24 March 2009 Preview: Ledbury - Maisemore Park
ICE COOL BENNY: has a leading chance in the Intermediate
If you want value for your money on Sunday, there is only one place to be - Maisemore Park.
The meeting has attracted a massive entry of 332 so it was a good thing the Ledbury decided to hold their fixture on Sunday 29th March, the first day of British Summer Time. They will now be able to race beyond 6 p.m. and that may well be necessary if owners and trainers support this meeting as they have done in the past.
Meeting Secretary Viv Grundy reports that her fax machine was working overtime over the weekend and some people may have been frustrated by the line being permanently engaged but now they can see why!
Maisemore Park has gained a well-deserved reputation for providing good going in recent seasons and that has obviously reaped benefits this year.
The standard is set in the 16 strong Members race which has attracted horses of the quality of I Am Said I, Just Talking and Saint Reverien, with Just Talking predicted to get Julie Houldeys stable back into winning ways.
A number of competitors in the The Mixed Open would not be out of place in Hunter Chase company and that includes horses such as Cannon Bridge, Buckby Lane, Gaelsbob, Kiama, Marblehead, Sweet Citizen, Kingscliff, Whickford and Worship the Stars and if just half those horses turn out it will provide a good contest.
The younger Maiden could see the debut of Smokes and Dagger from the Houldey yard at North Nibley. He has been entered at several meetings recently and although his Irish form left something to be desired the trainer has already proven her ability to get the most out of her horses, and with her father Phillip based in the heart of the Ledbury country this would be a popular winner with the locals.
The Confined is another race full of quality with Celestial Dragon, Chicuelo, Iphar, Lindbergh Law and Top Benefit likely to line up. Smeathe's Ridge has no recent form to recommend him but was well backed at a recent Garnons meeting so had obviously been showing connections something at home, Lindbergh Law is returning after an absence and that seems to leave the way open for Top Benefit.
The Restricted is another minefield and there is not much between All Thyne Greats, Comealong Cornwall, Isle of Skye, Lightin' Jack, Port Talbot, Tango witha Mango and Twigga Woods and success in this contest would definitely provide the winner with an enhanced reputation.
The Intermediate has attracted horses of the quality of Another Chat, Ice Cool Benny, Just Talking, Raleagh House and Sweden.
Ice Cool Benny and Sweden were both successful at the Ross Harriers fixture and on those performances the former might just be able to see off the challenge of Richard Burtons mount Sweden.
