07 April 2008 Cotswold - Andoversford
Bowdens Lane: looking to add to his winning sequence in the Confined
Overnight snow on Sunday morning forced the postponement of the Cotswold meeting at Andoversford and the organisers have been very quick to find an alternative date with the fixture having been re-scheduled for Wednesday 9th April with the first race now starting at 4.45 pm.
Naunton trainer Fergal O'Brien has always emphasised the team ethic at his Point-to-Point yard at Summerhill and no doubt the stable will have plenty of runners at this meeting because they have almost half of the 14 runners in the Members Race.
These include Fergals Find, Gentle Rivage, Gregory Peckory, Gulabill, Hambaphambili and Paymaster and with several of these horses holding engagements in other races during the afternoon, this contest could fall to one of the yards "lesser lights".
Wings of Hope could almost walk to this meeting from James Richardson's stable at Andoversford and despite its undulating nature and the long climb from the bottom of the hill, the course seems to suit front runners and that has to give this horse's connections cause for optimism.
O'Brien should consolidate his position at the head of the trainers' championship in the Members and stands a good chance of adding further points to his tally in the Confined.
Fergals Find, Hambaphambili and Paymaster could represent the stable in this contest although Marblehead is expected to provide another winner for the O'Brien/Collett partnership.
Bowdens Lane front running tactics have resulted in victories at Siddington and Upton and that sequence could be extended in the Confined, while Catch the Bus, Joyful Jack, Titus Bramble and Un Jour A Vassy will not be going there to make up the numbers.
Following last years walkover in the Ladies Open, changes have been made to the entry qualifications and the organisers must be pleased with the 28 entries received for this seasons renewal of the event.
With their lighter weights these contests are invariably run at a much quicker pace than the Men's equivalent so you need a good jumper to take advantage down the back straight.
Croix de Guerre and Home by Midnight are both recent winners, while Titus Bramble will be bidding to make amends for unseating his rider at Paxford on Easter Monday.
Diana Williams stable is just finding its form and Sapega is capable of landing the spoils.
O'Briens stable holds three entries in the 13 strong Men's Open and Fergals Find, Gentle Rivage and Hambaphambili are sure to give a good account of themselves. Bowdens Lane and Caught at Dawn are in top form at the moment and it is difficult to overlook their chances against Itsalf, Noakarad de Verzee and Why Connie.
Cottage River, Dobbiesgardenworld, Marblehead, Milesian King and Mountain Singer have all won their previous races and the winner of the Intermediate must surely has to come from this quintet.
Following the postponement of last weekends meeting at Maisemore there should be a good turnout from the 36 entries in the Maiden. Most of the runners have shown some form by this stage of the season so it will need a horse of hidden talents to get the better of Inch Royal, Clintos, Iphar or Twiga Woods.
Claudia Wilesmith's Upton on Severn stable is coming into form and Inch Royal has shown that he can run well in whatever race he contests. Clintos and Iphar come from Kim Smyly's successful yard at Stanton and this stable is due a change in fortunes after recent events.
Marcella Bayliss is still waiting for her first win of the season, which must come before too long and Twiga Woods looks capable of providing the Naunton trainer with that elusive first success.
The mare is progressing in the right direction and built on her third place at Siddington by finishing runner up in a short Maiden at Upton recently. She jumped immaculately in both those outings and whatever finishes in front of her will be able to claim the spoils.
