Secretary: Mrs Linda Pugsley

Address:  Zeal Farm, Hawridge, Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9QJ

T: 01398 341317

M: 07890 662817

E: ashwickmanorfarm@tiscali.co.uk

Entries:  Mrs Janet Cummings

Address:  Eastwood, Bishops Nympton, South Molton, Devon, EX36 4PB

T/F:  01769 550528

M: 07815 888625

E:  janetcumings@fsmail.net

Entry Fee: £30 per horse per race, £10 per additional entry same horse

or enter on line at: www.pointtopoint.co.uk

Entries Close: Sunday 24th April, 10.00 pm

Races:  Members - 4,5,6 year old Maiden - Mixed Open - Open Maiden - PPORA Novice Riders - Confined - Restricted

Sunday sees the Devon & Somerset Staghounds meeting at picturesque Holnicote. The Tom Malone owned and trained In The Tub could resume winning ways in the opener, the Hunt Members sponsored by Exmoor Luxury Loos. He struggled last time out in a hunter chase at Exeter won by Dicky Bob but prior to that had effortlessly taken the Restricted at Buckfastleigh following up a maiden win from a large field at Larkhill. Steel Brush possibly did not handle the track at Flete Park last time out following a fair third on seasonal debut at Black Forest Lodge behind the improving Itchymei'mscratch. John Pearn’s consistent Commanche Conflict could also make things interesting if reappearing quickly after his run last weekend at Stafford Cross.

The 2½ mile Maiden is jointly sponsored by Amhurst & Shapland and Risdon Hosegood. Jack Barber has the 4yo Clo Sacre, who has just the one run to his name at Badbury Rings, unseating four out when favourite for the race. Barber also has the unraced French bred 4yo Coastal Tiep. Joe Tickle has the 6yo Horwood Lad, who may build on a promising 2^nd last time out Great Trethew for which Limoncello was made favourite but pulled up, possibly due to the heavy conditions. The latter was in the process of running a good race on debut at Charlton Horethorne for Jane Williams and he may appreciate a drier surface. Ed Walker has an interesting newcomer in the 5yo Wallabrook, who is out of four time point winner, Lady Misprint. He could be worth a look at in the paddock.

The Porter Dodson sponsored Mixed Open sees a fascinating contest. All Great N Theory was unlucky to bump into the high-class Carlton Ryan last time, having scored facile wins at Bangor and Brocklesby Park earlier in the season for trainer Julie Marles. He may however not appreciate the drying ground as much as some. Bathwick Scanno, has six point wins to his name, including two last season at Holnicote within a week. This admirably tough gelding, trained by Teresa Clark, is popular with the crowds and sure to have his supporters. Jack Barber has the quality but fragile Chapoturgeon and Benedictus, who was also a course winner last season and has two wins to his name this season including a Taunton Hunter Chase last time. Imperial Circus made the most of an enterprising ride from Nick Lawton to win the Members at Cothelstone. He may have found the four miles stretching his stamina next time out at Flete Park. Steeltown has been in sparking form this spring for Kayleigh Woollacott, completing a hatrick by easily winning the Novice Hunter Chase at Newton Abbot last time. The selection, however, is given to Benedictus, narrowly from Steeltown and All Great N Theory.

The Open Maiden is sponsored by Langdons Transport and Fountains Cider ought to be rewarded for his consistency. Trained by Teresa Clark, he parted company with his rider early on at Stafford Cross after a hatrick of seconds. Goulane Ruby ran a decent race to finish 3^rd at Kilworthy behind The Conjurer for trainer, Pauline Geering. Waitnc for the Cumings yard may appreciate the quicker surface. Murifield, for Thistlecrack’s owners, John & Heather Snook, showed improvement last time with a good second to San Satiro at the Cotley. He could improve again.

James Rowe sponsor the fifth race on the card for Novice Riders. The eye-catching entry is Premier Portrait, currently the leading horse of the season with seven wins, all under Gus Levinson. His most recent came at Kingston Blount, where he defied a penalty to beat Dream Garden. He does, however, hold several entries over the Bank Holiday weekend. Several of the other entries hold dual engagements or have run very recently, so it may pay to side with the consistent Pasternak Jack for the Woollacott stable, were the likely hot favourite not to show.

The PFG Fabrications Confined race is set to be another cracker in which Devon General looks to try and give Kayleigh Woollacott another chance of a winner. An unseat last time out at the Cotley, he won well on his seasonal reappearance at Great Trethew from Sonoftheking. One who has been waiting for the ground to dry out is Keith Cuming’s What About Will. An impressive winner of his intermediate at Bratton Down last May, he has avoided the winter conditions and comes here a fresh horse with just one run this season at Black Forest Lodge. Owned by jockey Vicky Wade’s father, he gets the selection. Crackacan held off a determined Creative Inertia last time at Cothelstone, while Sucker Punch rallied well to deny the consistent Athreeothree at Flete Park in two weeks ago.

South Molton solicitors, Slee Blackwell sponsor the finale, the Restricted race. Brandevin could only finish 3^rd on his seasonal debut at odds-on after a taking racecourse debut at Bratton Down last May. He should improve for that and could take all the beating. Jack Barber also has San Satiro, a winner last time at the Cotley. Keith Cumings has taken his time with High Priority winning his maiden at Upcott Cross last season. A fair run before pulling up on his seasonal debut at Flete Park two weeks ago should see him much sharper this time. Welsh mare Thatcher’s Brook could give the boys something to worry about. She turned her maiden into a procession on her only start at Howick a fortnight ago.

The course is between Porlock and Minehead, off the A39 (TA24 8TE). First race: 2.00pm.

N/A

N/A

N/A