There are 140 entries and racing gets under way with the members' race. Robin Butterworth's Willoughby Flyer,an easy winner of the members' here a fortnight ago, after the second last fall of the strongly challenging Just For Now, may find things harder if the latter puts in a clear round this time.
There are 13 down to run in the intermediate and David Brace has a strong hand with the galloping grey Margam Abbey and Victor Merlyn as they took both divisions of the split restricted race here a fortnight ago.Danbury, a winner at Bonvilston last year, could be a danger.
Ray Jones's Lough Ennel, a four times winner at Howick, appears the pick of the 16 entries in the men's open and should prove too good for Lanaken.However, one that could cause a surprise is Robert Rowsell's 500 guineas purchase Red Man who was pulled up here last time.
This eleven-year-old's claim to fame is that he was a 14-lengths winner of a handicap at Sedgefield, albeit some time ago.
Beth Roberts's Chesnut Annie is no stranger to Howick where she has put up several outstanding performances in the past and of her 16 rivals. Honest Endeavour, Step And Run and Wages, who was well beaten when pulling up in second place behind Chesnut Annie here last time,look best.
There are 36 down to run in the restricted and the ones that catch the eye are Midnight Haze, Valuso, Tanmeya and David Brace's Joshua Squashuar who looks like starting favourite after his good second to Councillor Jack who went on to win a selling hurdle after
being the fastest of the four Howick maiden winners.
There will be two divisions of the maiden race and David Brace's ten-year-old Imperial Sam can take the first and Brian Hughes's seven-year-old mare Miss Millfield the second.
As usual, an exciting day's racing is promised over this popular racecourse which is not that far from Chepstow Racecourse the home of the Coral Welsh National.
