Jt Secretary: Joanna Cody Boutcher

Address:  Sandhill Racing Stables Bilbrook Minehead Somerset TA24 6HA

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E:  joannacody-boutcher@hotmail.co.uk

 Jt Secretary: Gemma Edwards

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Entries:  Mrs T Parker

Address:  Manor Court Steps Farm Bilbrook Minehead Somerset TA24 6HE

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

Entries Close:  Monday 2nd May 2022, 12.30 pm 

Races:  Members - Restricted 2m4f- Conditions (Level 2) 8yo+ - Mixed Open – Intermediate – PPORA Conditions (Level 2) Nov Rdrs - Maiden

This Saturday the picturesque course at Holnicote situated at the base of Dunkery Beacon, holds its meeting hosted by the Minehead Harriers and West Somerset. The first race is at 2pm and the course is signed from the A39 between Minehead and Porlock – TA24 8TE.  Admission is £15 per person to include a racecard (under 16s admitted free) – tickets can be purchased on the gate or in advance via www.pointingwessex.co.uk .  As in previous years there will be a return of the very popular free admission after-party on course, with entertainment courtesy of Irish singer/comedian Black Jack Davey.  

The first race is the Members race sponsored again by farrier, Ben Parker and top rated is veteran Three Faces West who has had one run this season at Cothelstone looking like he needed the run after  year and a half off. Formerly a six time winner under Rules, he is now with Elizabeth Gale who also rides him here.  George Bielby has acquired Somethinboutangela from Dr Richard Newland with whom he won a Novice Chase. He could appreciate the drop into a lesser grade. Mad For Action was 2^nd behind Halloween Harry at Cothelstone with Tinnehinch pulling up mid-race that day.  Kates Lane has two placings to her name under Ella Herbison who registered her first winner as a rider at Cothelstone on Easter Monday and could again run well. 

The East Lynch Stud Maiden race has attracted the biggest entry with 15.  Of those with recent placed form, Monmouth Hill wasn’t beaten far at Parham last time and should run well for South Dorset trainer Hannah Clarke.  The improving Kesa Great has run nicely the last twice for trainer Les Jefford including a second at Trebudannon and he too could figure while Aunt Lily ran a good race finishing runner up to Rocktreerunner at Cothelstone in March. Not seen since, Ed Walker’s mare had previously just been touched off at Great Trethew and could improve again.  Imperial Fella ran a race with promise at Eyton at Easter on debut while Barry Scott has had one run in Ireland for an outfit that Chris Barber has formed a successful partnership with in recent years and he could well take advantage of the weight for age allowance. 

The PPORA Conditions race is also sponsored by Molland Ridge Stud owned by Jess Westwood and family in memory of her grandfather, Bernard Foster. Freddie Gingell is the leading Novice rider currently in Wessex and he looks set to partner Lillington for his grandfather Colin Tizzard. A second last time out at Trebudannon behind Beau du Brizais should be good enough.  His opponents include River Myth who was beaten by a fast improving Footloose at Trebudannon. That day she was a length ahead of Aheadfullofdreams who then won easily at South Hill last weekend under Jack Instance, barely looking like he had had a race and he may reappear quickly. The quartet is completed by Steel Brush a dual course winner but he has been off some time and would probably need this. 

The Mixed Open is sponsored once again by Sandhill Racing and the Hobbs family and there are 8 entries.  Two of these, Sir Mangan and Spencer Moon have now reached the veteran stage of their career but both show no signs of slowing down. The former has two wins to his name this season at Kimble and Ampton both under Ben Sutton while Spencer Moon saw off Beau du Brizais last weekend at South Hill.  Ben also has the option of riding Diplomate Sivola who he won a Mixed Open on at Guilsborough before contesting a hot Hunter Chase at Newbury.  The combination won the Novice Riders here last year so the horse clearly handles the course.  Imogen’s Thunder is looking for his hat-trick after wins at Dunsmore and Cothelstone.  Trainer Mary Tory found the horse had a respiratory infection after a disappointing run earlier in the year at Milborne St Andrew and since treating it, he has bounced back to form.  Ramble On owes his connections nothing having won ten times. He has had one run this season and it would be no surprise to see him run well. 

The Conditions race sponsored by Toomer Farm and the White family could go to Teresa Clark’s Tuff Nano. A heavy fall earlier in the season at Larkhill may have shaken her confidence but the trainer has been patient with the mare filling the runner-up spot on the last two occasions. She would be a well-deserved winner under regular pilot Will Biddick.  Stuart Payne has entered Blakerigg who has run three times for him. He was formerly with Nicky Richards under Rules and had two easy hurdle wins before losing his form possibly due to wind issues. If Stuart is able to fix that, then he could be an interesting contender.  Shanoule Wood may handle this quicker ground better than some and was placed here last year. 

The Liz Scott sponsored Restricted race could go to Jetmetoutofhere for bang in-form team of Dean Summersby and Darren Edwards.  He finished alone after his rival fell at Stafford Cross but previously easily beat Kates Lane (who re-opposes) at Dunsmore.  Between You and Me won comfortably at Trebudannon from Kesa Great while Grove Ash just held on at Stafford Cross in a 10 runner maiden.  Both should improve and be involved in the finish. 

The Finale is an Intermediate sponsored by Chetwood Wealth Management and could see Knockmoylan reappear after disappointing in a hunter chase at Exeter. Prior to that run he had completed a hat-trick for Chris Barber and Will Biddick and it would be no surprise to see him return to winning ways here.  Hadmeathello was second that day in front of the selection but had earlier been beaten by him at Trebudannon. Ask the Lady won in a canter at South Hill last weekend and this likeable mare could well reappear.  Captain Mc won readily on debut at Ston Easton before contesting two matches, the second of which he won by a wide margin. He then went to Chepstow for a Hunter Chase but unseated three out after several jumping errors. He should appreciate an easier course.

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A gloriously sunny day greeted racegoers to Holnicote for the Minehead Harriers and West Somerset meeting on Saturday.  It was a day of good runners or no runners with the Alan Hill team notching a training double, Will Biddick being gifted another riding double and young Kelsey Bielby riding her first winner on only her second start. 

Kelsey Bielby is no stranger to riding winners having had 14 when she was Pony Racing but in an emotional day for her father George, she steered Somethinboutangela to victory over Three Faces West and Darsi’s Pass in the opener.  Travelling sweetly in second for much of the race, the mare was sent into the lead approaching the last by Kelsey and held on from a rallying Three Faces’ West.  A beaming Kelsey was full of praise for the mare’s jumping and said her main focus was to keep her on her feet.  A thrilled George explained “We bought her from Dr Richard Newland for very little and don’t over-gallop her which suits her.” Kelsey who has worked for local trainer Alex Dunn for the past year and a half will now embark on a Flat career with Marcus Tregoning but stressed she would still keep riding in points. 

The Maiden race saw 8 runners go to post and punters failed to spot that Alan Hill had won with his only other runner to the course last year.  With Lucky Lara sent off favourite the tightly grouped field were led by Barry Scott under Will Biddick. As he increased the tempo, Izzy Marshall on Our Brother John tracked him making her move going into the last fence before showing a really good turn of foot to win by XX lengths.  An unsurprised Joe Hill who was representing his father explained that the nicely bred gelding by Yeats had been bought privately in Ireland from Colin Bowe who said he needed better ground.  The owners were made up of a group of lads whose parents owned horses in the yard and they had decided to get involved and have a bit of fun.  Joe said the intention was to now sell the horse on either privately or at Doncaster Sales and added that he would be a nice fun horse to have in anyone’s yard. 

The second part of the Hill double came in the Mixed Open when Sir Mangan confirmed his class under Ben Sutton and held on from his sole rival, Kilbricken Storm despite Will Biddick trying to pounce late.  Ben explained “he’s just a fantastic jumper off this quicker ground and has now won 8 times for me and Dad.”  Joe Hill added “he really is 14 years young and is the most genuine horse to train.”  He went on to praise the Clerk of the Course Mike Harding and also Johnson White who had done such a fantastic job on the ground. “Dad said last year how great this course was and that’s now three winners from three runners here – so we will definitely be back!” 

Another trainer to compliment organisers on the well prepared ground was Colin Tizzard whose Lillington sent off favourite under Freddie Gingell in the Novice Rider’s race. But Stuart Sampson’s River Myth relishes running at this track and wasn’t about to let anyone deny her another win here.  Vinnie Webster who rode the winner was recording his 6^th winner, 5 of which have come in the last three months.  He works locally for trainer Victor Dartnall and said “Stuart just told me to get her jumping as she would always outjump anything.”  Joint owner, Terry Hamlin was another to praise the ground and thought she might go to either Bratton Down or Upcott Cross as she seemed to thrive when she had sun on her back. 

The Restricted saw 6 go to post with Chris Barber’s Highway Hero a narrow favourite but in the end it was the complete outsider Rowley Park who stole the show under Jake Bament for trainer Lisa Smale.  With the favourite bowling along under Will Biddick, strong fancied Grove Ash and Kate’s Lane were content to sit just in behind the leader.  As the three came towards the second last in a line, Jake was sitting quietly on Rowley Park and said “as soon as I gave him a squeeze, he just picked up, winged the last and has gone away from them.” It was a nice performance for the Lisa Smale trained gelding and he clearly improved for this better ground having shown nothing in two races last season on soft.  Lisa trains in Torrington with her partner Dan Farr and this was their second winner jointly. She is head girl for trainer Tony Newcombe and explained “I train for Humphrey Bray who is a family friend and who also owns this horse.  He asked me if I would like to train “Boris” for him and he’s now our second winner, the first being in 2015! I take him stag hunting which he absolutely loves and is the best hunter.” 

The remaining races were sadly walkovers with the Conditions race going to Teresa Clark’s Beau du Brizais and the Intermediate to Hadmeathello, trained by Stuart Payne. Both were partnered by Will Biddick and will count towards his Championship.  After all the comments especially by such high-profile figures in the industry on the excellent condition of the course, it was a shame to see this and it is hoped in future years, trainers and owners take note of this and support Holnicote.