Secretary: Mr George Pullen

M:  07879 645364

E:  george@pullenandco.com

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

Entries Close: Monday 16th March 2026, 12.30pm

Races: Hands and Heels Series(Level 2 Novice), Ladies Open, Mens Open, 6yr + Maiden, 4,5 year old Maiden (2m4f), Restricted

First race 12.30pm

ENTRY FEES  £50 per entry per race, 2nd entry same horse £25

Ston Easton situated next door to  the A37 north of Shepton Mallet   hosts the very popular Mendip Farmers point to point on Sunday where there will be six point to point races followed by two pony races. Racing starts at 12.30 pm and in addition there will be numerous food and drink outlets, many trade stands to browse, the bookmakers to have a bet with and a big screen to watch the races. Early bird entry tickets £15 until 1800 on Friday 20 March (www.gbpointing.co.uk), £20 thereafter and on the gate. Under 16's free.  The latest going report is Good to Soft, Good in places.

Race cards £3 or two for £5. Take them to Wincanton Races on Monday 23 March and get FREE ENTRY to Wincanton's Spring Race Day

The day starts with the first Hands and Heels Conditions race sponsored by the Jockey Club and the Point-to-Point Authority. This race is for Novice Riders who will be able to carry whips but can only use them in certain situations. This is the first of these type of races to be run in the Wessex area and it will be fascinating to see how the riders adapt to the rules that apply . Sam Loxton holds a strong hand in this with both Histrionic and Duc De Bourbon entered. Both have shown form this season with the former already winner of a Conditions race at Larkhill and the latter placed in an Open at Larkhill. His selection ought to appreciate the drop in class and is the pick. Castletown the likely mount of the promising Lucas Murphy defied his odds to finish a respectable third at Charlton Horethorne  and a repeat of that run would give him a chance. Paint The Dream another approaching the veteran stage is now with Lucy Pickford and should not be discounted.

The Four and Five Year Old Maiden race over the shorter trip of two and a half miles has a good record of producing a winner who goes on to success under Rules. Dance Ifyoucan boasts a second on his only outing in Ireland in January and now with the in-form Josh Newman stable he has to be considered. Skeeter Rock has been placed in both outings this season and local owner James Drummond has a good record at the course. Will Biddick has two entries Uncle Boss who fell on his last outing at Badbury Rings whilst Run Ruby Run is an unraced 4 year old by Valirann. Skeeter Rock is the choice.

The Ladies Open has attracted a quality entry of eleven horses headed by the veteran Myth Buster unbeaten in two races already this season and stays very well. Francesca Poste has entered both Hubrisko and Kilfilum Woods and her choice should be on the short list as both have been in good form already this season with the first named already the winner of three races. Walk of No Shame could not catch Al Gasparo at Charlton Horethorne but with less weight it might be worth taking a chance on her. Baskerville won a Chase when trained by Alan King and it will be interesting to see how his new rider Amber Rayner gets on with him. Walk of No Shame is taken to beat Myth Buster.

Beacon Edge looks the class act in the Mens Open race having won the Mixed Open at Didmarton. A classy winner of eight Hurdles in his prime when trained in Ireland he has adapted to English pointing and with his confidence high he will take some beating. His main rival appears to be Bass Rock who has given Lucas Murphy three wins to his name this season. This will be his first venture into Open company but with the weight difference he could give Beacon Edge the most to do. Sam Loxton’s pair of Duc De Bourbon and Histrionic add some further quality to the race. Beacon Edge is the choice 

The Restricted race features the mare Far Out West who won her Maiden race at this meeting last year and ought to have come on for her seasonal debut. Galudon won his Maiden only last weekend at Buckfastleigh and this might come too soon for him. Southfield Scope won last season for Will Biddick but now with Lily Bradstock needs to improve on his outings to date. Echo Of Promise now with Tim Vaughan should show the benefit of her debut but has entries elsewhere. Impakt St Georges was well beaten at Didmarton but this looks a weaker race. Far Out West is chosen to show her liking for the course.

Lily’s Choice, Strolling Along and Priceforlove all ran in the same race at Charlton Horethorne and the mare Lily’s Choice ran well on her English debut and should confirm the form with the other two mentioned. Ginderella has been running under Rules for Tim Vaughan and might appreciate the drop in class. Radical Optimism was placed last season for Gina Andrews and is now with Martin Wanless. Jasmin des Blins has been placed three times this season and might be the one in an open looking race.

Race 1:            JC & PPA Hands and Heels (Novice Riders) 

1^st         Paint The Dream

2^nd        Histrionic

3^rd        Castletown

 Runners:          6                      Distances:        3l, 11l                          Time: 6m 5s

Race 2:                     Void 

1^st        

2^nd       

3^rd     

Runners:                                  Distances:        l, l                                Time: m s

Race 3:            Ladies Open 

1^st         Emotional Roller

2^nd        Au Fleuron

3^rd        

Runners:          6                      Distances:        20l, l                            Time: 6m 1s

Race 4:            Mens Open 

1^st         Duc de Bourbon

2^nd        Bass Rock

3^rd        Reikers Island 

Runners:          3                      Distances:        3l, 15l                          Time: 6m 34s

Race 5:            Restricted 

1^st         Far Out West

2^nd        Miltown Bridge

3^rd        A Tipple Or Two 

Runners:          5                      Distances:        10l, 11l                        Time: 6m 2s

Race 6:            Maiden 6yrs + 

1^st         Jewel of Windsor

2^nd        Standupanddeliver

3^rd        Strolling Along 

Runners:          5                      Distances:        18l, 8l                          Time:6 m 4s

N/A

A very large crowd attended the Mendip Farmers point to point at Ston Easton under a clear blue sky and although it clouded over somewhat there was competitive racing on ground described by riders as good. Ed Doggrell was the jockey to follow with a riding double, there was a mixed day for trainer Sam Loxton, a first riding victory for a jockey who also works as a driving instructor and another winning set of owners with a food connection.

The day began with the first Hands and Heels Novice Riders race held in the Wessex Area. Whilst the six riders were able to carry whips they were not able to use these in the way they have in other races with the aim that they will use their body to encourage their mount. The race developed into a duel between the favourite Histrionic ridden by Lucas Murphy and trained by Sam Loxton and Paint The Dream ridden by Lucy Pickford with the last fence in front of them. Histrionic then made a mistake and Paint The Dream was left in front to record a first riding victory for Lucy. An experienced rider with an eventing background who runs a livery yard in Gloucestershire and also works as a driving instructor she has been riding in point to points for some eight years. Explaining how she acquired Paint The Dream ‘ my previous horse had a problem after his race at Wadebridge and I found an advert on Facebook offering him for sale’ I then contacted Connor Brace via a mutual friend who was selling him on behalf of his grandfather David who had bred him.  Lucy added ‘ I am lucky to have found him as he jumps so well’  As a coincidence Paint the Dream started his racing career as a four year old at this course some eight years ago.

The Ladies Open race which followed after the young horse Maiden race was declared void with no entries proved a dramatic event with the favourite Walk of No Shame ridden by Molly Armytage and trained by Sam Loxton leading until running out at the fourteenth fence. This left Au Fleuron ridden by Aimee Jones and Emotional Roller ridden by Venetia Thompson to battle out the finish with the latter coming out on top. Venetia, 23, was thrilled with her success and was quick to thank Martin Wanless for giving her the opportunity to ride the gelding. This was her second career victory the first coming nearly two years ago at Corbridge in Northumberland and as her opportunities were limited in the North East she explained ‘ I decided to take up the offer to move to Martin Wanless’s base at Welshpool in Shropshire to broaden my career’ She has only been with him for a few weeks but he commented ‘ I am keen to support young riders at the start of their career and Venetia gave him a good ride’  He acquired the gelding from Sue Smith’s stable after his last outing under rules in January. Venetia is a name to note for the future. Martin is better known as the Sales and UK Manager of Equine Express the new name for George Mullins Horse Transport.

After suffering two beaten favourites in the previous races Sam Loxton saddled Duc De Bourbon ridden for the first time by Ed Doggrell in the Mens Open race. This time he was second favourite behind Bass Rock ridden by Lucas Murphy who had been unbeaten in his three previous outings this season. Ed explained ‘ I decided to make the running and he jumped well for me throughout and having set a steady pace he was always in control’  Sam was pleased that his luck had changed and the gelding had got his head in front for the first time this season.

Ed followed up in the Restricted race when he partnered the mare Far Out West trained by Will Biddick for the Hot Toddie partnership. Already a winner on the course last year Ed again adopted front running tactics and despite carrying a five pound penalty  for a previous Restricted victory her jumping was too good for her four rivals. Both Andy Pollard and Steve Paul her joint owners with Will were delighted with the success and plans were quickly made to celebrate the triumph. Will commented ‘ That is the best she has jumped and she really enjoyed herself on this better ground compared to the tacky surface at Badbury’ 

Champion jockey James King only had one ride at the meeting but this turned out to be a winner when Jewel of Windsor trained by Luca Morgan comfortably won the Maiden race. Running for a group of owners called the Chocolate Crumpets it soon transpired that one of these is Andrew King the West Mercian PRO and father of James. Explaining that this is supposed to be his father’s culinary preference James added ‘ this is first horse he has ever had an interest in and to ensure he had the full experience he came with Luca and myself in the horsebox!’  Andrew, who spent most of his professional life as chief  reporter for the Racing Post was not convinced that this is something he was anxious to repeat. Bought through the Thoroughbid online platform for £1800 in January she had shown some place form in Ireland and both Luca and James said that ‘ we hope that there is more to come and that she might turn into a useful summer jumper as she appreciated the better going’