24 April 2009 Preview: Pentyrch - Bonvilston
by Brian Lee
With the Dunraven Bowl Hunter Chase at Chepstow on Friday evening and the Welsh Point-to-Point 'Grand National' Mens Open Race at Redland Farm Racecourse, Bonvilston on Saturday, Welsh hunt racing fans will have plenty to think about this weekend.
Edna Hussey's Bob Bites Back would be a popular winner at Chepstow and should have most to fear from Dead Or Alive and Kisha King.
Racing gets under way at Bonvilston with the 14-strong Members' race and Mrs Rae Jones's Loch Ennel will be out to win the race for the third year in a row. However, Ian Prichard's Alroyal, a winner of a hunter chase last time out, and a Point-to-Point the time before that will be hard to beat. Keith Pritchard's Dudley Cup runner-up Cannon Bridge is also entered but is also down to run in the Welsh 'Grand National'.
Of the 25 entered in the Confined race, Mark Gichero's Bosham Mill (also entered in Mens Open), who won the Ladies Open under Lucy Pearce Rowsell at last Saturday's Ystrad Taf Fechan meeting, has Robert Williams' Danny's Last, Dai Rees' Misamon and Terry Austin's Doctor Supremo to beat.
The Mens Open for the Welsh 'Grand National' is a Brightwells Insurance Order of Excellence race and Maestro Please, who won two years ago, figures among the 29 entries. These include the front running Grey Kid, a winner of an Hereford hunter chase recently, Lady Connell's French-bred Exceptionnel, that former good National Hunt performer Lord Attica and Jonathan Tudor's Minsgill Mans who disappointed at Lydstep on Bank Holiday Monday.
Beth Roberts's Chesnut Annie and Paul Miles' Lady Myfanwy are the ones that stand out in the Ladies Open (17 entries). There are 34 down to run in the Restricted and the ones to note here are What Of It, Noadibou, Sometimes Queen and the likely winner Mr Cheetham.
With 35 in the Open Maiden, a division is possible. Derry City has been knocking at the door while two others to note are Mac Two and Bless Me Father.
