EVERY owner and trainer eagerly anticipates the start of the new point-to-point season with high hopes.HORSE POWER:Charlotte Weston poses with Caught at Dawn at Offerton Farm in Hindlip.
Some will see their plans and dreams fulfilled, while others will finish the season disappointed.
With more than 200 meetings nationwide staging some 1,500 races, four of them at Chaddesley Corbett, fans in this area are well catered for.
Chief reporter Pete Lammas took a pre-season look at some of the local hopefuls who are set to thrill and delight the crowds from now until the season's end on June 17.
The 2004 Dudley Cup winner at Chaddesley, Caught at Dawn remains the star at Martin Weston's stable at Hindlip near Droitwich.
Although he won a hunter chase at Cheltenham the following year it was a disappointing season by his own high standards.
He will be aimed at both Cheltenham and Liverpool this term.
The family's home bred Gonna Do appears capable of winning a maiden judging by her Garnons form last season, but it is hard to see Craiova Comet increase his winning tally at the age of 12. He will be joined by an as yet unnamed four-year-old by Carroll House. Ex Len Lungo-trained stayer Dobbiesgardenworld was purchased at Doncaster in 2004 and has a Newcastle bumper to his credit.
Philtre trained by Helen Needham at Broome will be ridden by husband Phillip in novice riders' events. Mr Naborro has been sold so apart from Snowtre the other three stable runners are relatively inexperienced.
Joe Lively and his brother Edie McCredie showed form last season and cannot be discounted. Sharabang ran once last season when tailed off at Whitwick but should improve.
Former Cutnall Green-based rider Michael Hammond who now trains at Lower Broadheath, near Worcester holds a strong hand this season. Youwouldhavethat ran once when notching up a comprehensive win over later multiple winner Uncle Neil.
She is reported to be well and has recovered from a foot injury.
The Well Ladd is now with Andrew Balding while Alleyesonme, who gave Michael's wife Zoe her first win last season, may be aimed at Ladies' races. Six-year-old Old Ginger is a new horse who must improve on his only run to date when he was last of 19 in a Worcester bumper in 2005.
Royal Gunner is an exciting prospect who impressed at Chaddesley last season when he won a hard fought maiden by a neck. He will probably reappear at Chaddesley in February.
The Chaddesley fixtures are: Saturday February 11, Saturday April 1, Sunday May 7 and Monday May 29.
By Pete Lammas
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