AFTER 23 weeks and 13 meetings, the West Midland point-to-point season finishes at Chaddesley Corbett on Monday.
Area awards are to be decided among the 196 entries and the battle for the ladies’ title concerns two Worcestershire riders with Alex Dunn holding a six-point lead over nearest challenger Jane Williams.
But the Williams’ family stables are near Kidderminster which means they are likely to have a runner in the Members race.
No Mans Green or Hey Porter could carry Williams to victory in the opening event.
Katherine Smith-Maxwell hopes Rainbow Tree can prevail in the Ladies’ Open and, if he did, her daughter Dunn would have one hand on the ladies’ title while the family could pick up the leading horse and family award. The quality of the opposition in this race is top-class, though.
The men’s title is closer with 2009 title holder David Mansell (68 points) leading last year’s winner Mark Wall (67) and Sam Drinkwater (66).
The contest may not be decided until the final race.
Wall could be first to chalk up points with Hivikos in the Men’s Open.
The race is full of quality as it includes William and Angela Rucker’s Himbleton-trained Cedrus Libani who has won his last three races with Richard Burton in the saddle.
Burton is locked in a battle with Phil York for the national title and the latter has strong claims with Dante’s Storm or Ringa Bay.
Malvern trainer Nicky Sheppard has entered Up There and the evergreen veteran Strong Weld.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here