Secretary: Mrs Linda Pugsley

M: 07890 662817

E:  lindapugsley@live.co.uk 

Entries:  Mrs J Cumings

Address:  Eastwood Bishops Nympton South Molton Devon EX36 4PB

T:  01769 550528

M: 07815 888625 

E:  cumings.eastwood@gmail.com

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

Entries Close:  Monday 29h April 2024 12.30 pm

Races:  Members - Restricted - Club Conditions  (Level 2) 8yo+  – Conditions (Level 1) Nov Rdrs - Maiden - Mixed Open

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

The Devon & Somerset meeting returns to South Hill next Sunday with Early bird tickets at £12.50 from www.pointingwessex.co.uk until this Friday at 6pm or tickets are £15 per person to include a race card (under 16s are admitted free if accompanied by an adult) on the gate. The first race is at 2pm with a bar and refreshments available and trade stands on site.  The course is situated 2 miles north of Dulverton off the B3223 at TA22 9PT. Cars can access the course off this road but lorries must NOT go through Dulverton and instead are directed via Winsford. 

The Members race sponsored by Exmoor Luxury Loos should go to Dr Rhythm who took this last year. A very easy winner at Badbury Rings in February, he was then outstayed over an extended trip at Cothelstone before finishing 3^rd behind the in-form pair, Macklin and Ninth Wave, at Cotley.  He’s also entered in the Open but this looks the obvious choice.  Honest Opinion also ran at the same meeting when 4^th in a Restricted and could follow him home. 

The Tom Malone Bloodstock Maiden race has attracted the highest number of entries with 18 and includes Will Biddick’s Jambo who ran a race full of promise until pulling up when headed late on at Larkhill. He was dismounted but may have just knocked himself and he could well make amends.  The unraced Jimmy Hurdstrom is a half-brother to the prolific Pumbaa, a six-time winner under Rules while another unraced debutant, Westerner’s Way is from the family of top-class Roberto Goldback.  Fran Poste’s Taymount is out of a winning mare and a half-brother to Charles Ritz while Gina Ellis’ Schiapars Magern should improve on his third at Kimble.   Validation was second on his second start in Ireland and is an interesting recruit for Nigel Padfield. 

The PFG Fabrication sponsored Mixed Open could see Shantou Flyer make a quick reappearance after an uncharacteristic run-out at Stafford Cross last weekend.   And although in the veteran stage he has three wins to his name this season. Dorrell's Pierji won a Members last Sunday and while fragile, he won 6 races under Rules for Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton and if reappearing would be of interest especially with Dean Summersby’s horses now being in such good form.  Captain Mc has won 7 times for trainer Luke Price and finished second here last year but that was on very testing ground and although it’s his seasonal debut, he is more than likely to be straight enough for this and should go close.  Call Simon recorded a good victory at Cothelstone on heavy ground the time before last but may prefer the ground on the easier side to be seen at his best. L’Air du Vent won a Grass Roots race at Larkhill but struggled in better company next time at Cotley. Wee Willie Nail won for Gordon Elliott in Ireland but has shown nothing in four starts for current connections over here and the drop into pointing will need to spark a revival. 

The Novice Rider’s Conditions race is sponsored by Stag Environmental with 8 entries including Walkin Out who was winning for the 7^th time last weekend at Stafford Cross for trainer Les Jefford who has his horses in excellent form lately.  If reappearing, she should take all the beating under the under-rated Anna Johnston. Dorrell’s Pierji may opt for this race instead of the Open and could be partnered by Rian Corcoran, a young rider who has impressed this season.  Oneupmanship has run well without winning since joining Chris Barber and his style of front running may suit this course. He may be challenged for the lead by Aheadfullofdreams who took a Conditions race here two years ago from the front and could be hard to pass and he comes here off a good win at Cothelstone last time under today’s rider James Dawkins.  Los Alamos has been lightly raced by Luke Price and although he has ability, is fragile. 

The Amhurst & Shapland Conditions race for horses 8 years and over has attracted 15 entries including some already mentioned.  First Preference quickly rattled off a three-timer last season and although beaten twice this season, it would be no surprise to see him open his seasonal account here for Luke Price who also has Captain Mc entered.  Trevada won well under a positive ride from Zac Baker at Cotley before finishing second at High Easter.  Jockey John Smith-Maxwell has the option of Ecco, One for Billy and Pont Aven who looks to be his best chance. Pileon won four during his time at Philip Hobbs’ yard including when ridden by Laura Jones’ husband Ben. He has yet to win in three starts pointing but his second to Mr Glass at Charlton Horethorne shows he’s retained his ability.  Gran Paradiso may be seen to better effect over longer trips while Steel Express has a couple of good placings this season. 

There are 15 entries in the finale, the Wedgewood Groundworks-sponsored Restricted and it looks the most competitive race of the day on paper.  Luke Price’s mare, Joyzain is three from three this season and was part of an Ed Vaughan treble at Howick last time. Prior to that she had comfortably beaten Castle Daragh at Cotley who then went on to land the Dunraven Bowl Hunter Chase at Chepstow. That form looks more than solid and she looks exciting.  Luke also has Mr Bezi also a winner at Cotley who may have been unlucky when falling two out at Howick (leaving Designer Destiny to capitalise and go on to win). He would be a credible alternative to his stablemate.  His third entry, Lavorante easily won a maiden at Garthorpe while Les Jefford’s Conor’s Gift was 6^th behind talented stablemate Prophesea at Flete Park and should improve. All Star Boy won with ease on his only start for Chris Barber at Larkhill while Lucky Lara won well beating Whitsand Bay at Kilworthy last time.

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A typical Exmoor drizzle didn’t deter a decent-sized crowd from attending the Devon & Somerset Point to Point last Sunday at South Hill and they were treated to some good racing with winners for the two experienced jockeys contesting the Men’s National title, James King and Will Biddick while young Billy Broomfield just starting out in his riding career, showed that the next generation has plenty of emerging talent. 

A first winner from only his second start at Flete Park the day before, Billy Broomfield got the leg-up on veteran Shantou Flyer and steered him to an easy 15 length success in the Mixed Open.  Always travelling well in company with his rivals, Billy sealed the win with a good jump over the open ditch to draw steadily further clear on the classy 14 year old who is only two years younger than his jockey.  After regular pilot Olive Nicholls felt she hadn’t recovered sufficiently due to her mount’s uncharacteristic run-out last weekend at Stafford Cross, father Paul contacted Sam Loxton to ask if he’d consider replacing her with Billy who has worked in his yard for the past 8 months following a background in Pony Club, hunting and Pony Racing.  Sam was at a loss to explain why Shantou Flyer had blotted his copybook last time although he felt the crowd had been close to the racing line and maybe something had caught his eye prompting him to miss the fence. 

Anna Johnston had taken a Grass Roots Riders race at Stafford Cross on Walkin Out only last weekend for Les Jefford and with the mare coming out of that race so well, Les decided to go for a quick-fire return.  Sent off the odds-on favourite, the mare who won a Hunter Chase last season, was a little keen in the early stages but had too much class for her opponents and breezed into the lead full of running with half a circuit to run.  Held in very high regard by her trainer, he was in two minds as to whether to declare her on the ground as he felt it was too soft.  In this form, she is one to follow especially on a quicker surface.  

The Maiden race caused something of an upset when Mister Sky fitted with first time blinkers, was fired into an early ten length lead by jockey Charlie Sprake.  Will Biddick looked like he had ridden the perfect race on runner-up, Jambo but Mister Sky refused to capitulate and kept finding more when asked to run out a 3 length winner at the line.  A surprised trainer, Chris Barber said afterwards, “It really was last-chance saloon for him as he kept disappointing but the blinkers and the positive ride from Charlie have made a huge difference! I was thinking about putting him on the transfer list but might have to re-think things a bit now!” 

Dr Rhythm is a credit to his connections and duly obliged in the opening Members race when cruising home from Honest Opinion under Will Biddick. A winner of this race last year for owner Tina Dunsford, he is the most consistent of horses.  Trainer Keith Cumings’ daughter Nicky who was on hand to greet the winner said “He found the trip too far at Cothelstone and Will said didn’t really like the ground here but he never lets us down. He will get an entry at Holnicote next weekend and although generally we don’t run them back that quickly, he has won very easily here.” 

Steel Express is another who had plenty left in the tank following his 15 length win in the Conditions race under Martin McIntyre for trainer Mike Vanstone who was on crutches following a hip operation last week.  Linda Blackford who was deputising in the paddock said afterwards “He’s an absolute legend of a horse who has won and been placed loads of times for owners Sue Quick, Nigel Mackenzie and Richard Dening. We bought him initially for Sue as a 3 year old at the Derby Sale and then the others joined her.  He’s always been a bit of character but we don’t mind on days like these!” 

The sun finally came out for the finale, a Restricted race which went to Lavorante ridden by James King for trainer Luke Price.  Surprisingly not sent off favourite, James was always going easily on the winner and felt he improved as the race unfolded and the tempo quickened.  James commented afterwards “He jumped really well and is a strong stayer. The quicker they went the better he got.”  Co-owned by Luke’s neighbour, farmer David Van Pouke (who has had 6 runners with Luke, 5 of which have won), Lavorante looks certain to follow up this win and should be kept on the right side of.