Jt Secretary: Joanna Cody Boutcher

M: 07833 444185

E:  joannacody-boutcher@hotmail.co.uk

 Jt Secretary: Gemma Edwards

M: 07980 045686

E:  gemmaedwards10@hotmail.com 

Entries:  Mrs T Parker

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

T:  01984 640245

M:  07846 967232

E:           tracypparker@aol.com

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

Entries Close:  Monday  6th Mal 2024, 12.30 pm 

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

ENTRY FEES  £50 per entry per race - NB. Online entry fees £50  2nd entry same horse £30

The Minehead and West Somerset point to point at Holnicote on Saturday has attracted a bumper entry of 110 as well as the Liz White Catering charity race at 1pm that precedes the day’s events. The first main 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 with live music by Andrias Guerin which looks set to be very popular. 

The first race the Members race sponsored by BHR Farrier Ltd and Livery Dole and of the 7 entries this should go to Teresa Clark’s Beau du Brizais who took this last year with Canastero back in 3rd. He should again confirm his superiority. The George Beilby-trained Champions Hill won a Restricted here last year under Callum Pritchard but they may have to settle for a place this time. 

The East Lynch Stud Maiden has 22 entries and Chris Barber’s City Silk probably ran into a decent one in Myfanwy at Cotley on his debut. A tall Flat-bred son of Cityscape, he could open his account here. Crawter also ran in that race and was sitting 3rd when he fell at the last but he probably wouldn’t have troubled the first two. Heart of Courage may have needed the run the same day in a different division of the maiden and could improve. Badbury Rings went into a few notebooks when unseating at Larkhill on debut; he’s been second twice and could easily atone here. There are three debutants entered, the first of which By George, comes from Joe Hill’s yard. A 4 year old by Order of St George out of a mare who was thought good enough to contest the Oaks as a maiden, he could be an interesting recruit. Yankee Star is related to several winners both Flat and NH while Jimmy Hurdstrom too is well-related. Killard Point, Maska du Morvan and Penelope Ann all finished second on their most recent starts and it would be no surprise if any were to improve that placing. 

The PPORA Conditions race is also sponsored by Molland Ridge Stud owned by Jess Westwood and family in memory of her grandfather, Bernard Foster. Ed Vaughan is well clear in the National Novice Riders Championship and he has Siberian Star here who dead-heated for second with Beau du Brizais at Cotley. That form would probably be good enough under this talented rider. Western Cowboy was a surprise winner that day under Will Badland beating Steel Express who won at South Hill last Sunday. Westhill showed good form when with Sam Loxton a couple of seasons ago winning three times. He has yet to win for current connections but has ability as does Striking Out who won for trainer Henry Oliver under Rules. Now ridden by daughter Isabella, he too would be a threat to the likely favourite. 

A competitive Mixed Open is sponsored once again by Sandhill Racing and the Hobbs family with Ninth Wave topping the ratings of the 14 entered. He won two at Cothelstone on ground he didn’t enjoy before giving the top class Macklin a scare at Cotley and then winning again at Stafford Cross. On better ground he should be hard to beat. Last weekend’s South Hill winner, Dr Rhythm too has shown consistent form although he is held by Ninth Wave on form as are Hell Red and His Own Star. Poli Roi has won four for the Vaughan’s this season including on his home turf in Wales and could make it a tactical race by dictating. Captain Mc hasn’t run this season yet for Luke Price but he has his horses in good form and he too is one to consider especially if the ground dries. Julie Wadland has Lagan Valley entered who took an Intermediate easily here last year and clearly enjoys the course. 

The Conditions race sponsored by Toomer Farm and the White family and Tim Vaughan has State of Fame entered. He won a similar race last time at Ystradowen and could be the one to be on here. Steel Express won well at South Hill last weekend under Martin McIntyre but has a 3lb penalty. Gina Andrews won on Young Rich’s debut run and looks set to be reunited with him following runs in Novice Riders events. Ocean Drifter won three times for Oliver Sherwood and makes his belated debut for connections so is best watched. Eritage too showed plenty under Rules when with Paul Nicholls but has yet to reproduce it pointing. 

The Harold Scott Memorial Restricted has 20 entries and Important Notice should go close here. Jockey Josh Newman made a rare error when missing a fence at Stafford Cross when well in command and had earlier beaten subsequent winner All Night Parking at Cothelstone. Josh also has Donny’s Fortune a dual winner at Bratton Down who ran well when third at Stafford Cross last time. Mr Bezi took a Restricted with ease at Cotley before coming down two out when in command at Howick. He could give the selection the most to do. Others include Great Colewood who won at Milborne St Andrew in January and has run well without winning since including a 5th in the Dunraven Bowl last time. All Star Boy won on his pointing debut for Chris Barber at Larkhill and although the form hasn’t worked out, he is still open to improvement as is Bushtucker Trial who won a Mares Maiden at the same course Barry Scott, Burtown, Maple Leaf, and Knock on Wood have all shown ability while Ill Reef won a French bumper. 

The Chetwood Wealth Management Intermediate concludes the racing with several already mentioned. Of those not, Mini Fortune could go close for Luke Price in this. She sauntered home at Ystradowen last time completing a three-timer this season. Luke also has Across the Channel who ran well on debut for the yard at Cotley before tiring and should improve for the run. Scoresby dead-heated with Moodofthemoment at Stafford Cross for trainer Harry Ryall and would be a threat while course winner Arv Way There fell on that occasion when prominent. Les Jefford

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