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Tim Underwood is one of pointing’s true characters. He rode his last winner aged 63, had his final mount in 2020 at 72 (although he claims not to have officially retired) and still rides out daily – at the age of 77. He remains one of the most successful owner-trainers in the country, having previously been national leading owner and leading trainer (seven horses or fewer). Last year, he won his first South Midlands Area trainers title, taking on and beating the bigger yards. Typically Tim, when we asked him for five horses to follow, he gave us six! Tim posing with prolific winner Tempelpirate (Caroline Exelby) Garde La Peche I bought him via Thoroughbid from Henry de Bromhead’s yard. She cost £170,000 after winning her Irish maiden, and has won under rules, gaining a highest handicap mark of 109. She fits the bill for the new 0-110 rated Conditions Races with a mares allowance, and will run at the end of November at Larkhill. Kedg West A real mystery horse who just couldn’t get home so I asked for him to be given a non-stayers ride at Lockinge – in hindsight, he possibly should have won. He was then second at Kingston Blount, then ran there again in a truly-run race and won. Watch this space? Kedg West and Charlie Marshall win at Kingston Blount (Neale Blackburn)   Minella Laoch Ran three times in Ireland, finishing fourth on each occasion. The form does give me a little bit of hope, as the horse that finished second last time has gone on to win a hurdle. He’s cantering away and will hopefully run in February.   Song For My Father Was unlucky not to win three in a row and had possibly gone off the boil on his last run at Kingston Blount. Another for whom the plan is to run at Larkhill, in the Restricted. Song for My Father and Phil York en route to Kingston Blount success (Neale Blackburn) Stranger Danger Just hasn’t had the rub of the green and did have some very smart form in Ireland. We nearly lost him with colic in his first year, which put him out for the season. Last season, he went lame behind and I thought he had recovered, so we ran at Parham and poor Charlie Marshall was unfairly unseated. He was then a good second at Kingston Blount needing the run, but then a bad second in the Members at Kimble, after which he a bad came home crippled lame with a hairline fracture, which he must have sustained early in the season. Who’s Houdini After his first run at Larkhill, I thought he would go on to win his Maiden and hopefully progress, but he then ran a terrible race at Charing and pulled up. Then, at Penshurst, he looked all over the winner at the second last when he lost Phil York.Hemade a terrible noise after that, so I sent him to Ben Brain’s (veterinary practice) for the works!He’s doinggood work now and will go back to Larkhill in November.

Justin with Molly, Sam, Horizon D'Ainay and French Symphony (all photos Caroline Exelby unless stated otherwise) In the past two seasons, Justin Brotherton has proved that he is a trainer to watch, with multiple successes from the likes of Horizon D’Ainay and Kayf Hernando. The 39-year-old, son of former rules trainer Roy, rents stable space at David Bridgwater’s Wyck Hill Farm yard, near Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire and has high hopes for the coming season. Jake Exelby paid him a visit in advance of the new campaign to watch some of his string work and school and to find out about his background in the sport, plans for his horses, and his views on point-to-pointing as it strives to attract a new, younger audience. Schooling at scenic Wyck Hill Farm On arrival, I am greeted by Justin and today’s work riders, point-to-point jockeys Sam Lee and Molly Legg. “I normally ride work myself,” laughs Justin, “But Molly and Sam come in on Wednesdays so I can have a day off! Harry Greasby (who is in his final year at university and works part-time for Max Comley) also comes in to ride and is very helpful and enthusiastic. He made me aware that Kayf Hernando was for sale.” Aside from the jockeys, Justin is quick to praise team members Lou Bannister and Scarlett Rogers, saying, “I was struggling for staff when we moved here, but Lou and Scarlett are two really good people. Lou is (professional jump jockey) Harry Bannister’s cousin, and has a great racing background, having worked for Sue and Harvey Smith among others, while Scarlett used to work for Colin Tizzard. I mustn’t forget my wife Abi!” adds Justin. “I couldn’t do it without her. She’s a residential surveyor but does all the paperwork for the yard and becomes a member of staff at the weekend. She rode Horizon D’Ainay in the Newmarket Town Plate in 2023.” The move to Wyck Hill Farm came before the start of the 2024/2025 campaign. “I’ve known David for years,” Justin tells me. “He used to ride for Dad when he trained at Elmley Castle in Worcestershire – I was at school then. When I left, I worked for Dad, then went to Sam Drinkwater’s, then David’s. I was with David for six years, and learnt loads, as it was so different to my old man’s. He chucked me in without any armbands, getting me to drive the lorry, go to the races on my own and talk to owners.” Racehorses have obviously always been in Justin’s blood, and he tells me about his grounding and ambitions. “Dad started with pointers – he won on Vulrory’s Clown, who has a race named after him at Doncaster, as a youngster – then got a licence. Though he started as a National Hunt trainer, he moved into flat racing, and most of his best horses were sprinters. I’d like to go professional, and potentially train flat horses myself, but I’m not saying it’s going to happen, and I’ll only do it when I’m ready.” Justin had 17 rides as a jockey between 2015 and 2019, mostly on his own Gold Duster, getting off the mark in his final campaign. “I wanted to be a jockey, but couldn’t do the weight, so got an amateur licence for the flat. Dad didn’t have the numbers, so I bought Gold Duster from Tim Underwood to go pointing. My Mum, Wendy, who was the glue for Dad’s training operation, was ill – she passed away in 2015 – and I got Gold Duster so she could watch me ride. We were placed several times, but my riding wasn’t as good then! I carry her hunting brooch as a lucky charm – I had it with me in every race I rode and hold it while we have a runner.” “In 2019,” Justin goes on, “I got to ride Accord. David was training him under rules but had chucked him out in a field. His brother suggested I have a go on him, so David said, ‘If you catch him, you can ride him!’ I did and remember the day because it was April 1 st . I thought I’d have a go the next season, but David told me, ‘No, this one!’, so I rode him out twice a day to get us both fit! We were second to my friend Thomas Murray on Gabrial The Great at the first Kingston Blount May meeting, we went back for the next meeting there and I thought I was booked for second again, but he winged two out and we won easily, before going to Garthorpe and winning again. That was my last ride, because Covid came the next season.” Justin winning on Accord at Kingston Blount (Neale Blackburn) “I always wanted a go at training properly myself,” continues Justin, “But couldn’t do it at David’s, as his yard was full. Abi had two horses at livery, so we rented eight boxes from Harry Wheeler – an amazing guy – at Laverton, near Broadway, where we live. One of Dad’s owners gave me a horse, then David sent me two breakers. I was also working for DJ Jeffreys because he trains near Harry’s, so Abi had to do all the mucking out. We trained from there in our first proper season (2023/2024) then moved here as we wanted an all-weather gallop.” Highlight of the season spent at Laverton was Horizon D’Ainay’s Larkhill hat-trick, which got Justin off the mark as a trainer, and Justin explained how and why he came to buy the horse. “I like maidens rated in the mid-90s from big yards, because it shows they have ability, and they’re no good to me if they’ve won! I’ve also always liked quirky horses – I used to ride the problem ones for Dad – my first technique was to work out the problem! I bought Horizon D’Ainay privately and the different way of doing things (in a small yard) suited him – he was buzzy and nervous when he came and I trained him on his own, as he was far too keen.” Horizon D'Ainay and Toby McCain-Mitchell win at Larkhill (Tim Holt) First up, we watch Molly on Horizon D’Ainay and Sam on French Symphony, who fellow rider Will Badlan – “A huge help, an owner who really understands the game, and who comes in every week to school” – bought as a six-times placed, 98-rated maiden from Ben Pauling’s yard, go three times up the all-weather gallop. “The facilities here are great,” confirms Justin. “I also take them to Martin Keighley, Richard Phillips and Fred Hutsby for variety.” (L-R) Sam and Molly canter through the morning mist Between lots, I talk to the two riders about their aims for the season. Molly is in her third year working for Tom Ellis and his wife Gina Andrews and achieved her first successes last year on Young Rich. “Wednesday is my day off, so I come to ride out here and at Fred Hutsby’s,” she explains. “As (Fred’s son) Tom has turned conditional, I’m hoping to have more rides for him this season, as well as for Gina and Tom. I’ve put together a syndicate of my family and friends and got (seven-time winner) Tigerbythetail to ride this year.” Molly and Horizon D'Ainay cool off Sam, who will have the mount on most of Justin’s horses in races, is a more hardened campaigner, with 36 winners to his name, including six last season after a two-year break to run the family farm. “I also hope to ride for Jo Priest, as well as Charlie and Fran Poste,” he confirmed. Asked about one of his mounts to watch, he laughs, “French Symphony – if his owner will let me!” Sam washes down French Symphony after work Second lot sees Molly on a Getaway mare owned by pointing stalwart Sarah Dawson and Sam riding a Jeu St Eloi – the sire of dual Lady Dudley Cup winner Jeux D’Eau – four-year-old owned by the Hobbs family, who have had success in recent seasons with the likes of Tara Storm and Kauto Riko. Molly and Sarah Dawson's Getaway mare Sam schools the Jeu St Eloi 4yo Horizon D’Ainay is owned by the Pitchfork Partnership – which comprises Justin’s sister-in-law Keeley Brain, schoolfriend Paul Smaylen, friends Mike and Emily Parrot and Mike’s mum Madeline Curtis. “They also had Kayf Hernando last season and their only dream was to have one winner,” explained Justin with a smile. “But their strike-rate in points is five from 11 and, as Horizon D’Ainay also won two area awards, all of them got a trophy that year!” His 2023/2024 flag-bearer is one of about half a dozen pointers Justin plans to run this season, although he won’t run, “Until he’s ready and the ground’s safe.” French Symphony may start in the older horse Maiden at Dunsmore, while Crystal Box could take in the bumper at Lower Machen on Sunday. Dadavic is targeting another bumper, at Larkhill in December, while Justin hopes Gladiateddi can build on his Edgcote debut. (L-R) Dadavic, a pre-trainer and Crystal Box Gladiateddi says hello Looking after owners is Justin’s key concern when I put him in the PPA’s hypothetical hot seat. “You have to get to the races early to get a good spot to picnic and watch the racing,” he tells me. “Owners should have dedicated parking with a good view of the action. Some courses are good to the owners – Larkhill give us extra passes when we ask, and Paxford always invite us into the marquee, even though I’ve never had a runner there.” “To get horses,” Justin continues in the same vein, “You’ve got to get owners. Maybe syndicate owners should pay a small annual fee to be guaranteed free entry when they have a runner. Syndicates are a great way to get into the sport, and they may become sole owners in future. It’s important to be honest and truthful with owners – I keep mine involved every step of the way, telling them even if their horse has stepped on a stone and has to miss just one day of work.” Justin has mixed views about the new race conditions for the coming season. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to remove Conditions Races (as the PPA was planning before consulting with participants in the sport) as they provide opportunities for horses who can’t win in a higher grade, but what they’ve done for novice riders, giving them more chances by extending the number of winners they can ride, and allowing them to claim in more races, is good.” Justin is a keen advocate of point-to-point bumpers, saying, “They’re a great idea. Going straight over jumps can be hard, so they give horses experience, and the shorter distance sharpens them up. They’re also good for educating future two-mile hurdlers – not every horse is a three-mile chaser.” He's also a fan of the increased use of video to promote the sport, but cautions, “The videos always seem to focus on young people, but we should also promote people who’ve been in the sport a long time, who have stories to tell and advice to share. Getting youngsters involved is positive, but we also need to cater for the older audience to keep them interested – maybe even reduce entry prices for them! In a nutshell,” concludes Justin, “The game needs to move with the times but include the past!” Asked about other potential innovations, Justin comes up with an interesting idea. “The PPA should have seminars for trainers, like they do for stewards and course officials, and like the modules you take when applying for a licence. It would teach us how to deal with situations and help us with media training – I’m rubbish at that!” Justin sees pointing as, “For young horses coming up, older horses ending their career, and jockeys of the future. Take Toby McCain Mitchell – someone else who was a massive help when I started. I’m delighted he’s doing so well as a conditional. It should be a stepping stone for everyone – trainers, bloodstock agents… even vets. (PPA Chief Veterinary Officer) Graham Potts used to be a farm vet but wanted to get into racing so started out by helping at his local point-to-points.” As I take my leave, I ask Justin the secret of his success. He pauses before admitting, “I love the science. I like finding a way to get the talent out of old monkeys like Kayf Hernando and see them progress. I don’t know what I’d do if I had big numbers, as I like to treat my horses as individuals.”

Team Wylie, with Elen on right next to Max (Caroline Exelby) Elen Wylie’s partner, Max Comley, made his name training pointers before starting to carve out a successful career under rules. 24-year-old Elen is keen to keep the pointing flag flying at their Summerhill Farm, Naunton, base and has nominated a few to watch this season. It goes without saying that she’d welcome more and that her door is always open to new owners!   Au Fleuron Formerly a 137-rated hurdler, but lost his way under rules. He’s had a wind operation this summer, and hopefully the switch back to point-to-points will rejuvenate him. Promising young rider Aimee Jones will ride him this season and he’s owned by Alison Sargeant. Jay Bee Whiskey Joint-second in the national Leading Horse Championship in 2023/2024 having won five consecutive races for Max and I. After a short spell under rules, we’ve bought him back to go pointing and hopefully continue his winning ways. He’ll be targeted at Conditions Races and Ladies Opens and is for sale to stay in the yard. Jay Bee Whiskey (blue colours, right) winning at Alnwick (Grace Beresford) Kaproyale A prolific point-to-point winner who needs no introduction. Nothing went right for him last year under rules, so we’ll map out a spring campaign for him between the flags, where he seems happiest. He gets on very well with James King and is sure to retain his ability after a good break for his brilliant owners Katie and Tim Sunderland. Kaproyale (grey) en route to victory for owners Katie and Tim Sunderland (Neale Blackburn) 3yo by Capri out of Ahoy Delilah A big three-year-old who I’m sweet on and who’ll run after Christmas in a Young Horse Maiden to learn the ropes. From the same family as Ahoy Senor, hopefully he can follow in his relatives’ footsteps. Owned by SW Racing.

This year, The Harkaway Club celebrates 100 years at Chaddesley Corbett. Sunday 28 th December marks the centenary and, to recognise this milestone, the Harkaway Club is giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 11 th March 2026, Ladies Day.   To enter, visit pointingwm.co.uk and complete the form with the answer to the question below and your full name and email address.   WHICH 2021 CHELTENHAM FOXHUNTER WINNER WAS BEATEN INTO SECOND AT THE HARKAWAY CLUB MEETING IN DECEMBER 2021, BY THE 2023 CHELTENHAM FOXHUNTER WINNER?   For details of the West Mercian Area Season Ticket, visit pointingwm.co.uk Action from the Harkaway Club fixture (Graham Fisher) Offer closes midnight 28/11/25. Winner drawn at random and notified w/c 01/12/25. 18yo+, one per household.

Call Me Early   Had a productive first season with us (winning three of his four point-to-points) and is a classy type of horse with a good turn of foot. We ran him in the Aintree bumper but that didn't work out but he’s still eligible for Restricteds with a penalty, and a Hunter Chase towards the end of the season should Hopefully be on his radar. We’re aiming for the first Horseheath meeting. Call Me Early solos to victory at High Easter   Cheytac   Finished the season much better than he started it. He was very sick after travelling over from Ireland, and consequently bled badly first time out at Horseheath. It took him a while to get over that and he really lost his confidence but was then second to (prolific winner) El Capitaine before winning his next two. Needs to brush up his jumping but he's a big scopey horse who can only improve with time.  Cheytac (right) wins at Fakenham   Entity Of Substanz   Bought privately out of Dan Skelton's during the summer. He has some decent form under rules without winning, so he's still eligible for Maidens and is hopefully a horse who can progress through the grades. From the same family as Eva's Oscar and Solomon Grey – his relations have tended to improve for fences and he's not jumped any yet. Another targeting the first Horseheath meeting.    Fumet D'Oudairies   Back from injury. He needs no introduction, having been a phenomenal little horse for us (11 wins from 14 starts in points and Hunter Chases) and, if he never wins another race it won't matter, but the form he's in suggests he still retains all his enthusiasm and hopefully plenty of ability. He will be ready to run around Christmas. Fumet D'Oudairies has won five times at Horseheath The Den Master   A 4yo we thought a hell of a lot of last season. He was big, raw and weak still and – in retrospect – we shouldn’t have run him, but we did, and he was fourth at Buckfastleigh. We still think he has huge potential and the plan is to go to the early Garthorpe meeting. All photography c. Graham Bishop

The Station Yard operation run by Francesca and Charlie Poste is one of the leading point-to-point stables in the country with nearly 100 winners in the last five seasons – and has long struck a successful balance between producing young horses to sell on to the professional game, progressing through the grades with ex-rules maidens and winning with more mature types. With Francesca currently occupied with their newborn, Isaac, Charlie talked through five to watch in the early part of the 2025/2026 campaign. Guseakie   A horse we recruited from Irish points. He’s had four starts and, while the form doesn’t amount to much on the face of it, he was fourth on his third run, getting a rating of 73. He was favourite when disappointing last time, but had four quick runs, having not started until April. We like to buy Irish pointers early and give them a good break and, with Leading Light as his sire, he moves well and has size and scope. We’re looking forward to getting started with him and he’s for sale to stay in the yard (contact Charlie on 07879 452690).   Jasmin Des Blins   Another ex-Irish pointer we picked up in the summer with the help of David Phelan. Had eight starts in points, was unlucky not to win one, and his latest run was third in a Maiden Hurdle – the winner has been second in a listed race since, so the form looks good. He’s a big scopey horse who moves well and has benefitted from a break and we’d like to think a Maiden should be a formality. The plan is to start before Christmas and hopefully progress through the grades to Novice Hunter Chases. He’s been bought for the same owners as Kilfilum Woods, plus Liz Inman, and we hope he’ll give them as much fun as ‘Woody’.   Kilfilum Woods   Had a great first season for us, having been bought out of Paul Webber’s yard. He won five, but also had a couple of bumps in the road and was probably unfortunate not to win more. He did a tremendous job, progressing from a Maiden on the first day of the season to winning a Huntingdon Hunter Chase, before unseating at the first in the John Corbet. He’s come back in good form and we may look at a race in the new 0-110 ratings series before Opens then Hunter Chasing in the spring. I don’t think he’s reached his ceiling yet and, fingers crossed, he can be a flagship horse for us. Kilfilum Woods en route to Restricted success at Larkhill (Tim Holt)   Kneel Diamond   Only six, and had a frustrating start. We bought him as a sales horse and he ran well first time out as a four-year-old, but picked up an injury and had to have a year off. We put him in the Picnic Partnership, nursed him back to full fitness and weren’t sure whether to run him when it was dry last season, but decided to take him to Edgcote, who do a great job watering, in May, where he showed a good attitude and some quality to get up after the last. From what we see at home, he’s capable of going well beyond that, and he’ll start in a Restricted before Christmas – we hope he can progress to Hunter Chases by next spring. He’ll again run for the Picnic Partnership, and we always welcome new members (contact Charlie as above). Kneel Diamond wins at Edgcote (Neale Blackburn)   Major Dundee   A lovely horse to have in the yard. A former Midlands National winner rated 137 at his peak, also placed in the Scottish National and last ran in the Eider Chase. Hemmings Racing manager Michael Meagher suggested to his owners that a spell pointing and Hunter Chasing may rejuvenate him and we’re grateful for their support, having had some luck for them in recent seasons – it’s great to have winners in these famous colours and hopefully this horse can carry on that trend. He’s cantering and would want cut in the ground, but nothing too soft. He’ll start in an Open before Christmas, then maybe the Walrus Hunter Chase at Haydock Park could be a target if he’s back on track.

Leading point-to-point bookmaker Mark Hill has issued the following prices for the forthcoming season:   Champion Male Rider 4/5       James King 2/1       Will Biddick 4/1       Josh Newman 25/1     Bar James King, bidding to retain his title (Carl Evans) Champion Female Rider 2/5       Gina Andrews 2/1       Izzie Hill 25/1     Bar   Gina Andrews, odds-on for a 12th championship (Carl Evans) Mark can be contacted on 07831 293363.

In the first of a mini-series featuring South Midlands trainers, Alan Hill - who leads the way among current keepers nationwide (441 winners and counting) - gives the lowdown on five of his prospects for the coming season. Jongleur D’Ainay   Co-owned by me and your correspondent. We were full of excitement going into last season after his Wadebridge win in 2023/2024 and we got him to the races at Chipley Park, but the meeting was called off with him standing in the lorry park. He then suffered a problem that curtailed his season but he’s been back in training for a while and will be out early, somewhere with cut in the ground. We worked him this morning and he cantered well and is in good order. If we’ve got the horse we had two years ago and are being greedy, we may aim for the Cheltenham Intermediate or Stratford Restricted Final. Learntalot   The pin-up boy of the yard at the moment. Three out of his four runs last year were very good – he’s no good in a match (!) – and we’re over the moon with him. He’ll probably start off at Friars Haugh again, as he’ll be ready by then, before going Hunter Chasing. I’ve been told by co-owner Rodney Mann that we won’t be going for either Foxhunters and that the big aim is Stratford again. He won the Restricted Final there in 2024 and was second in the Horse & Hound last season. Reel Much Fun   A maiden who we’ve bought for the Cranfield family. We got him from Doncaster in July and he’s had two runs in Irish points, finishing fourth and seventh – the second run came too quickly. He’s a nice type of horse, who may run over Christmas or early in the New Year, possibly in East Anglia, if things keep going well with him. Soldier Unknown   We were really excited about him after his form in 2023/2024, and pleased after his win first time out at Wadebridge, where he had Jet Smart in third. However, he had wind issues after that. An operation helped him win at Kimble, but the problems recurred at Edgcote, so he’s had a second operation over the summer. I hope we’ll see the potential we thought he had after his first season with us and he’ll run over Christmas. We’ll be looking for soft ground. Also co-owned by Rodney Mann. The Dancing Tree   Won a bumper and placed over hurdles for Gavin Cromwell, but his form tailed off and (son) Joe bought him at Doncaster in May for the Woodway partnership. He’s another who’s well forward and will start early and may go for the Restricted at Lower Machen on the first day of the season. He should appreciate good ground, which will suit his speed.

WRITTEN BY: JAKE EXELBY Since his move to Buscot, near Faringdon, James Henderson has consistently been one of the leading owner-trainers in the South Midlands Area. Last season, despite running just 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 – a remarkable feat as he only had six rides (three wins and three placings) all season! Pax   With Bloodstone retired, we only have Pax (who won twice and was second twice from his four starts) to run at the moment. However, George and I are fired up and going to the sales to get another! Pax was a lucky winner of a Maiden (at Siddington) but hopefully he will be a stronger horse this season after his summer break as – last year – he had been on the go for a while in Ireland before coming over. James (second right) and George celebrate after Pax takes his Maiden (Alun Sedgmore)

Watch this space, we have a blog coming very soon! Look at this AI image - who's going to tell the computers we don't race on fibresand at Dingley