A HOST of runners will go head-to-head to claim the Lady Dudley Cup at Chaddesley Corbett’s point-to-point meeting this Saturday.

Every owner wants to see the cup on their horse’s CV and, With 22 entries for this weekend’s event, the race looks extremely competitive.

The honours board goes back to 1897 and more than half the entries for this year’s race have a rating of over 100.

Silver Token finished runner-up in this contest a year ago and has been in good form since changing stables, but there has to be a question mark over whether he is capable of going one better this time around.

Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Henrietta Knight started off in point-to-point racing and has now returned to her roots, with Port Golan finishing runner-up on his debut for the yard a couple of weeks ago.

Cheshire trainer Joe O’Shea is always very vociferous about his horses' chances so it will be interesting to see whether Executive Benefit or Woodview Prince carry his hopes.

On paper, there is not much to choose between Sir Du Bearn and Stone, while Perfectly Willing is the likely pace setter. What A Laugh has the right profile for this contest, while others to note include Mr Mercurial, Ice Cool Benny and Otto the Great.

Benedictus has done little wrong since the start of the season and will have Champion elect Will Biddick in the saddle. Brackloon High always put in his best work at the finish so watch out for him in the closing stages.

This is the home meeting for Katherine Smith-Maxwell, Angela Rucker and Christine Banks, the daughters of one of the sport’s leading lady riders, Pat Tollit.

More than half of the 11 entries for the Members race will be sporting the family's royal blue and cerise hoops and you would not bet against one of them prevailing.

Gate Please comes from the Smith-Maxwell stable at Phepson, while Mrs Rucker has entered Domtaline, Stonemaster and Tripitco from her yard near Droitwich, and the Banks family have Tullyraine. Mrs Tollit herself owns Stratford Stroller who was going like a winner until falling at Andoversford seven days ago.

Hindlip trainer Tom Weston will be trying hard to neutralise their challenges with Mr Jalfrazy and Thoonavolla. The latter suffered a surprise defeat at Upton but conditions are likely to prove more suitable on Saturday.

Domtaline, Triptico, Tullyraine and Thoonavolla all have alternative engagements in the Confined, but Atomic Tangerine stands head and shoulders above his rivals in this contest and the betting is likely to reflect that fact.

Khyber Kim holds an entry in the Ladies Open where Camilla Henderson, daughter of trainer Nicky, is likely to take the ride. Their form has stood up to close scrutiny this year, but Miss Henderson lacks the experience of some of her opponents and that could tell in the closing stages against Amanda Bush and John Daniell, Claire Hart on Kazuri Kate and Paige Fuller on Moscow Blaze.

The Open Maiden looks an ideal opportunity for Twilight Fox to open her account. Wind of Hope has been placed numerous times in Ireland so take note if he makes the trip up from the West Country.

Celtic Intrigue, Castle Connell and Earthpower have all proved capable of winning a Restricted, but Tom Weston’s Mr Jalfrazy could thwart their chances.

The meeting closes with the Maiden and some well-known stables have horses entered.

Tom Lacey’s newcomers always have to be feared in these type of events even if they are making their racecourse debuts – North Hill Harvey and Pinnacle Panda fall into this category.

Zara Phillips had a winner at Paxford and the Gatcombe trainer will be hoping that Catena Alta can repeat that feat, while Joe O’Shea saddles Jayjayrumi.

Philip Rowley has a good record over this course but Leighton Lass and Round Robin are both unknown qualities while newcomer San Satiro will attract interest because he is owned by Champion National Hunt Trainer Paul Nicholls.