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START ROYAL: South Midlands raider has a fine chance to secure the Young Horse title in the Mens Open
photo: Jackie Oliver

Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill holds the key to the Weston & Banwell Mens Open at Cothelstone on Wednesday evening. Alan has entered Start Royal, who heads the National Young Horse standings, and the prolific More Trouble, who opened his seasonal account at Kingston Blount on May 7th.

The 19 entries include course winner Johnny's Way, who overturned Southwestern at Trebudannon, the popular Beadnell Bay, and Prince De Bersy, a comfortable winner at Vauterhill on May Bank Holiday Monday. Gaelic Flight, who was withdrawn from a Cheltenham Hunter Chase Evening contest, has won twice at Cothelstone this season and may prove very difficult to catch.

Miss Midnight, the current Wessex Area Leading Horse table topper, catches the eye among the 14 entries for the Ladies Open. Contenders include Axe Vale winner Doof, who will set a fast pace, last year's impressive winner Mr Cee, and Midlands raider Virginia Preuil. Miss Midnight is the selection, but Findlay's Find, winner of four consecutive races before unseating in the Cheltenham Connolly's Intermediate Final, is a big danger.

Holnicote winner Merry Terry can follow up in the Confined contest, which has attracted 13 entries. Dangers include Kingston St Mary winner Three Half Crowns, but Chiaro was only caught right on the line at Flete Park and may provide the strongest challenge.

The season's leading Novice Rider Micheal Nolan could partner Cotley winner Wee Bertie in a competitive looking 14-entry Novice Riders race. Barbury Castle winner Rowdy Yeats and Glamorgan scorer Obelix De Longechaux are two for the short list, while Mister Moonax would be a very popular winner for Hannah Hawkins. Pelennor was an easy West Somerset Vale winner here before being caught close home at Stafford Cross and is strongly fancied to get back on the winning trail.

Party Pictures, stable companions Erehwon and Hilda Wild, and recent winners Shuffles and Holcombe Hitman are five suggestions for the Restricted. Previous winners Nicholas The Spark and Martin Pitchwood should fight out the Hunt race. Grove Melody has been placed twice at Cothelstone this season and would be a deserved winner of the Maiden contest.

Two Pony races, the Wessex Area Novice Finals, precede racing at 3.45pm.

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.

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