Equestrian - Wilesmith hoping for Maisemore joy (From Ledbury Reporter)

Equestrian - Wilesmith hoping for Maisemore joy

2:20pm Friday 4th May 2012 in Sport

MAY Bank Holiday point-to-points are normally held in shirt-sleeve weather, but after the recent deluge the organisers of Monday’s North Ledbury meeting at Maisemore Park (first race, 2pm) will be hoping the weather improves.

The Members provides further winning opportunities for Anderson McCauley or Inch Royal from Claudia Wilesmith’s stable at Upton-upon- Severn. This yard has been in cracking form this year and when they are in this mood it pays to follow them.

Hanley Swan-based Andy Hobbs also does well at this meeting and Beths Star looks a better bet than stable mate Miss Junior. The former has struggled to get out of Maiden class but this looks an ideal opportunity for her to do so, while Miss Junior will have more chances before the season is over.

Tara Gale likes to hear her hooves rattle so conditions are likely to be against her although her class may still see her through, whereas conditions cannot be heavy enough for Alan Phillips’ Callow End-trained Kilbeggan Blade, who has other options over the weekend.

Anderson McCauley could run in the Intermediate, although his stablemate The Magherally Man is likely to be preferred.

Flying Gnu has a good record over this course but is struggling for form, while Grandturgeon could be given another outing as his jockey Jane Williams is chasing the National Ladies Title. Emma Alvis’ Dymocktrained Stone was disappointing at the Berkeley but had run well over this course previously.

Double Mead has side-stepped more races than he has contested this year as his owners have been looking for the better ground.

That situation has been rectified recently so he looks the one to be on in the Ladies Open.

His rider Alex Dunn has a useful second string in Rainbow Tree.