28 May 2010 Preview: Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) - Bonvilston
by Brian Lee
JOHN MATHIAS: may go head-to-head with title rival Jake Greenall
photo: Alun Sedgmore
The South Wales and Monmouthshire season comes to an end with the Countryside Alliance Club (Wales) meeting at Bonvilston on Monday and Welsh enthusiasts will be hoping that 'never say die' John Mathias - who could be riding against another title challenger in Jake Greenall - can add to his seasonal tally of 31 winners and keep in the race for the National Riders' Championship.
Racing gets under way with the Young Horse Maiden at 2pm and Beth Roberts' Copper Carroll, who could only finish fourth behind Someothertime at the Gelligaer last week, might spring a surprise. Julie Williams' Tachbury, left at the start in the same race, could run into a place if on his best behaviour.
Mrs Ingrid Shervington's 12-year-old Grey Kid, who took the Mixed Open at the Gelligaer Farmers, is expected to line up for the Club Members Novice Riders' race ,for which there are 18 entries and could meet Roznic, a winner of his only two races this term. Fully Loaded is another interesting entry.
There are 30 entries for the Mixed Open and two that catch the eye are Sea Senor and Mick's Prospect. However, it should be noted that the last five Mixed Open races run in Wales have been all-male affairs. Not one female rider has competed in any of them, which surely tells us something!
There are 22 down to run in the Restricted and these include Pathian Prince, Attrapeur and Percy Mole. The eight-year-olds and over Maiden could go to Ross Farr's Willottie who has a golden chance of finally losing his maiden tag.
Pony racing will take place after the racing has finished and a happy wind-up to the South Wales season can be expected over the popular Redlands Park Farm Racecourse.
