TRAINER Phil Rowley and jockey Alex Edwards are proving difficult to dislodge from their positions at the top of their respective tables and with just over a month of the season remaining are on course to record their first National Titles.
Over the past few years the partnership has won numerous awards locally, but this season has seen them take a big step forward and their bandwagon shows no signs of slowing down.
Edwards is nine wins clear of his nearest pursuer in the race for the Jockeys Title and could add to his tally in the two-and-a-half mile Restricted at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday afternoon.
Salvatore has won his last two races and a horse that he beat at Bangor scored impressively at Maisemore on Monday afternoon and Edwards mount holds all the aces in this contest.
Geoff Barfoot Saunt and First Goodnight finished second last weekend on their first outing together and the jockey is confident the horse can produce the goods at this level.
Master Hide finally opened his account at Bitterley recently but faces a tough task on his first outing in this company, while Joey Kangaroo may have to settle for a minor placing.
The Rowley yard have two entries in the two-and-a-half mile Maiden, Caliente and The Sting.
The former finished a close third in a point-to-point bumper at Hereford Racecourse, so providing the obstacles do not prove a problem is like to prove too speedy for Toulouse the Plot and Paint the Dream.
Ask the Guvnor has failed to meet any of his early season entries, so it seems that connections have been waiting for better ground, while Beat Star comes from a good stable and is sure to run well.
Twenty-four horses have been entered for the Novice Riders where Welsh rider Conor Brace could team up with William Money or Pink Eyed Pedro – the stable representative gets the vote.
Ballycahane and Milo Herbert have improved throughout the season and have shown a liking for this course, while Alice Stevens is positive on Mistercobar and that strong pace could tell on the opposition.
Some high-class horses have been entered for the Mixed Open, where the Rowley runner Hazel Hill catches the eye, but he may have to play second fiddle to Arthurs Secret who has been raced sparingly so far this season.
Findlays Find returned after a long absence to win at Knightwick Races and showed that was no fluke by running well at Cheltenham last Friday.
He relishes these conditions, so it would not be surprising if he added the Conditions race to his also impressive CV.
Marcle Ridge finished second in Ireland and looked a certain winner when he came to these shores, but the dice have not rolled in his favour and after falling earlier in the season, he was left at the start at Cold Harbour and Sam Jukes decided to pull him up.
If he can get his act together he could go close in the three-mile Maiden, against First Goodnight and Beat Star.
Up the Drive comes from a good yard, but they may all have to give best to Sunday Session who sent out some positive vibes by finishing third at Woodford.
