Chaddesley Corbett Albrighton and Woodland preview from Andrew King
Chaddesley Corbett hosts its final meeting of the current pointing season with a six-race card that promises to be as competitive as ever with a very healthy 77 entries and the first race due off at 2pm.
Ground conditions should be perfect with clerk of the course Jim Squires reporting that watering through the week combined with recent showers will ensure that the going is officially ‘Good’ for Bank Holiday Monday.
He said: “The aim is to make sure that the ground is spot-on for the time of year and we will be watering right up to the weekend and beyond, if necessary, to hit that target.”
The highlights on the card promise to be the the Mens and Ladies Open contests with plenty of quality and quantity on show including last year’s Aintree Foxhunters winner Gracchus De Balme, an entry that certainly stands out in the latter affair.
If trainer Joe O’Shea elects to field the 10-year-old he is likely to prove a very warm order in the race even though he has not really fired on all cylinders to date this term – his only success coming at Tabley where he finished alone in what set off as a match.
However, he has the class to see off most rivals in this contest but in his absence the likes of Kansas Du Berlais, who is very capable on his day, or the ultra-consistent Mount Sinai are the pair who make most appeal.
The Men’s division is much less open and shut in many ways as plenty of in-form horses are entered and it has the look of an end of season cracker – even allowing for the fact that many of the entries are also in at other meetings over the weekend
Loud And Proud came good last time with a vengeance in a hunter chase at Warwick and this seven-year-old remains relatively unexposed for trainer Laura Richardson – a repeat of that run earlier this month puts her in with and excellent chance of following up.
But dangers lurk in every corner with Hugos New Horse, having his second outing for his new owner/rider Daniel Cherriman, showing he retains plenty of fire in his belly with an all-the-way victory at Berkeley a month ago.
His trainer Nicky Sheppard commented: “As things stand the plan is to run at Chaddesley on Monday with Dan hoping the pair can repeat that success
“The horse has come out of his exertions at Woodford in good heart and we are hopeful of another big run as I think the track will suit his style of running and play to his strengths.”
Stumps Or Slips steps back into pointing company after a couple of wins in hunter chases and is another for the short-list if he turns up as he holds an alternative engagement at Bratton Down on Sunday.
The PPORA Members for Novice Riders contest is very competitive on paper but, at a price, it may pay to side with Not Long Left, who is owned and trained by legendary ex- champion jockey Richard Johnson.
He attempted to match strides with the prolific Lavorante last time before finding the pace too hot from the penultimate fence on softish ground. The promise of faster conditions on this occasion should suit.
Lewis Road scored well enough at the second time of asking for trainer Alan Hill and has a decent opportunity of following up that Peper Harow success in the PPORA Club Members Restricted.
Welsh trainer Luke Price is always to be feared and he could be two-handed in the Mare’s race with Lady Bee Great and Lightning Legs among the eight-strong entry.
The former ground out a win at Bratton Down last weekend while Lightning Legs proved a disappointment when pulling up at Cherrybrook recently and will have to put that run behind her. Whichever Price opts to saddle for the race; the hint should be taken.
Dazzlelikethis caught the eye on his pointing debut when runner-up at Tabley last month over 2m 4f and gave the impression that a step up in trip might well work the oracle.
The mare gets the chance to prove that assumption correct in the Maiden which closes the card and the likelihood that Huw Edwards takes over in the saddle is another positive.