Secretary:   Mrs Caroline Hinks

Address:   Lower Nyland Farm Gillingham Dorset SP8 5SG

Contact Details Tel: 01963 370260   Mob:

 Email:   hinksfamily@btinternet.com

Entries Secretary:   As above

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

Entries close:   Monday 2^nd March 2020 12.30pm

Races:   Hunt Members, Open Maiden (2m4f), Restricted, Mixed Open, Conditions Race, Open Maiden

First Race:   1.00 pm

A big screen near to the paddock shows all the action.

Pony Racing to take place before the first point to point race

The traditional pre-Cheltenham curtain raiser point to point at Charlton Horethorne near Sherborne takes place on Sunday. An impressive entry of 125 horses have been received for the 6 scheduled races this being the highest entry since 2009. The going is currently reported as soft, good to soft in places. After the Hunt race there will be a Cheltenham Festival talk on the very latest Cheltenham news with leading National Hunt trainers Colin Tizzard and Paul Nicholls sponsored by Woolley & Wallis 

The feature race, The Mixed Open sponsored by Alec Jarrett Ltd, has attracted a very strong entry of 27 horses. Philip Rowley whose trips from his Shropshire base have been very successful over the past weeks has entered both Wishing and Hoping and Vivaldi Collonges with the former boasting very strong form in Hunter Chases including winning at Taunton. Chameron holds an entry in this race but only ran last weekend when landing the Coronation Gold Cup at Larkhill. Fishy Story and Sixteen Letters had a real battle at Milborne in February with the former coming out on top in a thrilling race. Both have a chance in this race. Silsol won at Chipley but this is a potentially stronger contest and may decide to run in the Hunt race which looks easier. Risk and Roll won a Hunter Chase at Leicester and is another in good form. Mickey Bowen has entered More Buck’s another ex-NH chaser and his charges should always be considered. Herbert Park was second to Virak in this race last season but has not had a run this season. His last run was behind Heaney who also holds an entry in the race. If Wishing and Hoping makes the journey he may be too good for Fishy Story and Sixteen Letters. 

The meeting opens with the Tattersalls Cheltenham Maiden race over 2 and a half miles. Last year this race was divided and with an entry of 25 and a safety factor of 15 this could happen again. There is little form to go on with many due to make their racecourse debuts. Christopher Barber has both Gratien de Bruzeau and Miltiades, Fran Nimmo has newcomers Adjournment and San Fermin and the twice raced Falloway Dubreau, Tom Lacey has Grizzman and Neil Mclean has entered John and Floss Symes Charley Bones a full brother to Sylvies Dance. Philip Rowley has No Authority and The Wrekin who will both be due to make their debuts. A check in the paddock and with the bookmakers would be wise before making a selection. 

The Longman Cheese sponsored Hunt Race holds entries for both Chameron and Captain Buck’s who both ran last weekend with the last named more likely to reappear. Surprisingly beaten in a match this talented individual is not an easy ride and may once again find one too good for him. Silsol another ex-resident of Paul Nicholls stable won well at Chipley and could be the likely winner. Sylvies Dance is improving and won her Restricted race at Chipley but this is a step up. Saffron Wells won a Hunter Chase last season at Huntingdon but is better over shorter distances. Silsol is the choice. 

The biggest entry of the day of 33 horses is for the Open Maiden sponsored by Mount Farm Partnership and this might be divided on the day. Again several of those entered in the two and a half mile Maiden hold entries in this race including Christopher Barber’s two horses and two of Fran Nimmo’s three entries although she has added another potential newcomer Arressveepee. Tom Lacey who won this race last year has Scipion a four year old Shantou gelding. The horses with form include Kings Cave who finished second at Chipley and Milanford placed in three Irish Maidens and now with Tom Malone. Again it is likely that the winner may come from one of the newcomers. 

The Conditions race sponsored by the Bishop Family is for riders who have ridden less than 15 winners at the start of the season. Organised Solution is in good form and has won his last two starts but this is a rise in class. Rosey Roo took on two class individuals in a Hunter Chase at Warwick on her seasonal debut and this is much easier. Ed Walker has entered both Inch Rock and Kernel Victor and his selection may give Chloe Emsley a good ride. Emtidaad won his only outing last season and is yet to run this season. The veteran grey Grand Vision previously with Colin Tizzard is now with Emma Moseley and he could be too good for his rivals despite his age if he has retained his ability. 

The meeting concludes with the Church House Investments Restricted race for which 13 horses have been entered. Gottagottagetaway won well at Buckfastleigh and could well follow up for his trainer/rider Sam Jukes. Taken by Force was a good second at Badbury Rings and Truly Spoken won her only outing last season for Sally Alner but may need the race. Accordini was a distant fourth in the Dunraven Bowl Hunter Chase at Chepstow last season but won well at Howick in February 2019 and a chance is taken on him. 

First Race 1.00pm with pony racing at 12.00pm Charlton Horethorne off B3145 3 miles NE of Sherborne Postcode DT9 4LJ. Entry Costs £10 per person and Racecards £3.

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