This Sunday sees the rearranged Taunton Vale Foxhounds and Harriers Point to Point at Kingston St Mary. It has attracted a good entry of 97 horses and the opening Hunt Members race sponsored by Greenslade Taylor Hunt could go the way of trainer Teresa Clark who has both Subtle Sovereign and Bathwick Scanno entered. The former gelled well with jockey Lucy Mager last season and took this race last season. Stablemate and 6-time winner, Bathwick Scanno would be a popular winner and the yard have hit form with a double last weekend at Barbury. Trainer Ces Mitford Slade has won plenty of plaudits in his new venture under rules and his Ruby Fool could give Subtle Sovereign the most to do. The mare opened her account at Wadebridge in January before possibly finding the ground too heavy back there. 

The second race is a 2.5 mile maiden sponsored by Carter Jonas and has 21 entries. Sixteen Letters had filled the runner-up spot in his first 2 races pointing then unseated when running well at Larkhill 10 days ago. Enormouse has two decent 3rds and a 2^nd at Badbury Rings last weekend while Glimpse of Gladys was 3rd for trainer Teresa Clark in her only start to date. Ragged Dream ran well to finish 3^rd at Buckfastleigh while Cottage Rose should improve from her run in a pointing bumper in February. There are several unraced entries including 4yo debutante My Dixie who is a half-sister to Anthony Honeyball’s promising dual winner, My Dance and would be able to take advantage of the huge weight-for-age allowance. Those from Keith Cumings’ yard would also be worth a look in the paddock. 

The Ken Coles Conditions race follows and top-rated is the consistent The Dapper Fox for Jack Veysey who won well at Milborne St Andrew last time. A danger could come from the Welsh trained Ramble On who rattled up a treble last season before being upped in class. He ran a promising race on seasonal debut at Ystradowen to finish second but possibly found the going too heavy next time when pulling up at Lystep. Julie Pocock has the talented but fragile Crackacan who was second here to Punter Friendly last season. Punter Friendly got the verdict again at Larkhill 10 days ago but on that occasion the margin was only a head after a real battle up the run-in. His trainer Ed Walker also has Doyen Dynamo who ran well for a long way at Didmarton and should come on for his seasonal debut. 

The Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate has attracted 11 entries and looks a tight contest. Every Breakin Wave completed a hat-trick of wins for Claire Hitch last season but may be seen to better effect when the ground dries out. The mare, Minim Mouse won her Restricted this time last year at Charlton Horethorne but pulled up at Badbury Rings, while Teresa Clark has Culverwell who put in an improved round last time and Umberleigh winner, Give Us Peace who may prefer it quicker. 

The Mixed Open (a Wessex Feature Race) is sponsored by Mitchell’s Accountants and has 17 entries. These include La Madonnina a dual winner for Caroline Keevil under rules who has yet to recapture that form for Ed Walker although she did stay on into 4^th last time just behind Whenharrymetsally and Midnight Appeal. Whenharrymetsally was a very game winner at Buckfastleigh from Navanman in March. Ed Walker also has the super-consistent mare, The Flying Doc but she may not reappear so quickly after running at Badbury Rings last weekend. Diligent was formerly trained in France by Guillame Macaire but was well beaten at odds-on in his UK pointing debut. Top rated The Wealerdealer would be the most likely favourite and his latest form reads even better following Top Wood’s excellent second in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. 

The penultimate race is the Savills Restricted Race with 17 entries. They include Baltazar du Seuil who could be better than recent placings suggest. Arcs Abound has some fair placings to his name this season. Faraway Star was the only finisher here last year when taking her maiden for trainer Tracy Williams, so obviously handles the course well. My King pulled up last time in the same race at Buckfastleigh in heavy ground and this course may suit better. On that occasion, Blazing Bouncer finished second. The selection though is Clondaw Bunny who won well at Great Trethew beating Who Told You, subsequently a comfortable winner at Badbury Rings last weekend. 

The final race is for older Maidens and is sponsored by Fennington Fibres. Dragon de la Tour was only just beaten at Milborne St Andrew last time and could go one better. His main threat could be the Teresa Clark trained Pancrace who comes here off the back of a good 3^rd.   Sixteen Letters would also have a good chance for trainer Claire Harris. Fouroclock Fox hasn’t run since January and is best judged on his good second to My King at Wadebridge. Les Jefford’s Ohbaby ran on well to take a distant second at Great Trethew but that was behind the very promising Elizabeth’s Wish and she could improve again. 

The venue is well equipped for viewing with a big screen and 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. First race is at 1.30pm with Pony Racing preceding the main events – first Pony Race at 12.15. Directions – 3m North of Taunton off A361 - TA2 8AS. 

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