03 May 2011 Preview: Wheatland - Chaddesley Corbett
by Peter Mansell
Abberley trainer Zoe Hammond is having an excellent season and currently holds third place in the West Midland Area Championships. She may not have the ammunition to compete on a level playing field with some of the bigger stables in the area, but has a good chance of improving her position in the title race if Don't Look Bach can follow up his recent Eyton win by taking the Restricted.
Connections have always thought a lot of the six year old but until the Easter victory his racecourse performances have not matched the promise he had shown at home. That win could prove the turning point and a good performance on Saturday afternoon would provide further evidence of that.
Enville trainer Diana Williams has had only a handful of runners so far this season but do not be put off by that statistic if Pillbox lines up for the Restricted.
Hall Kelly looked as though he would win over course and distance a few weeks ago until he weakened over the final two fences. William and Angela Rucker have had to be patient with this one, who had an operation to improve his breathing before that run - it remains to be seen if that has been successful.
Iochtaran hails from Theresa Morris's stable at Rushock, but he is another who needs to improve his game to be involved in the finish.
Catch The Bus provided Kelsie Willis with her first success last year and this partnership attempt a repeat performance in the Members on Saturday afternoon, but they will do well to finish in front of Alcarson who carries the colours of Bridgnorth owner Belinda Clarke.
The weather will determine which horses turn out at this meeting but two nice prospects could face one another in the North West and West Midland Area Club Members. Gemini Ahhs has not been seen out for several weeks whereas Pickersleigh has won her last two races for Malvern based owner Mervyn Jones.
The Ruckers stands a good chance of taking the Mens Open with Cedrus Libani, but it would be an interesting contest if Sheknowsyouknow lined up. The mare rarely runs a bad race and she would be suited by both the track and prevailing conditions.
Proceedings will start with the first race at 1pm. The postcodes for Satnavs is DY10 4QT.
