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Pete Mansell previews the action from the Worcestershire at Chaddesley Corbett and the Cotswold Vale Farmers at Andoversford.

WORCESTERSHIRE

The organisers of Saturday's meeting at Chaddesley Corbett are pulling out all the stops in preparation for one of the highlights of the Point-to-Point season. Fences and running rails have been moved onto fresh ground in an effort to encourage owners to run their horses.

The centrepiece of the meeting is The Lady Dudley Cup, which has a history dating back to 1897, when the trophy was first presented. This race is the West Midland leg of the Racing Post Weekender/Brightwells Insurance Order of Merit and the value of the race has now increased £1,720.

Three horses have already gained points in this series and will attempt to consolidate their positions in an effort to land the prize. Bishy Barnaby won at Buckfastleigh and would be a worthy representative for the West Country, while Lord Attica has won over 4 miles so his stamina is not in doubt.

Ice Tea beat Billvoddan at Eyton on Severn and looks an improving sort but whether he is up to this challenge is open to debate. Chalk It Up, Commander Vic, Jaunty Times, Wickford, Worship the Stars and Ruairi all have good form between the flags and are all capable of putting themselves in winning positions.

Local support will be focused on the exploits of William and Angela Rucker's Cedrus Libani. The Droitwich trained gelding has run just one disappointing race all season but this race is run over 3 miles and 2 furlongs and that could stretch his stamina.

The chances of Chilling Place and Ben Tuckey have to be respected, but it would be unwise to dismiss the chances of Marblehead or Up There. The former was the impressive winner of a Hunter Chase earlier in the year and his run at Paxford can probably be blamed on the muddy conditions.

Up There finished in front of Jim Collett's runner earlier in the season and with a clear round he could give supporters a good run for their money.

The Ladies Open also has a good entry. Desert Tommy and Heavy Weather have both shown their best form when conditions are really testing and they are unlikely to have that on Saturday afternoon.

Dick Baimbridge won last year's race with Parsifal and with that horse sidelined he has found a worthy replacement with Shernally. The mare has her own way of doings things but with three victories to her credit it is difficult to criticise her.

Angela Rucker will not have far to travel from her stables near Droitwich with Honest Endevour or Petit Lord, while Scotmail Too is another worthy of consideration.

Rucker could face a major challenge from her niece Alex Smith Maxwell who could ride Winning Counsel. The horse won several races under Rules last year and a reproduction of that form would be good enough to land this contest.

The runners in the Members all look to be of equal ability so it may pay to take a chance with Penny Park who was a consistent performer under Rules for Phillip Hobbs, while Le Millenaire (Confined), Hivikos (Restricted) and Tough Cookie (Maiden) must all have a chance in their respective races.

COTSWOLD VALE FARMERS 

Point-to-Point Races are held all over the country between December and June, but the Cotswold Vale Farmers meeting at Andoversford also incorporates a Country Fair and is a great day out for all the family.

This year's event takes place at Andoversford on Sunday 18th April and the organisers have confirmed the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander will be parading.

Visitors can experience the thrills and excitement of 7 Point-to-Point races with the first event scheduled for 2-30 p.m. These will be preceded by 2 Pony Club Pony Races, which start at 1p.m.

Other attractions include: -
Working Dog Show at 10:45 a.m.
Terrier Racing at 12:30 p.m.
Family Dog Show at 2:30 p.m.
All entries are £1 per class on the day.

There will also be a Falconry Display given by Jemima Parry-Jones of the International Centre for Birds of Prey at Newent, Flyball demonstrations, Celebrity Horse Parade, the Cotswold Pheasant and Poultry Marquee, Rare Breeds, Farmers Market, Craft and Trade stands and a small children's fun fair

For those feeling fit enough to take part there is a Country Run, which commences at 11-15 a.m. There are two class, the first which takes place over 1 lap of the Point-to-Point Course, which is approximately 1.5 miles while the second will be over 2 laps of the course which is 3 miles.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
10.40 a.m. Shetland Ponies
10.45 a.m. Working Dog Show
11.15 a.m. Vale Country Run & Race
11.30 a.m. Falconry Flying Display
11.45 a.m. Flyball Demonstration
12.00 p.m. Celebrity Horses
12.30 p.m. Terrier Racing
1.00 p.m. Pony Racing
1.30 p.m Flyball Demonstration
2.15 p.m. Indian Runner Duck Race
2.30 p.m. Point to Point Racing starts Family Dog Show

The first of 7 Point-to-Point Races commences at 2p.m. and four of the races at this meeting are limited to Veteran and/or Novice Riders and support for these types of races has increased over the years.

The standard of jockeyship can vary tremendously in these events but Nick Slatter showed last weekend he has an excellent racing brain and his family has a good chance of taking the Members with Fifty Yearson. Jacko's Boy and Silver Moonlite from Peter Mason's stable at Bibury have to be respected but Slatter's mount should prove too strong for them up the final hill.

Slatter has benefited from his association with Fergal O'Brien's Naunton yard this year so it would not be surprising to see him team up with Hambaphambili in the Mens Open. The horse won the Ladies Race last year so we know he handles the gradients but he may have to settle for second place if Strong Weld lines up.

This habitual front runner will take some catching once he takes the lead. He is a joy to watch when at full stretch so the downhill fences at Andoversford should not cause him any problems. His jockey Rhys Jenkins has struck up an instant rapport with Strong Weld and they will be very hard to beat.

Frosty Spring ran well with Slatter in the saddle in the Paxford mud on Easter Monday but it is safe to say that conditions will be completely different at Andoversford. Lemonfield won at the same meeting and there was very little between them on times so it will be interesting to see which one comes out on top.

The Mahon family from Stratford on Avon hold the key to the Conditions race with Chicuelo and My Way de Solzen. Both horses have winning form and twin sisters Eleonar or Lara take it in turns to pick up the rides. My Way de Solzen has always shown his best form over longer tracks so it is doubtful that the Andoversford track would be in his favour.

Ruperts Vision and War Hawk have form in Maiden races but they are still awaiting their first success, while Elizabeth May and Roger Fox both fall into the "promising category". You just have to hope that this is the day everything falls into place.

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