THERE is something special about the track at Penybont, it conjures up so many memories of races in the past. It identifies with the heritage of the sport, and produces its unique atmosphere, writes Maureen Lloyd.

This week it was the Llandrindod committee organising the event, and there are always slight differences from the meeting three weeks ago. However the racing was superb, fast and furious, providing wonderful entertainment.

The afternoon began with the Novice heats, these as competitive as ever, as horses aim to qualify for open racing. Mahogany Frankie driven by owner, trainer Jimmy Munro from Bridgend took the first heat from upwardly mobile Glenfield Thomas (Billington, Leicester) with Dais Silver Talk (Bevan, Builth) in third.

The Munro stable won a back to back double when Manhattan Gangster won the second novice heat this time driven by friend Morgan Wolfe, in second place was Rhyds Louie (Millard, Stourbridge) with Slingshot a horse with so much ability, but seems to be injury prone much to the frustration of owners, the Greenway family from Michaelchurch Eskley in third place.

In the first Grade B heat Lucifer driven by Lee Price for Robin Lloyd from Painscastle won ahead of Don Bobby (Rowlands, Nantmel) while Carrie on Fred (Middleton, Llandrindod) was third. Blazing Eagle added to his perfect record in the second heat with young driver Finn Bevan, driving for grandfather Mike Bevan, from Builth. In second was Full Closure with another impressive run for the Bevan family from Llanddewi, while another local, Evenwood Itchyfeet (Mills, Llanddewi) was third.The Grade A heats were very close affairs, with Fold Megastar driven by Mathew Tromans for the Perks family from Presteigne taking top honours in

the first Grade A heat from the front running Blue Guns N Roses (Thomas, Pontypridd) in second with Mahogany Caio under a conservative drive with owner Oli Jones from Cribyn in third. The well named World Famous added to his tally in the second A heat with young trainer Finn Bevan at the controls for grandad Mike Bevan from Builth, close behind was Wye Doon (Hawkes, Orleton) while Archie Camden (Gale, Gorslas) was third.

In the Baby Novice Dragoon owned, trained and driven by Shane Eggerton took the top honours ahead of the consistent Isolation (Collingwood, Huntington) while Money Talks and Keith Young from Newent were third.

After the break, it was the saddle race which has seen a revival this season. Local specialist Ontop Shouda Cuda and owner, trainer, rider Jayne Bevan gave a master-class demonstration of saddle racing, to add to his impeccable saddle record this season, much to the delight of the home crowd, in second was Hannibal (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) while Matteuceous (Gale, Gorslas) was third.

The dash was the next race on the card with Jason Munro from Bridgend, at the helm of the family owned Sealofapproval, who took top honours, closely followed by Oakwood Ideal (Bowen, Llanbister) while Simon Camden (Millard, Stourbridge) was third.

In the Novice Final Finn Bevan from Builth Wells was again in the driving seat when he partnered his cousin’s Dai’s Silver Talk (Bevan, Builth Wells) to victory so giving him a ticket into open racing, in second was Manhattan Gangster (Munro, Bridgend) while Matisse (Hughes, New Radnor) ran well to be third.

In the Grade B Final the indomitable Blazing Eagle with the equally invincible Finn Bevan from Builth, aboard Mike Bevan’s up and coming stable star provided another win for

the team ahead of Lucifer (Lloyd, Painscastle) with Evenwood Itchyfeet (Mills, Llanddewi) in third. This back to back double completed Finn’s four wins on the day.

The Grade A Final provided a battle between the Perks family stablemates from Presteigne, with Fold Megastar driven by usual companion Mathew Tromans taking advantage of his 20 yard advantage in the handicap, over fellow rival Fold Fearless who was second, while Mahogany Caio with owner Oli Jones from Cribyn claimed third.

The final race of the day was the Mile and a half in this the reliable stayer Begwyns Trust driven by Lee Price for Robin Lloyd from Painscastle came home in front of Alibis Dream (Lloyd, Gladestry) while Sonny Camden (Millard, Storubridge) was third.The next race meeting is an evening meeting at Almeley on Wednesday

August 26th starting at 4pm, with the weekend fixture on Bank Holiday Monday August 31st at Ammanford starting at 1.30pm.