14 April 2008 Cotswold Vale Farmers - Andoversford
Hambaphambili: won over the course last week and is entered in the Men's Open
If you want value for money this weekend, it's suggested you visit the Cotswold Vale Farmers Country Fair with Point-to-Point.
The entrance fee is £10 per person with children free but for that there are a whole host of events including a Farmers Market, Large exhibition of Poultry and Wildfowl which are on show or for sale, St. Georges Crafts, Stalls, Pony Rides, Catering and Bar Outlets.
Gates open at 10.00 a.m. with a Terrier Show which is a qualifier for the Midland Game Fair at Weston Park starting at 10-30 a.m. There is also Terrier Racing, Gun Dog Scurry and Family Dog Show for which all entries will be taken on the day.
All these events will be supplemented by 3 Pony Races and 6 Point-to-Point Races with the latter due to start at 2-30 p.m.
Four of the events on the Point-to-Point card are restricted to Novice Riders and while last years races on firm ground failed to attract many participants the same cannot be said of this years events because the course is reported to be in perfect condition.
Marado ran well on this course 10 days ago and a repeat performance would be good enough for Simon Lewis's Upton on Severn trained gelding to land the spoils in the Club Maiden race, although Steve Flook has a good record at this venue which may lead to Ryhope Chief springing a surprise.
The ability of the rider counts almost as much as that of the horse in Novice Riders races and Rhys Flint has been mopping up most of these events this season. He is an exceptional talent so expect Valjean to go close in the P.P.O.R.A. Members although he will be given a run for his money by Cross the Highman, Earl of Buckingham and Fantastic Champion.
The Mens Open could be very interesting with Iris's Prince, Hambaphambili and Man from Highworth all entered. Sam Drinkwater steered Hambaphambili to success at Badbury Rings earlier in the season and won over course and distance recently.
The other two horses would not be out of place in the Dudley Cup field the previous day and the latters rider David Bass is another useful recruit to these ranks but they were surprisingly beaten at Larkhill recently so Iris's Prince just gets the vote.
The Ladies Open has also attracted some interesting entries including Jenny Carrs mount Fleur de Nikos and they are likely to come up against the East Anglian challenger Scare Lotte, while a case can be made for Machalini, Mighty Strong and Wings of Hope.
Gulabill and Sam Drinkwater sprang a surprise at the previous meeting and they have a good chance of taking the Restricted.
