17 April 2008 Pentyrch - Bonvilston
Miss Sallyfield: entered in the Ladies' Open, has forged a successful partnership with 16-year-old Ceri Evans this season
The Welsh Point-to-Point Grand National, over three and a half miles, will be the highlight at Saturday's Pentyrch meeting. However, the 19-strong Members' race should prove an exciting curtain raiser as Keith Pritchard's prolific Cannon Bridge, who also holds a Lady Dudley Cup engagement, will, apparently, be making his seasonal debut in the race and will have most to fear from Mrs Rae Jones's Lough Ennel who has been in excellent form this year and who was successful in last year's race.
Phil Dando's Bill Haze is also expected to face the starter while others that hold chances are Lee Bridge's El Corredor, whose rider Lucy Pearce Rowsell had thought she had just got up on the line when beaten by Mvezo at the Ystrad Taf Fechan last weekend, James Isaac's Leahy, who finally lost his maiden tag last week at Ystradowen, Ian Pritchard's Windy Spirit, and Robert Rowsell's Silver Castle who, if right, could pull off a long priced win.
There are 27 entries for the Confined and Robert Williams's Irish-bred Olympic Storm has winning form and is an interesting entry. Adventurist, Bob Bites Back and L'Homme Sauvage have all won this season, as has Mvezo who gets the nod.
There are 35 down to run in the feature race and the top rated is Cannon Bridge who is not expected to line-up as he will run in the Members'. Susan Humphries Back Nine, a winner last time out, Mrs Gowling's Strong Weld, who will be going for a four timer, and Worship The Stars, who will also be going for a four timer, look the best of the invaders. Wales's best chances of keeping the trophy in the Principality appear to rest with Jonathan Tudor's Minsgill Man and Eddie Ford's Little Ed who were first and second respectively at the Llandeilo Farmers last Sunday. The former should come out in front once again.
There are 22 entries for the Ladies' Open and course winner Longstone Boy is one of them. Recent winners Perouse, Derawar, Miss Sallyfield, and Lunar Crystal are others to take into account, but it could be worth taking a chance with Beth Roberts's Twilight Dancer.
With 44 entered for the Restricted division on the day is likely, and the ones to be considered are Sams Lad, Imperial Sam, Midnight Haze and Sericina.
Abbi Vaughan may have the key to the Maiden with Apocalozzo, Pure Palatial and Up The Boreen and, with 41 entries, a division is on the cards.
First race is 2.p.m.
