28 April 2009 Preview: North Ledbury - Maisemore Park
by Pete Mansell
Unsettled weather during the first part of this week will help in the preparation of the course at Maisemore Park, and despite a plethora of meetings over the Bank Holiday weekend, there has been good support for this fixture with 181 entries down on the racecard.
A clearer picture is starting to develop in our Riders Championship and any points accrued at this meeting could help decide who wins the two main riding awards.
Dave Mansell has a clear lead over Adrian Wintle for the Mens Title but things are a lot closer in the Ladies Championship.
Wintle has a close association with Andy Hobbs yard at Hanley Swan and that could be crucial because Hobbs always mounts a major assault on the prize money at this venue.
With three entries in the Members choice of mount will be crucial and it would come as a surprise if the stable selection from Lindbergh Law, Olivier or Premium First is not good enough to land the spoils.
Cross the Highman comes from the Suckley yard of Karen O'Neill, while Handofharperstown provided Zoe Hunt with her first winner recently, and Our Whiz will not be going there to make up the numbers.
The Hobbs stable is likely to be represented by There Ya Go in the Restricted, although Wintle could ride The Chisholm who is trained by his wife Hannah. Others to note in this contest include Babysitter, Cherokee Indian and Pingaro de la Vire.
Saint Reverien won the Mens Open for Hobbs and his principle owner Clive Hitchings last year and a repeat success looks on the cards, but it will be tough with Gaelsbob, Worship the Stars and We're Confused all possible opponents.
Just two points separate Claire Allen and Angela Rucker at the top of the Ladies Title Race. Mrs Rucker is riding better than ever this season and can call upon Honest Endevour or Petit Lord in the Ladies Open and victory here would give her some breathing room in the race for the Title.
Racing starts at 2.00pm and entry is £10 per person.
