Alan Hill - celebrated 500th winner on Sunday (Hill Racing) A treble for Ed Doggrell notwithstanding, the story of the day from racing at Buckfastleigh in Devon on Sunday was leading trainer Alan Hill’s 500th career win between the flags and in Hunter Chases – a remarkable achievement – with Soldier Unknown. The appropriately named winner on Remembrance Sunday was partnered by champion jockey James King, and ran in the colours of Rodney Mann, for whom Hill has trained more winners than any other owner. Ed Doggrell - title contender (Carl Evans) Doggrell, expected to be a title contender himself this season riding for the powerful Chris Barber and Will Biddick yards, picked up his three victories on West Country-trained horses, the maidens Strictly Commercial and Strolling Along, and Just Loose Change in the Mixed Open. Finally, Joe O’Shea made the long journey down from Cheshire to take the closing Intermediate with ex-Irish Le Boum Retourne, who was impressive in the hands of Henry Crow in landing his trainer’s second success of the season.

Pickings were thinner than last year for West Mercian participants at the opening meeting of the season, held at Lower Machen, near Newport in Wales, on Sunday 1st November, as the Welsh contestants dominated proceedings. Celebrations after St Cuthbert's Cave wins - Joe O'Shea is far right (Alun Sedgmore) However, Cheshire-based Joe O’Shea, who won the Mens Open at the corresponding fixture last season with St Cuthbert’s Cave, took the Ladies equivalent this time, with the same horse. While West Mercian trained, he is qualified with a Northern Area certificate. Harvey Barfoot-Saunt storms clear on Stroke Of An Angel (Alun Sedgmore) Harvey Barfoot-Saunt may be based in Wales, and ride with a qualification from that Area, but he is West Mercian born and bred, hailing from Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire. He works for locally-based licensed trainer Sam Thomas and won the concluding bumper on the mare Stroke Of An Angel, the most impressive winner of the day, trained for pointing by Thomas’ wife Tori and owned by Dai Walters, who owns the course where the action took place last weekend.

Having trained pointers since 2006 (after wife Lawney took out a professional licence) at his Woodway Farm base at Aston Rowant, between Oxford and High Wycombe, Alan Hill stands just one shy of a landmark 500th win between the flags and in Hunter Chases, putting him among the all-time elite of point-to-point trainers. And with two Aintree and one Cheltenham Foxhunters among nearly 150 winners, he was no slouch in the saddle either! Fortunes Calling strikes a pose (Caroline Exelby) Fortunes Calling Ex-Irish and had two pointing runs, pulling up and finishing third. We bought him via ThoroughBid. I don’t know much about him, but the dry summer really seems to have helped strengthen him – it can do, as the grass stays in a horse’s system as long as they drink plenty of water – and you, as his joint-owner, didn’t even recognise him today! He looks like the sort of horse I like, big, but not over-big, and strong. He’ll probably want a trip and some cut in the ground, and we’ll look for something around Christmas. Jongleur D'Ainay takes a schooling fence in his stride (Caroline Exelby) Jongleur D’Ainay The second of my horses to follow co-owned with the writer. The biggest frustration is that he’s only had one run in the last two years due to curbs, but hopefully now that he’s grown to a good size, those issues are sorted. Both his wins have had the wow factor, especially last season at Lower Machen and the plan is to start at Chaddesley Corbett or Alnwick if conditions are in his favour, with the long-term objective of the Cheltenham Intermediate Final. Our first aim is to get a sequence of runs into him to learn how good he is. He’s seven now, so we want to see more of him on the track, and he seems stronger this season. Lime Burner in his stable (Hill Racing) Lime Burner A new horse for the Cranfield family, who has come from Mark Grant. A gorgeous looking horse, who I fell in love with at first sight – he moves well for a big horse. He ran in three Larkhill Maidens – his first run behind Carrillo was very good and the form was franked, he was going well when falling next time, and his form last time has worked out well. We haven’t done much with him yet, though he’s jumping well at home, and he’ll start fast work soon. He’ll be out around Christmas, and probably wants cut, although he’s run well at Larkhill. One of the greediest horses I know! Normofthenorth and James King winning at Kingston Blount (Neale Blackburn) Normofthenorth Had his issues in recent seasons, cutting his hind leg badly and suffering an over-reach. Ironically, he’s one of the soundest horses I’ve trained, but just picks up niggles. He’s as enthusiastic as ever and won at Kingston Blount in May before running OK at Stratford, but he didn’t enjoy Uttoxeter with 14 runners. He’ll go for Ladies and Conditions Races and has fallen down the grades, so can run in Level Twos without a penalty, which is good as he’s small. Loves to dictate and owes us nothing – he has 11 wins and seven placings from 19 starts and got injured in his only other race. Entered at Buckfastleigh on Sunday. Reel Much Fun before winning at Higham (Hill Racing) Reel Much Fun Another owned by the Cranfields. He was third first time out at Horseheath and we were really pleased, then we took him back there, but were disappointed with his fourth – he didn’t travel through the soft patches. We then went to Higham – his owners’ local course – which we thought might be too sharp, but he loved the ground and won easily. He then won two at High Easter, though he found the ground too soft first time and only won thanks to Huw Edwards’ perseverance. He’s still got a lot to learn – he was weak last year, so we roughed him off early and he’s come back stronger. He’ll probably be ready for Horseheath and we’ll build from there - he’ll want a break between his races. A credit to David Minton, who buys for his owners.

The Station Yard operation run by Francesca and Charlie Poste is one of the leading point-to-point stables in the country, consistently featuring in the top ten trainers table. They were among the early adopters of the model of producing young horses to sell on to the professional game, are equally adept with horses progressing through the grades, and have a well-deserved reputation for developing novice jockeys and supporting owner-riders. They are looking forward to the new season and here are five of their string to follow. Francesca and Charlie Poste (Station Yard Racing) Again Again A huge horse by the German stallion Isfahan – he must be at least 17.2 hands and is a gentle giant. Despite his massive stature, he has pace to him and, while we could have run him last season, we decided to put him away with the quicker ground and lack of rain. He came in a fraction later than some of the others, so is a little bit behind, but he should be out before Christmas on a galloping track with cut in the ground. He’s an accurate jumper and one to look forward to. Dean Gary A 4yo by Gary Du Chenet, who had one run in the spring at Charlton Horethorne, where he was really disappointing when pulling up on soft ground. He was lame afterwards, so we roughed him off – he’d been working well prior to that and his work and schooling has been good again after a long break. We want to give him an awayday from the yard before deciding where to go with him and he’s a nice prospect, who we hope can show on the track what he does at home. Jasmin Des Blins and Lucas Murphy win at Kingston Blount (Neale Blackburn) Jasmin Des Blins It looked like it might not work out for him last season but, after a poor run at Siddington, he sparked into life, winning his Maiden and Restricted before finishing a decent third at Eyton-on-Severn, where he ran flat after a busy schedule. He seems in good order at home and could start at Garthorpe in a Restricted with a 5lb penalty, as his owners are local. Fingers crossed he can keep progressing and continue to give his owners fun. Owners The Jazzy Partnership after Jasmin Des Blins wins at Paxford (Graham Fisher) Kilfilum Woods Has a similar group of owners as Jasmin Des Blins and has been a real star, winning seven races for us including a couple of Opens in the spring, then ran a career-best race when second to Grace A Vous Enki in the Lady Dudley Cup. He was feeling the effects of that when disappointing at Warwick but is freshened up now after a long break. We’re not sure where we’ll start with him – he’s still a few weeks off a run – but he’ll go for Ladies Opens with Clara Brewitt, who rides work for us and gets a really good tune out of him. Clara Brewitt and Kilfilum Woods en route to Siddington success (Alun Sedgmore) Plantaroma We bought her from Tom Symonds in the spring – we’ve had a lot of luck with ones we’ve got from Tom, who’s good at flagging horses he thinks will be suited to pointing. She had one run at Tabley, where she ran well, but probably did too much up front before paying for it late on. She’s another who’s had a nice long break and shows a decent amount of ability, so should be up to winning her Maiden. We’ll probably ride her differently this season and drop her in to allow her to switch off. Runs for our Picnic Partnership syndicate, for whom we’ve had a lot of success, with winners every year. If you’re interested in getting involved in the Picnic Partnership, contact Charlie Poste by phone on 07879 452690 or by email at info@stationyardracing.com

Leading point-to-point bookmaker Mark Hill has again issued prices for the champion male rider during the forthcoming season. James King – five-time champion Five-time winner James King is in his customary place as odds-on favourite, while second best in the market is Ed Doggrell, who had a breakthrough season last year with 36 successes. Ed Doggrell – broke through in 2025/2026 Josh Newman, runner-up to King in both the past two seasons, is also prominent in the betting, alongside last year’s national leading novice Lucas Murphy. Josh Newman - dual runner-up The full odds are as follows 4/5 James King 7/2 Ed Doggrell 5/1 Lucas Murphy 5/1 Josh Newman 12/1 Ed Vaughan With 12-time champion Gina Andrews dominating the female rider category, and main rival Izzie Hill currently sidelined, no odds are being issued on the champion female jockey this season. Mark Hill can be contacted by phone on 07831 293363 and by email at markhill9@icloud.com All photographs c. Carl Evans

With 580 wins across all codes – 471 between the flags – Gina Andrews is by far the leading British female jump jockey of all time, despite remaining amateur throughout her career. She combines riding with training between 25 and 30 pointers at the yard at Marton, near Rugby in Warwickshire that she shares with her husband Tom Ellis, who holds a professional licence. Gina with the prolific Fumet D'Oudairies (Caroline Exelby) Fumet D’Oudairies A legend, who’s won 14 of his 18 starts in points and Hunter Chases, and sister Bridget, brother Jack and I have all won on him, which is pretty special. We were hoping to target the Ladies Final at Stratford last season, but it was abandoned, and we’ll target Ladies Opens again and see if he retains his ability. He definitely still has his enthusiasm (he dumped his work rider on the day I visited the yard!) He’s quite fragile, lightly-raced and loves soft ground – we won’t risk him on anything fast. Galaxie De Maine A new horse for the Marriage & Signy families, who’ve been such lucky owners and great supporters of ours. An ex-Irish 4yo filly, she’s run twice and was third on her second start but was very green. We got her from Sam Curling – we’ve done well with his horses over the years. January Jones Another 4yo filly we bought in Ireland, who’s also run twice and was third last time out. She was quite light when we got her but has filled out since, and we schooled her for the first time last week and were pleasantly surprised. She belongs to a group of owners, mostly from East Anglia, who’ve had plenty of success with us over the years and will be ready to run around Christmas. Poppy Strachan and Java Point in the manege (Caroline Exelby) Java Point A new horse for first season rider, 19-year-old Poppy Strachan, who’s been riding out for us since she was 16 – she’s the grand-daughter of Scottish football legend Gordon Strachan! While she’s not from a racing background, she’s naturally gifted, has taken to it well, and is keen to race-ride. It’s hard to find schoolmasters, but he should do the job. He won four chases for Henry Oliver, and a Ludlow Hunter Chase for Lemos De Souza last season, then I was beaten a whisker on him at Newbury! Suspect Getaway We bought him at Doncaster. He’s had a few runs in Irish points, winning one, where he was mostly novice ridden, which is why there are letters in his form as well as numbers! We’ve had luck with our Getaway horses, and he’s owned by Chris Mellard and Di Cope, who had the useful Salvatore. They were involved with Leopard D’Irlande last season, but this is their first

Over the past dozen years since he moved to the South Midlands Area, James Henderson has regularly been among the leading owner-trainers in the region. In 2025/2026, for example, although he only ran two horses, he again scooped the area award for the leading trainer with five horses or fewer and son George was overall leading area male jockey – despite having just six rides (three wins and three placings) all season! James Henderson (second right) and son George celebrate a Siddington double in 2025 (Alun Sedgmore) Whats The Solution We bought him at Doncaster in May from owner (PPORA Treasurer) Gillian Smith and trainer Jack Teal, the day after he’d won the last Hunter Chase of the season. He needs Good ground rather than Soft, and we’ve only just got going with him. George intends to ride again this season, although his work commitments, and having recently become a father, could make that quite testing! What's The Solution with former connections Gillian Smith (left) and Jack Teal (Tom Milburn) Of the horses we ran last season, Knick Knack has been sold to be a hunter, which he’s enjoying, and Pax suffered an injury, so we’ll probably give him a year off to mend fully. So while Whats The Solution is our only pointer at the moment, we might try and get another so he has something to work with.

By Russell Smith Plans are well in hand for another exciting season of point-to-point racing at Kingston Blount in 2027. The popular Oxfordshire course again has four fixtures starting with the Kimblewick Hunt meeting on Saturday, February 27. Alan Hill, who trains at nearby Aston Rowant, has been the driving force behind the course's rise in recent times to become one of England's premier point-to-point venues. Alan Hill (Lord's cap) celebrates yet another Kingston Blount success with winning connections (Neale Blackburn Photography) And to recognise the work of the course's many helpers, Hill and his wife, Lawney, hosted a Drinks Party on behalf of the Kingston Blount Committee at their Woodway Farm. Speaking on the occasion of his 67th birthday, Hill recalled the history of the racecourse and how it has developed into the track it is today. He said: "I am very proud of Kingston Blount Point-to-Point Racecourse and what we have achieved. "The main thing I would like to say is thank you for the help and support, and most importantly the fun we have out of it. If it was not for you we wouldn't have that racecourse." Relating how Kingston Blount's first meeting took place in May 1971 on a Wednesday evening, Hill added: "There have been slight modifications to the course and in the early 2000s two-and-a-half mile and four-mile starts were introduced. "The late Colonel Clerke Brown started watering which helped Kingston Blount go forward." He also picked out some of the highs and lows the course has witnessed,. "The Hill family have all had winners there," he said. "Gaby (daughter), son Joe, Izzie (daughter-in-law), Lawney and I. We have all had a lot of fun there. "We had the Anglo-Irish Challenge there, which I felt was a great day's racing with Jamie Codd and Derek O'Connor riding winners." The Covid pandemic in 2020, though, took Kingston Blount to the other extreme. "The course was all set up and we had to take it back down with no racing having taken place," Hill remembered sadly. He name-checked numerous notable figures who had ridden at Kingston Blount during its 55-year history, including the Balding family, Jim Crowley and Olympic cycling gold medallist Victoria Pendleton, while legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan is among those to have called the races at the track. Looking ahead to 2027, the Sandhurst Area's feature race takes centre stage at the February meeting with the Philip Scouller Memorial Home Counties Grand National Mixed Open run over four miles. Master Templar was a gallant winner this year for trainer-rider Gina Andrews after fracturing two vertebrae in his neck following a crashing fall at Becher's in the Randox Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree the previous April. Next up is the Vine And Craven Hunt meeting on Sunday, April 18, which last season saw James King reach a notable landmark by riding his 400th career winner aboard the Hill-trained The Dancing Tree. The Kimblewick (May) fixture takes place on Sunday, May 9. Empire De Maulde, trained by Robert Varnham and ridden by Katie Featherstone, was another to shine on the comeback trail in 2026 following a serious injury by scoring at the fixture for the second successive year. Rounding off the season is the Berks And Bucks Draghounds meeting on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 30. Normofthenorth with connections, including jockey James King, in the winner's enclosure at Kingston Blount in May (Neale Blackburn Photography) King stole the show last season by sealing a fifth men's riders' championship with a fabulous four-timer courtesy of Hill's trio Normofthenorth, IK Brunel and Gorvitho plus Evie Toozer's No Hard Feelings. With headline makers such as those, Kingston Blount looks sure to rank high on the point-to-point circuit again next year.

Five meetings took place over the Spring Bank Holiday, at venues as geographically distant as Ffynnon Druidion, near Fishguard in West Wales, and the two Devon courses – Bratton Down and Upcott Cross. However, the travelling didn’t put off participants from the West Mercian and South Midlands Areas, as they got on the scoresheet at all five fixtures. Laura Richardson and Huw Edwards got the ball rolling at Ffynnon Druidion on Friday, winning with Peaches and Cream. On the Monday, closer to home at Worcestershire venue Chaddesley Corbett, they took the Restricted with Artic Sting, who was crowned leading Mare, Novice Horse and Family Horse for the West Mercian Area. Edwards then doubled up on another mare, Dazzlelikethis, a first training success for Cai Williams in the Maiden. Huw Edwards wins on Artic Sting at Chaddesley Corbett (Graham Fisher) James King has long been assured of both the West Mercian Area leading rider award, and a fifth national jockeys title. He cemented his status with six more wins over the weekend, four of which came at Kingston Blount in Oxfordshire on Sunday. He had a treble for Alan Hill on Normofthenorth (Conditions Race), I K Brunel (Mixed Open) and Gorvitho (Maiden) and won the Restricted on Luke Price’s No Hard Feelings. Read Russell Smith’s review of the action at Kingston Blount here. James King and Norm of the North score at Kingston Blount (Neale Blackburn) King notched up two more wins, taking his total to 65 for the season, for his main backer Luke Price at Chaddesley Corbett, taking the Open on Lavorante and the Mares Maiden Final on Lady Bee Great, while Daisy White capped a fine season – which included two Hunter Chase wins – on Killer Clown in the Ladies Open. Andrew King reports from Chaddesley Corbett here. Daisy White leads Killer Clown back after their victory (Graham Fisher) Down in Devon, runners were thin on the ground at Bratton Down on Sunday, but Aimee Jones managed a win on Emberscombe, and at Upcott Cross on Monday, two more West Mercian participants who have enjoyed a splendid season were on the mark. Chris Barber and Ed Doggrell have combined to great effect this year and teamed up to win with Jewel In The Park, and Doggrell then doubled up with Charlotte Hawker’s Montana Golden. With 40 wins, Barber finished second in the national trainers title and Doggrell was third in the national male rider standings, 36 wins being by far his best total. Ed Doggrell and Jewel In The Park (Tim Holt)

West Mercian and South Midlands Area owners, trainers and jockeys travelled far and wide over the past week in search of success, which they enjoyed as venues as far afield as Hexham in Northumberland on Saturday and Bratton Down in North Devon on Sunday. Jockeys from the two areas are in demand nationally this season, with over half of the victories in the saddle being for trainers from other regions. Ed Doggrell got the ball rolling at Somerset track Cothelstone last Wednesday, with wins on Chris Barber’s Walkingtheline and outside ride Far Out West. Doggrell moved on to 34 in by far his best season and Barber is now on 39 wins, and looks set to be at least joint-second in the national trainers title. Ed Doggrell and Walkingtheline win at Cothelstone (Tim Holt) Also at Cothelstone, novice champion-elect Lucas Murphy gave Clondaw Drake a superb ride. It was the first of four wins at three meetings for the talented 16-year-old – he also scored on Carrickfergus at Peper Harow in Kent on Saturday and notched up a double at Northamptonshire venue Edgcote on Sunday, on Talimar Pearl in the PPORA Novice Riders Final and Taghadoe in the closing Conditions race. He now has 18 wins in an outstanding debut campaign. Lucas Murphy is all smiles in the winners enclosure after Talimar Pearl's win (Neale Blackburn) James King has long been assured of a fifth jockeys title, and he took his tally to 59 for the season. He had a Peper Harow treble on No Hard Feelings, Galudon and Lewis Road, the latter for Alan Hill, then went to Bratton Down and scored on Lady Bee Great and Lavorante. Also at the Devon course, Fred Philipson-Stow paid a first visit, and was rewarded with victory on Boys Will Be Boys, while – at the other end of the country – Amber Jackson-Fennell made it two out of two for the season at Hexham with fellow long-distance traveller Down The Valley. James King has again ridden plenty of winners this season in Luke Price's familiar colours (Carl Evans) Gina Andrews would have been champion had she called time on her season at the end of January (!) but the record-breaking British female jump jockey continued her pursuit of success with an Edgcote double, on Corra Bheinn in the Maiden for Francesca Poste and Penniless in the Restricted, taking her to 44 for the season. Alan Hill’s Soldier Unknown won the Adjacent Hunts race at the course. Read Jake Exelby’s review of the action at Edgcote here. At the last ever meeting at Tabley in Cheshire on Sunday, West Mercian trainers went through the card and the jockeys’ wins were shared equally between local riders and those from the South Midlands. Fred Timmis’ Pip Pirrip took an eventful Area Feature race – the Lord Daresbury Classic – in the hands of Huw Edwards, the Small Keepers Conditions Race went to Poncherello for the Garton family who ran the two meetings at Tabley, ridden by Henry Crow, and Mawlood, trained by Georgie Howell, was a welcome winner for Cameron Hillhouse in the closing Conditions race – it was his first ever success over jumps, and first since a flat race win in 2022. The Garton family were rewarded for all their work at Tabley over the years with Poncherello's victory (PPORA) Zac Baker went home with a double, on Nickie Sheppard’s A Jet Of Our Own in the Mixed Open and on the progressive Karaktere D’Enfer – trained by Jo Priest – in the Restricted, and Heidi Brookshaw and Daniel Williams teamed up to take the Maiden with Dark Soldier. Rory Alkin reports from Tabley here. Connections with Karaktere D'Enfer after his win (PPORA)

With just three fixtures this weekend, participants from the South Midlands and West Mercian Areas did not find the pickings as rich as is often the case, although the usual suspects continued to enjoy success. James King and Senior Citizen National-champions elect James King (overall) and Lucas Murphy (novice riders) had across the card doubles. King scored on Galudon at Holnicote in Somerset on Saturday and on Alan Hill’s Senior Citizen in the Area Conditions Race at Oxfordshire venue Kingston Blount on Sunday. He now stands on 54 for the season and is just one shy of his 350thwinner between the flags. Murphy teamed up with Paul Nicholls at Holnicote and won with Emailandy, and travelled to Upcott Cross in Devon on Sunday to score on Woodstock Octo. With 14 wins – plus two under rules – he is all but guaranteed to be leading novice. Jewel In The Park and Ed Doggrell (Tim Holt) Chris Barber may fall just short of a first trainers title, but has enjoyed a splendid season, and took his tally to 38 with a Holnicote double with Jewel In The Park and Kings Affinity. Both were ridden by Ed Doggrell, another having by far his best campaign – he is third in the jockeys table with 32 wins. Ed Doggrell and Kings Affinity (Alun Sedgmore) Local connections did not enjoy their usual dominance at Kingston Blount, taking only three of the six races – and one of these, I’m Like A Lion for Bradley Gibbs in the Restricted, is South Midlands-qualified but trained outside the area – so it was good to see the ebullient and evergreen Tim Underwood bask in a third success of the year with new recruit Modern Drift, who he had been talking up for weeks! Read Russell Smith’s review of the action at Kingston Blount here.

Another busy weekend saw participants from the West Mercian and South Midlands Areas on the scoresheet at five meetings, with the focus unsurprisingly being on the South Shropshire fixture (West Mercian) and the Warwickshire (South Midlands), both on the Bank Holiday Monday Chris Barber and Gina Andrews are in contention for the national trainers title, and both ended up with two weekend winners. Andrews had a double at Dingley in Northamptonshire on Sunday, with Main Stage – who she rode herself – and Ocean View (Zac Baker), while Barber’s victories came at South Hill in West Somerset on Sunday with Stick Season and Shropshire track Eyton-on-Seven on Monday in the GB Pointing Young Horse Series Maiden with Chasing Good Times. Ed Doggrell rode Barber’s Sunday winner, having initiated a double on Just Loose Change, and Fred Philipson-Stow was on board on Monday. Ed Doggrell wins on Stick Season at South Hill (Tim Holt) In the saddle, Andrews – assured of a twelfth female jockeys title – also rode Validation to win at Godstone in Kent on Saturday and scored on Aramax in the Mixed Open at Warwickshire course Mollington on Monday, while Zac Baker took the Conditions Race at Eyton-on-Severn on Jo Priest’s Kauto No Risk. James King travelled far and wide over the weekend as he consolidates his bid for a fifth jockeys crown and won on Monrocco Moonlight for Alan Hill at Godstone, Inchidaly Robin at South Hill, and Luca Morgan’s J’Envoievalserenki in the Adjacent Hunts Race at Mollington. Lucas Murphy is another title chaser and his win on Fear The Deere at Godstone was his twelfth between the flags in his debut season – he is in pole position to be champion novice rider, ahead of Philipson-Stow. Zac Baker and Kauto No Risk (Graham Fisher) West Mercian participants made hay at Eyton-on-Severn – in addition to the winners mentioned above, Rhiannon Lodge and Henry Crow teamed up to take the Restricted with Count Frollo, Pip Pirrip broke his duck in the Maiden for Fred Timmis and Huw Edwards, and Harry O’Dwyer continued his successful partnership with Premier Fantasy in the Mixed Open. Connections with Chasing Good Times after his win at Eyton-on-Severn (Marilyn Sweet) It was a similar story for South Midlands trainers and riders at Mollington. The Jolly Pot was a welcome – and popular – winner for Jimmy Tarry and Joe Stevenson in the 2m4f Conditions Race, Tim Underwood’s Garde La Peche took the Novice Riders Race, and Seek Him There won the Restricted for father and son Ben and Charlie Case. Rounding off the weekend, the West Mercian-qualified Myfanwy’s Magic, now trained by Hannah Marshall in Dorset – and previously the unluckiest Maiden in training – won the Maiden. Jake Exelby reports from Mollington here. Joe Stevenson on Jimmy Tarry's The Jolly Pot - a popular winner (Neale Blackburn)

With two of the six weekend meetings being in the West Mercian Area – the Berkeley at Woodford in Gloucestershire on Saturday and the Cheshire Forest at Tabley on Sunday – area participants generally focused on those two fixtures and were involved in all twelve victories across the two cards. It was Ed Doggrell who took the riding honours on Saturday, notching up his first ever four-timer, three of which – Citizen Jane in the Members, Couer D’Alene in the second Conditions Race, and Kings Affinity in the closing Maiden – were for his boss Chris Barber, enjoying his best ever season with 31 winners to date. Ed himself is now on 28 – by far his best tally. His fourth success was Farfromaway for Francesca Poste in the Intermediate. Ed Doggrell won on Couer D'Alene (Alun Sedgmore) Dan Cherriman got off the mark for the season on Rhiannon Lodge’s Galileo Silver – returning to form on the quicker ground – in the first Conditions Race, then immediately followed up in the Mens Open on Hugos New Horse, trained by Nickie Sheppard, who he has only just bought, and who he was riding in a race for the first time. Read Andrew King’s review of the action at Woodford here. Dan Cherriman is clear close home on Hugos New Horse (Alun Sedgmore) Yet again, James King made the headlines at Tabley, riding his fifth treble of the season to go 12 clear in the jockeys title race. Two – Prince In The Park in the Restricted and Spanish Darling in the Maiden – were for Luca Morgan, while the third was Lavorante in the Level 2 Conditions Race, another winner for King trained by Luke Price. The pair had also combined with Galudon at Parham in Kent on Saturday. Also at Tabley, Heidi Brookshaw’s Buzzard Trix continued his love affair with the course, scoring for the fifth time at the Cheshire venue in the Level 1 Conditions Race for Daniel Williams, the Joe O’Shea-trained and Henry Crow-ridden Gracchus De Balme appreciated the drop in class in a match for the Mixed Open after running in the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunters on his last two starts, and Amidnightstar, trained by Tom Britten, took the Level 3 Conditions Race in the hands of Fred Philipson-Stow, for whom it was a second winner of the weekend. Rory Alkin reports from Tabley here. Connections of Buzzard Trix enjoy the presentation At Leicestershire course Garthorpe on Saturday, Gina Andrews’ quest for a first trainers title was helped by No Risk Des Flos’ win. His rider, Molly Legg, is herself in contention to be leading female novice rider. Will Thirlby had his first winner of the season in with Chiroqui Princess, who he owns, trains and rides, Bradley Gibbs took the opener – the first leg of a double for the trainer-rider – on the Heythrop-qualified I’m Like A Lion, and Fred Philipson-Stow benefitted from spare ride Champagne Glory in the last race.

Action from racing at Mollington (Neale Blackburn) The next point-to-point in the South Midlands Area is the Warwickshire fixture (also known as Mollington Races) at Mollington on Monday 4th May, with the first of six races at 2.00pm. Clerk of the Course Fred Hutsby confirmed on Monday morning, in advance of entries closing, that the track is being watered in the mornings and evenings, and that the going remains Good to Firm but is starting to soften and is expected to be Good by race day. 46 entries have been received from 43 individual horses. Centrepiece of the meeting is the Ray Randerson Carpets Mixed Open Race, which has eight entries, headed by pointing legend Grace A Vous Enki, a winner of 13 of his 14 starts between the flags – including 11 out of 11 at Larkhill – who won this race two years ago and took the prestigious Lady Dudley Cup last time. Trainer Chris Barber has also entered Mount Sinai, three times a winner this season, but below her best at Howick last time. Jenny Owen is also responsible for two entries - both Aramax and The Big Lense have won twice this season and have definite chances. The same could be said for Gina Andrews’ Master Templar, another prolific winner (15 wins from 21 outings in points) and he would be a popular success for local owner Jenny Hayward. Farnoge won a match at Lockinge but was only third at Woodford last weekend, Mister Splash has yet to win in this company and has an entry at Warwick on Friday, while Alan Hill advised that Soldier Unknown is more likely to go for the Dingley four-miler on Sunday. “We’re hoping to run Grace A Vous Enki,” Barber told me. “But we’d like some rain and everything needs to be 100% with him.” Master Templar, along with Andrews’ other two entries on the day, also holds an engagement at Dingley, and his trainer-rider admitted, “We’ll probably go to Dingley, as it looks an easier race, and we don’t want to take on Grace A Vous Enki.” Andrews, who has her 12th female jockeys championship in the bag, but is seeking a first trainers title, added with a smile, “We need wins!” Five entries have been received for the F N Pile & Sons PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 1), restricted to Novice Riders who have not had more than ten winners. Garde La Peche heads the ratings based on her Larkhill win in March. She didn’t reproduce that form next time, but the race may have come too quickly, then was hampered when unseating at the first last weekend. Definiteadare – trained by Justin Brotherton – ran his best race of the season to finish second at Woodford on Saturday and would be bidding to give Georgia Kirk a first winner. Premier D’Troice and Ryans Fancy have been running below their best this season, while pointing debutant El Saviour has shown nothing under rules for two years but – ridden by Marina Bealby – will not lack for assistance from the saddle. Tim Underwood said of Garde La Peche, “Her unseat could be a blessing in disguise because, if she’d had a hard race on Saturday, she wouldn’t have been able to run at Mollington. She’s in good form and gets all the allowances.” The Sir James Shuckburgh BT Restricted Race has 11 entries, the highest of the day. Three are trained by Chris Barber, of whom Jack Black is clear top-rated after two comfortable wins at Maisemore Park and Chaddesley Corbett. His other two, Taktics and Farm Assured, have both taken weak Mares Maidens, with the latter’s success coming in a match. Main Stage, trained by Gina Andrews, Ben Case’s Seek Him There and Validation are all incredibly consistent – between them, they have either won or been in the frame in their last 20 starts! However, the first-named is more likely to go to Dingley. Try The Money broke his duck at Bitterley but was well behind Jack Black last time, Myfanwy has disappointed since her Lower Machen second, Frontieres Lad has no form since the 2023/2024 season and Connor Gray’s The Sad Shepherd showed nothing last time on his return from a near two-year break. Alan Hill’s Our Brother John will probably run at Godstone rather than here. “I got a bit excited entering three, as we’ve still got a chance of the trainers title,” laughed Barber. “Jack Black is the pick of mine and he’s an intended runner.” Charlie Case, son of trainer Ben, confirmed, “The primary plan is to run Seek Him There at Mollington, although he’s also entered at Eyton-on-Severn, and it depends on where the other entries are going.” The opening contest is the Butler Sherborn Warwickshire and Adjacent Hunts Conditions Race (Level 1). Five have been entered, headed by Gina Andrews’ Young Rich, the mount of female novice riders championship contender Molly Legg, who has been running well this season with a win and two placings. Luca Morgan’s intriguingly named J’Envoievalserenki won on his pointing debut and has three thirds to his name since but has failed to finish on his last two starts, while Shanty Alley – trained by Ben Case for his son George – has not shown the same form this season as he did when winning at Edgcote last year. Charlie Case advised that the intention is to run, with the horse having no other entries this weekend. Elen Wylie’s Au Fleuron is another running below his best at present, while The Sad Shepherd is also entered in this race. “We’ll probably run Young Rich,” said Andrews. “Although Molly also has Tigerbythetail entered at Witton Castle on Monday.” The Winkworth Conditions Race (Level 2) is run over the shorter distance of 2m4f and seven have been entered. The class act looks to be Alan Hill’s The Dancing Tree, however his trainer confirmed him a runner in the Intermediate Final at Warwick and expects Coolagh Park to represent him here. “Coolagh Park is my most likely runner at Mollington,” Hill told me. “He’ll appreciate the two-and-a-half-mile trip, and this race would be the choice of his weekend entries.” James Luck’s What A Steal won at Didmarton but fell at Parham last weekend and The Jolly Pot – trained by Jimmy Tarry, who older readers will remember having a five-timer at Mollington in his riding days – ran well last time when third at Chaddesley Corbett. El Saviour and Ryans Fancy are entered here as well as in the Novice Riders race, while Tim Underwood plans to send Ask Nile to Godstone. The card closes with the Walnut Hill PPORA Club Members Maiden Race, which has attracted ten entries. Myfanwy’s Magic must be one of the unluckiest maidens in training, having been beaten a length or less on his most recent two outings and – before that – being in contention when hampered and falling. Standupanddeliver also deserves to get his head in front – and provide Anna Dando with a first success – having been placed on his last three starts, while Bingo Little looked the certain winner when unseating at the last at Kimble, before disappointing at Chaddesley Corbett. Chris Barber’s debutants are always worth a look, so keep an eye on his four-year-old Chasing Good Times, another juvenile who is potentially on the upgrade is Café Whispers, but James Henderson’s Knick Knack has not shown much in three runs since an encouraging second at Cocklebarrow on his first pointing start. Maxine Filby’s Mi Chico Latino – named after a song by her owner Geri Horner – has not run since the 2023/2024 campaign and the other three entries – Penelope Ann, trained by Victoria Collins (some placed form notwithstanding), Hydrbra, and Justin Brotherton’s Gladiateddi – appear to have plenty to find, although the latter showed a glimmer of promise before running out last time. Barber wouldn’t be drawn on whether Chasing Good Times would run, telling me only, “He’s also entered at Eyton-on-Severn and, while the Mollington race looks weaker, we won’t make a decision until later in the week.” Fixture Secretary Katharine Henry is looking forward to the meeting and said, “We’ve got loads of trade stands, the usual kids corner, the hounds will be in the paddock, and we have a dog show. There will be plenty to keep what we hope will be a big crowd entertained and we hope the rain stays away!” Admission is £15 per person (cash only) on the day, with 16s and under free. Reserved premium parking can be booked by emailing sponsorship@mollingtonhorseraces.co.uk. The first race is at 2pm and gates open at 11am. Entertainment includes childrens attractions, a family dog show (six classes starting at 12pm, with entry at £3 per class), and a hound parade before the first race. Mollington is a wide, undulating, galloping track with four long, sweeping bends and a stiff uphill finish. It is on the A423, five miles north of Banbury. Postcode OX17 1QE. What Three Words: bleak.teardrop.waking. Mollington Races is a very popular Bank Holiday meeting and racegoers are asked to allow ample time for their journey. For more information, visit https://mollingtonhorseraces.co.uk or find us on Facebook @MollingtonRaces

With six more fixtures at the weekend, including Chaddesley Corbett in the West Mercian Area and Kingston Blount in the South Midlands, opportunities were again plentiful and participants took full advantage, with wins at all six meetings.   It seems that James King is the headline story most weeks and he took the honours again this time with three wins on Saturday at Worcestershire course Chaddesley Corbett and another treble on Sunday at Kingston Blount in Oxfordshire. Two of his Saturday successes were for Chris Barber – Jack Black in the Restricted and Grace A Vous Enki, fulfilling a lifelong ambition for owners Clive and Joan Hitchings in the Lady Dudley Cup Mens Open. The remarkable 10-year-old was scoring for the 13 th time – 11 of them at Larkhill – from 14 starts in points, and his only defeat was in this race two years ago. King completed his hat-trick on Poliath for Phil Rowley in the Mares Maiden. Connections of Grace A Vous Enki with the Lady Dudley Cup (Graham Fisher) At Kingston Blount, King took the Members on Alan Hill’s The Dancing Tree, won the Maiden on the Luca Morgan-trained Prince In The Park, then scored in the Veterans Race on Lavorante. He now stands on 45 wins for the season, eight clear of his nearest pursuer, while Grace A Vous Enki and The Dancing Tree are among the joint-leaders in the national champion horse competition. James King and the prolific The Dancing Tree (Neale Blackburn) Barber almost matched the six-timer, having five wins at three meetings over the weekend. He sent Rockatansky to Charm Park, near Scarborough in Yorkshire, to take the latest GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden in the hands of Ed Doggrell, then had a double at Lower Machen in Wales, with Taktics and Flora Hobbs. The latter was a first win since his comeback from injury for Fred Philipson-Stow.   West Mercian connections took five of the six races at Chaddesley Corbett, Hannah Lewis and Heidi Palin teaming up to win the Members with Malinas Glory, then Tom Lacey’s Herbies Sock taking the Open Maiden for Sean O’Connor. Gina Andrews, another who is enjoying a fabulous season – guaranteed a 12 th female riders championship and leading the trainers title which she is bidding to win for the first time – prevented a West Mercian clean sweep by winning the Ladies Open with Master Templar, scoring for the 15 th time from 21 starts between the flags. Read Andrew King’s review of the action at Chaddesley Corbett here. Gina Andrews at her determined best on Master Templar (Graham Fisher) Andrews went to Lower Machen on Sunday and took the Mixed Open with Fumet D’Oudairies, another prolific pointing winner whose record stands at 11 from 13. Also at the Welsh track, the Jo Priest-trained and Zac Baker ridden Laugusto made a winning debut and Ask Elli, trainer-ridden by Bradley Gibbs, won for the second time this season.   Back at Kingston Blount, the ‘Hands & Heels’ Novice Riders race went to For Rita, owned, trained and ridden by Abi Henry, and Francesca Poste’s Jasmin Des Blins took the Restricted, an 11 th win of the season for Lucas Murphy, who looks nailed-on to be national novice riders champion in his first year. Russell Smith reports from Kingston Blount here. A close-up view of Jasmin Des Blins (right) (Graham Fisher)   Poste had an across the card double on Sunday, winning the Maiden at Cotley in Somerset with Laudable, ridden by Ed Doggrell at a venue over 300 miles distant from the one at which he had won the day before. Other jockeys who enjoyed success at Charm Park were Molly Legg – now joint-top of the female novice standings – on spare ride Diamond Flush, and Sam Scott, who rode African Paridise (yes, the spelling is correct), a first training success for Warwick Ryan-Beswick. Finally, Amber Jackson-Fennell went to Flete Park in Devon on Saturday to win on Dreamaboutit.

Another busy weekend saw four point-to-points take place on Saturday and four more on Sunday, and West Mercian and South Midlands participants were on the scoresheet at seven of the eight fixtures.   James King and Ed Doggrell currently sit first and third in the national jockeys standings, and both added three wins to their tally at the weekend. They each had a double at Chilfrome in Dorset on Saturday – King on Shareyourbiscuits and No Hard Feelings, and Doggrell on Duc De Bourbon and Chris Barber’s Jewel In The Park, owned by his family. King then scored on Inchidaly Robin at Kent track Penshurst on Sunday, where Lucas Murphy had his tenth win of the season on Carrickfergus. Ed Doggrell and Jewel In The Park win at Chilfrome (Tim Holt) Doggrell’s Sunday success came in the Restricted at Edgcote, on the progressive Farfromaway, trained by Francesca Poste. Also successful at the Northamptonshire venue were Kandor in the Mixed Open, trained by Matthew Gill and ridden by Daniel Williams, and Cap Du Mathan, who received the biggest cheer of the day after taking the Members. The horse is owned by Sky Sports Racing presenter Vanessa Ryle, trained by Jack Sherborn Hoare, and was ridden – on her debut – by his wife Minna. Celebrations after Cap Du Mathan wins the Members at Edgcote (Neale Blackburn) Read Jake Exelby’s review of the action at Edgcote here.   Amber Jackson-Fennell – in the saddle – and Gina Andrews, as trainer, were responsible for across the card doubles. Jackson-Fennell travelled to Dunsmore in Devon on Sunday and won on Winding Lake while she stayed closer to home at Warwickshire course Shelfield Park on Saturday, continuing her fruitful partnership with What’s Up Harry in the Conditions Race. Andrews’ two winners both came on Saturday. She won with No Risk Des Flos – who she also rode – at High Easter in Essex, where Alan Hill and Huw Edwards teamed up to win with Reel Much Fun again, and Tigerbythetail, partnered by Molly Legg in the Ladies Open at Shelfield Park.   Andrew King reports from Shelfield Park here. Tigerbythetail wins for Molly Legg at Shelfield Park (Graham Fisher) Rounding off the weekend action, Daisy White ran recent Ludlow Hunter Chase winner Killer Clown, who she owns, trains and rides, to Hornby Castle in North Yorkshire and took the Ladies Open.

The Easter Bank Holiday is the busiest weekend of the pointing calendar, with twelve meetings taking place across the country, from Cornwall to North Yorkshire. With four fixtures in the West Mercian Area, along with two in the South Midlands, opportunities abounded for participants from those two areas. James King continues his remorseless pursuit of a fifth jockeys title and his four winners over the past few days – Rhythm Of Life at Higham in Suffolk, The Dancing Tree for Alan Hill at Buckinghamshire venue Kimble, and a treble at Paxford – saw him go five clear of nearest rival Josh Newman. His successes at the Gloucestershire course were Alaphilippe for Angela Slatter and a double for Francesca Poste’s Station Yard Racing, on Jasmin Des Blins and Kilfilum Woods. Heidi Palin rode her second winner of the weekend on Malinas Glory, a first victory of the campaign for trainer Hannah Lewis.   Andrew King reports from Paxford here   Kilfilum Woods and James King (Graham Fisher) Gina Andrews is seeking two titles this season – leading female rider and champion trainer. She is so far clear in the former race that she could have stopped riding in January and still won (!) but rode a treble at Dingley in Northamptonshire on Saturday on Rebel Aura for Eamonn O’Donnabhain and Call Me Early and Cheytac, both of whom she trains herself. She is now a remarkable 27 winners ahead at the top of the jockeys race, and has an advantage of six over Chris Barber and Josh Newman as she bids to be crowned top trainer for the first time. Other South Midlands winning riders at Dingley were Ellie Holder (Il Padrino) and Charlie Case (Right Lets Go).   The West Mercian fixture at Staffordshire track Sandon saw local participants go through the card. The progressive Mayor Kingston took the Members for in-form Neil Gittins and promising young rider Felix Barlow, Boley Bob continued his rise up the grades for Joe O’Shea in the first Conditions race, Midnight River – trained by Bridget Skelton and ridden by Heidi Palin – won the Mixed Open, and Chris Barber and Ed Doggrell combined to win the 2m4f Conditions race with Couer D’Alene, like Boley Bob winning for the fourth time this season. Also at Sandon, there were first wins for two trainers – Isabel De Clare taking the Maiden for Gillon Crow and College Road, who he also rode, getting Tommie O’Brien off the mark in the bumper.   Read Rory Alkin’s review of the action at Sandon here Celebrations after Boley Bob wins (Marilyn Sweet) The other West Mercian meeting on Saturday was held at Bitterley in Shrophire and, between them, local and South Midlands trainers and riders took home all the spoils. There were doubles for jockeys Zac Baker (Kauto No Risk for Jo Priest in the Members and Glancing Hill for Francesca Poste in the Conditions race) and Sam Burton (Nickie Sheppard’s Samba Mambo in the Restricted and Jane Allfrey’s Try The Money in the Maiden), and Luca Morgan and Harry O’Dwyer teamed up to win the flat race with Spanish Darling. Finally at Bitterley, trainer Ryan Bradford enjoyed a first success with Est Illic in the Novice Riders race. It was also a first pointing victory for Jess Stewart, who had got off the mark under rules last month.   Read Andrew King’s report from Bitterley here Glancing Hill wins for Zac Baker (Graham Fisher) Joe Neal, who trains in the Malvern hills, is very much West Mercian (!) but he took his pointing debutant Hystery Bere to Kimble and won his first race – as both trainer and jockey – since 2023 in the Novice Riders contest. The useful mare All Loved Up won the Mens Open for trainer Harry Brown and rider Hugh Lillingston, while another mare, the Bradley Gibbs-trained Bluescape, took the Restricted.   Russell Smith reports from Kimble here All Loved Up and Hugh Lillingston in full flight (Neale Blackburn)   With three further West Mercian and South Midlands meetings on Easter Monday, there was little incentive for local participants to travel further afield, although Aimee Jones did, travelling to Cothelstone in Somerset to win her third race of the season, this time on Emberscombe.   At Lockinge in Berkshire, the usual massive crowd saw a treble for Lucas Murphy, who now has nine winners in his bid to be national novice champion. His three were 14yo Castletown – owned by his grandfather, trained by his mother and led up by his brother – in the Members, Taghadoe in the Restricted and Kasanova’s Dream in the Maiden. The latter initiated a first training double for Katie Croft, who followed up immediately when Baunmore Jet and Molly Armytage won the ‘Keeper-Jockey’ race.     Read Jake Exelby’s review of the action at Lockinge here Veteran Castletown was a real family success As at Sandon on Saturday, West Mercian trainers and/or riders were involved in every win at Eyton-on-Severn on Monday. Max Kendrick’s Magnifaik and Sean O’Connor opened proceedings at the Shropshire course, winning the 4yo and 5yo Maiden and giving him his first winner as a trainer in the process. Laura Richardson’s Artic Sting, ridden by partner Huw Edwards, won the older horse Maiden, Harry O’Dwyer took the Mixed Open on Premier Fantasy, Nickie Sheppard’s Yippee Ki Yay scored in the Novice Riders race and Count Frollo – a first winner of the season for Rhiannon Lodge and yet another for Henry Crow – won the Restricted. Rounding off proceedings after a jam-packed weekend, Neil ‘Gitto’ Gittins had his sixth winner from his last seven runners when Blagthebookies and Iola Sankey took the Members race.   Read Rory Alkin’s report from Eyton-on-Severn here Sean O'Connor and Magnifaik (Carl Evans)

The Old Berkshire point-to-point at Lockinge on Easter Monday (6 th April) is one of the best-known and most popular meetings of the season, attracting crowds of up to 10,000. Lockinge usually attracts a huge crowd (Carl Evans) Racegoers are known for turning up hours before the first race and walking the course, a dog on a lead in one hand and a drink in the other! The fixture is the only one in the country to have taken advantage of a new rule, introduced this season, where Bank Holiday meetings are permitted to run five – rather than six – point-to-point races, as long as other contests are included alongside the jumping action. They have structured their race programme innovatively, with the first race over fences at 1.15pm, and two pony races – both sponsored by Pinewood School - taking place after the second race, from 2.25pm. This initiative has been designed to keep the large crowd entertained throughout the afternoon. Clerk of the Course Sarah Main told me on Sunday, “The going remains Good. Watering started today and will continue during the week if there is no significant rain." Sarah can be contacted on 07788 423624 if required. 53 entries (45 individual horses) have been made for the five races, although racegoers should note that, with 12 fixtures over the Easter weekend, many horses will have entries at multiple meetings. Eight are entered in what is likely to be the highlight of the card, the Luck Greayer Shipping Bloodstock Mixed Open Race . Entries are headed – on Pointerform ratings – by Douglas Longbottom , a winner of a Cheltenham Hunter Chase in May but running below his best this season. Most of his rivals are on form, three of them – Calidad , Lily Bradstock’s Myth Buster and Gina Andrews’ Tigerbythetail – winning last time out. Harry Brown’s Bass Rock had his bubble burst last time when stepping up to Open company but had previously completed a hat-trick under promising young rider Lucas Murphy (son of former top professional Timmy), who currently heads the national novice jockey standings. Farnoge has been second twice from three starts this season and Alan Hill’s Soldier Unknown ran well over four miles last time in his first attempt in this grade. Hill said of his charge, “He’s got other entries this weekend so we’ll take a look at the races before deciding, but he may well run at Lockinge.” Bradstock advised, “He’s in at Kimble as well. We’d prefer to go to Lockinge as it’s our local track, but it depends on the ground. It can get dry quickly and there’s no rain forecast, although I know they’re watering. Myth Buster is a real old favourite – he’s better on quick ground but won’t want it too firm.” “Bass Rock has come out of his last race fine,” said Brown, admitting, “The small field didn’t suit him as they didn’t go a gallop. He’s a definite runner on Monday.” Will Shields, spokesperson for trainer Bea Coward, wouldn’t be drawn on whether Douglas Longbottom – a winner here in 2024 – runs, telling me, “We don’t know whether to go to Cothelstone or Lockinge – we’ve got a bit of a jockey shortage! Douglas Longbottom was disappointing at Badbury Rings – I don’t know what got into him – but he’s been working fine since then and is back to his normal self.” The Kidson-Trigg Auctioneers Keeper-Jockey Conditions Race (Level 2) has attracted 14 entries. Races of this nature – limited to keepers and jockeys who have not trained or ridden more than three winners this season – are designed to offer opportunities to the grass roots of the sport and are always popular with participants. Calidad and Farnoge (who is joint-top rated) are also entered here and may find this an easier opportunity than the Mixed Open. On the same rating as Farnoge is Revesby Park winner Coeur Serein , while Clashhill , just one point behind, was progressive last season and has been runner-up on both starts this term. His trainer has also entered Fame And Concrete , second to the smart Boley Bob last time. High Game Royal has been running well for trainer-jockey husband and wife Rebecca and Nick Romain, Tim Underwood’s Ask Nile should come on for his recent reappearance, while Secret Cargo has not yet returned to his best form since missing a year, but his owner-trainer-rider’s horses are running well. Underwood, who got off the mark for the season on Saturday, laughed, “If my mare hadn’t won the other day, I’d be thinking I couldn’t train ivy up a wall!” He has engaged his winning jockey Henry Main again for all his runners, and said of Ask Nile, “He’s come back from Siddington in perfect order. He blew up there and I probably ran him too early.” Racing commences with the Charles Russell Speechlys Maiden Race, and the sponsors have been rewarded with 12 entries. Clear top-rated is Master Potter , who showed promise when second at Kingston Blount last time. Also runner-up and showing improved form on his most recent run was Standupanddeliver , while Bea Coward’s Valentin De Maine disappointed last time after a good reappearance. James Henderson’s Knick Knack has not repeated the promise of his Cocklebarrow pointing debut but was possibly unlucky when hampered on his last run. Fred Hutsby’s Lady Lussa was progressive last season but hasn’t run yet this campaign, and two British pointing debutants to consider are Katie Croft’s Kasanova’s Dream , twice placed for Gordon Elliott in Ireland, and ex-Irish pointer Krafty Kelly . Like Myth Buster, Master Potter is also entered at Kimble and plans are also ground-dependent, as Bradstock explained. “He’s in good shape and ready to run. He’s a nice, light-framed horse so we don’t want to run him if it’s too fast.” Henderson confirmed that this was the preferred target for triple-entered Knick Knack, and told me, “The horse seems really well. What happened at Siddington was not his fault – the horse in front of him fell, he went right and (son and jockey) George went left!” Will Shields reported of Valentin De Maine, “He’s OK again after a sluggish run last time. He’d run well – also at Larkhill – on his debut for us.” The Arkell’s Restricted Race over two-and-a-half miles has nine entries and could go the way of top-rated Tellmesomethingood , trained by Alan Hill and jointly owned by the trainer and your correspondent. However, I would be the first to admit that he has disappointed this season and both the consistent Validation and Steppingstone – who has had some issues with his jumping – are worthy of consideration, along with Taghadoe , who ran well on his seasonal debut but disappointed last time. Cadillac Ranch has also disappointed – twice – since taking a Charing Maiden in good style, while Kedg West is another Tim Underwood charge likely to do better for his first start of the season. Hill confirmed Tellmesomethingood a probable runner, saying, “He’s also in at Higham and Kimble but the plan is to run him at Lockinge. I don’t think it’ll be the strongest Restricted of the weekend, he should be suited by the better ground and tight track, and my co-owner’s working there, so he’d like a runner!” Underwood professed Kedg West his best chance of the day. “I had to wait longer than I wanted to run him first time,” he confirmed, “And he needed the run. I think he’ll go well on what’s likely to be quick ground.” The final race of the day is the Dubarry of Ireland Old Berkshire Hunt Members Race , which has attracted 10 entries. Four are entered elsewhere on the card, including Myth Buster and High Game Royal , but two who are not are Harry Brown’s useful pair, All Loved Up and Arthur’s Sixpence . The first-named mare has been in fine form this season, landing the Lord Ashton point-to-point ‘classic’ at Cocklebarrow, while the latter ran a great race in a Newbury Hunter Chase recently. Veteran Castletown has been improving with every race this season and will have the assistance of Lucas Murphy in the saddle, James Henderson’s Pax was running well earlier in the season only to disappoint on his last two starts, and Tim Underwood’s Stranger Danger has yet to repeat last year’s form in 2026. “I think Arthur’s Sixpence will win,” admitted Underwood. “But Stranger Danger definitely runs – he’s been very disappointing this season and I don’t know why.” Brown, who rides as well as trains Arthur’s Sixpence, was hopeful of proving Underwood right! “I’d like to think he can give me my first win (as a jockey) in the Members. He ran a blinder at Newbury and has won twice at Lockinge. I think I’ve got two runners with live winning chances.” A footnote to this race is the entry for former rules horse Shot Tower , to be ridden by 75-year-old owner-trainer Mark Smith with the aim of raising money for the Injured Jockeys Fund. Smith first rode in a point-to-point some 60 years ago and subsequently rode under rules and competed in international eventing. Let’s hope he enjoys his outing, comes back safe and generates plenty of support for a good cause. Gates open at 10.00am and the races over fences are preceded by a dog show, sponsored by St Hugh’s School , and a parade of hounds. Terrier racing will take place during the afternoon and there will be a children’s funfair. Admission is £20 per person by cash or card on the day, with 14s and under free. Advance tickets are available for £15 up to Good Friday via the Old Berkshire point-to-point website here Lockinge is located two miles south-east of Wantage on the B4494, eight miles north-west of M4 Exit 13. Follow the signs if coming from the south. OX12 8PA For more information, visit www.obhpointtopoint.co.uk

By Russell Smith Connections with the trophy after Lift Me Up won at Kimble in 2024 (Neale Blackburn) Lift Me Up and IK Brunel, winners at the Kimblewick Hunt meeting over the last two years, are set to do battle in front of a bumper crowd at Kimble on Easter Saturday (1.30pm). Trainer Maxine Filby sent out Lift Me Up from the Marston St Lawrence stables of former Spice Girl Geri Horner and her motor racing husband, Christian, to land a mixed open over 2m 4f on this card in 2024. Last year the same prize was claimed by IK Brunel from Alan Hill's Aston Rowant yard. With the mixed open having been scrapped, the two horses are now on a collision course in the 5G Communications Men's Open to be run over 3m - with the pair both on retrieval missions. Lift Me Up, who has a new pilot in Sean O'Connor, takes a massive drop in class after being pulled up in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Filby said: "We know Cheltenham is not his favourite place but he definitely didn't like it this time at all. We know he likes this course and the better ground. Hopefully the sun will shine and he will be back to what he can be like. But it just depends on how he gets out of bed in the morning. "He is quite a stressy horse. He is quite opinionated and you know when he doesn't like things. The annoying thing is he looks amazing and riding him, he is in the best form we have had him." IK Brunel, who was sixth to Beacon Edge at Didmarton last time out, is also entered in the ladies open but Hill is leaning towards letting him take on Lift Me Up, with James King on board. The master of Woodway Farm reported: "It looks a very competitive ladies on paper and I think at the moment we favour the men's. He has had a wind op since his last run because he was very disappointing, so hopefully it will be of great benefit." A six-strong line-up is completed by Harry Brown's Lord Ashton of Hyde's Cup hero, All Loved Up, Janika, who was fourth to Lift Me Up two years ago, Padjoes Legacy and Skandiburg with the quartet all holding other entries over the Bank Holiday. With clerk of the course Graham Tawell reporting on Tuesday that the going was Good with watering to take place if necessary, the revamped six-race card has attracted 47 entries. Filby and the Horners are also set to be represented by their exciting French import Cartesien in the Lawnflite Ladies Open. Formerly trained by Francois Nicolle, the six-year-old grey made an impressive UK debut with an easy three-lengths win over Bothwell Bridge at Guilsborough. Filby commented: "We are not sure what we have got and it will be nice to see him run again. He is quite a difficult horse to keep in one piece, so we will take it a race at a time. He is pretty smart." Janika, who unseated two out when holding every chance at Fakenham last time out, has also been entered here by Ed Turner as has Nigel Padfield's Padjoes Legacy, who completed a hat-trick when dead-heating with Commander Of Ten at Parham last weekend. Together with IK Brunel, another entry of six is completed by Myth Buster with Lily Bradstock expressing a preference to run at her local track, Lockinge, on Easter Monday depending on the ground, and Calidad, who beat the useful Learntalot at Siddington last time out. Myth Buster is also in the Alan Fantham Memorial Kimblewick & Adjacent Hunts Conditions Race (Level 2), which has been opened up to include entries from the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, Old Berkshire, Heythrop, Vine & Craven plus the Berks & Bucks Draghounds. Hill, who has won the corresponding contest an incredible 14 times, is set to rely on The Dancing Tree from his three entries. The seven-year-old is chasing a four-timer and the trainer feels he is his best chance of the day, explaining: "He will get 10lb of Myth Buster, so I think he is well in at the weights. He is in great form. I am impressed with what we are seeing from him on the course and at home." Eight entries have been received with All Loved Up and Skandiburg also having this option along with Elen Wylie's Ston Easton runner-up Au Fleuron and Longshanks. Bradley Gibbs is anticipating a bold showing from Ask Elli in the Richardsons Chartered Accountants Restricted, which has also attracted eight entries. The six-year-old mare has made the frame in all four starts this term, chasing home What's Up Harry at Didmarton last time out. Gibbs, who has entered Bluescape as a back-up, said: "She is in very good form and is very consistent. Hopefully she will get her head in front on Saturday." With Tellmesomethingood bound for Lockinge, Hill will be looking to Nice To See You to bounce back to form. "He won his maiden and next time out at Horseheath he never went at all," commented the Aston Rowant handler. "He then ran at Brocklesby and came home and scoped dirty." Nick Wright's Steppingstone and Graveside Lad, from Turner's Suffolk stables, also come into the reckoning. Gibbs, successful in the Charles Elliott Sculptures Maiden for the last two years with Premier Fantasy and Bluescape, has a likely contender again in No Case To Answer. The Hertfordshire handler explained that he will weigh up the potential opposition before deciding whether to let the six-year-old - a respectable fourth at Didmarton last time out - take his chance or aim him at Eyton-on-Severn on Monday. Myfanwy's Magic, a neck second to Bollin Special at Cothelstone for Charlie and Hannah Marshall, looks a leading player along with Bradstock's Kingston Blount runner-up, Master Potter, if heading here rather than Lockinge. Hill is unsure of Incitatus's participation, adding: "I think the four 'Ps' by his name at the moment don't quite do him justice on his early runs but his last two runs were very disappointing." This contest has the highest entry of 11 with Glance Away and Breathless Bishop others to consider, while Irish import Kranky Kelly is worth checking in the betting, Hill is set to give a yard debut to last year's runner-up, Westhill, in the opening Hildreth's Garden Centre Conditions Race (Level 2) for Novice Riders. Formerly trained by Francesca Poste, the 11-year-old has moved to Woodway Farm to give owner-rider Anna Mackenzie more opportunity to ride out as she works in London.  Hill said: "He came in late because she wanted to ride more in the spring when there were better opportunities for him. He is in very good order, going nicely at home galloping and schooling." Wright has the choice of Clashhill and Fame And Concrete, while Toss Again is on a hat-trick for Jenny Owen and Hystery Bere, a four-time winner under rules, is an interesting contender on his pointing debut for trainer-rider Joe Neal. Gates open at 10.30am and admission is £15 in advance or £20 on the gate, with 16s and under free. Reserved course-side parking ranging from £35-£65 - not including admission - is available at the Kimblewick Races website together with hospitality at £75 per person. Along with shopping and food and drink outlets, there will be children’s entertainment from 11am plus a family dog show from 11.30am. Entry is £3 per class at the website. Kimble is five miles south of Aylesbury off the B4009, six miles from the A41. HP17 8TB. Racegoers are advised to arrive early.

With seven meetings taking place across the country – including the latest West Mercian Area fixture of the season at Maisemore Park in Gloucestershire – opportunities again abounded for horses, trainers and jockeys from the South Midlands and West Mercia. Chris Barber has his string in fine fettle and took his seasonal tally to 24 with four winners at three meetings. On Saturday, Mount Sinai won at Howick in Wales for Clara Brewitt while Skeeter Rock scored at Larkhill with Ed Doggrell. Barber then had a double at what is now his local track, Maisemore Park, on Sunday. James King rode the progressive Carrillo to win the Restricted and Doggrell was again on board for pointing debutant Jack Black, winner of the older horse Maiden. Connections of Carrillo - Chris Barber is far right - after the race (Tim Sage) The GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden there saw an eye-catching front-running performance from Tom George’s newcomer Midem De Berce, ridden by Lucas Murphy. The 16-year-old had earlier taken the Area Conditions Race on his father Timmy’s mare We’llgowats and is now in pole position in the national novice riders’ championship. Lucas Murphy and Midem De Berce on their way to winning (Carl Evans)   Gina Andrews is currently top of both the national trainer and female rider standings. She only had one runner, and one ride, this weekend, but it was a successful one, Bateleur taking division one of the bumper at the meeting. Gina Andrews and Bateleur (far side) win the bumper in a close finish (Graham Fisher) Read Andrew King’s review of all the action at Maisemore Park here. Back at Howick on Saturday, Bradley Gibbs won on Practice Run, Will Badlan rode his new mare Bluella Bresil – trained by Jo Priest – to a cosy success, while Huw Edwards picked up a winning last minute spare ride on Welsh-trained Flashy Boy. Edwards also travelled to Cotley in Somerset on Sunday to win on two Luke Price-trained horses – Galudon and Lavorante – and trainer Elen Wylie and rider Aimee Jones teamed up to take the Ladies Open with Shang Tang, a first winner of the season for Wylie. Will Badlan and Bluella Bresil (Alun Sedgmore) Also getting off the mark for the campaign was Tim Underwood, with Garde La Peche at Larkhill, where Nikki Henton tasted victory for the first time ever with Hybery. It was James King’s turn to team up with Luke Price for a double, courtesy of Shareyourbiscuits and Lightning Legs.   Finally, Joe O’Shea and Henry Crow – who had last combined when Barton Snow won the Cheltenham Foxhunters two weeks earlier – travelled up to Tranwell in Northumberland, where Boley Bob scored for the third time on the bounce.