10 May 2010 Preview: Weston & Banwell Harriers - Cothelstone
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
Richard Woollacott, who is leading the race for this season's National Men's title, can add to his tally at Cothelstone on Wednesday evening.
Richard has several possible mounts in the Mens Open, including Saturday's Holnicote winner Henri Prends Garde, Karinga Coin - Richard's 200th Point-to-Point winner at the Cotley on Bank Holiday Monday - Lords Bridge and easy Axe Vale winner Sheriff Roscoe. Opposition could include Ofarel D'Airy - a possible mount for Championship-chasing Jake Greenall - and Yufo, who impressed at Stafford Cross, but Richard's choice from Karinga Coin and Sheriff Roscoe would be the selection.
Cheltenham Hunter Chase winner Shooters Wood stands out among the 15 Entries for the Confined and is the automatic selection if connections revert to racing between the flags. In his absence, Sarah Hobbs' Minella Tipperary can open his Pointing account at the main expense of Michael Hawker's hat trick-seeking Sheknowsyouknow.
Croix de Guerre and Zabenz have chances of providing a Hobbs double by landing the Ladies Open. Sunday's Garthorpe winner King Du Berlais should be noted if travelling from East Anglia, while Welsh challenger Warsaw Pact, Holnicote winner Bobsleigh, Miss Midnight and Peter Wright's Shannon Springs are contenders. Berkeley winner Rocklandslad should be suited by the Cothelstone track and is a confident selection.
The season's leading horse Fully Loaded is among the 24 Entries for a competitive looking Novice Riders race. Exeter Hunter Chase winner Glacial Call catches the eye, along with former Grand National runner-up Royal Auclair, course winner Le Forezien - runner-up to Fully Loaded at Holnicote on Saturday - and Holnicote winner Lancer Scott. Mr Cee gave the prolific Welsh flyer Chesnut Annie a scare at Llanvapley in April and could be the main danger to Fully Loaded.
Lancer Scott, course winner Magical Flight, Plasteredinweston and Vicky Wade's Light Touch are four suggestions for the Restricted. Nicholas The Spark and Southway Queen should fight out the Hunt race.
Isitanywonder can make amends for his unlucky Stafford Cross last fence blunder by taking the Maiden contest.
Two pony races, qualifiers for the Wessex Area Final at Larkhill on 30th May, precede racing.
The course lies north of Taunton off the A358, three miles NE of Bishops Lydeard (TA4 3DT). First race: 3.45pm (ponies); 5.00pm (Point-to-Point). Admission is £20 per car; £10 single occupant; £5 pedestrians.
