Secretary: Mr Jeff Fear

Address:  Manor Farm, Southwick Road, Mark, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4LH

T/F:  01278 783261

E: jandmfear@gmail.com

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

or enter online at: www.pointtopoint.co.uk

Entries Close:  Wednesday 4th May, 9.00 pm

Races:  Confined - 4,5 & 6 year Old Maiden - CA Club Members Novice Riders - Restricted - Mens Open - Ladies Open - Open Maiden

Wednesday sees the traditional evening meeting staged at Cothelstone by the Weston & Banwell and they have a large entry of 146 horses. First race on the card is the Confined which features course favourite Little Cornham. He didn’t manage to add a 5th consecutive Hunt Members here in March and was then narrowly beaten by Theatre Evening under a 3lb penalty at Axe Vale with Champagne Rosie back a neck away in 3rd - both reoppose. However Little Cornham’s enthusiasm for the course should not be underestimated. Commanche Conflict comes here off the back of a fair second behind Devon General at Vauterhill while the former Colin Tizzard trained Ohio Gold has a 3rd placing at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013 when a novice chaser. He hasn’t won yet for Marie McGuiness but should not be dismissed.

The shorter of the two maiden races features Bleu et Or who kicked off his career in a hot maiden at this track won by the useful Get on the Yager and several winners have come out of the race. He has since run into two promising types at Hereford and Ludlow but it may still pay to stick with him in the 2.5 maiden. Others of interest are the unraced Classic Edition for Marie McGuiness, and the unraced Jack Barber trained, Tangley who has a tidy 28lb allowance.

The Novice Riders race has 25 entries which include Absolutely Bygones for Jackie du Plessis. With only 2 runs pointing so far, he was a winner under rules for her. The Levinson’s have been making hay in Novice Rider events this season and have Be Definite entered. Whilst not at quite the level of stablemate Premier Portrait, he still has 2 wins this season at Maisemore and Barbury respectively under the trainer’s talented son, Gus. The veteran Coombe Hill has retained his enthusiasm this season without winning but the stand out entry is Excitable Island who was an excellent 3rd to the highly rated Lilbitluso at Cheltenham in the Intermediate Final last time. Trained in Essex by Nigel Padfield, his presence would add real quality to the race. Former three-time Cothelstone winner Kostaquarta may enjoy the return here and could give Excitable Island most to do.

The Restricted race has the Jack Barber Brandevin aiming to make amends after running out at the first Holnicote meeting when a short-priced favourite. Ed Walker’s Cloudy Lady ran on well to beat Druid Spitfire last time to take the maiden at Flete Park. Weston & Banwell qualified Moscow Prices would be a popular winner for trainer Kim Tripp and she won nicely at Holnicote last week beating favourite, Limoncello. Jonimo also won with something in hand at Axe Vale and looks a promising sort who is repaying his trainer’s patience.

Several of those entered in the Men’s Open are entered elsewhere on the card. There looks to be an interesting clash between Robin de Souza and Steeltown. Robin de Souza would possibly have been unbeaten this season for trainer, Dean Summersby but for the heavy ground last time at Cherrybrook having won his previous 5 outings. The Kayleigh Woollacott trained, Steeltown comes here off the back of a four timer including a hunter chase at Newton Abbot and a Mixed Open win last time at Vauterhill. He would have to shoulder a 7lb penalty here though. Kayleigh’s other entry, Devon General, also won last time out at Vauterhill

In the Ladies Open, Cinevator is 2 from 2 under trainer/jockey Ella Pickard with wins at Kilworthy and Vauterhill. Minella Fifty has 3 wins to her name this season at Charlton Horethorne, Millborne St Andrew and Axe Vale while the classy Ray Diamond has 2 wins at Wadebridge and one at Andoversford for trainer Jackie Du Plessis. Dancing Olga comes here after a good 3rd to Posh Totty on her seasonal reappearance at Axe Vale after racing keenly. Welsh mare Watch the Birdie should also be noted.

The evening rounds off with an open Maiden which sees Rockinrolldixie who had every chance last time when blundering and the unraced Barber gelding, Doctor Tiger ones to consider. Amber River has 4 placings to her name while Widlake Kier Star ran a promising race last time when 3rd to Jonimo at Axe Vale.

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The pony racing preceded the main event and was well supported. The first division of the first race for ponies 13.2 and under was won stylishly by 12yo Kelsie Bielby on Bejowans Bouquet. Kelsie is the daughter of George and Debbie Bielby and capped a fantastic week for them after taking the Minehead Harriers & West Somerset Hunt Members Race last Saturday for the second year running. The second division was won by William Bevan on Mayday Black Minx while Charlie Sprake managed to hang on despite losing an iron late on to win the 14.2 race on Goldwell’s Gucci to deny 10yo Alfie Godfrey and Calypso.

Wednesday evening saw the 3rd meeting at Cothelstone and after the recent dry spell the welcome downpour in the 48 hours prior ensured decent fields in most of the races and consequently some good racing. Owner/trainer Robin Pike had considered retirement but his Morbihan suggested he may have to wait a while after denying the enigmatic Brandevin in the Restricted race by the shortest of margins. Prominent for much of the way, Morbihan wasn’t going to let the runner up past in a good battle from the last. He possibly goes to Bratton Down for the 2nd meeting. Pike is best known for 10 time winner, Rockwithacaveman who is still going strong and has been hunting this season with the Berkeley with Polly Walker’s mother, Helen Hillard.

The Confined race had looked quite tight on paper but in form Champagne Rosie went clear 2 fences out and eased to a comfortable 12 length success from Ohio Gold. Trainer Stuart Penny mentioned there had been talk about retirement for the mare but she had proved a great tonic for owner John Meaden in his 90th year. Meaden explained how Champagne Rosie was raised on a bottle after her dam died when being sent back to the stallion for re-covering.

The 2.5m Maiden brought support all the way from Canada in the form of Katharine Slater, cousin to co-owner of Wy Worry, Robin Shute. It was Katharine’s very first appearance at a point to point and the horse emphatically lived up to his name! Wy Worry had showed his liking for Cothelstone after a good run here on his debut and romped to a cosy 6 length win over Wonga Swinger with Carumba a further 10 lengths back in 3rd.

Jockey Richard Patrick put his considerable experience to good use in the Novice Riders race on the odds-on Boyfromnowhere. Patrick was having his 100th ride today and he just held off a determined Ryan Withey on previous course winner Louis Pasteur. Trainer Gareth Moore explained the horse has taken a nasty fall at the Banwen Miners meeting on Bank Holiday and they were pleased to get his confidence back. He had won the Southern National three seasons ago so staying was his forte which certainly helped on the softened ground. Moore also confessed that he had had 3 runners in this race and this was his 3rd winner. Statisticians should take note of any entry next year!

The Men’s Open only fielded 2 runners but the race itself was a thriller with River of Time just denying Jayandbee. It was jockey Kristian Hanmer’s first winner as a trainer and he was thrilled as he explained he had not had the horse long having purchased him from Robbie Llewellyn. Owned by Sheree Lean, he had run first time for them in a hunter chase at Exeter but hadn’t felt quite right. This former Jim Culloty inmate would possibly go to the Llangeinor next followed by a return to racing under rules this summer.

Commentator Nick Child described the win in “bloodless fashion” by Minella Fifty under Taylor Pook for trainer Claire Hitch in the Ladies Open. Taylor however returned with a cut lip after doing well to survive a major blunder at the open ditch by this classy ex-Jonjo O’Neill horse. Trainer Claire felt that Taylor had clicked well with the horse and he would stay pointing which he so obviously enjoys.

The final race of the evening, the 3m maiden was won by Rocknrolldixie under an excellent ride by Darren Edwards for trainer Dean Summersby. Summersby was relieved to be back in the winner’s enclosure after a lean 6 weeks and credited Edwards with the win as the horse can be slightly sensitive. He had only been bought in February for the small syndicate and there was a possibility he may now head to the sales.

The pony racing preceded the main event and was well supported. The first division of the first race for ponies 13.2 and under was won stylishly by 12yo Kelsie Bielby on Bejowans Bouquet. Kelsie is the daughter of George and Debbie Bielby and capped a fantastic week for them after taking the Minehead Harriers & West Somerset Hunt Members Race last Saturday for the second year running. The second division was won by William Bevan on Mayday Black Minx while Charlie Sprake managed to hang on despite losing an iron late on to win the 14.2 race on Goldwell’s Gucci to deny 10yo Alfie Godfrey and Calypso.