09 March 2010 Preview: Curre & Llangibby - Howick
by Brian Lee
WILLOUGHBY FLYER: attempting a fourth Hunt Members win
photo: Alex Harris
The rearranged Curre & Llangibby Point-to-Point will be held at Howick, near Chepstow, on Sunday.
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 noon with the Members race, in which Mr R J Butterworth's lightly-raced Willoughby Flyer will be going for a four-timer in the 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 Strong Weld has course winner Victor Merlyn and Classic Chance to beat. The last-named was travelling well before being carried out at the 13th at Llanfrynach last weekend.
Of the 29 down to run in the Restricted, Mr M J Dare's Mymystery Man and L'Homme Sauvage are not without chances.
There are 23 entered in the Mens Open race and if Bon Accord faces the starter he will have his followers. David Brace's course winner Margam Abbey will have to improve on current form to have any sort of chance.
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 Peter Corbett's recent Brecon winner Upton Legend, Neophyte and Theatre Diva look the best of the other 19 Entries.
The ones to watch in the Maiden race - which may be divided on the day - are Lady Trig, a five-year-old chestnut mare by Double Trigger, Gouranga Society and O' Rage.