18 May 2009 Preview: Gelligaer Farmers - Lower Machen
by Brian Lee
SLIP DUTY: looking to make it two wins from two starts at Lower Machen
photo: Alun Sedgmore
More than 100 entries have been received for the Gelligaer Farmers Point-To-Point Steeplechases at Lower Machen, near Newport, this Saturday (first race 2.pm).
John Day's Mouseen, who finished five lengths runner-up to Dancing Credit over the course a fortnight ago, can get backers off to a good good start by winning the Members race and Jason Parfitt's Find It Out could follow him home.
There are 23 in the Confined and Robert Thomas's Micks Prospect, a good winner at the Banwen Miners meeting under Welsh champion Rhys Hughes, will take some beating. Robert Rowsell's Silver Castle is an interesting entry, but recent winner Berkeley Court might prove a bigger danger.
Of the 20 entries in the Mixed Open, Bob Bites Back, Overlut, Chesnut Annie stand out, although Bob Bites Back and Overlut have Hunters' Chase options this week at Stratford.
Robert Rowsell's Slip Duty, who gave twenty-five-year old John Norman his first winner when winning a division of the Maiden here a fortnight ago, has Alexandra Musical and Plums And Apples to beat in the Restricted.
Three to watch out for in the young horse Maiden are Canndar, who was made favourite when beaten six lengths by Colorado Storm at Pentreclwydau, Little Kimmie and Chesnut Eddy.
In the aged Maiden, Musique En Tete, who has been playing second fiddle all this season, has Lunar Thyme, Shalati Princess and Little Miss Monty to contend with. The last-named, who is usually ridden by Emily Farr, daughter of former Welsh champion riders Ross Farr and Shan Morgan, would certainly receive the biggest cheers of the day if managing to finally trouble the judge.
