Secretary:   Mrs Caroline Hinks

Contact Details Tel: 01963 370260   Mob:  07977 547042

 Email:   hinksfamily@btinternet.com

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

Entries close:   Monday 2nd March 2026 12.30pm

Races:   Members (with Conditions), 4 & 5yrs Maiden (2m4f), Restricted, Mixed Open, Conditions Race (Level 2), Maiden (NWFAA),

First Race:   12.30 pm

A big screen near to the paddock shows all the action.

Pony Racing to take place before the first point to point race

ENTRY FEES  £50 per entry per race  2nd entry same horse £30 

The Wessex point-to-point programme moves on to the very popular Charlton Horethorne course situated on the Somerset/Dorset border when the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hold their meeting next Sunday. Situated alongside the B3145 between Sherborne and Wincanton the course always attracts high quality horses and this year is no exception. The current going report is good to soft and a seven race card starting at 12.30pm is preceded by two pony races starting at 11.30am

There will be a big screen to watch the races near the paddock and plenty of trade stands including hot and cold food and a licensed bar. The bookmakers will be in attendance to have a wager or two. The cost of entry for early bird tickets up to 6pm on 6^th March is £12.50 per person from gbpointing.co.uk and £20 on the gate with under 16s free. Racecards are £3 each and can be taken to Wincanton racecourse on Monday 23^rd March to gain free entry.

The meeting begins with the Hunt Members race sponsored by Paul Nicholls Racing and of the six entries local trainer Sam Loxton holds a strong hand with both Duc de Bourbon and Histrionic and with the latter holding an entry in the Mixed Open the first named is likely to be his choice. He has not hit top form this season but this four time winning pointer may regain his winning ways. Illico de Cotte won a Novice Riders race at Badbury Rings under Molly Armytage and a repetition of that form may be good enough. Gelino Bello won on his pointing debut for new trainer Charlie Sprake at Larkhill and this former Grade 1 winning hurdler is taken to follow up if he does not opt for the Mixed Open.

The Tattersalls Cheltenham GB Pointing Bonus Maiden for four- and five-year-olds often throws up a promising sort and from the ten entries only four  of these have had a previous outing. Hoo’s The Jet was a close second on his debut for Josh Newman at Chaddesley Corbett and was subsequently sold and is now under the care of Grace Mogg who is yet to have a runner in her name. Will Biddick has Uncle Boss who fell at Badbury in a similar race. Of the newcomers Chris Barber always does well in these races and his entry Noble Thistle by Crystal Ocean is a half brother to Master Templar a prolific winner for Gina Andrews. Josh Newman has two entries in the form of Maitre D’Oudairies and Micky Haller and his choice should be noted. Fran Poste has won this race before and the well-related Dean Gary is another to consider. Noble Thistle is the selection.

The Open Maiden sponsored by Manor Farm Partnership may be won by Strolling Along trained by Will Biddick. Giving away a stone and a half to Hive Runner at Larkhill he was only beaten two lengths and with all his rivals carrying the same weight he would be the choice. Josh Newman has two ex Irish placed geldings in the form of Champagne Blue and Make Idaho Great and his choice should be respected. Myfanwy’s Magic was still in contention when being hampered and falling at Badbury and ought to be in the mix. Priceforlove was placed at Badbury and again has place possibilities. Strolling Along is the pick.

The Paul Barber Mixed Open has attracted a talented entry of eight horses with the very promising Al Gasparo at the head of the ratings. Already the winner of two Open races at Wadebridge and Charing he is the one to beat but he has some strong potential rivals. If they miss the Hunt race both Gelino Bello and Illico de Cotte will be fancied to lower Al Gasparo’s colours. Histrionic won well at Larkhill but was no match for Grace A Vous Enki on his last outing. Walk of No Shame was closing on Illico de Cotte at Badbury when running out and a repeat would give him a chance. Al Gasparo is chosen to keep his unbeaten record.

The Conditions race sponsored by Alec Jarrett Ltd may be won by Lavorante who has already won eight point to points and was only beaten at Cocklebarrow in the final stages of a longer race. Go Sacre Go won well at Badbury but was pulled up at Wincanton on his last outing. Caspers Court was in good winning form last season and is likely to be partnered by Tilly Garton seeking her first winner. Wireless Operator ran well for Oliver Chamings and a repeat would give him a chance. Lavorante can use his experience to win this race.

The Restricted race sponsored by Church House Investments may see a second victory for Dollanstown who won well at Badbury as part of Will Biddick’s five timer. Eileen’s Milan won both his outings last season and he should be on the short list. Carillo won well at Larkhill but was well beaten last time. Off the Press won the young Maiden at this meeting last year but has not progressed this season. Madame Lestrange won at Wadebridge but was well beaten on his return to the Cornish course. Dollanstown is the pick.

The final race The Intermediate is a qualifier for the Exeter Intermediate race due to be held on 17^th April. Couer D’Alene was most impressive at Badbury Rings and a further success should follow based on that performance. Ultimate Survivor has been in good form this season and has a chance. Good Boy Eric had good form last season but fell on his seasonal debut. Glancing Hill has been very consistent this season and may be the one to give Couer D’Alene the most to do. Talimar Pearl after two outings this season is another to consider possibly at longer odds. Couer D’Alene is the nap for this race.

Race 1:            Members 

1^st         Gelino Bello

2^nd        Illico de Cotte

3^rd        Whitsand Bay 

Runners:          4                      Distances:        13/4l, 21/2l                 Time: 6m 17s

Race 2:            4 & 5 yrs Old Maiden 2m4f 

1^st         Micky Haller

2^nd        Noble Thistle

3^rd        Hoo’s The Jet 

Runners:          5                      Distances:        31/2l, 3/4l                   Time: 5m 12s

Race 3:            Maiden (NWFAA) 

1^st         Make Idaho Great

2^nd        lily’s Choice

3^rd        Strolling Along 

Runners:          8                      Distances:        4l, 6l                            Time: 6m 17s

Race 4:            Mixed Open 

1^st         Al Gasparo

2^nd        Walk of No Shame

3^rd        Plan of Attack 

Runners:          3                      Distances:        5l, 6l                            Time: 6m 17s

Race 5:            Conditions (Level 2) 

1^st         Madame Le’Strange

2^nd        Lavorante

3^rd        Castletown 

Runners:          6                      Distances:        8l, 8l                            Time: 6m 18s

Race 6:            Restricted 2m4f 

1^st         Carrillo

2^nd        Dollanstown

3^rd        African Lady 

Runners:          4                      Distances:        6l, 10l                          Time: 5m 39s

Race 7 :           Intermediate  

1^st         Couer d’Alene

2^nd        Ultimate Survivor

3^rd      

Runners:          4                      Distances:        6l, l                              Time: 6m 17s

N/A

A grey mist descended on the Charlton Horethorne course situated on the Dorset/Somerset border which put the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale point to point in some doubt as to whether it would be possible for the meeting to take place. However, just as the pony racing was announced as being cancelled the weather relented and enough visibility emerged to allow both the pony racing and the seven point-to-point races to go ahead. Josh Newman was the jockey and trainer to follow with another treble; James King had a double and Darren Andrews a landmark career achievement.

On a day full of emotion after the awful news broke about Sam Lee and a minute’s silence before racing Darren winning the Hunt race aboard Gelino Bello paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend and weighing room colleague. The race provided Darren with his 100^th winning point to point ride and although tinged with sadness this was a notable result for him and he was delighted that it was for Charlie Sprake still at the beginning of his training career.

Recalling his first winner at Cothelstone in April 2013 aboard Hugo Froud’s Bishop’s Lane which was a spare ride he then nominated the mares River Myth and Fishy Story and the geldings Navanman  and Quintin’s Man as the horses which have been most influential in advancing his career. He has registered a further 10 Hunter Chase wins and two Bumper successes to his name to date.

Charlie Sprake was thrilled with the success of his gelding giving the Sprake family their first ever win in the Hunt race run on land owned by them. Always prominent his charge held off the late challenge from Illico De Cotte ridden by Molly Armytage to supplement his Larkhill win. Explaining the change of scene Charlie’s partner Winnie Ortewell said ‘ he gets turned out every day which he really enjoys, is ridden round the fields and goes to Kathy Turner’s all weather periodically’

Josh Newman introduced a smart newcomer in the form of Micky Haller in the Tattersalls GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden. Tracking the two leaders of Hoo’s The Jet and Noble Thistle for most of the race Josh allowed the gelding to learn to race and fence and then produced him as the field approached the second last and won going away. Bought by Kayley Woollacott and Lauren Reed at Goffs Arkle Sale for Euros 13K he now runs in the name of the Lincoln Partnership which is a clue to how he came to be named. Based on a fictional lawyer in a novel called The Lincoln Lawyer Micky Haller is a Los Angeles based Defense lawyer. He is for sale and is entered in the Cheltenham Sale on Thursday. .

Josh recorded his second winner when steering Make Idaho Great to win the Maiden race over three miles. Lily’s Choice ridden by Charlie Marshall was ahead approaching the second last but Josh soon had his Idaho gelding in front to record a comfortable victory. Bought privately through J D Moore for  Kayley Woollacott  who described the owners  John and Sonia Gardener  ‘ as’ our brilliant supporters’ he was placed in two of his three outings in Ireland including when finishing third in a race when Carrillo ( see below) finished fourth. He looks like one to follow for the season and is another good advert for his sire Idaho.

Josh secured his treble and overall training six winners over the weekend when comfortably winning the Paul Barber Mixed Open race aboard John and Floss Symes’s Al Gasparo. Dropped out last for most of the race he went to the front after the third last and had too much in hand for Walk of No Shame ridden by Olive Nicholls. Reflecting on his brace of Open winners for the weekend John was delighted with Beacon Edge and Al Gasparo who were both new purchases this season. Al Gasparo had won a Listed Hurdle for Gavin Cromwell and had been placed over fences. He is likely to now have a break having won his first three races in England and with next season in mind he does not have any immediate targets in mind for the gelding.

There was an unexpected winner in the Alec Jarrett Conditions Race when the odds on favourite Lavorante ridden by James King was well beaten by Madame L’Estrange trained by Will Biddick and ridden by Charlie Marshall. The winner of a Maiden at Wadebridge she had not been involved in her next outing at the Cornish course.  Having given her a lengthy break she sat behind the leaders until taking it up after the final ditch and stayed on well. Owned by a group of friends under the name of Proper Job after a Cornish beer she is likely to be aimed at an Intermediate qualifier for the Exeter final due to be held at Trebudannon.

James King rode his first winner of the day when partnering Carrillo to comfortably winning the Restricted race for owners Nick and Alison Hitchings and trainer Chris Barber. After creating a strong impression when winning a Maiden at Larkhill on his English debut he was then bought by Nick and Alison as their first horse. Placed third behind two promising types last time James explained that ‘ I gave him an easier race when I knew he could not catch the two leaders and he has benefitted from that decision and he showed a real turn of foot when I asked him to quicken after the third last’. Nick and Alison, the son and daughter in law of Clive and Joan Hitchings were thrilled with their success and Nick added that he had chosen their racing colours in a similar vein to those worn by Rubstic the winner of the 1979 Grand National which had created a lasting impression.

James followed up in the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate qualifier race when partnering Coeur D’Alene to a straightforward winner over his principal rival Ultimate Survivor ridden by Darren Andrews. After drawing clear after jumping the third last he was soon in command and had eight lengths in hand at the line. Now the winner of three races this season Chris Barber his trainer explained that ‘ he is now much more streetwise and races enthusiastically’ .He may have an entry in the final of this race but his part owner Paul Thorman is undecided about regulation fences and commented that ‘ it is lovely to have so much fun with him pointing this season’