15 April 2009 Preview: Ystrad Taf Fechan - Ystradowen
Cardiff bookmaker John Lovell, who was tragically killed in a motoring accident last April, will be remembered at the Ystrad Taf Fechan Point-To-Point on Saturday as his family are sponsoring the Mens open race. There will also be a perpetual trophy in his name presented by the Wales and West Bookmakers Association.
John, who was a good friend to Welsh hunt-racing, made turf history some years ago now when he introduced computerised betting to British
Racecourses, was the first bookmaker to use computerised betting at a Point-to-Point meeting.
There are 13 entries for the Mens Open race which will be run in John's name and if Andrew Lowrie's City Affair, trained by Abbi Vaughan just a couple of miles from the racecourse, faces the starter he is likely to start a hot favourite. Overlut and Bob Bites Back, who is also entered in the Ladies Open race, look the pick of the rest.
The prolific Lady Myfanwy, who has been winning her races the other side of the Severn Bridge this season, could return to Wales to repeat last year's success in the Members race, for which there are nine entries.
There are thirteen down to run in the Restricted and Robert Rowsell's Cudeen, who lost his maiden tag at the Monmouthshire albeit in controversial circumstances - he won by a short head from UB Careful - has Slaney Eagle and the much improved On The Mark to beat.
In the Ladies Open, Chesnut Annie, who has become something of a celebrity this season winning all her seven races, would be an obvious choice. However, she is also down to run 24 hours later at the Tivyside where the Lydstep course might be more to her liking. Bob Bites Back could take advantage of her absence and would then have Sericina, Perouse and Bosham Mill to worry about.
In the first of the two maiden races, Chandlers Cross, who was going well until falling three from home at the Monmouthshire, has Shalati Princess and Derry City to beat. In the second maiden, Lunar Thyme might give backers a run for their money.
