Secretary: Mrs Valerie Kemp

Address:  Broadhayes Farm, Stockland, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9EL

T:  01404 881353

M:  07974 808318

E:  rmkemp@btinternet.com

Entries:  Mrs Fiona Walker

Address:  Greenway Farm North Newton Bridgwater Som TA7 0DB

T/F:  01278 663801

M: 

E:  fionajwalker@live.co.uk

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

or  The Point to Point Racing Co Ltd (www.pointtopointentries.co.uk )

Entries Close:  Monday 10^th April, 12.30 pm

Races:  Members - Restricted - WPTPC Conditions - 4,5,6 year old Maiden (2m4f) - Mixed Open - Intermediate - Open Maiden

Easter Monday sees the welcome return of the Taunton Vale Foxhounds and Harriers Point to Point to its regular home of 30 years at Fennington Farm, Kingston St Mary. Always a hugely popular Bank Holiday tradition with locals and visitors alike, with a good number of entries in 83, the meeting looks to have attracted some nice types. 

The day’s racing starts at 12.30pm with two Pony Races with the first of the main races traditionally being the Members Race at 2pm. With 8 entries, this looks to be between the Teresa Clark yard and that of Clerk of the Course, Ces Mitford Slade. Last year the race easily went to Imperial Circus from the latter’s stable from Teresa’s Fountains Cider. Both are set to re-oppose while Teresa has also entered Subtle Sovereign. Formerly with David Pipe, the grey gelding has run three times at Larkhill this season, winning the first and narrowly being denied last time out by Churchfield Champ in a 3-way finish. Ces has the progressive Winter Soldier who has been mixing it in Opens this season denying another horse of Teresa’s Our Chief again at Larkhill. The third of the Mitford Slade trio is Master Tradesman who has won twice this year following up a surprise debut win at Milborne St Andrew with a Restricted win at Badbury Rings. Ed Walker has Cloudy Lady, a winner at Flete last season and runner up at Cothelstone last time to High Priority. 

The second race on the card is the 2.5 mile maiden for 4-6yos for which a total of 15 entries have been received. Jack Barber has two 4yos in Captain Cattistock purchased from the Goff’s Land Rover Sale and Darcy Ward. Kayley Woollacott introduces the unraced Joy at Midnight while Robert Pudd trained Pyleigh Brae has done nothing wrong in her two starts finishing second on both occasions. Ces Mitford Slade has an interesting runner in Dark Aster who finished a good third to the promising Culverwell at Great Trethew on her only start to date. 

The Conditions Race has 6 entries including the consistent Crackacan who has finished in the first 4 on every completion. A seasonal debut for this relatively lightly raced horse, he won twice last term at Cothelstone and Holnicote and is fancied to take this if straight enough. Bathwick Scanno would be a popular winner for his local fan club and although running well this season still hasn’t recaptured earlier form. Doyen Dynamo hasn’t found things so easy this term upped in grade, while a return to the form that saw a decent second to Subtle Sovereign could put Alice Fox-Pitt’s Squirrel Esquire bang there if he takes up this engagement. Punter Friendly was unlucky to be pitched against 2 decent rivals in a Confined last time but prior to that had easily won his Hunt Members at Didmarton. 

The Intermediate sponsored by Connolly’s Red Mills for the 10^th year, sees a fascinating clash. Ballyknock Cloud has been impressive in 2 wins from just 2 starts both at Milborne St Andrew and looks a horse with a bright future. He may be too good for his rivals but both Culverwell and Flemensgael look to be improving. The former easily accounted for the useful Air Glider last time at the Cotley, while Flemensgael put in a polished display of jumping at Cothelstone under last minute sign-up, Vicky Wade to take their Restricted. The 6yo mare, Minim Mouse also enters calculations having won well at Charlton Horethorne but possibly the drying ground may not suit her so well. Sucker Punch, owned by The Otter Club (headed by the ebullient Mick Raynor) would be a much celebrated winner! 

The Mixed Open could go the way of Kernel Victor who should come on for his seasonal debut 3^rd behind easy winner Monsieur Gibraltar at Ston Easton. A 4 time winner last season, he looked to be progressing nicely. Parkam Jack looks on good terms with himself following wins at the Cotley and Black Forest Lodge over the minimum trip and may give him most to do. Ohio Gold boasts a nice win in a Ladies Open at Wadebridge under regular jockey Natalie Parker for trainer Marie McGuiness on his penultimate start. 

The Restricted race is headed by Arctic Fern who was a fortunate winner at Cothelstone last time after the clear leader capsized at the last. She beat Iwouldntliketosay who franked the form with a win last time at the Cotley after the remainder of the field failed to finish. One of interest is the Ed Walker trained Mick’s Lad. A winner of a point to point on good to firm ground in Ireland on his racecourse debut, he may appreciate the drying conditions as would the Zoe Hawkins trained Stay Tuned. 

The finale, the Open Maiden has a couple of promising types in Journey Juice for Ed Walker, a good second on his only start at Bishops Court, while the Tom George trained Doctor Wong should improve for his sole start when he was 3^rd at Buckfastleigh. However the selection is Ruby Fool for Ces Mitford Slade who could put her greater experience to good use. 

The venue is well equipped for viewing with the middle hedge being cut and coppiced as well as a big screen for those who have forgotten their binoculars! There are plenty of trade stands, a bar and refreshments to suit everyone. Admission is £10 per person (max £30 per car – under 16s free) and gates open at 10am. Directions – 3m North of Taunton off A361 - TA2 8AS.

Meeting: Taunton Vale Hunts @ Kingston St Mary

17^th April 2017

Race 1 – Hunt:

1^st: Subtle Sovereign (Ire) 2^nd: Imperial Circus (Ire) 3^rd: Blackdown Babe

Runners: 3                       Time: 6min 36.6s                        Distance: 25l Dist

Race 2 – Open Maiden 45&6yo 2m5f:

1^st: Four Plus 2^nd: Dark Aster 3^rd: Kemicalie

Runners: 3                        Time: 5min 07.8s                      Distance: 8l Dist

Race 3 – Club Members Conditions:

1^st: Punter Friendly (Ire) 2^nd: Crackacan 3^rd: Squirrel Esquire

Runners: 5                        Time: 6min 28.4s                        Distance: 3l 25l

Race 4 – Intermediate:

1^st: Morbihan (Fr) 2^nd: Master Tradesman (Ire) 3^rd: Canada Coombe

Runners: 5                        Time: 6min 37.3s                        Distance: 1.5l 5l

Race 5 – Mixed Open:

1^st: Midnight Appeal 2^nd: Parkam Jack 3^rd: Kirkleigh

Runners: 8                        Time: 6min 32.4s                        Distance: .5l 3l

Race 6– Restricted:

1^st: Stay Tuned (Ire) 2^nd: Cloudy Lady 3^rd: Don’t Wait For Me (Ire)

Runners: 9                       Time: 6min 41.5s                        Distance: 21/2l 1l

Race 7– Open Maiden:

1^st: Faraway Star (Fr) 2^nd:                   3^rd:

Runners: 6                       Time: 6min 54s                        Distance:

The Pony Races that preceded the main racing went to Megan Bevan in the 138 division who grabbed an early lead on Churchill and went on to win easily from Molly Landau on Molly VIII and Archie Stamp on Mayday Black Minx. The 148 division was won by Luca Morgan on Indian River who went head to head with Hamish Clarke on Regiemental Bay but was always going slightly easier. These two boys look to have promising futures if deciding to continue their riding careers point to pointing once they turn 16. 

Easter Monday saw the return of racing to Kingston St Mary after a year away and the sunny spells swelled the usual huge crowd. Despite the dry weather, the Clerks of the Course had produced excellent racing ground through plenty of watering and there were ample runners to keep punters happy. 

The meeting kicked off with an emotional win in the Hunt Members by Subtle Sovereign under Lucy Mager for Spaxton trainer, Teresa Clark. Teresa’s father, John Honeyball had been a former Master of the Taunton Vale Foxhounds and she admitted it was the one race she had always wanted to win. Market rival Imperial Circus made most of the running until a mistake by him allowed Subtle Sovereign gain the upper hand and he ran out an easy 25 length winner. Teresa thanked the 5 strong Notre Cheval Partnership who had allowed her to give Lucy Mager the ride. This was Lucy’s 7^th winner in total and her second for the yard where she rides out as well regularly hunting the grey. 

Another jockey enjoying a good day was Ryan Withey who secured a double with wins in both Maidens. The first was for owner/trainer Patrick Langdown whose Four Plus took the 2.5 mile event. Under an enterprising ride from Ryan, the mare made use of her greater experience to put pressure on the once raced favourite, Dark Aster whose jumping was a bit tentative. Four Plus is from the family of Mucklemeg and her trainer explained he had bought her in a cheap deal with two others after they had all failed to reach their reserves at Ascot Sales. She clearly relished the quicker ground than she encountered last time at Hackwood Park. Ryan’s second leg of his double came in the finale when Tracy Williams’ grey mare, Faraway Star came home in splendid isolation after taking up the running going out onto the final circuit. Kicking on on the brow of the hill, the remainder of the field all cried enough and allowed the winner to coast home in her own time. Tracy who admits to training on a shoestring alongside her other job was clearly delighted with her mare who had been a creditable second the time before at Cothelstone. 

Pointing is full of characters and none more so than Robin Pike whose Morbihan turned over favourite Master Tradesman at the odds of 14-1 to win the Intermediate. Best known for his prolific winner, Rockwithacaveman, owner/trainer Robin rides out Morbihan every day and the French-bred gelding was much happier on the quicker surface. Morbihan who had pulled up in three outings this season on much softer, had sprung a similar surprise last season at Cothelstone taking the Restricted there at 16-1. 

Trainer Ed Walker’s string is in flying form at present with 5 winners in the past 3 days and his Punter Friendly took the Conditions Race under Josh Newman for owners Richard and Sylvia Francome. Always prominent, Punter Friendly appreciated the easier race than he encountered last time at Ston Easton and he travelled much sweeter than favourite Crackacan who ran in snatches. Ed explained the horse needed at least 3 weeks between races and will need rain before he is seen out again. Bought at Doncaster Sales for his owners, Richard and Sylvia who do all of his early seasonal prep work before he goes back into the yard each autumn. Jockey Josh Newman was also later awarded the Friends of Angie Burrough Memorial Trophy, presented to the leading jockey who competes at the Taunton, Seavington and Cotley Point to Points. Josh had been runner-up to Champion jockey Will Biddick last year and managed to turn the tables this time. 

The Mixed Open produced the Ride of the Day (judged by Taunton Vale Foxhound Master and former jockey, Guy Landau) when Charlotte Hawker rode her own Midnight Appeal to win the tightly contested affair by outstaying Parkam Jack. Charlotte’s brother, Robert had ridden the horse several times for his previous trainer, Sophie Leech and felt he would be an ideal horse for his sister. Prior to that Midnight Appeal had been a multiple winner for Alan King, and the entire Hawker family’s delight was obvious to see the now 12yo return to winning ways under Charlotte. 

The Restricted Race fielded 9 runners and you could be forgiven being unable to pick the winner for much of the contest as Stay Tuned looked booked for last spot. However the mare having kept herself relaxed in rear, decided to move up a gear down the final hill and under a never-say-die ride from Zoe Hawkins outgunned a brave Cloudy Lady to win by 2 and a half lengths. An understandably breathless Zoe was beaming as she was led back into the winner’s enclosure as thrilled owner Nick Harvey had bought the horse for her to ride. A winner last season at Bratton Down on a firmer surface, Stay Tuned looked to really enjoy the ground. 

The Pony Races that preceded the main racing went to Megan Bevan in the 138 division who grabbed an early lead on Churchill and went on to win easily from Molly Landau on Molly VIII and Archie Stamp on Mayday Black Minx. The 148 division was won by Luca Morgan on Indian River who went head to head with Hamish Clarke on Regiemental Bay but was always going slightly easier. These two boys look to have promising futures if deciding to continue their riding careers point to pointing once they turn 16.