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NOBLE BEN (right): Looking to follow up a win under rules with the Mens Open
photo: Alun Sedgmore

After 23 weeks and 13 meetings the West Midland season finishes at Chaddesley Corbett on Monday afternoon. A total of 196 entries have been received, which is a fitting tribute to all those associated with the course's upkeep over a long and difficult season.

Area Awards have normally been decided when this meeting comes around but that is not the case this year and provides added interest. The battle for the Ladies Title concerns two Worcestershire-based riders, with Alex Dunn holding a six point lead over her nearest challenger Jane Williams.

However the Williams's family stables are at Enville, near Kidderminster, and that means they are likely to have a runner in the Members race, while their rival does not have that luxury. No Mans Green or Hey Porter could carry Jane Williams to victory in this, the opening event on the card although meeting secretary Pauline Yardley could provide stiff opposition in the shape of Lady Killer Queen or Royal Tender.

Stephen Rea's stable is just a few miles down the road at Belbroughton and he has a live contender in Ben Ryan who was second in this race last year and already has a course success to his credit this season.

Katherine Smith Maxwell will be hoping that Rainbow Tree can prevail in the Ladies Open, and if he did her daughter Alex Dunn would have one hand on the Ladies Title while the family could pick up the Leading Horse and Family Award.

The quality of the opposition in this race is top class and includes last year's winner Mr Cee. Others with good form include Limerick Leader, Lucky Nellerie, Posh Dude, The General Lee and Virginia Preuil.

The Mens' Title is even closer with the 2009 Title Holder David Mansell, on 68 points, ahead of last year's winner Mark Wall by just one point, while Sam Drinkwater is breathing down their necks in third on 66.

It would take a brave man to predict the outcome of this particular contest, which may not be decided until the final race of the meeting and there will be many twists and turns along the way.

Wall could be the first to chalk up some points with Hivikos in the Mens Open. He has not been out since pulling up at Ludlow earlier in the year but could almost be guaranteed to run into a place on his best form.

This race is full of quality as it also includes William and Angela Rucker's Himbleton-trained Cedrus Libani, who has won his last three races with Richard Burton in the saddle. He is locked in a battle with Phil York for the National Title and the latter has strong claims with Dante's Storm or Ringa Bay.

Malvern trainer Nicky Sheppard has entered Up There and the evergreen veteran Strong Weld, but Heather Ridley's Noble Ben has sound claims on the strength of his Hunter Chase success at Cheltenham.

Sam Drinkwater will be hoping to pull some points back with either Gemini Ahhs or Present D'Aze in the 32 strong Conditions race at 3.30pm. The former has to be a leading player in this contest and his chances have to be respected against Carbon Emission, Cavite Zeta and Comrade Bob. Dave Mansell will be hoping that Witness This or Zinc Mine could run into a place so that he can keep in contact with the other riders.

Mark Wall and Flying Gnu have to be ones for the short list in the Restricted. This will be her first outing in this type of company but the manner of her recent success indicates she is on the upgrade and victory would allow her rider to pile the pressure on his rivals.

With 34 entries, there is the possibility the Maiden may require division on the day, which is almost unheard of at this stage of the season.

Lady Bussell finished runner-up at Bredwardine recently but may have been flattered by her position that day because Friendly Natives still seemed to be going easily in the lead when departing at the third from home. Heather Ridley's seven-year-old obviously has ability but jumping frailties resurfaced last time out so he can't afford any lapses in that department and there may be some heart stopping moments along the way before he secures victory.

Sam Drinkwater will be hoping that Road To Recovery can live up to his name. He ran very well at Didmarton in March but his recent form figures tell their own story and Drinkwater may need to run into a place to give him any chance of success in the title race.

Runners from James Richardson's Sherborne stable are always to be feared in this type of contest. Foc I Fum has no form to recommend him but that should not be a worry as he is bound to have been well schooled and should be fit enough to do himself justice.

In the Novice Riders (Male) Award Tom Bellamy leads James Ridley by five points. That lead looks a little fragile with The Noble Roman a possible ride for Bellamy in the Conditions, whereas his rival has strong claims with Noble Ben and Friendly Natives.

Looking at the entries for this meeting the season will be ending with a bang rather than a whimper, although many Point-to-Point enthusiasts will leave this meeting wondering what they are going to do at weekends until the 2011/12 season starts in November.

The first race is scheduled for 1.30pm. The postcode for SatNavs is DY10 4QT.

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