Littlewindsor, near Beaminster celebrates its 25^th year of point-to-point racing when the Seavington hold their meeting on Sunday. First opened in 1993 there was no racing in 2001 due to Foot and Mouth but otherwise there has been a continuous period of racing at the beautiful West Dorset course where the Seavington and the Cattistock have held their meetings. Many equine stars have appeared at the course over the twenty five years the most notable being the course specialists Southwestern and the very popular grey Rimpton Boy. With the forecast offering a dry and warm period for the rest of the week racegoers are encouraged to come and celebrate the course’s silver anniversary and enjoy the home cook food, the many trade stands and the good quality racing that will be in store. 105 entries have been received for the 7 races which start at 2.00pm after the two pony races which precede the point-to-point races at 1.00pm 

The opening race, the Hunt Members, may see a victory for another real course specialist in Sobre Tresor who has already won four times at the course including this race on three occasions. He has formed a strong partnership with Chloe Emsley who works for Anthony Honeyball, one of the three National Hunt trainers close to the course. Last year’s winner of this race Rusty Nail and the third in that race Driftwood Pride may re-oppose with the latter likely to turn the tables as he was a respectable fifth in a hot Intermediate race at Badbury Rings. Template won two Hurdle races for Seaborough trainer Harry Fry but has not got round in his point-to-points so far. 

The Open Maiden race over two and a half miles sponsored by Mac Building has attracted an entry of 20 horses with Hugos Horse and Sixteen Letters boasting the best form. Hugos Horse was only just beaten by Tom Lacey’s Muse of Fire at Larkhill whereas Sixteen Letters was still travelling well when unseating three from home in that same race. Truly Spoken has been improving gradually and Raddon Top was a promising second at Buckfastleigh. Of the others My Dixie is out of the prolific winner My Petra and is a half -sister to My Dance who won this race last year before going on to win under rules for Anthony Honeyball, Meteorite was fourth in one of the Bumpers at Barbury Castle in January but has not been seen since and Glimpse of Gladys was third in the Bumper at Great Trethew. Hugos Horse is chosen to break his duck. 

The Open Maiden sponsored by Symonds and Sampson also has entries for both Hugos Horse and Sixteen Letters and if either choose this race then they will be the selection. Of the others Teresa Clark has entered Pancrace and Port Navas and her representative should be noted. Canada Kid should come on for his fourth at Badbury Rings whereas Our Grey Boy and Ohbaby have both been placed this season and must have each way chances. 

The Mens Open race sponsored by Anthony Honeyball Racing looks an intriguing contest with trainer Ed Walker holding a strong hand of four horses from the eleven entries. Different Gravey has won both his races this season but does have entries elsewhere whereas Kernel Victor has not found his best form so far and Punter Friendly two wins have come in lesser company. Carraig Mor was impressive in his win at Charlton Horethorne but found the Wincanton Hunter Chase he contested too testing. Subtle Sovereign has not been out this season whereas Little Billy Boy has been running well in his three races so far. Abyaat won a Hurdle at Perth for Victor Dartnall in April 2016 but has not run since July 2016. Carraig Mor is the selection to repeat his victory at Charlton Horethorne. 

The Ladies Open race sponsored by Harry Fry Racing also holds entries for Subtle Sovereign and The Flying Doc but another from Ed Walker’s stable Miss Gotaway may be the answer. A winner last week at Ottery St Mary she does get on well with Abbie Hughes so if she reappears she is chosen. Polisky ran well at Ston Easton as did Victors Serenade and these may give Miss Gotaway most to do. Midnight Appeal may appreciate the uphill finish at Littlewindsor and the lightly raced King of Alcatraz who won at Wadebridge in December 2016 but has not raced since is another to consider. 

The Restricted race sponsored by A J Wakely contains a number of promising horses amongst the sixteen entries. Danseur du Large won well at Ston Easton and is on the upgrade and should be on the short list. Minella Rising won at Buckfastleigh and Brass in Pocket was third on his seasonal debut at Lockinge. Taking the Mickey won at this course last season but has not got round so far this year. Faraway Star should come on for her seasonal debut and if Morpet reproduced his third to Palmaria at Chipley he would be another to be considered. Kenmare Bay and The Quarterjack were both promoted at Ston Easton and if the former produces a similar effort then that might be good enough. 

The concluding race, the Dodson and Horrell PPORA Club Members Conditions race for Novice Riders, could see the reappearance of The Wealerdealer who ran and was placed third in a hot Open race on the first day of the season at Ottery St Mary but has not had an outing since. Trained by Ian Chanin he should be too good for his rivals if he is declared but otherwise the race may be between the inform Honest Deed, the winner of his last two races, the mare Flights who was the final leg of Ed Doggrell’s treble at Badbury Rings and the locally trained Victors Serenade who is also entered in the Ladies race. Adrenalin Flight might appreciate the hill at Littlewindsor and could run into a place as could Micky Stark who has a good relationship with his rider Zoe Hawkins. 

First Race 2.00pm. Course is at Littlewindsor near Beaminster DT8 3QU. Signposted from A3066 Crewkerne- Bridport road and B3165 Crewkerne to Lyme Regis road. Entry costs £10 per person and under 16s free. 

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