26 May 2011 Preview: Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) - Bonvilston
by Brian Lee
The South Wales and Monmouthshire Area season comes to an end with the Countryside Alliance (Wales) meeting at Bonvilston on Monday.
Racing gets under way at 2pm with the four, five, six and seven-year-old Open Maiden, for which 18 entries have been received. The form horse here is Mini Palm but Robert Jones's Glenseskin, who finished a close second to Gouranga Society at the Gelligaer Farmers last week, should be given another chance. In the absence of these two, then Paul Hamer's Prime Edition could give backers a run for their money.
There are 20 down to run in the CA Club Members Novice Riders Race and if David Brace's Ask The Thatcher lines up for the Mixed Open in preference to this race, then Kisha King, runner-up in his last four races, has Balearic Star, City Affair and Chandlers Cross to beat.
Recent winners Cloran Jack, Diddle'Em, Wheresthepost and Sheer Brilliance have Bedrock Fred to contend with in the Restricted.
It would be expecting a lot to find Chesnut Annie, Findlay's Find, Rosies Peacock, Cedrus Libani and Enter Paradise all facing the starter in the Mixed Open. However, there is a possibility that the first named could bid for her 30th success.
Ellie's Prince will probably start favourite for the eight-year-olds and over Open Maiden Race, which has received 12 entries, but Nodanawink and Freddie Lane are not without chances.
Of the dozen entered in the Intermediate, Roger Willcox's Ace High Blue and Dai Rees's Mac Two look the best chance.
Pony racing will take place after the last race.
