Worcestershire preview by Andrew King

The historic Lady Dudley Cup Mens Open is the undoubted highlight of a very competitive card at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday and the Laura Richardson-trained Jeux D’Eau looks set to have a crack at landing the iconic feature for the second consecutive year.

Last April the seven-year-old was sent off an 8-1 chance for the final Classic of the pointing season, but is likely to start at much skinnier odds on this occasion as he has proved to be on the upgrade with each start this term.

He showed himself to be in great heart at present by landing a Mixed Open at Bangor-On-Dee last month with plenty in hand. His regular rider Huw Edwards barely had to move a muscle as the pair passed the post in eased down fashion.

Ironically in the current dry spell Jeux D’Eau translates as ‘water games’ with connections of the horse hoping that clerk of the course Jim Squires and his team have played their part along with some help from above in making sure underfoot conditions are on the easier side of good.

Squires remains confident the meeting will take place on “good safe jumping ground” as watering is scheduled every day throughout the week and there is some welcome rain in the forecast as well.

On paper the main dangers to the selection are Ocean Drifter, who has won his last three outings, along with Go On Chez as he will be dropping in grade having contested the Foxhunters at Cheltenham on his previous start.

The Ladies Open may well go the way of I’m Spellbound as Gina Andrews’ charge has proved a model of consistency this term and comes into this contest on a four-timer.

He has shown a liking for the undulations of Chaddesley Corbett in the past and can continue his winning ways before taking a step up the ladder and possibly have a crack at one of the races on Stratford’s hunter chase evening.

Earlier on the card Andrews appears to have a decent chance of initiating a possible two-timer with Cheytac in the Restricted race as he gave the impression there was more in the locker when scoring in facile style at Fakenham four weeks ago.

The six-year-old looked to bounce off the better ground at the sharp Norfolk circuit and though this will prove something of a sterner task there is no reason that, with normal improvement, he can take it all in his stride.

However, if Ideal Du Tabert is allowed to take his chance he could well make a race of of it. He has been brought along steadily by his astute trainer and a race such as this is well within his compass.

Having been runner-up on his last two outings, Shuile Warrior may well have been found a decent opportunity to get his head in front if he takes his chance in the Maiden which concludes the card.

As is usual in these types of races dangers abound with the likes of Radical Optimism and At Mangan Bridge in the line-up. The former has shown enough to merit respect while the latter plugged on gamely for pressure at Maisemore Park.

The JC PPORA Maiden sets racegoers and punters something of a puzzle as the 11 entries all have a chance of sorts. The lucky pin fell on Fine Dining and Out On Her Own for what it’s worth.

Only four possibles for the Members contest which gets proceedings underway at 2pm but Dr Oakley has race conditions in his favour and can put his head in front for the first time in just over two years.