06 December 2010 Air Ambulance Benefits From West Mids Preview Evening
by Pete Mansell
The Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium has become a second home to West Midland Point-to-Point enthusiasts in recent weeks and there was a good turnout for the Preview night on Saturday, 20th November.
The Premier Suite at Sixways is a much bigger venue than the previous one used at Hawford but the organisers early fears were soon dispelled because all the seats were soon taken up.
Helen Needham and Graham Fisher had made several changes to last year's successful format but once again the Panel of Point-to-Point experts held centre stage as funds were raised for the County Air Ambulance based at Strensham.
Early evening Ferret Racing was followed by an auction and then a break for food before the views of the panel were sought.
The Racing Posts Carl Evans did an excellent job interviewing Fergal O'Brien and Sam Twiston-Davies as the audience relived Baby Run's victory in the Cheltenham Foxhunters.
They were followed by Worcester-based Tom Weston and Trainer Dr Richard Newland, who shared their thoughts about Silver Adonis's victory over those epic Aintree fences in April.
With Dom Bradshaw as Master of Ceremonies the audience then had the chance to fire questions at the panel. These included Katherine Smith-Maxwell (Worcestershire-based Owner/Trainer), Carl Evans (Racing Post Weekender), Martin Harris (commentator/race-reader/co-author of the Point-to-Point Annual), Tom Weston (Rider of Silver Adonis), Fergal O'Brien (West Midland Trainer/Head Lad with Nigel Twiston-Davies), Tim Sage (Owner and Point-to-Point Judge), George Moir (Bookmaker), Sam Twiston-Davies (rider of Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Baby Run), Dr Richard Newland (Trainer of Silver Adonis) and Paul Champion (Point-to-Point Co-Ordinator at The Point-to-Point Racing Company Ltd.)
Various topics were discussed including weight allowances for Novice Riders, professional Trainers running their horses in Hunter Chases and moving the Dudley Cup meeting at Chaddesley Corbett to a Wednesday.
All sparked lively debates and resulted in over £2000 being raised for the Air Ambulance.
