Jt Secretary: Joanna Cody Boutcher
M: 07833 444185
E: joannacody-boutcher@hotmail.co.uk
Jt Secretary: Gemma Edwards
M: 07980 045686
Entries: Mrs T Parker
Address: Manor Court Steps Farm Bilbrook Minehead Somerset TA24 6HE
T: 01984 640245
M: 07846 967232
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
Race 1: Members
1st Canastero
2nd Beau du Brizais
3rd Champions Hill
Runners: 6 Distances: 13/4l, 6l Time: 6m 23s
Race 2: Maiden
1st Jimmy Hurdstrom
2nd Crawter
3rd Ianthus Mome
Runners: 14 Distances: 31/4l, 6l Time: 6m 32s
Race 3: Conditions (Level 2) Novice Riders
1st Wireless Operator
2nd Lure des Pres
3rd Oneupmanship
Runners: 7 Distances: 13/4l, 12l Time: 6m 26s
Race 4: Mixed Open
1st Lagan Valley
2nd Ninth Wave
3rd His Own Star
Runners: 6 Distances: sh, 14l Time: 6m 30s
Race 5: Conditions (Level 2) 8yrs+
1st Ocean Drifter
2nd Polydora
3rd Harbour Queen
Runners: 6 Distances: 6l, 1l Time: 6m 18s
Race 6: Restricted 2m4f
1st Bushtucker Park
2nd All Star Boy
3rd Marton Abbey
Runners: 7 Distances: 25l, 31/4l Time: 5m 1s
Race 7: Intermediate
1st Scoresby
2nd Cuzzicombe
3rd Steel Express
Runners: 6 Distances: 8l, 4l Time: 6m 20s
N/A
Following a rare and beautiful display from the Aurora Borealis overnight across Exmoor, the picturesque course at Holnicote seemed determined to continue this theme. Bathed in glorious sunshine, punters and families and even a 30 plus French contingent from Longny-au-Perche in Normandy, arrived en masse to enjoy some excellent racing with over 50 runners resulting in first time wins for two jockeys, Ashley Dascombe and Ollie Chamings, winners for National title contenders, James King and Izzie Marshall, and a training double for Warwickshire-based Julie Wadland while there was plenty of value to be had with only one favourite obliging all day.
Ashley Dascombe got a huge reception returning to the winner’s enclosure on Canastero after getting the better of Will Biddick and Beau du Brizais to take the Members race by nearly two lengths. With the six runners tightly grouped, Ashley stalked the odds-on favourite in a bid to turn the tables having finished third to him last year. Hitting the front with two to jump, the new application of blinkers to Canastero seemed to galvanise improvement and although Beau du Brizais tried hard to rally, they held on for a popular local win. For trainer Chrissie Gray, this was even more special as it was a birthday winner and her husband Carroll said “this is all down to Ashley who was adamant that he needed blinkers and it’s paid off.” Nineteen year old Ashley, who comes from Porlock, rides out for several trainers and acquired Canastero from Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, saying “I worked at the yard and Johnson suggested he would be the perfect horse for me to point so I am hugely grateful to him.”
The Novice Riders race can often throw up a surprise and when Westhill who had been errant throughout the race unseated at the last, jockey Ollie Chamings capitalised on his good fortune to record a first victory and realise his ambition, to ride a winner which his dad, Nigel had never done. Twenty-one year old Ollie is currently at University on his placement year with Symonds & Sampson in Dorchester and rides out for trainer Hannah Clarke. A nephew of NH trainer, Patrick Chamings, whom he also rides out for when needed, Ollie explained “we bought the horse privately as he was a good schoolmaster and I’ve been placed on him a few times. He absolutely winged the last when I asked him and I think he still would have beaten the horse that unseated as he was going the better.”
Trainer Julie Wadland was saddling her 6th winner of the season when Lagan Valley took the Mixed Open in a close finish which went to the judge as he and favourite, Ninth Wave flashed past the post together. With Izzie Marshall determinedly making a bid for the National Lady Jockeys Championship, they were level over the last and the 3lbs he received from the runner-up may have made the difference as the distance was given as a short-head. Afterwards Izzie said “ I really think the lighter weight helped him as had been lumping round a lot more recently but he also loved the quicker ground here and really bounced off it.”
Julie’s second winner came in the penultimate, the Restricted, when her mare, Bushtucker Park benefitted from the lightning-quick pace set by long-time leader, Myunclecharlie, who was 20 lengths clear at one stage, and she was the only one who could land a blow under James King. James closed the leader down with 4 fences to jump and slipped the remainder of the field to coast home by 25 lengths and record the easiest win of the day. Owner Jo Mann who was here to greet her winner with husband Richard explained “We bought her from an advert on Facebook and James used to ride her at Olly Murphy’s. I had always wanted one by Walk in the Park and just fell in love with her.”
Cameron Johnstone-Baker was riding his second career winner when taking the Conditions race on his family-owned Ocean Drifter who was making his pointing debut. A winner of a point in Ireland, he then went on to win over hurdles for Oliver Sherwood for whom Cameron worked for two "amazing” years. After some time on the side-lines, he was given to Cameron at the start of the year and he was quick to express his thanks to former owners, Tim Syder, Dominic Burke and trainer Oliver Sherwood. Cameron who is now based with Robbie Llewellyn said “he gave me the most amazing feel out there. He jumped amazingly and I managed to fill his lungs up when needed and as I knew he’d stay well, it was his race to lose.”
Trainer Harry Ryall was busy calculating points in the paddock as he welcomed Scoresby back in after the last race, an Intermediate. Currently vying with Julie Wadland for the Wessex smaller trainer’s title, this was a welcome winner for the team and their sixth within the Area this season and there is now half a point between the two. Scoresby has now contributed twice to that total following wins at Milborne St Andrew and here for his emotional owner Bob Butler who could hardly speak in the winner’s enclosure. Rob David rode a patient race on the winner, quietly biding his time at the rear of the field before cruising into the lead after a good jump at the open ditch. Rob explained, “I had so much horse underneath me and I really hit the front too soon. He’s done really well here to carry so much weight as he’s not the biggest,” while Harry confirmed that his next target would be the two mile Hunter Chase at Stratford as he felt the track would suit him well.
A horse that would soon be heading off to the sales was Maiden winner, Jimmy Hurdstrom trained by Eamonn O’Donnabhain, head lad for Tom Lacey. A nicely-bred son of Order of St George, he was bought at the Landrover Sale and would now go to Doncaster to be sold. Jockey Sean O’Connor, who was riding his second winner in a week for Eamonn said afterwards, “He’s got some engine on him!” This looked like a fair maiden as 14 went to post in surely one of the biggest fields Holnicote has seen for some years and credit should go to the team behind the ground including Johnson White, Jeremy Scott and Mike Harding.
The racing had been preceded by a Charity race which was won in convincing fashion by Emma Landau on The Raven’s Return. Emma whose chosen charity was the Injured Jockeys Fund was herself no stranger to the winner’s enclosure having ridden 39 winners and her experience showed. Husband Guy Landau explained, “The horse who daughter Molly has won twice on over hurdles, has had 18 months off and will now go back into training with Chris Gordon.” Emma rides out locally for the Hobbs/White yard and was torn between riding here and taking her favourite, Ballee to Haydock for the 3.15.
Wessex Area Point to Point, Troakes Farm, Ford, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 2RH
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