PREVIEW

Albrighton Woodland
Chaddesley Corbett
Monday 26th May 2008
by Pete Mansell

FIRST RACE - 2:00pm

 After thirteen meetings spread over 4 months, the outcome of several area awards will finally be decided during Mondays meeting at Chaddesley Corbett.

Mark Wall leads David Mansell by just 6 points in their battle to become the leading jockey, while just a few points separates cousins Alex Smith Maxwell and Josephine Banks in their quest to become the leading novice rider.

Their grandmother Pat Tollitt was one of the best riders in the country during her riding career and she takes great pleasure seeing her granddaughters doing so well.

These families are based around the village of Himbleton in Worcestershire and Josephine or Phine as she prefers to be called has three points in hand over Alex Smith Maxwell so the outcome of the Conditions race will prove the key to who takes the Title.

Coole Venture finished second at Upper Sapey seven days ago but behind Hi Tech Man at the Wheatland meeting over this course and with conditions in his favour the latter is taken to prevail.

The only danger to this duo could come from We’re Confused and success for the Julie Houldey trained gelding would put David Mansell in front of Mark Wall in the race for the Mens Title.

Sapega could be heavily penalised in the Members but his Enville based connections may allow him to take his chance. Phillip Needham’s nursery business to based just across the road from the Chaddesley course and he will be hoping to follow up last year’s win with Philtre.

Yorkshire based Oliver Greenall won the Mens Open with Von Origny in 2007 and he will be crowned the new National Champion when the season ends in June. Last years winner could return to the scene of his triumph but Greenall could also team up with Chorizo or Sonevafushi.

Fergal O’Brien and Andy Hobbs are battling it out for the Trainers Championship so they will be keen to do well in this contest. Gentle Rivage likes to make the running while Fergals Find generally swoops late so this race could be a real cracker if Hobbs decides to run Saint Reverien.

The Tollitt colours could be seen in the Ladies if her daughter Angela Rucker teams p with Honest Endeavour and victory would ensure that the prize for the leading owner/trainer/rider made its way back to the Ruckers sideboard.

Gothic Charm should be good enough to land the Intermediate for Malvern trainer Roy Shail, while there would be no more fitting winner of the concluding Maiden than Equivocate.

Dick Baimbridge is still searching for his first win of the season, but the mare has run her heart out all season and could finally get her head in front when it matters.