20 May 2008 Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) - Bonvilston
Knight of The Road: form received a boost courtesy of Kinsale King's win on Sunday
The South Wales Point-to-Point season comes to an end with the Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) Point-to-Point Steeplechases at Redlands Farm Racecourse, Bonvilston, on Monday May 26th.
143 entries have been received and racing gets under way with the Open Maiden race for which there are 38 entries.
The form of the Beverley Thomas trained Knight of The Road, who finished six lengths behind Kinsale King at the Brecon & Talybont meeting, received a boost when Kinsale King, who had clocked the day's fastest time at Llanfrynach, won again at the recent North West Point-to-Point Club meeting.
Paul Roberts' Whistling Fred, who finished runner-up to the long odds-on favourite Withington at the Gelligaer Farmers, and Shan Farr's Little Miss Monty, who has played second fiddle in her last three starts, are two others that should be considered.
There are 22 down to run in the Club Members Novice Riders' race and Iris's Prince could make it win number ten under his sensational young rider Rhys Flint who at the time of writing needs just one more win to equal Nick Scholfield's novice riders' record of 25, a total which some said would never be beaten.
Simon Jones's Fruitfull Citizen, who gave his wife Lucy her sixth win of the season when scoring a ten lengths win over the odds-on Danbury in the Confined at the Gelligaer Farmers, goes a good gallop and could give Iris's Prince most to do if lining up here in preference to the Ladies' Open race.
The ones that catch the eye in the Men's Open are Margaret Johns' eight-year-old Adventurist, a winner under rules and a four times winner between-the-flags this season when ridden by Margaret's 18-year-old son Alan; Eddie Ford's Little Ed, who has won seven of his last eight starts; Jane Kelso's Sporting Hero who won the Intermediate at the Banwen Miners; and the invader To The Top.
Of the 18 entries for the Ladies' Open, Fruitfull Citizen, already mentioned, Beth Roberts's Brecon winner Twilight Dancer, Beverley Thomas's favourite horse Seaniethesmuggler, and Robert Rowsell's Bob Bites Back look best.
There are 25 entries for the Restricted and the ones to watch out for here are the Beverley Thomas trained Kingaroy Lass, winner of the mares only Maiden race at the Tredegar Farmers; Janet Underwood's Tredegar Farmers maiden winner Holmwood Legend, and Alexandra Musical.
In the Intermediate, Sams Lad, a winner of his only three starts between-the-flags, dual winner Top Commander and Banwen Restricted winner Wareyth will all have their followers. A good show here would see Sams Lad graduate to summer jump racing. First race 2.00pm.
The South Wales Area Point-to-Point Dinner Dance will be held at The Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran, on Friday, July 4th. Tickets £35 from Tim Rooney Tel: 07860 382497.
