02 March 2009 Preview: Brecon & Talybont - Llanfrynach
KNIGHT OF THE ROAD: is entered in the Restricted and comes here after an impressive win at Howick last weekend
There are 16 entries for the men's open race at the Brecon & Talybont meeting at Llanfrynach on Saturday and these include recent Carmarthenshire winner Balearic Star.
Also entered are prolific winners Cannon Bridge and Little Ed, the useful Euryalus, and Merry Storm who, but for making a mistake at the last fence at the Curre & Llangibby last Saturday, would probably have beaten Sparklinspirit. Cannon Bridge, who made most of the early running when finishing some ten lengths behind Balearic Star, should be much better for that run and can lead his rivals a merry dance.
In the Ladies Open race, for which there are 18 entries, all eyes will be on Beth Roberts's Chesnut Annie who will be attempting to land her tenth consecutive success between the flags. Chesnut Annie, who could face last year's winner Pirates Flagship and Touch Closer, will be ridden as usual by Welsh champion rider Isabel Tompsett who has notched-up 12 wins on this game little mare, whose stablemate Twilight Dancer has a good chance of winning the Confined.
There are 19 down to run in the Confined and David Richards' Another Chat, who was not disgraced when finishing 20 lengths behind Bowdens Lane at Howick last Saturday, will give punters a run for their money.
Of the 33 in the Restricted, Gareth Morgan's Knight Of The Road, who was described as 'awesome' by trainer Beverley Thomas after winning a division of the maiden at Howick, will have his followers. Others that catch the eye here are Norman Jones' Silver Story, who ran out four from home at the Carmarthenshire when leading Kisha King by some 20 lengths, Graham Hughes' Duggans Forge, a former inmate of Carmarthen trainer Keith Goldsworthy who lost his maiden tag at the Carmarthenshire, and Dr Simon Clarke's Diddle'Em who was beaten a length by Mytabean at Howick.
The open maiden race has been split with 27 in the first division and 26 in the second. In the first, Saucy Jack, Ship To Shore and Ballyprince have all made the frame but preference is for the Robert Luke trained Doctor Supremo who was runner-up to Duggans Forge last time out.
If Duggans Forge manages to catch the judge's eye then watch out for Michigan Assassin in the second division as this one, trained by former Welsh champion rider Paul Hamer, finished five lengths behind Doctor Supremo third at Erw Lon with Musque En Tete back in fourth place. The last named, who was ridden by James Tudor, is also down to run in this division and it should be noted that he was well backed from 4-1 to 2-1 on that occasion so was obviously well fancied.
El Higueron, Master Billy, Four Barrows and Headley are the four entries for the Members' race and preference is for the first named.
