After a blank weekend when the weather intervened the Wessex Point-to-Point season recommences with a double header of meetings at Milborne St Andrew on Saturday and Ston Easton on Sunday. The forecast for the coming week is much more favourable and it is anticipated that both meetings will be able to take place without the weather interfering. The Wilton hold their meeting on Saturday and the popular course at Milborne St Andrew well cared for by clerk of the course Graham Tory and his team have been rewarded with an excellent entry of 125 horses for their six races. Prior to the point –to-point racing there is the return of the Shetland Pony Dash sponsored by Forfarmers at 12.00 followed by a Charity Flat race supporting the Salisbury Hospice CareTrust at 12.30pm. In addition to the usual trade stands, bookmakers and bars there will also be a bouncy castle in attendance so something for all ages to enjoy. 

The first point-to-point race sponsored by the Ladies of the Hunt is the Open Maiden race for 4, 5 and 6 year olds over two and a half miles. An entry of 14 horses has been received and from these Enormouse who was a highly creditable third on his debut over fences at Charlton Horethorne stands out. Bred by his owner Michael Dare and trained by Chloe Newman he may be too good for his rivals. Opposition may come from Danseur du Large placed in his four races this season to date and The Jaffna Queen placed on her two starts so far for owner Robert Waley-Cohen. The main danger however might be from Country Legend who was an encouraging third on her seasonal debut behind Interconnected (who was sold for £220,000 last week) at Larkhill and gave the winner a stone in her defeat. She should improve for that run. A watching brief should be made of the newcomers Helford and Kings Brake. 

The Restricted race sponsored by the NFU at Salisbury may see the reappearance this season of the Camilla Scott trained Tree Sparrow. Her 2017 season improved with each run culminating in winning a Maiden race at Bratton Down in June and she should be considered. Ballybruff ran well in defeat at Charlton Horethorne and Eastern Calm will come on for her seasonal debut at Buckfastleigh when she finished third. Doctor’s Differ won at Badbury Rings and is clearly on the upgrade as is One Big Love the winner of a Mares Maiden at Buckfastleigh for trainer Sally Alner. River Myth was not beaten far in his Members race at Chipley Park and a chance is taken on him to give Stuart Sampson another winner. 

The Clarke and Partners sponsored CA Club Members Conditions race for 8 year olds and upwards has attracted a total of 19 entries with the three times winner from last season Fly West being of particular note. He finished his season last year when running third in the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham and a repeat of that form would be good enough to win this race on his seasonal debut. The same stable of Ed Walker also has an entry for the ultra- consistent Inch Rock and if he runs then he would have every chance. Others that may be making their first races of the season include the consistent Driftwood Pride, Moscow Prices who has built up a good partnership with Lucy Mager, Overafrica and The Mexican Bandit who won an Intermediate at the now defunct Black Forest Lodge in January 2017. Alternatif won well at Larkhill for Gordon Treacy and this might be a slightly easier race than the Mixed Open. Glint of Steel trained in the South East would be an interesting contender if making the journey as on his best form he would take some beating. 

The feature race, the Strutt and Parker sponsored Mixed Open, has received an entry of 22 horses with the course winner Master Baker likely to make his seasonal debut. Due to be partnered by his usual rider Jo Supple (nee Buck) he enjoys racing at Milborne and may be too good for his rivals. Of those that have already run this season Facile Bien won at the South Dorset meeting and is in good form, Boygojumping won at Badbury Rings as did Bistouri d’Honore who also holds an entry in the Novice Riders race, Different Gravey who won on his first start for trainer Ed Walker at Didmarton and is a high class horse on his best form, the dual Hunter Chase winner Mr Satco and the runner up to the impressive Carraig Mor at Charlton Horethorne, Minim Mouse. A tremendous renewal of this race is anticipated with Master Baker just preferred to Facile Bien. 

The Buttery Café Conditions race for Veteran and Novice Riders may see the winner of the Foxhunters at Cheltenham Harriet Tucker resume her partnership with her winning ride at Badbury Rings Bistouri d’Honore. Harriet remains a Novice for this season despite her success at Cheltenham and the pair are the ones to beat. Jamie Hepburn and Robin de Boss have had a successful season so far having won at Chipley Park and Charlton Horethorne and may be the most likely danger to the likely favourite. Little Billy Boy was travelling well when falling at Charlton Horethorne and could run well again. Alternatif is another for the short list if this race is chosen and Tempelpirate who will be partnered by veteran rider Phil York is the model of consistency. It Has to Be has enjoyed a good season so far but this is a step up in class. 

The final race, the Open Maiden race for 6 year olds and over to be run over two and half miles sponsored by Oakes Brothers Limited has received the biggest entry of 30 horses and with a safety factor of 14 it is possible that this race will divide on the day. Of those with form Where’s Wilma was a good second at the South Dorset meeting and a repeat might see her break her maiden status. Dragon de la Tour has been placed in his three races this season and Ballyjim has been placed in his last two starts and a win does not seem far away. Teresa Clark has entered both Pancrace and Port Nevas who finished third on their respective debuts. Heated Debate has been placed with Charlie Longsdon and is now with Francesca Nimmo and if she brings the gelding from her Northamptonshire base the hint should be taken. 

Milborne St Andrew racecourse is to be found off A354 between Dorchester and Blandford Postcode DT11 0JX .First race 1.30pm. Cost of entry is £10 per person with under 16s free.

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An excellent day’s racing took place at Milborne St Andrew on Saturday when the Wilton held their point-to-point. Although it was a cloudy afternoon it remained dry and racegoers were able to enjoy six competitive races on soft ground where the emphasis was on the ability to stay the trip. The highlights of the day were an impressive seasonal debut of Master Baker who captured the Mixed Open race, Moscow Prices who also won his race on his seasonal debut under Lucy Mager, another gritty performance by Robin de Boss and a first win from her new stable at Mappowder for Harriet Brown’s Gracious Prince in the concluding race. Prior to the point-to-point racing the charity flat race was won in stylish fashion by up and coming point-to-point trainer Annie Bacon on her first ride in public. 

The opening race, the Maiden, was won in convincing style by The Jaffna Queen ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen. Making virtually all in the two and a half mile contest the mare had fifteen lengths in hand at the line from nearest rival Artson with the remaining finishers virtually walking over in the line. Home bred by owner Robert Waley –Cohen the mare had started her racing career in France but had not excelled there. She had run well at the South Dorset meeting when finishing third so her victory was not a surprise. 

Another mare, One Big Love, followed up her win at Buckfastleigh when taking the Restricted race under Lorcan Williams. Held up she made steady headway through the field and taking up the lead approaching the last she drew clear on the run-in to win by four lengths from the fast finishing Ballybruff. Bred out of a mare called Sound Appeal (who was a one-time favourite for the Triumph Hurdle)   owned by Bob Fidler who had lent her to Helen Pease for the mating with Tamure she has taken her time to find her winning ways but this was a determined performance. Helen who heads the Withyslade Partnership explained that she has horses under rules with Robert Walford, son –in-law of Sally Alner so when deciding to send the mare point-to-pointing it was an obvious choice. A delighted Helen’s first comment in the winner’s enclosure was ‘Sally worked her magic’ 

Moscow Prices was a game winner of the Countryside Alliance Club Members race in beating favourite Fly West ridden by Will Biddick. Always prominent Lucy Mager sent her mount into the lead at the third last and held off the challenge of Fly West by two lengths. Owned jointly by Kim Tripp and Lucy Kim was quick to praise the work that Lucy has spent with the gelding mentioning in particular the use of Kevin Bishop’s gallops up Bleadon Hill to get him as fit as possible for his seasonal debut. 

There was a remarkable finish to the feature race, the Mixed Open, with four horses still in contention. Tom Barton who had made much of the running had been headed at the second last and Alternatif ridden by Gordon Treacy had taken it up and looked to have stolen a march on his rivals. Sam Waley-Cohen aboard Facile Bien had no more to give at the last fence but Jo Supple (nee Buck) galvanised her mount Master Baker and with a bold jump at the last he drew clear on the flat to win by three lengths. Recording his eighth career victory for owner Jacqui McCullough in only fourteen races he is next likely to be seen in a Taunton Hunterchase. Describing Jo’s victory trainer Lisa Jefford said that ‘it was a peach of a ride and she timed it beautifully’ 

Robin de Boss followed up his victory in the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt race when taking the Novice and Veteran Riders race under Jamie Hepburn. Trained by Jamie’s mother Jo he has been a revelation this season and this was his third victory. Describing herself as a proper amateur Jo explained that much of the gelding’s work is done round a 40 acre field by her and Jamie comes down from London when he can to help out with the training. 

The concluding race, the Open Maiden for six year olds and over run over two and a half miles, attracted the biggest field of the day with thirteen horses starting. Favourite Dragon de la Tour looked to be in command approaching the last but as his stride shortened George Hiscock aboard Gracious Prince saw his opportunity and his mount responded well on the flat to record a two length victory. Bought by trainer Harriet Brown at Ascot in July last year he runs in the name of the Phoenix Partnership which consists of Harriet’s father Jeffery and Sarah and Mic Holmes from Dorchester who are loyal supporters of Harriet’s since she started training. Harriet moved to her new yard at Mappowder last summer and this was her first victory from her new base. The gelding had run very freely on his debut at Larkhill despite being very laid back at home but with an application of a hood and being taken to the start early he now settles well in his races and on this evidence there will be more to come.