Secretary:   Mrs Katy Davis

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

Contact Details    Mob: 07899 871623

Email:   katyemdavis@hotmail.co.uk  

Entries Secretary:   Mrs Kate Sutherland

Address:   Hill Dairy Piddlehinton Dorset DT2 7TG

Contact 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 22rd January 2024 12.30pm

Races:   Hunt (South Dorset & Wilton), 4,5 &6yrs Open Maiden (2m 4f), Ladies Open, Mens Open, Restricted, Maiden 7yrs+, CA/PPORA Members Conditions (Level 2)

First Race:   12.15pm 

ENTRY FEES  £50 per entry per race - NB. Online entry fees £50  2nd entry same horse £25 Hunt Race £10

The popular Milborne St Andrew course hosts its first meeting of 2024 when the South Dorset hold their annual fixture. They have been rewarded with an excellent entry of 118 horses and as a result of the entry for the young Maiden the race has already been divided so that there will now be 8 races and the start time has been brought forward to 12.00. The going is currently reported as being good to soft and with more rain in the forecast the course should be in excellent order for next Sunday. There will be a variety of trade stands and food outlets to support as well as the bookmakers to have a bet with during the day.

The first division of the 2 and a half younger horse Maiden starts proceedings and of the horses that have already raced Glenmount boasts the best form with a highly promising second at Larkhill in November. A repeat of that form from Julie Wadland’s charge may be good enough. Bud Success should come on from his seasonal debut in the gloom at Larkhill in December and the ex-French trained Joyeux Mome is an interesting recruit for Tim Vaughan and his son Ed. The two unraced horses are both of interest with Comonilean a full sister to Lassue already a winner under Rules after being sold by her breeder Rupert Nuttall and the 4-year-old Rowdy who is a half brother to winners and receives all of the allowances.

The second division of the race may be at the mercy of Casting Aspersions who went into many notebooks on his seasonal debut at Larkhill in November when falling at the second last when looking the likely winner. Bradley Gibbs has a good record in these sorts of races and his representative Premier Fantasy is worth consideration. Again, the newcomers look of interest with the two four olds Fresh Perspective owned by Tom Malone and trained by Will Biddick and Rip Wheeler by the popular sire Walk in the Park and a likely mount of James King. 

The Hunt race has attracted 10 entries with Imogens Thunder looking to follow up his success in this race 12 months ago. That was his only outing in 2023 but having had an outing already this season he should be the one to beat. Dawn Sunrise did not win last season but was running in better company and if ready for his seasonal debut he may be the one to challenge last year’s victor. Great Colewood won his Maiden last season and is on the upgrade. Coup de Pinceau is a Hunter Chase winner but his best form is over extreme distances and this may not be far enough. Hannah Clarke has two entries namely Frontieres Lad and Right Hand of God and her representative may be placed. 

The older Maiden race has attracted 17 entries with Tim Vaughan likely to be represented by either Designer Destiny or Ocojohn both of which have already been placed this season and it would be no surprise to see his charge in the winner’s enclosure. Knock on Wood placed in Ireland is now with the capable Dean Summersby and should be on the short list. Kyler Kane was third last Sunday at Cocklebarrow and if declared again would come into the equation. The very lightly raced Banzigkane only had one race last season but was placed in a Bumper on this course two years ago and might have each way possibilities. 

Coolagh Park has already had two outings this season and should be primed for the Restricted race for trainer Alan Hill. Already the winner of a Restricted race he looks to play a big part in this race. Douglas Longbottom boasts good form from his seasonal debut at Larkhill but he holds an entry at Larkhill on Saturday and that race may be his preference. Mary’s Fortune was an easy winner at Great Trethew but fell on her next outing and the Milborne fences may be a test for her. Templier d’Habert was second at Great Trethew and should be in the mix. The ex-Irish Boys Will Be Boys is an interesting prospect for trainer Mike Felton and his English debut should be watched with interest. Scoresby has returned back to Harry Ryall having won a Maiden for him before being transferred to Ben Clarke’s yard in which he had a couple of runs under Rules. 

The first of the two feature races, The Ladies Open, has attracted an excellent entry headed by the Hunter Chase winner Not That Fuisse who is now with Tom Ellis and must be respected. No Comment won a Mixed Open at Bishops Court last season and this veteran still retains ability. Everything Now won a Novice Riders race for his owner Alexandra Ingram at Chaddesley Corbett and is in good form. Myth Buster missed an outing in a Hunter Chase at Warwick this week and will give a good account for his rider Lily Bradstock. Montanna ought to improve on his seasonal debut at Larkhill for his usual rider Chloe Emsley and the appearance of the veteran Tom Barton already the winner of 13 points in his career on one of his favourite courses will be greatly welcomed. 

The Mens Open which follows has attracted 17 horses and this looks the quality race of the day. Bradley Gibbs has entered two of his stable stars namely Fier Jaguen and Highway Jewel and his chosen representative will be one of the market principals. Fier Jaguen won four of his five races whereas Highway Jewel won an Open race last season and was runner up on her debut this season. Will Biddick has entered Macklin who was a revelation last season, winning three of his five outings last season. Both seasoned campaigners Dr Rhythm and Sixteen Letters will be making their seasonal debuts but it would be no surprise if both ran well. Forest Chimes ran behind Highway Jewel on his debut and he should come on for that outing. Macklin is chosen to continue his upward curve. 

The meeting concludes with a competitive-looking Conditions race which has the biggest entry of 19 horses. Montanna has an entry in this race and if selected over the Ladies race he should be on the short list. Fifty Shades ran in Open races last season and this drop-in class may bring about a return to the winner’s enclosure. Duc de Bourbon fell heavily at Larkhill but provided unaffected by this this former winning NH horse would be of interest. Punches Cross formerly in the ownership of J P McManus is now with Danielle Kenealy and this three-time winning chaser is a new recruit to pointing as is Eritage formerly with Syd Hosie and now with Chris Barber. Write It Down was placed last season in Hunter Chases and was badly hampered by a loose horse on his debut at Wadebridge and may give his Novice Rider Lucy Pickford a better ride this time. 

Milborne St Andrew racecourse is to be found off A354 between Dorchester and Blandford Postcode DT11 0JX .First race 12 noon Cost of entry £15 per person with under 16s free 

Race 1:            Maiden 4,5,6yrs Div 1 2m4f 

1^st         Crocodile Lounge

2^nd        Glenmount

3^rd        Comonilean 

Runners:          11                    Distances:        2l, Dist                         Time: 5m 25s

Race 2:            Maiden 4,5,6yrs Div 2 2m4f 

1^st         Fresh Perspective

2^nd        Casting Aspersions

3^rd        Rip Wheeler 

Runners:                      10        Distances:        1l, 8l                            Time: 5m 26s

Race 3:            Hunt Members 

1^st         Great Colewood

2^nd        Coup de Pinceau

3^rd      

Runners:          6                      Distances:        25l, l                            Time: 6m 46s

Race 4:            Maiden 7yrs+ 

1^st         Ocojohn

2^nd        Sound of Music

3^rd        Lucarne 

Runners:          14                    Distances:        18l, 2l                          Time: 6m 47s

Race 5:            Restricted 

1^st         Scoresby

2^nd        Templier d’Habert

3^rd        Daisy Yeats 

Runners:          10                    Distances:        7l, 2l                            Time: 6m 49s

Race 6:            Ladies Open 

1^st         No Comment

2^nd        Tom Barton

3^rd        Makety 

Runners:          8                      Distances:        nk, 9l                           Time: 6m 46s

Race 7 :                       Mens Open 

1^st         Macklin

2^nd        Highway Jewel

3^rd        Dr Rhythm

 Runners:          6                      Distances:        4l, 10l                          Time: 6m 45s

Race 8 :                       Conditions Level 2) 8 yrs+ 

1^st         Duc de Bourbon

2^nd       Eritage

3^rd        Franigane 

Runners:          14                    Distances:        1/2l, 14l                       Time: 6m 44s 

N/A

A dry week produced excellent racing ground at Milborne St Andrew and the quality entries that the South Dorset had received ensured the very large crowd were treated to some exciting, top-class racing throughout the afternoon.  Two high-quality young horse maidens, a combined riding/training double for Will Biddick and a thrilling battle of the veterans in the Ladies Open were high points.

Last season Macklin rose to the challenge of filling the lofty shoes of Cheltenham Foxhunter winner, Porlock Bay for owner John Studd, when he won three times resulting in being awarded the Greenslade Taylor Hunt trophy.  With Macklin making his seasonal reappearance yesterday, punters made the tough Welsh mare, Highway Jewel favourite over him and Bradley Gibbs set out to make every post a winning one on her.  There are few jockeys however who ride the course as well as Will and he sat quietly on Macklin allowing him to pop away.  As he approached the second last, Will pressed the turbo button and his very likeable mount responded.  Such was the authority of this win, Will even had time for a cheeky word with Bradley as he cosily passed him on the run-in to win by a little under 4 lengths.  This was a very smart performance and delighted owner John Studd thought he could run in a Hunter Chase this year. 

The day’s racing got off to a better start for Bradley Gibbs who took the first division of the young horse maiden on Crocodile Lounge who he also trains for Beverley Thomas, Tudor Harris and Adrian Simpson.  There were some very good looking horses in the paddock and the unraced Rowdy was sent off a short-priced favourite but his inexperience got the better of him and he pulled up two fences from home.  Crocodile Lounge had led from flag fall jumping soundly and he managed to hold off a determined Martin McIntyre on Glenmount with the two finishing well clear. Joint-owner Beverley Thomas explained “He’s not the fastest horse so he needed to jump off and make all.”  The horse had had two runs in Ireland the second of which is proving to be solid form with Wolf Walker (who had won for the second time at Larkhill on Saturday) having finished just behind Crocodile Lounge.  Purchased for connections by Jimmy Kelly who also found Highway Jewel for Bradley, the winner (and runner-up) look to have very bright futures.  

The second division was also a cracker on looks and it didn’t disappoint with Will Biddick and favourite Fresh Perspective just holding on from a closing Casting Aspersions with Rip Wheeler back in third.  It was a good performance by all three placed horses and this form could be very strong. The winner’s owner is Tom Malone who has stepped sideways from training this season sending horses to Will Biddick instead. Enjoying less pressure, Tom explained he had bought the winner, a big raw horse by New Approach at the Goff’s Landrover Sales and he would now be back on the market.  The runner-up had gone into plenty of notebooks when holding every chance before coming down two out at Larkhill in November.  Again he made a mistake three out allowing the two 4 year olds, Fresh Perspective and Rip Wheeler to go clear. Casting Aspersions rapidly made up ground between the last two fences and was only a length adrift at the finish giving a stone to the winner. If he can smooth out the mistakes, he looks a ready-made winner next time.  

Possibly the most appropriate win came in the Members race when Ed Walker’s Great Colewood benefitted from a last fence fall by Enchanted Magic to record a 25 length success for owner Richard King. Richard who had been unwell had decided to take a break from owning until the family persuaded him to continue with Great Colewood with Ed’s wife, Polly taking a half share.  Richard a previous joint master for the South Dorset had also recently stood down as Chairman for the meeting and was on hand to greet his homebred winner. He was also awarded the Wessex Area Moment of the Month award for January for this special win and a bottle of Tanners champagne was presented to him after the Men’s Open. 

Family is clearly important to NH trainer Tim Vaughan as he welcomed his 16 year old son Ed, back into the winner’s enclosure aboard Ocojohn in the older maiden after an easy 16 length victory cheered on by a large support team. The beaming trainer admitted seeing his son doing so well (this was his sixth win this season) was giving him more pleasure than training winners under Rules.  Tim said “Ocojohn had some decent form in Ireland and has been given a lovely positive ride by Ed.  We have about 20 horses in for him to ride, some older horses and some less experienced so a nice balance for him to learn on.” 

Paul Nicholls is another Rules trainer who provides decent ammunition for daughter Olive to craft her skills but with her on the side lines due to collar bone injury, it was left to Charlie Sprake to deputise in the Conditions Race on Duc de Bourbon who had been responsible for Olive’s injury last time at Larkhill.  Trained by Sam Loxton, Duc de Bourbon just held on from Eritage, himself also a former Nicholls inmate.  Paul explained “He travels well but probably only just got home. He could make up into a nice Ladies Open horse for Olive who is just about to have a scan to see how her injury is progressing.” 

The Ladies Open could have been an embarrassing moment for jockey Natalie Parker who struck up a formidable partnership with Tom Barton winning three times around Milborne St Andrew. However she reluctantly sided with No Comment owned by her mum, Tracy and trained by her sister Laura Jones.  It was to be the closest finish of the day with Chloe Emsley failing by only a neck on veteran Tom Barton to peg back No Comment with the heavily backed favourite, Not That Fuisse failing to stay. A delighted Tracy said “He skinned his leg badly at Ottery nearly a year ago and it’s taken so long to heal. Both Natalie and Laura were very confident he was fit enough today though.”  Had the result gone the other way, the jockey could have been justified in responding “No Comment!” 

In contrast the Restricted race went comfortably to Scoresby under Rob David. A winner at Cotley last season for trainer Harry Ryall, he then joined Ben Clarke to run under Rules. Two subsequently disappointing runs over hurdles, saw him returned to Harry this time for Bob Butler and he has clearly benefitted.  Jumping upsides the leaders four out, he cruised clear to stroll home by 7 lengths from Templier d’Habert.  Harry explained “He was second on his debut here behind the talented Ihandaya so we thought it sensible to come back here today.  We also ran him in a tongue-tie and  refitted the hood which definitely helps him.”