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Howick opens its gates again this Saturday and once again it is the Curre and Llangibby Hunt that will be organising the days entertainment. Following a few days of summer like weather rain is falling in Wales today which will help keep the ground, which has been rolled and treated following the last meeting, in perfect shape for another day of competitive racing.

The event kicks off at twelve noon with the Intermediate contest. Eight horses have entries in this race and the course and distance winner Is Our Otis looks set to make a reappearance. He stands six points higher in the ratings than the Bradley Gibbs trained Practice Run who finished second here last time out. Brad suffered a string of close defeats at the last meeting here, something he will be anxious to put right While speaking of the Gibbs family a potential absentee at the track will be father David who is currently recovering in hospital following illness. As one of the stalwarts of Welsh Point to Pointing I am sure you will all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

One of the eight runners who may cause an upset is Eileens Milan the charge of Christopher Barber. The son of Milan has won his only start this season and finished last year with a double.

The Hands and Heels contest for Novice Riders is next to line up, a division which relies as much on the abilities of the jockey as the horse. An interesting entry is Paint The Dream, formerly a winner in the David Brace colours; but recent wining form goes the way of Dragon Rock and Harry Barfoot Saunt, victors of the Conditions race at the same course two weeks ago. Dewi John Haddock will be hoping to get the head of Up for Appeal over the line in front, the pair having finished second at Didmarton.

The Men’s Open sees the potential appearance of Julian Sheriff’s prolific little French gelding Fier Jaguen. Now eleven years of age the gelding has won fourteen of his twenty-three starts and carries a rating of 125. Partnered by trainer Bradley Gibbs the couple will be looking to score a hat trick having been victorious in their last two outings. Mount Sinai, who prevailed in the previous Howick meeting looks on paper to be his closest rival with Poppa Poutine who finished behind Mount Sinai also likely to figure in the final shake up.

Joanne Priest, who has a lot of success at this track trains two of the six entries in the Ladies contest and on paper, should Mount Sinai take the Men’s Open route, this looks to be a contest between her Striking Out and the Edward Rees charge Camino Rocio.

Jo also holds a strong challenger in the Restricted division with Karatktere d’Enfer. The powerful son of Karaktar finished strongly to take the Members contest at Howick in the last meeting and is capable of progressing through the card. Closest to him on ratings is

Barrington John who was one of the string of seconds for Millstone Stables at the last meeting and connections will be hoping he can go one better this time.

The Maiden contest holds a healthy eighteen entries and there is not a lot to choose between many of them. Both Lightening Legs and River Story have been the bridesmaid in their most recent outings and would be expecting to progress.

The track can be found two miles west of Chepstow on the B4293 NP16 6BL.