25 May 2010 Title Race Still Too Close To Call
by Carolyn Tanner
The men's championship remains wide open after the weekend. John Mathias cut Richard Woollacott's lead to one with a double at Lower Machen and both scored once apiece the following day, John at Garthorpe and Richard at Upper Sapey.
Jake Greenall was out of luck with two rides in Wales but his Garthorpe double kept him within striking distance of the two leaders.
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Claire Allen, joint-leader with Polly Gundry in the women's championship race, decided in December that she would retire at the end of the season in order to concentrate on her Berkeley Vale Saddlery business, but her campaign has finished earlier than planned. Claire broke her wrist at Upper Sapey on Sunday, so Polly has an obvious chance to claim her eighth title.
Polly and Ed Walker still have ten in at their Ottery St Mary yard, but they will have few runners, said Polly, while the firm ground prevails. Should the going be suitable Polly will ride just a couple of Maidens, but otherwise she will be supporting Richard Woollacott in his quest for the men's title.
