28 April 2008 Tredegar Farmers - Lower Machen
Iris's Prince: should line up in the Novice Riders Race for 'boy wonder' Rhys Flint
All eyes will be on 'Boy Wonder', Rhys Flint, when he rides Iris's Prince in the PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) race at the Tredegar Farmers Point-to-Point at Lower Machen on Sunday.
Rhys, who brought off a remarkable hat-trick last weekend when winning the Dunraven Bowl on Lady Myfanwy at Chepstow Racecourse on Friday, a six furlong sprint on Trincolo at Wolverhampton on Saturday, and an Open Maiden on the heavily backed Clash at the West Norfolk on Sunday, has taken the Point-to-Point scene by storm.
It was at Lower Machen around this time last year that he chalked-up his first win between the flags on Bobosh, also entered here again. Others down to run in the Novice Riders' race are Bits And Bobs, Grey Kid, Koumba and Strong Tartan.
There are 23 entries for the Mixed Open and these include Eddie Ford's recent Welsh Point-to-Point 'Grand National' winner Little Ed, Mrs Rae Jones's prolific Lough Ennel, and Beth Roberts's Twilight Dancer, who made nearly all before being beaten five lengths by Adventurist at the Pentyrch meeting. Twilight Dancer, a stable companion to Chesnut Annie, could cause a surprise though.
For some reason or other Mrs Edna Hussey's Bob Bites Back was heavily wagered on in the Dunraven Bowl. However, the six-year-old, who is a dual winner this season, has an easier task in the 15-strong Members race and should prove too good for Robert Williams's Olympic Storm who dwelt at the start at the Pentyrch.
There are 37 entries for the Restricted and it is something of a coincidence that two of them are called Bill Jones and Mr Worth. Bill Jones was the first Welsh rider to ride 100 winners between the flags and he was associated with a horse called Mr Worth who finished second to Snowdra Queen in the 1966 United Hunts' Chase at Cheltenham.
Mrs Jackie Brutton had travelled to Wales two years earlier to buy what she thought was the best Point-to-Pointer in the Principality - Mr Worth. But Mr Worth's owner, Jack Thomas, turned down her offer of £3,000, so she settled for what she thought was rated the second best, Snowdra Queen!
James Price's Monmouthshire winner L'Homme Sauvage and Sarah Price's Country Cousin, who the judge ruled had been beaten a nose by Got No Shadow at the Llangeinor, are two to note in this race.
In the Open Mares Maiden, for which there are 25 entries, Shan Farr's Little Miss Monty, Owen Stephens's Eden Rose and the Beverley Thomas trained six-year-old Casey Tiles catch the eye.
Of the 41 entries for the Open Maiden, Saxon Leader, who had his race won only to fall at the last at the Llangeinor last weekend, could make amends while Scally's George and Thenford Lad are two others to consider. First race 2pm.
