25/26 All things point to point

                                      BEDALE POINT TO POINT PREVIEW

Hornby Castle next Saturday 11^th April will once again play host to the Bedale point to point. The day always attracts a huge crowd and with 69 entries across the six race card there should be some exciting racing to enjoy.

The racing cracks off at 1.30pm with the DDR and Partners Conditions (Level 2). The Furness family's Camdonian comes here with the best form in the book and he is a high class performer with a prolific winning record. He was a little below par last time out at Dalton Park however and as a lover of soft ground he may not find the conditions here to be in his favour. The Easterby brothers look to have two of the main dangers in The Story So Far and Benefact of which the last named looks the pick. The Story So Far won his only…

Puckeridge and Essex at High Easter - Saturday 11th April 

Author: Graham Bishop 

The action returns to High Easter racecourse in deepest, rural Essex. on Saturday with pony racing from 1pm and the prospect of seeing six live steeplechase races without missing any of the action of the Grand National. The big Aintree race starts at 4pm and will be screened live on a large screen, so there will be a break after the 4th live point-to-point race, to ensure the whole afternoon will be action packed from start to finish. There will be a fun dog show taking place during the afternoon and as usual with this meeting, there will be a large display of a variety of retail trade stands, catering outlets, beer tent and a gigantic funfair, so the racecourse takes on the distinct feel of a country show. Since the last meeting, a month ago, all the bends and the plain fences have…

PUCKERIDGE & ESSEX AT HIGH EASTER- SATURDAY APRIL 11th 

A busy day of fun and action 

Gates Open 11am 

Pony racing from 1pm 

First of six point-to-point steeplechases at 1.45pm 

Fun Dog Show 

THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK – HIGHAM 

FRIDAY APRIL 3rd 2026  

2.10 Hunt Members – 7 entries 

The meeting kicks off with a competitive 7 entry Hunt race and 4 rated over 100. Atlantic Fleet from the Turner yard won a Hunt race at Ampton in 2024 but struggled in subsequent Restricteds and was a distance behind Cash or Card on his last run at Dingley in May and again was a distant 3rdin the Jan. Horseheath Restricted but came good in the Restricted at  

Ampton when left in the lead at the last but disappointed in the recent Garthorpe Restricted when 15L 3rdto Sports Magic. Veteran 14yr. Back Bar from the Hill yard has run in every PtP division in an illustrious career but maybe age is catching up but a 14l. 2^nd to Cheytac in the recent Fakenham Conditions race indicates there is still something there.…

PREVIEW OF THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK MEETING BEING HELD AT HIGHAM

RACECOURSE ON GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 3rd

Author Graham Bishop

As in previous years, the current dry conditions have presented a real challenge to course officials in their preparation for this Good Friday meeting at Higham. Watering of the course will commence a couple of days prior to the fixture date and the Clerk of the Course will constantly be monitoring the ground with the aim to accomplish ‘Good to Firm’ going or better on the majority of the course with the provision of safe jumping ground.

The organisers have arranged a variety of attractions to appeal to all members of the family. An avenue of retail trade stands, including various catering outlets, beer tent, ice cream vendor and

funfair attractions for the children will all be available. Two fun dog shows with a variety of classes will take place…

ESSEX & SUFFOLK at HIGHAM RACECOURSE on GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 3^rd  

Higham is the venue for the next East Anglia area meeting - the Essex & Suffolk on Good Friday 3^rd April. 

Book your discounted advance adult tickets online (£18) at www.highamraces.co.uk. where racecards can also be bought, as well. Not only will you enjoy a discount, but it helps speed up the entry process. Advance discounted tickets are available until midnight on Thursday April 2^nd. Gate admission is £20 cash only.  

Children 16 and under enter free and do not require a ticket. Dogs are welcome on short leads. General parking is free. 

                                     HOLDERNESS POINT TO POINT PREVIEW

The splendid old parkland setting of Dalton Hall near Beverley plays host to the Holderness point to point next Sunday22nd March. The 74 entries across the six race card include some very good horses and there should be some exciting racing to keep everyone well entertained.

Racing gets underway at 1.30 pm with the Smailes Goldie Holderness Hunt Members and this features a rematch between last year's one two Blue Sans and Sunset On Fire. The former prevailed by a mere short head before going on to win the prestigious Grimthorpe Gold Cup and providing Sunset On Fire is fit enough for what will be his seasonal debut there should be little between the pair again. The Clark family who own and train Blue Sans have an able deputy entered in Sam Magee who ran well in good company at Friars Haugh last time…

THE WEST NORFOLK and NORTH NORFOLK – FAKENHAM

Sunday March 22nd 2026

1.00 Conditions (Level 1) – 10 entries

Many of these have options, not only here but at other meetings over the weekend. Cheytac is not in that catergory, and this 7yo is the youngest entrant in the contest. He was an impressive winner last time out at Kingston Blount, on his first start since a wind-op.

He is progressive and won the restricted on this card last season. The Big Lense is one of the senior members in this, but is very useful, and unbeaten in four starts pointing, he won the Mixed Open on this card last season. He gets in here unpenalised on this his seasonal debut, and sets the standard. My Gift To You, like The Big Lense, is trained by Jenny Owen. He's won 8 times under rules including 5 chases, and has no…

                                         HURWORTH POINT TO POINT PREVIEW

The delightfully quirky once a year course, in the beautiful setting of Skutterskelfe Park at Hutton Rudby, again plays host to the Hurworth point to point this Saturday 14^th March. With 79 entries across the six race card a good day's sport looks guaranteed.

Racing commences at 1pm with the Lynas Engineers Hurworth Hunt Members, Subscribers and Farmers and this looks a perfect opportunity for last season's leading Yorkshire horse Surprise Attack to return to winning ways. Having pulled up first time out this season at Sheriff Hutton on unsuitable ground he ran a stormer in the high class open race at Duncombe Park in February when beaten only two lengths into fourth place. A repeat of that would make him hard to beat here.

William Brown could saddle both Jimmil and Isocrate and that pair look to be the pick of the opposition. The…

WEST & NORTH NORFOLK AT FAKENHAM RACECOURSE – SUNDAY MARCH 22nd

GOOD/GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES. (Mon 9th March). Course is set on the outer chase of the national hunt course. The whole track was vertidrained on the last week of February. Irrigation is available if needed.

Two pony races from 12 midday followed by six scheduled steeplechases from 1pm 

Racegoers will enjoy all the facilities associated with a professional course and throughout the afternoon there will be numerous retail trade stands to browse as well as delicious food outlets, public bar, ice cream vendor and local bookmakers, all in attendance. 

Other attractions Dog Show and Children’s Play Area. 

            YORKSHIRE JOCKEYS CLUB SCARBOROUGH RACES AT CHARM PARK

                                                             PREVIEW

The first of two popular Scarborough Races fixtures will be held this Sunday 1^st March at Charm Park near Wykeham. The youthful Yorkshire Jockeys Club committee who took over the organisation have made a great success of it and another good day's racing is in the offing.

The card opens with the Level Two Conditions race and Tag Man looks the one to beat here following his win at Helmsley Races last Sunday where he easily saw off two of today's rivals, Red Opium and Morozov Cocktail in second and third. A repeat of that run will make him very hard to beat, even with the five pound penalty. Sunset On Fire has a great record at Charm Park having won at both meetings here in the 2024 season which brings him into consideration too. Arthurs Seat made a winning…

PREVIEW:

Suffolk Hunt at Ampton – Sunday 1st March

Author Graham Bishop

The point to point action in East Anglia re-commences at Ampton on Sunday following a three week break with another full day of entertainment in prospect at this popular, good viewing course. There is always a country show feel to this particular meeting.

SUFFOLK at AMPTON RACECOURSE ON SUNDAY MARCH 1^st 

Everybody will be looking forward to the next East Anglia area action at AMPTON racecourse near Bury St. Edmunds, on SUNDAY 1^st MARCH. Lots of trade stands booked and the return of the ever-popular dog show, alongside pony and point-to-point racing.

The Suffolk Hunt will host their friendly and popular, annual fixture with a six-race steeplechase card commencing at 1pm and is preceded by pony races, run over a flat course, starting from midday. There is also the extremely fun dog show where you can enter your canine family member, for various classes, on the day.

Always a great country show feel to this meeting with good viewing for the racing and a range of trade stands including catering outlets and a public bar ( cash only)

Admission: Adults £15 (cash or card accepted) with children under 16 Free. Dogs welcome on short leads,…

                                               HELMSLEY RACES PREVIEW

                               DUNCOMBE PARK SUNDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

Duncombe Park at Helmsley provides the spectacular backdrop for this Sunday's Helmsley Races where the Yorkshire season gets back on track after a weather disrupted opening. With a very healthy entry of 107 horses, drawn from far and wide, and plenty of classy horses on show the day should once again attract a large and enthusiastic crowd to enjoy a good day's sport.

The first of seven scheduled races is due off at 12 noon with the Ripon Farm Services Sinnington Hunt Members' Farmers' and Subscribers' and this looks to be very much at the mercy of the Easterby family who have three good entries to choose from. The pick of the two with previous point to point form looks to be Morozov Cocktail who was never out of the frame last season during which he won twice. A very…

HAMILTON BLOODHOUNDS at HIGHAM on SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7^th

GOING UPDATE: GOOD / GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES (Wed 28th Jan). 

27th January 14.5 mm of rainfall fell. Forecasts Unsettled from Sunday 1st February until Wednesday 4th February with a possibility of a further 10mm of rainfall in total during this period. Currently forecasts predominately dry from Wednesday 4th to race day with temperatures above freezing.

HAMILTON BLOODHOUNDS are the new hosts for the first of two meetings being held at Higham racecourse, on the Suffolk/Essex border which takes place on Saturday February 7th.  

PUB TEAM PREVIEW: CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE AT HORSEHEATH ON SATURDAY JANUARY 24th - Pointing EA

CAMBRIDGE WITH ENFIELD CHACE

HORSEHEATH

SATURDAY JANUARY 24^th 

CAR PARKING UPDATE:-

The Clerk Of The Course at Horseheath has assessed the situation on the pony racing safety aspect and with caution, some parking in the centre of the course will now be available, as with previous meetings at Horseheath.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE AT HORSEHEATH

                            ( Saturday January 24^th )

After the excellent meeting at the course on New Year’s Eve the next spectacular action at HORSEHEATH is on SATURDAY JANUARY 24^th.

First of two pony races 11am 

First of six point to point races 12 midday

Splendid stands and food, especially good fish and chips                 Cash bar

THE DUNSTON HARRIERS – AMPTON

Saturday January 10^th 2026

12.00 Conditions – 10 entries

Fingers, toes and everything else will be crossed that a thaw arrives in time to save this meeting.  A few of these have alternative options, not only here but at other meetings this weekend as well.  Mumbo Jumbo won 4 of his 5 starts in points last season, only meeting defeat at Guilsborough behind a useful rival in a tactical affair. He never looked happy over the bigger fences at Cheltenham and will relish going back between the flags.  Aikenbreakinheart was runner up on 3 occasions last season but struggles to get 3 miles.  All Loved Up is regularly placed but has never found winning easy. She gets a handy 7lb allowance though, and if able to reproduce the form of her Charlton Horethorne win last season would have a squeak.  Black Gerry had a pipe opener at Horseheath on New…

DUNSTON HARRIERS at AMPTON

SATURDAY JANUARY 10th

General preview now available:-

https://pointingea.com/general-preview-dunston-harriers-at-ampton-on-saturday-january-10th/

       YORKSHIRE AREA POINT TO POINT CLUB AT SHERIFF HUTTON PREVIEW

The curtain rises on the new Yorkshire season on Sunday 11^th January with the ever popular and much anticipated Yorkshire Area Point to Point Club fixture at Sheriff Hutton, held by kind permission of Mick Easterby. The meeting always attracts a large and enthusiastic crowd and an entry of 111 drawn from far and wide should ensure a great day's racing. All proceeds raised are once again being donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the organisers hope to take the total raised and donated to them by this meeting past the quarter of a million pound mark this year.

The first race, due off at 11.45am, is the Racing TV Conditions (level 2) Five Year Olds And Over and having received a bumper entry of thirty two it would be no surprise if this is divided on the day. With…

Happy New Year to you all. No doubt on most people's wish list is a bit more rain and a bit less sub zero temps!

This week in Dark Horses we had winning selections in One of Interest and GB Pointers. In The News has an article about Paddy Barlow from the Horse and Hound

Did you spot Maelstrom's excellent Yorkshire Area seasonal preview?

The hunter chase season starts at Taunton on Thursday and hopefully we can all enjoy Darren's and others' thoughts on these races. This means the Morris Brothers' Hunter Chase comp is nearly upon us and a group has been set up to host the entries. Everyone is welcome to join the group if you want to keep an eye on how all the competitors are gettting along. If you are a competitor that is where you will be putting your selections up so you will n…