31 March 2009 Preview: Cotswold - Andoversford
ICE COOL BENNY: a possible for the Intermediate
Point-to-Point racing returns to Andoversford on Sunday afternoon where the Robert Hitchens group is the main sponsor.
A total of 120 horses have been entered for this meeting including 14 for the Intermediate, which could see a clash between Rien a Pedre, Raleagh House and Ice Cool Benny and if just those three horses turned up you would have difficulty predicting the winner.
All courses and going seem to come alike to Rien a Pedre who has demolished the opposition in his last two outings. His Slad based owner James Chamberlain is due to become Joint Master of the promoting Hunt on May 1st, so you would think connections would be keen to win this race.
Fergal O'Brien runners dominate the Members which opens proceedings at 1-30 p.m. Babysitter, Fergals Find, Gentle Rivage and last year's winner Gulabill all hold engagements and the Naunton stable should be able to see off the challenges of Iron Bay or Wings of Hope from James Richardson's stable which are adjacent to the course.
Lady Myfanwy is expected to come up from Wales to contest the Ladies Open and as she already has a course success to her credit she will obviously vie for favouritism.
Hambaphambili is an interesting entry and forcing tactics could see the O'Brien runner back in the winners enclosure. Neophyte has come up against Chesnut Annie on a couple of occasions recently but the grey has shown that he jumps and stays well and that will be a useful attribute over this course.
Clive Bennett's Greensleeves is off to stud at the end of the season and any future progeny would command more respect if she wins the Mens Open. She is also a previous course winner and may have most to fear from Celestial Dragon who has been placed in similar company to this.
Legends Lass was still in with a chance until departing at Maisemore last week and Peter Mason's Bibury trained mare will be fancied if turning out for the Restricted, although connections have a useful second string in the shape of Killnascully King.
Twiga Woods has not been seen out since winning a Maiden at Erw Lon about a month ago and the Marcella Bayliss Naunton trained gelding has place claims on that form.
The Maiden provides Babysitter, Constant Cupid, Iron Bay and Marsden Marksman with a good chance to open their account but if they fail to hit the target Buffalo Creek may well have a winning opportunity.
