ALBRIGHTON, ALBRIGHTON WOODLAND, BERKELEY, CLIFTON ON TEME, COTSWOLD, COTSWOLD VALE FARMERS, DUKE OF BEAUFORT, LEDBURY, NORTH LEDBURY, NORTH COTSWOLD, CROOME AND WEST WARWICKSHIRE, WHEATLAND AND WORCESTERSHIRE HUNTS

ENTRIES CLOSE AT NOON ON MAY 17TH

]]> http://www.pointingwm.co.uk/hargreave-hale-hunter-chase-23rd-may/feed/ 0 http://www.pointingwm.co.uk/good-weekend-for-alex-dunn/ http://www.pointingwm.co.uk/good-weekend-for-alex-dunn/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 20:09:20 +0000 pjmanse http://pointingwm.co.uk/?p=3652 More...]]> Following the loss of weekend fixtures at the North Ledbury and Radnor and West Herefordshire, it appeared that news would be thin on the ground, but how wrong could one be with results showing the areas strength in depth.

Saturday resulted in successes for two local partnerships during the Surrey Union meeting at Peper Harow.

It is a long way from Katherine Smith Maxwells home in Worcestershire but it’s even further from her daughters Alex Dunns stable near Taunton, although most of the traffic on the M5/M4 would have been travelling south not north.

Public Esteem had to settle for second place in the Worcestershire members but he was backed into favouritism for the Ladies Open ahead of Roaringwater and Bavard Court.

Alex was content to let him find his feet for the first circuit but they began to make progress at the 12th and came to join their rivals at the 16th. There was little between the three horses over the final two fences but Mrs Dunn managed to get her horses head in front where it mattered and they scrambled home to win by a neck and a head.

Must be the Music had finished third at Andoversford but Olly Murphys mount never had cause for a moments anxiety with this partnership 10-lengths clear of the opposition by the third fence. A couple of mistakes on the final circuit failed to halt their progress and the Croome qualified gelding stayed on strongly to win by 7-lengths.

Two horses qualified with the same pack made the journey down the motorway for the Devon and Somerset fixture at Holnicote on Sunday afternoon and the Gabe Mahon trained pairing of Lake Legend and My Way de Solzen both produced the goods.

The former followed up his Guilsborough success by landing the Mens Open under 18-year-old Leo Mahon. The 18-year-old battled it out with Champion elect Will Biddick on the run in before prevailing by half a length.

Afterwards the stewards dished out fines of £100 to Mahon for striking his horse too many times while Biddick was relieved of £125 for careless riding.

Mahon chalked up his first double on board My Way De Solzen in the Novice Riders. They finished a distance clear of their rivals but their path to victory was eased when Barneys Mount departed at the second from home, while Dashing John was just a length down when he fell at the last.

Bank Holiday Monday saw a plethora of winners at Eyton on Severn, Pentreclwydau, Mollington and Little Windsor.

West Midland qualified horses took the first three races at Eyton with the Richard Beavis trained He’s the Daddy starting the ball rolling in the 2-1/2 mile Maiden.

Ballyjames made most of the running but he was unable to repel the challenge of the Naunton trained gelding on the run in and went down by a length and a half.

“Sparky” Beavis is head lead to Nigel Twiston Davies and jockey Alistair Rawlinson works at the same establishment. This was a first success between the flags for 20-year-old Rawlinson although he has ridden a couple of winners on the flat. Tom Weston’s mount Just Dave was travelling well when he went at the fourth from home.

He’s the Daddy and Alistair Rawlinson (far side) snatch the race from Ballyjames

The Rucker stable did not have to wait long for compensation, which came in the shape of Qozak in the Mens Open.

Trained by Kim Smyly at Stanton the winner was held up before drawing clear to win by 5-lengths with connections reporting afterwards “He wants top of the ground so we will keep him going”.

Qozak and Tom Weston in the Rucker colours land the Mens Open

The Ladies resulted in a pillar to post victory for young Annabel Dalton on Glidewell. Their rivals never saw which way they went and they could supplement this victory in the coming weeks.

Annabel Dalton and Glidewell land the Ladies

There were three winners for West Midland based connections at the Banwen Miners fixture on Monday.

Alex Dunn followed up her Saturday success by taking the Ladies Open on Double Mead and she is now poised on the heels of the leaders in the race for the Ladies Championship.

Double Mead has been well placed by connections who have plotted his campaign with military precision and with conditions in the horses favour you could not rule out another couple of successes before the season is over.

David Morgan and John de Lisle Wells landed yet another success when the Robert Luke trained Chosen Milan took the Maiden under Rachel King, while the Ledbury qualified Busy Times was successful in the Intermediate under Hannah Lewis.

Jane Williams teamed up with Citizens Arrest to land the Ladies Open at Little Windsor, but over the weekend she was outscored by her Northern rival Jacqueline Coward although she has to sit out the weekend of the 19/20 May due to the ban she picked up at Cheltenham.

Jane told reporters after the race “We still have 3 horses to campaign at home and I am getting support from the West Midlands which is good”.

Racing returned to Mollington on Monday and local horses recorded a couple of placed efforts before we got on the scoreboard with Kornati Kid.

6-year-old Potters Dream obviously has ability but jumping has not been the forte of the Zoe Hammond youngster so far this season. He recovered from an early mistake and ran well through the second half of the 2-1/2 mile Maiden but was beaten three lengths by Onetokeep and that must give connections cause for optimism in the future.

Potters Dream snatches second place from Dunga in the shadows of the post

Boychuk and Olly Murphy were outclassed by Penmore Mill in the Confined but the Murphy family were compensated by Kornati Kids victory in the Mixed Open later in the afternoon.

Boychuk (yellow colours) is comprehensively beaten by Penmore Mill – but that is no disgrace

Heather Irving and Ungaro made their position clear as the jockey kicked on with a circuit to go and that tactic only just failed. The leader constantly outjumped his rival as they raced along the skyline and Ungaro was 10-lengths clear of his rival as they raced downhill after the third from home.

Ungaro starts off up the hill clear of Kornati Kid

That lead had been reduced considerably by the penultimate and Kornati Kid began to eat into the leaders advantage on the climb to the post and he eventually prevailed by a head, although there was a sting in the tail for the jockey who was fined £200 for his use of the whip.

It’s a long climb to the post and Kornati Kid wears down his rival in the final strides

(This subject has been discussed in much detail elsewhere but a £200 fine in what is supposed to be an amateur sport does seem harsh)

The riders mother Annabel said afterwards “He likes pointing and was a good horse on his day and at 17.2 hands he is one of the biggest horses we’ve had. He loves his hunting and enjoys everything he does”.

Winning connections after the race

Their support is shown by the huge entry of 210 for what was originally planned as a seven race card but with 40 in the Restricted and 54 in the Maiden coupled with the loss of last weekends North Ledbury meeting, those races looked sure to divide on the day.

Zipit and Tom Weston were caught near the finish at the Worcestershire but the Inkberrow trained gelding can gain compensation in the Restricted carrying the colours of local owner Sheila Cartridge.

Don’t Tell Nina, Victor Bravo and Trouble Digger will appreciate conditions and could give Zipit most to do, especially the latter who was an impressive winner of his Maiden over this course recently.

My Flora is being aimed at Stratford at the end of the month. This race would fit into her schedule and provide an easy opportunity for her to keep her fitness levels up and it’s impossible to look beyond her in the Mens Open.

Cedrus Libani won this race last year and on his day is capable of beating most horses but there is a question mark over him at the start, while Posh Dude’s form has improved now that he’s been reunited with Jack Sherwood.

Surenaga won the Dudley Cup at this venue in 2011, but has yet to recapture that form. Raleagh House would have a chance if he put his best foot forward, while Shouldhaveknownbettr ran well for a long way at Cheltenham.

The flying Welsh Mare Chestnut Annie could make one of her rare forays outside of the Principality to contest the Ladies Open, and it will take a good one to lower her colours. She beat Findlays Find at Machen last weekend but that horses connections could now try their luck with Lady Myfanwy.

Katherine Smith Maxwell and her daughter Alex Dunn are enjoying a purple patch which is a point in favour of Double Mead, Rainbow Tree and Public Esteem.

Himbleton based Smith Maxwell has a good chance of taking the WMAC Club Members Conditions with Winning Counsel, who fell at the last at Bitterley with a race at his mercy so a clear round should see connections in the winners enclosure.

The Herb and Inch Royal will be looking to improve on their minor placings at the last meeting and with their ability they are capable of doing that.

Emily Rucker and Petit Lord have a course success to their credit despite the young rider losing an iron at a vital time. This partnership continues to improve so they cannot be ruled out completely.

With 54 entries for the Maiden, searching for a winner is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but Just Dave, Miss Junior, Our Flora, Roving Eye and The Snickett should give us a run for our money.

Just Dave carries the same colours as Cedrus Libani, and the Rucker family from Himbleton is always keen to have a winner at their local course. He ran well against Pertemps Heights over this course recently and did nothing wrong that day. He will be better for the experience and that should stand him in good stead in this company.

POINTINGWM HAS JUST BEEN INFORMED BY THE SECRETARY THAT WITH REGRET IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO ABANDON THIS YEARS POINT-TO-POINT.

THIS IS DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING PARAMEDIC COVER AND COMMITMENTS BY OFFICIALS. OTHER PROBLEMS TO OVERCOME INCLUDED SPACE WITH THE RACING CALENDAR IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS PLUS FITTING IN AROUND EXISTING MEETINGS AND FARMING POLICY

IT IS HOPED THE WEATHER WILL BE MORE ACCOMODATING NEXT YEAR

A DECISION HAS YET TO BE TAKEN AS TO WHETHER THE MEETING WILL BE SEEKING A NEW DATE

May Bank Holiday Point-to-Points can normally be guaranteed to be held in shirt sleeve weather but after the recent deluge the organisers of Mondays (7th May) North Ledbury meeting at Maisemore Park will be hoping the weather improves.

The Members provides further winning opportunities for Anderson McCauley or Inch Royal from Claudia Wilesmith’s stable at Upton-upon-Severn. This yard has been in cracking form this year and when they are in this mood it pays to follow them.

Hanley Swan based Andy Hobbs also does well at this meeting and Beths Star looks a better bet than stable mate Miss Junior. The former has struggled to get out of Maiden class but this looks an ideal opportunity for her to do so, while Miss Junior will have more chances before the season is over.

Tara Gale likes to hear her hooves rattle so conditions are likely to be against her although her class may still see her through, whereas conditions cannot be heavy enough for Alan Phillips Callow End trained Kilbeggan Blade who has other options over the weekend.

Anderson McCauley could run in the Intermediate, although his stablemate The Magherally Man is likely to be preferred so a double could be on the cards for the Wilesmiths.

Flying Gnu has a good record over this course but is struggling for form, while Grandturgeon could be given another outing as his jockey Jane Williams is chasing the National Ladies Title. Emma Alvis’s Dymock trained Stone was disappointing at the Berkeley but had run well over this course previously.

Double Mead has side stepped more races than she has contested this year as her owners have been looking for the better ground. That situation has been rectified recently so she looks the one to be on in the Ladies Open.

His rider Alex Dunn has a useful second string in Rainbow Tree and the stable selection has the ability to see off the challenges of My Pal Val, Network Oscar and Skyhawk.

Don’t Tell Nina was a last minute withdrawal at the Berkeley last weekend, but Jelly O’Brien’s charge is another course winner who could return to the scene of his greatest triumph. Mention Me had good form in Ireland, which he has struggled to reproduce this side of the Irish Sea, while Music in the Morn is proving expensive to follow after his defeat at Brampton.

No Mans Green could be one of the forecast although this race should straighten him up for easier objectives later in the season, while Quatuor Collonges and Trouble Digger are others to consider.

Cedrus Libani blotted his copybook by failing to get away on level terms in the Dudley Cup so you are taking a chance backing him in the Mens Open, while Baddam’s star is diminishing after a bright start between the flags.

Niver Bai would be a popular winner for Leigh Sinton trainer Alistair Ralph; while Lake Legend has a chance to prove that his Guilsborough success was no flash in the pan.

The 3-mile Maiden is for 8-year-olds and upwards so most of the runners have had plenty of opportunities to get their names on the scores sheets.

Icansingarainbow was a consistent performer earlier in the season but he seems to have lost his way recently, so that gives a chance to Bloodyburn Bay, Duke Special and One Wish. Bloodyburn Bay has yet to shine under Rules for the McPherson yard near Stow on the Wold but now tries his hand between the flags, a remark that also applies to Duke Special who gained his experience at Rachel Hobbs yard. One Wish has been knocking on the door this season; perhaps it’s his turn to take the spotlight.

With 35 entries for the young horse Maiden, division on the day may be necessary, but the winner should come from Irish Lace, Just Dave, Miss Junior or Roving Eye

THE RIVERS HAS NOT BURST ITS BANKS ON THE COURSE AND THE WATER LEVEL IS NOW RECEEDING. TWO LARGE PUMPS ARE BEING INSTALLED ON FRIDAY TO MOVE BACK WATER FROM THE DRAINAGE DITCH NEAR THE SECOND LAST FENCE.

THE COURSE IS BEING INSPECTED ON SATURDAY AND THE NORTH LEDBURY ARE “VERY HOPEFUL” OF RUNNING THEIR MEETING ON MONDAY

The course was rolled, harrowed and spiked straight after the Ledbury fixture in early April. There is a good covering of grass and the bends have been moved (one in and one out).

Further updates will be posted as they are received