Golden_Valley_Review

Welsh point to point enthusiasts flocked to Bredwardine last Saturday for the Golden Valley Hunt Steeplechases and, apart from the nice weather and friendly atmosphere, they had plenty to cheer about. Two Welsh horses Lady Myfanwy and Oca De Thaix fought out the finish of the Susan Guest Memorial Ladies' Open Race and it was the former, who is qualified with the Ystrad Taf Fechan Hunt, which emerged the winner.

Lady Myfanwy, owned by Paul Miles and trained by his wife Myfanwy, jumped the last fence just ahead of Oca De Thaix and went on to win by one and a half lengths. Lady Myfanwy was ridden by Sally Randell who was full of praise forthe prolific bay mare who has now won 23 times and these wins include three hunter chases. Oca De Thaix, an eight-year-old bay gelding, was partnered by his owner Charlotte Evans who was riding in a point-to-point for only the second time

Paul and Myfanwy made it a day to remember when their four-year-old chesnut gelding Findley's Find romped home twelve lengths ahead of Sheran in the second division of the young horse maiden race. Findley's Find who once cost a previous owner Harry Finlay £105,000,was ridden by thirty year old Gwyn Marsh who had time to look around in the closing stages of the race for non existent dangers.

Jay Ell The Trier, who is qualified with the Glamorgan Hunt, finished third under Kevin O'Keefe, and could lose his maiden tag before the season ends. Marsh, who hails from Hengoed but who now lives in Somerset, was riding only his second winner and only came in for the ride after a number of other riders had turned it down.

The first division of this race also went to Wales when Clover Rock, partnered by
Wales' leading rider John Mathias, held off the strong challenge of Getmeoutthedoldrums, ridden by Mark Wall, to win by a neck. Clover Rock, a seven-year-old brown gelding,was bought in Ireland by John's uncle Richard Mathias and should go on to better things.

In the Men's Open Race, Welsh hopes rested with the favourite Minsgill Mans ridden by John Mathias. However, the prolific twelve-year-old couldn't go the pace in the closing stages and was outpaced by the winner Waynesworld (Tom Weston) and SheKnowsYouKnow ( Mark Wall). There were four lengths between the winner and runner-up and a further four lengths between the runner up and Minsgill Mans. The fourth horse to finish was the 14-year-old grey Ross River who, ridden by his owner/trainer/rider Evan David, at one time looked like springing a surprise.

Mr P H D Wright's Comrade Bob (Luke Morgan) had one and a half lengths to spare over Arbour Hill in the 17-strong restricted, in which the Pentyrch qualified Tostaky ran well for a long way before fading out.The aged maiden race went to the favourite Smoker's Choice (Jeremy Mahot) who won by two-and a half lengths from Market Bob (Rob Hodges). Marc Barber took third place on Meg Morris's Over The Clouds who could cause a surprise before the season ends.

Only two of the five entries faced the starter for the hunt members' race and the odds-on Aeronglas (Rob Hodges) looked to have something in hand when beating Young Bert (Barry Denviar) by three- and- a- half lengths.




	The meeting was a rather special one for Shropshire's Nigel Lilley as it was the 1,500th point to point he has attended since his parents first took him point to pointing back in 1948! And to celebrate the occasion, Nigel invited a number of enthusiasts parked near his car to join him in a drink.