08 April 2009 Preview: Monmouthshire - Llanvapley
CHESNUT ANNIE: can she make it seven out of seven?
There are 117 entries for the Monmouthshire Hunt Point-To-Point Steeplechases at Llanvapley, near Abergavenny, on Saturday.
Racing gets under way at 2pm with the hunt race and David Richards's Euryalus would be hard to beat if back to anything like his best form. Of the other 11 entries, Lecky Thyne's Absolutely Barking and Ian McGready's French-bred Olival, who have both been knocking at the door, look best.
There are 20 down to run in the Intermediate race and these include recent winners Tigu, Peter Sent, Curradoon, Shuil An Burren and Silver Story. The last named, owned by stalwart Norman Jones, lost his maiden tag at the Brecon & Talybont meeting and could come in first at a decent price.
In the Mens Open, Jonathan Tudor's Minsgill Mans, who ran a cracker when finishing second to Lady Myfanwy in the Dunraven Bowl at Chepstow last year, looks head and shoulders above the other 21 entries. Lough Ennel, Bill Haze, Passenger Omar and Van Ness look the best of the rest.
Beth Roberts's Chesnut Annie, a winner of six Point-to-Points this season, is one of the eleven entries for the Ladies Open. However, plans are to run her at the South Pembrokeshire on Easter Monday. But when her connections see the entries for this race, it would come as no surprise if she were to turn up here instead where she appears to have an easier task. On form her main rivals are Perouse - also entered at the South Pembrokeshire - Ballyalbert and Mollycarrsbrekfast.
Tommy Thunder and Mr Roche look the ones to beat in the Restricted. Of the other 16 entries, David Rees's Howick winner Ship To Shore and Luke Price's On The Mark are two others to consider in the absence of the first two horses mentioned.
Of the 34 in the Open Maiden, Jaunty, who has been playing second fiddle this season, has a chance to go one better, but Gareth Cheshire's One To Note could be exactly that and has most to fear from Colorado Storm and Derry City.
