18 March 2008 Croome & West Warwickshire - Upton-upon-Severn
Marblehead: set to contest the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate
The Croome & West Warwickshire races at Upton-upon-Severn figure on every Point-to-Point enthusiast's itinerary over the Easter weekend. The meeting has attracted over 220 entries including 53 in the concluding 2½ mile Maiden.
Clerk of the Course Martin Weston could take time off from those duties to saddle Dobbiesgardenworld in the Members, but the Hindlip trained gelding may have to settle for the runners up spot behind Niver Bai or Un Jour A Vassy.
Both of those horses carry the colours of Leigh Sinton based Phillip and Di Ralph and Un Jour A Vassy was responsible for their son Alistair making such an impressive start to his riding career in 2006.
The horse is now in the care of Andy Hobbs at Hanley Castle and should retain sufficient ability to land this contest allowing Niver Bai to take up his engagement in the Intermediate.
Ralph junior is now one of the legion of lads based down with Gold Cup winning trainer Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat and he has struck up a good partnership with his parents' new acquisition this year.
Niver Bai faces his stiffest task to date and will do well to overcome a field that is likely to include Bowdens Lane, Emmet Hotel, Fertile Valley and Marblehead.
Claudia Wilesmith yard at Upton-upon-Severn have left no door unopened in their search to find the right race for Inch Royal. He has been beaten several times over three miles so connections are now trying him over a shorter distance. He is sure to figure prominently in the Maiden but whether he has the speed to cope with Bonnie Zoe, Iphar, Port Talbot and Slavedriver remains to be seen.
The runners in the Restricted look of equal ability and the race should be set up for Cottage River from Julie Houldeys in-form yard at North Nibley.
Caught At Dawn returns for another season, but past experience tells us than he rarely runs a good race first time out and others are preferred in the Mixed Open. Dimitri is sure to run well if conditions are testing, while Strong Weld and Moscow Court are others to consider.
Premium First missed an intended engagement when Garnons was lost last weekend and the Andy Hobbs runner should be suited by the course.
The Mares Maiden is another race that could be split on the day. This type of race is notoriously difficult to predict but we will stick our neck out and nominate Equivocate and Twiga Woods as potential winners of this contest.
