Camarthenshire
Erw Lon
Saturday 1st March 2008
&
Curre & Llangibby
Howick
Sunday 2nd March 2008
by Brian Lee

Welsh enthusiasts are in for a busy weekend with the Carmarthenshire at Erw Lon on Saturday and the Curre & Llangibby at Howick on Sunday.

The Vale of Clettwr hunt held their fixture at Erw Lon a fortnight ago and one local paper reported that it was “probably the most successful point-to-point meeting ever held over the Erw Lon course”.

Course winner Tokpela will be well fancied to win the opening members’ race, but it might be worth taking a chance with Native Commander.

There are 13 down to run in the men’s open and Howdydoody could have most to fear from ex-National Hunt performer Sky Warrior.

Of the 26 entered for the ladies’ open event, Unmistakably, Chesnut Annie – who also entered at Howick – and Qabas catch the eye.

In the restricted, for which there are 21 entries, Margam Abbey and One For The Lads look best.

In fact, quite a number of horses here have also been entered at Howick, where the maiden race will be run in three divisions. Mrs Rae Jones’s course specialist Lough Ennel could face Iris’s Prince, Ballylusky and Mr Nemo in the 21-strong men’s open.

And the ladies’ open race could be a real thriller as the 31 entries include Chesnut Annie, Unmistakably, Club Royal, SeanTheSmuggler and recent North Hereford winner Lord Castle. The winner of this race will receive the Sylvester II perpetual challenge trophy.

Those whose memories go back to the 1950s will remember the front-running grey Sylvester II, whose riders included Bill Jones, April Budgen, Penny Pragnell and Daphne Williams.

Perhaps Sylvester II’s best season was in 1955 when he won six races twice defeating that good mare Sally-On, who went on to win a handicap chase under Dick Bowen at Chepstow later that year.

Racing gets under way at Howick with the members’ race at midday and Murdinga and Willoughby Flyer, who are no strangers to Howick, will both have their followers.