23 February 2010 Preview: Curre & Llangibby - Howick
by Brian Lee
CHESNUT ANNIE: recent Hunter Chase winner could return between the flags at Howick
photo: Alun Sedgmore
The first of the two Curre & Llangibby fixtures at Howick, near Chepstow, on Sunday will see the start of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Area season.
There are 144 Entries for the six races and 52 of these are down to run in the Maiden race.
Racing gets under way at 12 noon, with the Members race and Mr R J Butterworth's lightly-raced Willoughby Flyer will be going for a four-timer in this contest; however, if Sarah Price's Countrycousin is back to his best form he will give Willoughby Flyer a run for his money.
There are 22 Entries in the Confined and Mrs Serena Gowling's aged campaigner Strong Weld has course winner Victor Merlyn and Classic Chance to beat.
Of the 29 down to run in the Restricted Mymystery Man and L'Homme Sauvage look best.
In the Mens open there are 23 Entries and if Bon Accord faces the starter he should continue the good form that saw him win on his recent return to action; he could be followed home by David Brace's Margam Abbey, a winner of a Restricted over the course.
Beth Roberts's Chesnut Annie, recent winner of the Foxhunters Hunter Chase at Ffos Las and a five times winner over the course, would start a hot favourite if lining up for the Ladies Open, in which Upton Legend, Neophyte and Theatre Diva look the best of the other 19 Entries.
Three to watch out for in the Maiden race, which may well be divided on the day, are Lady Trig, a five-year-old chestnut mare by Double Trigger, Gouranga Society and O' Rage.
Admission is £10 a car including driver plus £5 a person; thus a car of four people would be £25.
