21 May 2009 Preview: Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) - Bonvilston
by Brian Lee
CANNON BRIDGE
photo: Alex Harris
The Countryside Alliance(Wales) meeting at Bonvilston,near Cardiff on Monday, promises to provide a happy wind-up to the South Wales season. Recent rain will ensure that there are plenty of runners and with 45 horses entered for the opening Maiden event (2pm), and 32 down to run in the Restricted, a division on the day looks likely.
On form, Robert Scrine's Lunar Thyme has as good a chance as any in the Maiden and can get backers off to a good start. Others of note are Canndar (who, like Lunar Thyme, is also entered at the Gelligaer Farmers), Desert Wells, Musique En Tete and Lady Killer Queen.
The highly rated Grenfell would surely start favourite if facing the starter in the Club Members race for Novice Riders' race. Grey Kid may have run at the weekend's Stratford meeting so two others to watch out for are Up The Boreen, a previous winner at Bonvilston, and Verchoyles Lad who chased home Up The Boreen at Pentreclwydau.
Keith Pritchard's prolific Cannon Bridge has Misamon and Danny's Last to beat in the Mens Open (16 entries). Others who deserve a mention are Red Man, What Of It and Virginia Preuil.
In the likely absence of Chesnut Annie and Grey Kid in the Ladies Open (20 entries), Gentle Rivage, Perouse and Albuhera look best.
Dai Rees's Running Lord has Burren Chieftain and Taxi Fare to beat in the Restricted and Rosemary Gasson's Always Willing will have to be to beat Mick's Prospect and Classic Chance in the Intermediate (20 entries).
