Secretary:   Mr T Campbell Hill

Address:   2 Boulsbury Cottages Damerham Fordingbridge Hants SP6 3JD

Contact Details Tel: 07792 394065

Email:         tomchill@hotmail.co.uk

Entries Secretary:   Mrs Katherine Elgar

Address:         Slate Cottage, Homington, Salisbury, Wilts SP5 4NQ

E Mail:           wiltonp2p@btinternet.com      01722 718368

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

Entries close:   Monday 11th March 2024 12.30pm

Races:  Flat Race for 4 & 5yrs about 2m, Open Maiden 5yrs+ (2m4f), Restricted, Mixed Open, Veterans Conditions (Level 2), Conditions (Level 3)

First Race:   12.30 pm

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

This Saturday racing returns to Milborne St Andrew for the second time this season when the Wilton stage their meeting and 96 entries have been received.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for £12.50 each until Friday on www.pointingwessex.co.uk or on the gate for £15 (under 16 free). Organisers are also holding a silent auction and this can be found on www.wiltonraces.co.uk.

There are 18 entries for the Maiden race sponsored by The Ladies of the Wilton with a couple of interesting ex-Irish runners amongst them as they often improve for a switch to UK shores.  Mister Sky had three runs pointing in Ireland without showing much before joining Chris Barber for whom he makes his UK debut while Luca Morgan has acquired Whatchagotder who has a second there to his name.  Tim Vaughan has Ringsend John who was placed twice in Irish bumpers while Gordon Treacy’s  Pebbly Pour Toi was supposed to run at Cothelstone last weekend and this nicely bred son of Pour Moi is one to note in the paddock. Knock on Wood was fancied in the market on his UK debut at Badbury Rings, running well until pulling up and he could go close for Dean Summersby. 

Seventeen entries for the NFU Mutual (Salisbury & Wareham) Restricted race include the progressive Glenmount who confirmed the promise shown here and at Larkhill when easily taking a maiden at Badbury Rings last month.  Scoresby was another to run that day following a comfortable victory here beating re-opposing Templier d’Habert and Frontieres Lad.  He subsequently clearly struggled to handle the ground at Badbury and should bounce back however Wolf Walker has also seriously impressed in his two wins at Larkhill this season and could be the one to be on here.  Quickcharge may have been unlucky to bump into Wagner on seasonal debut and should again run well.  Dorset Diamond was an easy winner at Badbury Rings while State of Secrecy, a winner at Larkhill in January, took a Restricted here last year. 

Fifteen entries have been received for the Redlynch Agricultural Engineering Mixed Open with a re-match from the last meeting between No Comment, Tom Barton and Makety (in that order) with Laura Jones’ charge then a narrow winner.  Laura also has From the Heart entered, who was a winner at Dunsmore earlier this season.  On that occasion Humaniste pulled up but has since gone on to win at Great Trethew and beat No Comment early last season.  Chipley winner, The Kings Writ was a distant third to Dr Rhythm at Badbury Rings next time where Deise Aba (a dual winner this season) pulled up. The ground that day was tiring and either should be expected to bounce back.  Electric Annie won twice at Wincanton under Rules and could be an interesting recruit for Olivia Hale.  Another Furlough has won twice at Badbury Rings this season and although this is a step up in grade, is not out of place here.  

In the Jockey Club & ROR Veteran’s Race, 14 are entered including Eritage who was a good second here to Duc du Bourbon with Punches Cross, Beau du Brizais and Clever des Essence further back. He had fair form under Rules as did Keep Rolling who should strip fitter following a run at Badbury Rings.  Another ex-NH entry is Ultimate Getaway who won five under Rules.  Still with Fergal O’Brien it would be no surprise to see him run well.  Monmouth Hill took a Restricted at this meeting last year but may come on for the run while course winner Imogen’s Thunder and legendary veteran, Southfield Theatre may find one or two of the younger horses tough to beat. 

The “In memory of my first winning bet, Green Plover” Conditions Race also has 14 entries  headed by Duc de Bourbon who won here at the last meeting beating Eritage and could win again.  Young Buck won a Hunter Chase at Newton Abbot last year for Olive Nicholls and is now with Dean Summersby, for whom he was 4th on debut behind the useful Mr Glass in January; he may enjoy this better ground.  Lagan Valley won three last season for Julie Wadland and has a win to his name in January at Sheriff Hutton. Third next time, he could enjoy this slightly quicker ground.  Minella Jab won at Wadebridge in December before possibly not coping with the sticky ground at Badbury Rings last month where he was 5^th behind Another Furlough who could run in this instead of the more competitive Open.  Another Furlough should confirm the form and be the danger to Duc de Bourbon and Young Buck. 

The finale is a Flat race sponsored for the first time by Whitsbury Stud and has 18 entries, so it has been divided.  The first division features some nicely bred youngsters including Tom Ellis’ Anariza who is out of the Grade 3 winner Analifet.  Posh Dude too is bred in the purple being out of multiple point winner, Posh Totty while Just A Glance is out of a multiple winner under Rules in Miss Tenacious. Of those that have run, Stick or Twist was a fair 4^th at Buckfastleigh last year in a bumper while Hurst Hill ran with promise when 4th in a similar race at Larkhill.  The second division also has some nicely bred debutants including Caramelo Rapido, a half-brother to the decent Capuccimix; Cue Jump who is out of a half-sister to Cue Card; Locked Down Lad out of winning pointer Euro Bond; Sain et Sauf is out of a half-sister to Protektorat and by celebrated sire, Blue Bresil.  The Astronomist is the only one from this division to have run and could put that experience to good use. 

The first race at 12.30pm and there are plenty of trade stands, a bouncy castle, excellent refreshments and bar as well as the silent auction and of course well-behaved dogs on leads are most welcome.  The course is situated off the A354 between Blandford and Dorchester. 

Race 1:            Maiden 5yrs+ 2m4f 

1^st         Knock on Wood

1^st         Pebbly Pour Toi

3^rd        Dorset Dazzler 

Runners:          11                    Distances:        DH, 4l                          Time: 5m 41s

Race 2:            Restricted 

1^st         Glenmount

2^nd        Dorset Diamond

3^rd        Boys Will Be Boys 

Runners:          10                    Distances:        4l, 20l                          Time: 6m 44s

Race 3:            Mixed Open 

1^st         Itacare

2^nd        Tom Barton

3^rd        Humaniste 

Runners:          8                      Distances:        13/4l, 4l                       Time: 6m 44s

Race 4:            Conditions (Level 2) 9yrs+ 

1^st         Punches Cross

2^nd        Imogens Tunder

3^rd        Eritage 

Runners:          4                      Distances:        14l,7 l                          Time: 6m 51s

Race 5:            Conditions (Level 3)

 1^st         Another Furlough

2^nd        Duc de Bourbon

3^rd        Young Buck 

Runners:          8                      Distances:        4l, 8l                            Time: 6m 54s

Race 6:            Flat 4/5 yrs 

1^st         Go Johnny Go

2^nd        Posh Dude

3^rd        Just A Glance 

Runners:          8                      Distances:        nk, 3/4l                        Time: 4m 45s

Race :              Flat 4/5 yrs 

1^st         Locked Down Lad

2^nd        Weston Bay

3^rd        The Astronomist 

Runners:          7                      Distances:        10l, 2l                          Time: 4m 43s

N/A

After the ongoing criticism of the Cheltenham Festival with its prohibitive costs and quagmire car-parks, it was a refreshing change to be at Milborne St Andrew where the course (and car parks) coped admirably with the overnight rain to produce some excellent racing for a happier crowd who brought children in for free and a colourful stag party seen enjoying the great value refreshments on offer. Highlights from the racing were two young horses continuing their progression, a riding double for Will Biddick and a pointer who doubles as a Pony Club horse taking the Open. 

The Mixed Open was a family affair when Liam Corcoran’s Itacare held off a rallying course favourite in Tom Barton under his 16 year old son, Rian to record his third winner since graduating from Pony Racing.  Leased for the season by Richard Wilkin and Somerset Racing, Itacare has fast established himself as talented in other areas of equine sport attending the South Devon West Pony Club under Rian’s 10 year old sister Niamh where he is enjoying dressage. She also schools him at home and across Dartmoor with occasional visits to the beach too. Rian’s mum Clare explained “He’s the most wonderful, kind horse who is even ridden by 7 year old Aoife and 5 year old Fionnaula - we just love him and are so grateful to Richard for this opportunity.” Rian now works for Will Biddick full-time where he is getting plenty of tuition with weekly coaching from Rodi Greene and this certainly looks to be paying off. 

Will Biddick recorded the first of his wins aboard Punches Cross who had finished behind Eritage the last time they met at this course in January.  However Will decided a change in tactics may be in order and made every post a winning one to record a 14 length victory over Imogen’s Thunder with a tired Eritage who tried to chase the winner, a long way back in third. It was the first winner in ten years for owner Michael Sweetland on hand in the winner’s enclosure with wife Heather to greet Punches Cross.  Michael explained, “I had planned to send another horse to Daniele and Joe but he’d had a foot injury which was taking an age to come right so Joe suggested we buy Punches Cross and this is his third run for us.” 

Will’s second winner was more of a surprise as Locked Down Lad appeared from nowhere to take the second division of the Flat Race by 10 lengths from Weston Bay and long-time leader, The Astronomist who had looked likely to fight out the finish.  This was a first home-bred winner for owner Kieran Johns who was delighted with the first foal of his winning pointing mare, Euro Bond.  “We’ve got this breeding thing sorted!” he laughed as he went on to explain they had thought the gelding had really wanted faster ground and would very much need the experience.  The earlier division had gone to Josh Newman on Go Johnny Go for the Picnic Production who had been successful last year with Paloma Blue at the meeting.  This finish was much tighter as Josh just got the better of favourite Posh Dude with Just A Glance a close third. Steph Jones who runs the syndicate explained Simon Clare had so enjoyed his season last year with Paloma Blue, that he re-invested in some youngsters and she had also lured in some work colleagues for whom this was their first ever winner. 

Another outfit enjoying their first winner was former jockey Gordon Treacy who’s Pebbly Pour Toi dead-heated with Dean Summersby’s Knock on Wood in the opening Maiden.  For Gordon this was a dream start to his training career which had been put on hold when the horse had been walking around the paddock at Cothelstone last week only for it to be abandoned.  This looked a nice horse both on paper being a half-brother to the very useful No Flies On Him and on this his debut and he could be one to keep an eye on although there was a possibility he could be for sale.  For Dean Summerbsy this was a welcome winner having been on the “cold” list since last May.  Knock On Wood is good-looking son of Gatewood and Darren Edwards said “this is the first horse of Dean’s who’s given me a really good feel and hopefully they are now turning a corner.” 

Glenmount continues his upward progress when taking the Restricted by 4 lengths under James King for trainer Julie Wadland and the 360 Racing Club.  A facile winner at Badbury Rings, he jumped well, kicking clear two out and was too classy for the rest of the field.  Paul Miller who runs the racing club said “all credit to Julie who has completely turned this horse around since he arrived from Ireland and he’s really starting to fill his frame.” Julie sourced the horse through Richard Curran and every horse he has found for her has won.  Harry Ryall’s Another Furlough is another who is progressing rapidly and he had enough left in the tank at the end of the race to put in a spectacular leap at the last under Rob David to record an easy 4 length victory over Duc de Bourbon with Young Buck a further 8 lengths away in third. This was a decent Conditions race and his next outing would now be the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham on May 3^rd.