12 May 2008 Gelligaer Farmers - Lower Machen
Barney Blue: heads the invasion party for the Mixed Open
The Gelligaer Farmers Hunt Point-to-Point Steeplechases take place at Lower Machen, near Newport, on Sunday (18th May). More than 130 entries have been received, and racing gets underway with the Members' race at 2pm.
Ronnie Meyrick's seven-year-old chesnut gelding, Brave Lad - a winner of the Restricted at the Brecon & Talybont meeting last Saturday, would be an obvious choice if facing the starter. Two others to be considered are Find It Out and Crystal Soldier.
There are 23 down to run in the Confined and another Brecon winner, Margaret John's Adventurist who won by ten lengths from Last Symphony, is one of them. Bob Bites Back, Sporting Hero and Danbury who all won at the Banwen Miners meeting are also entered.
The prolific Little Ed, who won his members' race over the popular Lower Machen course a fortnight ago, seems to act on any going and will be hard to beat if lining up for the Mixed Open for which there are 23 entries. The invaders Severn Bridge, Barney Blue, and Beadnell Bay, may give him most to do.
There are 35 entries for the Restricted and these include recent maiden winners Casey Tiles, Holmwood Legend, and Kingaroy Lass. Nick Williams, who rode the last named when winning over the course a fortnight ago, was most impressed with this five-year-old bay mare which is trained by Pembrokeshire's Beverley Thomas. Holmwood Legend gave his rider David Underwood his first win a fortnight ago and could also go well.
In the young horse Maiden (24 entries), Little Miss Monty, Viceroy Close and Wensleydale Star look best and, if there is any justice in this world, the first named should win.
There are 17 entries for the older horse Maiden and the Abbi Vaughan trained Withington, who was ten lengths clear at the last at the Llangeinor only to get rid of his pilot Deano Coleman, should be given a chance to redeem himself. Knight Of The Road and Gateland will also have their supporters.