28 April 2008 North Ledbury - Maisemore Park
Oh So Lively: sure to acquit himself well in the Ladies' Open
It could be a case of deja vu at the North Ledbury Point-to-Point at Maisemore Park with several horses that were successful at the Ledbury fixture three weeks ago looking to emulate those victories on Monday afternoon.
All the fences, running rails and bends have been moved since the last meeting to ensure the best possible racing surface, and this has attracted an entry of 188 despite competition from other fixtures over the weekend.
Andy and Rachel Hobbs Hanley Castle yard will be hoping that history does repeats itself because they scored a hatrick of wins at the previous meeting with Olivier, Himself Dreams On and Rusty Zaffaran and their runners always seem to do well on this course.
The Members race opens proceedings at 2 pm. Scott Joynes won the trophy in 2007 with China Chase and has a good chance of taking this year's race with Tom's Prize.
Lindsay White's Double Thatch was not disgraced here recently, while Inch Royal has struggled this season, but those disappointments will be forgiven if he can open his account in this contest.
The Hobbs yard holds the key to this race with Premium First, Saint Reverien and Sparklinspirit all possible participants and the stable selection is taken to prevail.
Angela Rucker is having a great season and she will be hoping to follow up Honest Endeavour's recent course victory by guiding the same horse to victory in the Ladies' Open, although the Himbleton rider has a useful second string in the shape of Pirate Flagship, who bounced back to form with a good win at Garthorpe as well as Royal Katidoki.
Madge Carroll is no mug and she can be expected to run a good race, while James Evetts Wormington trained Oh So Lively decimated similar opposition at Chaddesley recently and is sure to acquit himself well in this company.
The Hobbs stable holds three entries for the following Restricted. All Thyne Greats finished third over course and distance three weeks ago, while Rusty Zaffaran won his Maiden with considerable ease.
Vaselli finished fourth at Bitterley recently but is said to be a much better horse on firmer ground so conditions will be more in his favour than there were at the last meeting.
Julie Houldey has edged in front of Hobbs into second place in the trainer's championship and with Deep Hall, Sykee Savage and Grey Image all open to improvement their chances cannot be underestimated.
Stanton trainer Kim Smyly finally managed to extract a win from Iphar last weekend after several placed efforts earlier in the season, while other potential runners include Mr Roche T, The Hoo and Reflector.
Clive Benett's shopping trips over to Ireland generally bear fruit and that was the case with recent import Raleagh House at the last meeting and the Dymock trained gelding is capable of following up here.
Gaelsbob has proved a very difficult horse to beat this season and he can extend his winning sequence in the Men's Open. Emma Baker's 11-year-old also has a course win to his credit but may have his stamina tested if Gentle Rivage or Hambaphambili line up. Both of these horses like to make the running and will be very difficult to peg back if they are given too much rope.
Itsalf was beaten in a Hunter Chase at Towcester and it will be interesting to see how The Wee Bishop runs after such a long absence.
Olivier is another course winner and he holds an engagement in the Confined but will only turn out if none the worse for last week's fall at Brampton Bryan. Fertile Valley and Family Business would have been favourites for this race in their prime but their careers seem to be on a downward spiral.
Holy Sailor has been owner/ridden in the past, but improvement is expected if Mark Wilesmith takes the ride, and it might be worth a small investment in the Maiden if he does. Allnite comes from a good stable, while Oakley Gold is another horse with winning potential.
The 2 mile 6 furlong Maiden has attracted 40 entries but with so many meetings over the Holiday period it would be surprising if sufficient runners turn up to make division necessary.
Monty's Moon, Squadron Leader, and Priory Rose should give their supporters a run for their money but nobody would begrudge Dick Baimbridge a winner.
The Berkeley trainer declared Equivocate at Woodford last week but the mare got loose on the way to the paddock and was recaptured some way from the course.
She is reported to have suffered no ill effects from that escapade. She ran second to We're Confused at the last meeting who has won again since, which indicates that the mare has a winning chance in this contest.
