12 May 2009 Preview: Golden Valley - Bredwardine
by Stella Havard
The final Point-to-Point fixture of the Welsh Border Area at Bredwardine this Saturday promises to be a real humdinger.
There are 139 entries for the seven races, and it is very likely that the Open Maiden event will be divided on the day.
This Golden Valley meeting hosts the Brightwells Confined Championship as the feature event of the card, where horses that have been qualifying in the region throughout the season do battle, but with several of the area titles being so close, every race will be crucial.
The gallant Hoh Nelson, who has been placed on every run this season, drew level with the brilliant Worship The Stars at the top of the area Leading Horse table last weekend, and the outright winner may be decided on Saturday. Rob Hodges and Jeremy Mahot, both former area Leading Riders, have both clawed their way back from painful injuries this season, and with only a few points separating them, the championship is sure to run to the wire.
Steve Flook, who is only one point behind Ann Price as Leading Owner, will be hoping that his talented mare No Virtue will get the better of Hoh Nelson in the Brightwells Confined Championship to retain the trophy he won in 2008.
The first race at the beautiful riverside course at Bredwardine is scheduled for 1 pm, and the course (HR3 6DD) can be found near Hay-on-Wye on the B4352, eleven miles from Hereford off the A438.
