Secretary:   Mrs Katy Davis

Address:   Honeysuckle House Lower Fifehead Dairy Sturminster Newton Dorset DT10 2AP

Contact Details Tel: 01258 817151   Mob: 07899 871623

Email:   katyemdavis@hotmail.co.uk  

Entries Secretary:   Mrs Kate Sutherland

Address:   Hill Dairy Piddlehinton Dorset DT2 7TG

Contract Details:  Mob:  07971 589333

Email:   katelovelace@hotmail.com  

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

Entries close:   Monday 28^th January 2018 12.30pm

Races:   Hunt (South Dorset & Wilton), 4,5 &6yrs Open Maiden (2m 4f), Ladies Open, Mens Open, Restricted, Open Maiden, CA/PPORA Members Conditions (Novice Riders)

First Race:   12.15pm 

Please note that Race 7 is on page 179 of the Planner

MIlborne St Andrew situated between Dorchester and Blandford Forum is the venue for this weekend’s Wessex point to point when the South Dorset hold their meeting on Sunday. An excellent entry of 121 horses have been received for the seven races which start at 12.15pm. The current going is reported as being good. With the weather promising some wintry fare before brightening at the weekend it bodes well for an enjoyable afternoon’s racing. There will be lots of local food available, a craft tent, bouncy castle and a licensed bar as well as bookmakers in attendance. 

The highlight of the meeting will be the two Open Races the first being the Waste Group sponsored Ladies Open for which sixteen horses have been entered. Master Baker has always run well at this course and on his seasonal reappearance he may be too good for his rivals. Haymount won well at Sherriff Hutton but with Gina Andrews out with a broken collar bone he may not travel down from his Warwickshire base. Claire Hardwick has the choice of Western Diva runner up in both her races this season and Midnight King placed third in his only start so far this season. Others to consider are For N’Against from Alan Hill’s Oxfordshire base, Moscow Prices who needs to put his disappointing seasonal debut at Larkhill behind him and KInari placed for Michael Bowen last season and now with Tracy Parker. The Last But One won easily at Wadebridge for Jo Supple but it would be a surprise if she deserted Master Baker. 

The Mens Open sponsored by W and S Recycling has attracted a high class field including Master Baker and if he swerves the Ladies race he could give Bryan Carver a great ride. Caid du Berlais holds an entry in the Hunter Chase at Wincanton on Thursday but if he appears in this race he would appear to have a favourite’s chance. The winner of a Hunter Chase at Punchestown at the end of last season he has really thrived since being with Rose Loxton and has formed a great partnership with Will Biddick. Others that might come into the reckoning are the unbeaten this season Black Jack Rover but this looks much stronger company, Carraig Mor who won well at Charlton Horethorne last season and is now with Emma Mellor, The Last But One owned by Tom Malone and Tom Barton whose race at Larkhill was over by the fourth fence. Robin de Boss ran well all last season and if reunited with Jamie Hepburn the partnership might be a sporting each way bet. 

The meeting begins with a tricky looking two and a half Maiden race sponsored by Symonds and Sampson. Merchant House won a Bumper at Barbury Castle and is sure to have been well schooled by his trainer Leslie Jefford. Schiap Hill has been placed in three Bumpers to date and his debut over fences should be noted with interest. BoygoChasing was third in his first race another Bumper at Barbury Castle. Two newcomers to take note of are the Sally Alner trained Murphy’s Mission and the Sophie Lacey trained Tea Clipper. The latter is well related including to the prolific Rathlin Rose and could take advantage of the weight concession given to four year olds. 

The Hunt race for which horses qualified with the Wilton have been permitted to enter sees Boher Call attempting to follow up his success in this race twelve months ago. He has already had the benefit of a run in a Hunter Chase at Taunton so should be fit for this race. Amongst his rivals both Creative Inerta and Doctor’s Differ come into consideration as does the Harriet Brown trained Gracious Prince already a winner on this course last season and an encouraging third on his seasonal debut. Harriet has also entered Theatre Evening owned by her sister Charlotte who may be making her return to race riding in this race. Theatre Evening ran well above expectations in a very hot Open race at Larkhill and on that form could trouble Boher Call. 

The biggest entry of the day of twenty five horses is for the Open Maiden sponsored by Porter Dodson. Sophie Lacey has entered both Tea Clipper and the runner up at Larkhill in December Airlander and her chosen representative should be on the short list. Others to consider are Ballyjim runner up at Larkhill at the first January meeting, Skinflint runner up in the first race of the season at Buckfastleigh, Our Grey Boy placed in several maidens and Shanoule Wood who also been placed several times. Skinflint showed a lot of promise on his debut and is chosen to give Jo Supple another victory. 

The Restricted race may see the return to the point to point field of Dr Rhythm after an unsuccessful spell with Paul Nicholls. The impressive winner of a Maiden at Holnicote in May 2017 for Jack Barber he is now in the care of Keith Cumings. Country Legend won well last Saturday at Larkhill and if making a quick reappearance should be considered. Bob Along Mahler was improving as the season progressed last year and would have a chance as would Arcal Fifty who should have benefitted from his seasonal debut at Larkhill. Jade Barber has entered Oscar Mor who won a point to point in Ireland in 2016 but did not cover himself in glory for three races for Warren Greatrex and this should be noted. If Dr Rhythm is back to the form of 2017 he will take some beating. 

The final race the Novice Riders race sponsored by the Skate Shop Poole may go to Apple’s Queen trained by Sally Alner and will be ridden by Liam Harrison. The runner up at Larkhill already this season he may be too good for his rivals. The veteran My Murphy may make his English point to point debut having won six races under rules and two point to points in Ireland. Now in the care of Sally Randell he certainly has the class to win a race of this sort. Others to take into account are Purple ‘N Gold now with Leslie Jefford after a long career with David Pipe, the enigmatic Sybarite and the evergreen Trueflyingcolours.

Milborne St Andrew racecourse is to be found off A354 between Dorchester and Blandford Postcode DT11 0JX .First race 12.15pm. Cost of entry is £10 per person. Children aged 12 and under go free. 

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