TWO weeks ago Maisemore Park attracted a capacity crowd and a plethora of runners, so the Cotswold Vale Farmers will be hoping for a repeat performance for Sunday's meeting at the same venue.

The condition of the course that day was a credit to all concerned, and 285 entries have been received for the Cotswold Vale fixture in the expectation that similar conditions will apply.

Eight races are scheduled, beginning with the Members race at 2pm and ending with the final division of the Maiden at 6.05pm. The runners to entry ration is expected to be high so with 53 in the Novice Raiders, 49 in the Restricted and 41, 35 and 39 in the respective division of the Maiden, the programme may need to be extended.

Northern Deal has a vociferous and enthusiastic group of owners and they had cause for celebration when the eight-year-old beat Fontaine Again at the previous meeting. With both horses set to meet on the same terms it is difficult seeing the latter turning the tables on this occasion and victory would help Adrian Wintle cement his position as leading rider in the area.

Ashgreen has improved by leaps and bounds this season but this may be too big a step so early in his career, while Cherry Gold and Sparkling Spring will both make their presence felt if they travel up from Wales.

Good Boy jumped his rivals silly at Andoversford last weekend and that would stand him in good stead in this contest while Mulligan had useful form under rules. Dick Bainbridge's stable always does well at this meeting and if Northern Deal misses his engagement his stablemate Well Ted would probably be better suited to this course than Teme Willow.

Ole Gunnar had the Ledbury members race in safe keeping until refusing at the 14th, so Mark Wilesmith may need to keep him covered up to land the Confined at the expense of The Kings Fling and St Helier.

There are plenty in with chances in the Restricted.

Aztec Rule, Cool Jake, Harrys Mare, Master Grass, Musical Tassel, Owl Vulgan and Twenty to Eight have all shown form in recent weeks but Ideal De L'ile and Lockington appeal most in this race, with the latter expected to follow up his course victory from two weeks ago.

WEST MIDLANDS CHAMPIONSHIPS, sponsored by Newsquest, Humberts, Equimix.

Leaders after four meetings

Male Riders: Adrian Wintle 52, Julian Pritchard 30, James Richardson 12.

Lady Riders: Polly Gundry 17, Anna De Lisle Wells 12, Jane Williams 7, Alex Bevan 7.

Leading Mare: Campden Kitty 10, Mildan Grace 5, Proper Primitive 5.

Champion Novice: Mr Naborro 7, Raymond James 7, Quatermass 5, Mildan Grace 5.

Leading Horse: Fontaine Again 12, Campden Kitty 10, Aztec Rule 10.

Novice Rider: Jane Williams 7, Alex Bevan 7, Tom Weston 7.

Owner/Trainer/Rider: Jane Williams 7, James Richardson 7, Tom Weston 7.