Aberystwyth, UK – One of the highlights of the UK harness racing season is set to take place this Saturday and Sunday at the beautiful seaside location one mile south of Aberystwyth. The Ceredigion Trotting Club is renowned for providing top quality racing and this year is no different having attracted competitors from far and wide. 28 races are set to take place over the weekend and there are a number of highlights to look forward to.
Saddle racing has seen a boost in support this year and world record holding jockey Alexis Laidler will start the likely favourite with Happy Hands on day one.
Two trotting races also feature on the card on Saturday and Une Pebe will be looking to hold on to her title in the aged division for local trainer Mike Evans.
Five heats will determine the runners for the all-important low-grade final on the Saturday and there are some top quality names to pick a winner from including recent Carlisle and Pickhall final winners Billy Wilk and Lakeside Paddy, the consistent It's My Check, local fillies Mattriach and Meldoon, the improving Lakeside Bono and Jack Swagger for the mighty Laidler team to name just a few.
It is however Porterstown Stud's Triplicate who is likely to start the anti-post favourite having recently won the €8,000 Grendon Memorial in Portmarnock. The Dunne family have a high success rate at the meeting as do Meadowbranch Stud who take on Triplicate with Meadowbranch Ideal in the final heat. We could see a clash of the Irish titans on day one.
A high point on day two will be the Free for All where six of the best pacers in the UK and Ireland go head to head. Porterstown Chris fly's the flag for Ireland, whilst the small but mighty Coalford Tetrick has captured hearts and will be the peoples favourite on the day but will either of them be good enough to overcome the all-conquering Miraculous?
Four heats will be ran for the high grade final with the first two in each making it to the main event. In heat one Greentree Serenity takes a step up in class after her victory in the Appleby Spring final.
Heat two sees last year's low grade final winner Sunglasses Ron take on Evenwood Sunofagun, the horse who gave Alexis Laidler her world record under saddle last weekend. Heat 3 pits some classy Scottish contenders against each other in Dreamfair I Say and Master Plan whilst heat four gives us Party At The Spa, Rewrite History and Jessie's Conquest.
Whether you're an avid harness racing fan or just like a bet and a relaxed drink in the bar whilst watching these supreme equine athletes strut their stuff there is nowhere better to be this weekend than Rhydyfelin.
by Kayleigh Evans, for the Ceredigion Trotting Club