22 April 2008 Berkeley - Woodford
Rimpton Boy: (nearside) set to line up in an exciting Ladies' Open
Berkeley Castle has been the scene of major struggles during its long history and the Point-to-Point course at Woodford, which lies in the shadows of this major landmark in Severn Vale, will no doubt provide some battles on Saturday afternoon.
This is one of the more popular fixtures in the calendar and that fact is reflected by the massive entry of 225 and, with the Maiden already divided, there will be at least 7 races on the card.
Berkeley riders have an unequalled record in the National Ladies' Championship with Polly Gundry and Claire Allen holding this prestigious title in recent years and both of these jockeys are likely to be in opposition in the Members Race.
Dick Baimbridge has monopolised this race over the years but the opposition has its best chance to date of breaking his winning run. Claire Allen is likely to team up with the Berkeley trainers Equivocate and she should run a good race but may just find the opposition too strong this year.
Mister Putt represents last year's winning stable and could see Polly Gundry trying to extend her lead in the Ladies' Riders Championship; she will certainly be pulling out all the stops to do so.
The Clifford's Frampton on Severn stable has entered Avec Plaisir, but Julie Houldey is riding on the crest of a wave at the present time and her Bowdens Lane and Sykee Savage are both capable of taking the prize back to her North Nibley stable.
Polly Gundry could team up with Craigmor or Duxy Hill Lady in the Restricted, but there are some good horses entered for this contest including Killnascully King, Primordial Soup, Samsara Warrior and Raleagh House with the latter predicted to prevail.
The Intermediate is another good race and this could see a clash between Drybrook Bedouin, Milton du Tresor, Olivier, Range Rover, and Yeabut, and the winner should come from this quintet.
Both the Men's and Ladies' Open have the potential to provide exciting contests. Rimpton Boy has Ask Again and Ballinova to beat in the former, while there is a very competitive field for the Men's event, which includes Caught At Dawn, Lough Ennel, Gaelsbob, Itsalf, Strong Weld, and Worship the Stars.
