The last of three meetings this season at Kingston Blount – and the South Midlands Area finale – takes place on Sunday 28^th May. The six-race card, which kicks off at 2.30pm, has attracted an entry of 86 and local trainer Alan Hill – who has nine entries and as many as six potential runners at the meeting – reported on Monday afternoon that that the going is now Good, Good to Firm in places. With a dry week forecast, light watering has started and will continue all week to maintain. Since the last meeting, the course has been spiked and rolled, the grass topped, and the take-offs and landings repaired. The bends are being moved.

Highlight of the card is the Mixed Open, sponsored by the Friends and Family of Dickie Lim, for which there are 15 possibles, headed – in terms of age at least – by 15-year-old Southfield Theatre, aka Kevin, national leading horse last season, and a winner of 27 races in his long and illustrious career. Trainer Sara Bradstock also has Myth Buster, a course winner here in February, entered. Alan Hill also has a February course winner – Reikers Island – among his two entries, the other being the consistent Back Bar.

The main dangers to the aforementioned local horses look like Highway One O One – who has been more lightly-raced this season than last – and who will be ridden by novice title-chasing Molly Landau, and two last time out winners in Imperial Esprit, who scored at Peper Harow and Master Templar, who only won a match at Mollington and has yet to prove himself in this grade, but who is improving for Tom and Gina Ellis’ G & T Racing. Gabrial The Great took a lucky fifth course victory at the last meeting here, but all have been over a shorter trip, and he may not stay the extra distance in this grade.

“They’re both entered on Monday too,” confirmed Sara of her pair. Based on the track, Myth Buster would prefer to run here and Southfield Theatre at Chaddesley Corbett. He wouldn’t necessarily like the hill – let’s call him a gentleman with a certain opinion – although he’d love the faster ground. I’m non-committal at the moment.”

“Back Bar definitely runs,” stated Alan. “He ran very well at Cothelstone, jumping as well as at any time this season before being short of room two out then making a mistake at the last. He always runs a good race here – the hill comes at the right time, and he likes the downhill finish. Reikers Island might go too, but he’s also in at Cartmel.”

13 have been entered for the Magnus Group Novice Riders Race, over the shorter distance of two miles and about five furlongs. Molly Landau will ride either the talented but enigmatic Captain Bucks, or Butte Montana for the eternally young Tim Underwood, while her only rival for the female novice title, Amber Jackson-Fennell – has the mount on Collooney for Fran & Charlie Poste’s Station Yard Racing. Alan Hill’s Craigmor gave a debut success to Walter Barnett at Edgcote recently, G & T Racing’s Walkonthewildside disappointed at odds-on at the last meeting here, while Tangoed has been consistent this year without getting her head in front.

“I’m not sure if Molly will ride mine or the other one,” admitted Tim. “He needs to be handy as he’s got a lot of pace, having won over two miles. He didn’t run his true race last time.” Amber said of Collooney, “We’re also in the Ladies at Chaddesley Corbett but I think this race will suit him better.”

“I’m more likely to run Knight Bachelor of my entries, with Harry Greasby up,” Alan told me. “He ran better than the result suggests at Peper Harow last time – Craigmor will probably go to Chaddesley Corbett on Monday.”

The Carcomm Coachworks Conditions Race has 17 entries and represents an easier option – despite their penalties – than the Open for Gabrial The Great and Imperial Esprit. Sara Bradstock’s Southfield Lily made all to win here earlier in the month and she is one of several on the upgrade, along with G & T Racing’s Imnottalkingtoyou and Kauto No Risk, who took an impressive scalp at Bonvilston recently. Tim Underwood confirmed that his Ask Nile disappointed behind Southfield Lily, saying, “He ran like a drain! He sweated up badly, which he never does but has worked well since then. My runners will like the better ground but I’m no more than hopeful about any of them!”

“The plan is for Clondaw Westie to run”, said Alan. “I was over the moon with his run (after a lay-off) at Kimble, he didn’t see out the race at Dingley, then I don’t know what happened at Peper Harow – I thought he was a good thing, but he never travelled and was well-beaten.” “Southfield Lily will run as long as she works well tomorrow,” advised Sara, “Although she wouldn’t want it too firm. I’d like to get another point into her before she goes back under rules.”

Pangbourne Asphaltagain supports the Restricted Race and has been rewarded with 14 entries, of which the top-rated is Alan Hill’s lightly-raced Tres Francais, followed by the more experienced Classic Ruler, Dondiam – who has been running under rules – and Right Hand Of God, a close second here last time. Another returning to points after a spell under rules is Station Yard Racing’s Also Known As, while three last-time out winners represent powerful South Midlands yards, Calidad (at Godstone), Crawford (Eyton-on-Severn) and Gunteur (Dingley) for Alan Hill, Sara Bradstock and G & T Racing respectively. Amber Jackson-Fennell took Queen Kalamba on the long trip to Hexham last weekend and would be hoping for an improved performance closer to home but is more likely to go to Bratton Down next weekend.

“I’m likely to run Tres Francais and send Calidad to Chaddesley Corbett,” was Alan’s verdict. “He had good form last year – he should have won first time out, scored nicely at Barbury then ran a good second to Precious Bounty before having a problem here. He had a long time out before Fakenham, where he was given a cracking ride and will come on for the run. He’s grown 3-4 inches since we first had him.”

In contrast to Alan, Sara was unwilling to be drawn on Crawford, saying only, “He’s also entered at Chaddesley Corbett and it depends on the opposition.”

The opening contest is the Little Red Owner-Trainer Conditions Race, designed to reward smaller operations and which has 12 entries. Ricky East’s Cobra De Mai (also entered in the Mixed Open) heads the ratings – along with Edgcote second Padjoes Legacy and is also leading a tight contest to be top South Midlands Area horse. Ricky’s daughter, jockey Chloe East told me about Cobra De Mai, “He’s also in the Mixed Open and they both look nice races, although we’ve got to carry a penalty in this one. He’s come out of Edgcote (where the pair were third last time) in great form and he’ll love the quicker ground – he’s been waiting for it all season.

Grenadine Save may have something to find on form, but is on the upgrade, having won three of her last four and bidding to give Amber Jackson-Fennell the advantage in the novice riders title contest, although her owner-trainer rider admitted, “I’m on the fence about running her. It’s quite a competitive race and she’s had a long season. Even if I don’t run my horses, I’m hoping to have a couple of rides.” James Henderson’s Frisson Collonges ran poorly last time but has a chance on his early season form, as does dual winner Vango De Vaige, while this race could be an option for Tangoed.

Thorn Plant Hire sponsors the closing Open Maiden, which has attracted 15 entries. G & T Racing’s Kelsey Park looked a winner in waiting here last time, running green on his pointing debut, giving lots of weight away and only just being beaten, but won’t have matters all his own way. Richard Pringuer’s Dunworley – also entered in a Huntingdon Hunter Chase this week – has been a runner-up on both his pointing starts, Whats The Solution was a good second on his British debut, while Our John has good pointing form over the Irish Sea. Of the darker horses, Blackwell Bay may make a quick reappearance after falling last weekend, and no Philip Rowley trained debutant can be ruled out, which brings Espoir Des Forges into the equation.

Finally, the legend that is Phil York could introduce the nine-year-old mare Barb Wire – named after a Pamela Anderson film and because, “She used to be known as Barbie but she’s not a doll anymore!” according to her owner-trainer-rider. Interesting, Phil not only rode her dam (Eastern Point) between the flags, but also her sire Amber Life!

In addition to the six point-to-point races, the Tyreteam-sponsored Hound Race, with the usual enthusiastic commentary by Meeting Secretary Nick Quesnel, will take place between races three and four. The South Midlands Area Awards will be presented after the final race.

For mo

Racing folk need little reminder that the Edgcote Estate has a long history of producing Jump race winners. The estate was the home of Edward Courage, brewing magnate, who trained horses on the estate in the 50s and 60s.

Courage's stable included luminaries like Spanish Steps, winner of the 1969 Hennessey (now Ladbrokes Trophy) at Newbury at a stage when the race was a go-to destination for aspirant Gold Cup hopefuls. Nowadays, with the advent of more racing altogether, the choice of races for candidates is much wider.

Between the late eighties and the first decade of 2000, the likeable Mark Wilkinson was the sole occupant of Edgcote, training over 70 winners before the financial imbalance of racing forced him to call time.

More recently, Edgcote has enjoyed a return to something approaching the halcyon days, with three trainers in situ - Alex Hales, Ben Case and David Dennis.

First on the scoresheet this season, which is less than a month old, and in its infancy, is David Dennis, whose 5 runners to date yielded a first winner at Worcester yesterday in the form of Hobie, 1 1/2l winner of a maiden hurdle under Gavin Sheehan.

Dennis is the most junior of the three trainers around the estate, and his 108 runners last season generated just 8 winners, compared to  10 for Ben Case and 18 for Alex Hales. But Edgcote is once again a centre of excellence for Jump racing. 96 horses trained on the estate last year made a racecourse appearance, and the near 400 runs produced 26 individual winners of 36 races. 

Warwickshire has a long tradition of racing - professional and point-to-point, the latter at risk from the scar across the country of HS2, which may compromise hunt countries in a way the M40 nearly did some years earlier in 1989. Edgcote is at the forefront of its resurgence, and long may it be so.

The Grafton point-to-point at Edgcote on Sunday last saw an excellent turnout of 61 runners in the seven races, the highest of the season in the South Midlands area and the highest anywhere nationwide since the first weekend of March, thanks to the excellent work of Clerk of the Course Graham Tawell, Estate Manager Hamish Gairdner, and their team.

Nine went to post for the feature race, the PPORA Novice Riders Championship Final, with £1,000 total prize money and £500 to the winner and, appropriately for a novice riders race, it was won by the youngest jockey in the field, 16-year-old Cian Murphy on Give Us A Swig. Always in the first three, the pair took the lead five out, jumped and travelled well and were never in danger as they scored by five lengths and five from Largy Mountain and Cobra De Mai, both of whom were doing their best work at the finish.

Give Us A Swig is trained at Soham, Cambridgeshire by Michelle Bentham – who used to have useful hunter chaser Jurado Express – and her partner Paul Birrane, who is feed man for leading flat trainer Charlie Appleby, and told me how they came by the horse. “We intended to give up training after Covid, but Cian’s mum Marie – who is assistant trainer to Charlie – asked us to find a couple of schoolmasters for him to ride, so we train him and Prairie Town (who was third in the preceding open) from our garden! We don’t have any facilities, so have to box them to Newmarket. We’ll go home and have a think about whether we give him one more race, but I’ll have to dig out my best bib and tucker for the awards at Stratford now!” Explaining his primarily white colours, with some yellow and blue, Paul said, “They’re for my team Leeds United, who’ll probably get relegated this season.”

“That’s my eighth ride, seventh completion (the exception being when Give Us A Swig ran out at Garthorpe when looking the winner) and third winner,” said a delighted Cian, who only turned 16 in January. My Dad Sean, who was a jump jockey in Ireland, rides him every day. It’s always been my dream to be a jump jockey and I’ve had an amazing season. I knew this race would be competitive and he battled on gamely.”

Norfolk-based David Kemp, who is enjoying a fantastic season, went home with a double, initiated by Clara Sorrento in the John White Funeral Directors Mixed Open. A small but quality field of five faced the starter here and jockey Rupert Stearn – on his first ride back since a crunching fall at Fakenham last month – made all on the twelve-year-old, who jumped exuberantly, led his rivals a merry dance and never looked likely to be beaten, eventually coming home eight lengths clear of Dundrum Wood, with Prairie Town 30 lengths third.

Winning owner Simon Stearn – father of the jockey – said, “We bought him from Gigginstown, for whom he had been trained by Noel Meade, and he had to have a year off after Covid with leg and back trouble. Rupert said we should send him to David, because his wife Imogen specializes in Bowen therapy for horses’ backs. We were going to go to Cheltenham, but we only run him if Rupert can ride and he had that terrible fall – he was concussed and cracked ribs, and only passed the doctor on Friday. That was magic – he always front runs and Rupert keeps saying he doesn’t realise how quickly he’s going. We’ll go to Stratford for the Champion Hunter Chase now.”

“I’m a little bit rusty after three weeks off and three visits to Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket,” admitted the winning rider, who was paying a first visit to Edgcote, “But my ribs are fine now. Clara Sorrento is an armchair ride and probably the best horse I’ve ridden. When the others are galloping, we’re just cantering. We’re lucky to have him, David’s done brilliantly with him, and I just wish he was a bit younger!” It was a 123^rd career success for the 38-year-old farmer, who confessed, “I’m well down the back nine, to use a golfing analogy for my riding career. I just ride our own horses and for the Turners now.”

David Kemp completed his double with the Dale Peters-ridden All The Ammunition, who followed up his Maiden victory at the last meeting here in the nine-runner Towcester Vets Restricted Race. Mid-division early, he made effortless progress on the final circuit to go second four out, before taking the lead a fence later and going on to score comfortably by seven lengths from the always-prominent Ultra Viers, with Bestfriend Barnaby two-and-a-quarter lengths further back.

It was a 15^th winner of the season (from just 22 runners, with a further five placings) and David laughed, “It’s going ridiculously well! The horses are happy, I’ve learnt how to get them fit and it helps that Imogen is an equine therapist. She’s so good with horses that she can tell me where the issues are and so they all stay sound and well-balanced. Law of Gold (David’s first Cheltenham winner earlier this month) would be nothing without her, for example. We could have as many as four runners at Stratford.” As for All The Ammunition, “He’s a slow-maturing type, although his ability has always been obvious. He had jumping issues in the past, some of which might have been due to ulcers which we’ve used science supplements to treat, and while he made hard work of it here last time, he had a horrible journey. He performed much better today.”

“That was better than I expected,” smiled Dale afterwards. “David’s changed a few little things since his last run here when, even though he won, he wasn’t happy.” Dale, who also trains pointers, was moving on to 16 for the season, including two Hunter Chases and said, “We had a bug in the yard, but the horses have been running well since Easter. Breaking my Cheltenham duck (on Law Of Gold) was a big relief – it was good to get that off my back!”

The NFU Mutual Open Maiden Race, in which twelve – the biggest field of the day – ran, went to the oldest horse in the race, ten-year-old Equus Flight, ridden by the oldest jockey, Phil York, who had ridden his 400^th winner the day before on his 57^th birthday. Placed six times previously, Equus Flight can be prone to tailing himself off before coming with a late rattle but while held up again, his jockey kept him in contention and took closer order going out on the final circuit before moving into third four out and taking the lead at the penultimate fence. Dennis El Menace had every chance but was eventually beaten a length with the fast-finishing Hugh De Lacy a neck back in third.

There were emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure and Rory Lawther, the meeting starter and husband of trainer Karen, laughed, “When was our last winner? When was the last coronation? (It was actually Titan’s Approach, at Northaw in 2018). That was well-deserved. We bought him from Peter Bowen, and he had some lovely form over hurdles – he was rated over 120 – so we thought he’d win his Maiden, but it’s been a struggle. He’s a bit of a brainbox and needs good ground, so I didn’t think it would suit today, but he stayed on well up the hill. It’s nice to put Yorky on his way to 500!” Equus Flight is the only pointer trained by Karen, who has had useful types like Tanager and Caught In Time.

“I don’t know what they said to him today, but he perked up and behaved like a racehorse today!” was the winning jockey’s reaction. “The race panned out well and they went a good gallop.” To read Phil’s views after his landmark success, click here

Another one-horse trainer to come away with a win was Harry Stock, whose mare Chenery, in the hands of Zac Baker, took the Savills Owner-Trainer Conditions Race in the closest finish of the day. The odds-on shot looked to be struggling for much of the race as another mare – Heaven Scent – attempted to lead all the way and looked likely to do so jumping the last. However, she was passed by Padjoes Legacy on the run-in, who was in turn overtaken by a late run from Chenery, galvanised by her jockey to get up by a neck and three-quarters of a length.

“She was never going and never happy. You need to ride her from the front, so I’m surprised she pulled it out of the bag” admitted the trainer. “She may have been in season. She’ll have a break now, having won three in a row, and go again next season.” Harry, who used to ride in points and trains Chenery from Heather Butler’s yard Toddington near Cheltenham, is possibly the only trainer to claim chimney sweep as their full-time employment! “I also ride out for Martin Keighley,” he confirmed. “I bought Chenery last summer on the recommendation of former jockey Mikey Hamill and brought her in late this year to take advantage of the lighter evenings and I train her differently, with lots of flat work and showjumping with my girlfriend Beth Whittle. She enjoys not being on the gallops.”

“She wasn’t travelling for the first two circuits,” confirmed Zac, “But picked up when I went for her and, despite meeting a few traffic issues, I pushed as hard as I could and robbed Gina (Andrews, rider of the second) on the line.” It was Zac’s ninth winner of the season and he stated that his aims are, “To get to ten and win the Novice Hunter Chase at Huntingdon on Kaproyale.”

The opening race on the card, the Heygates Country Feeds Members Race, sponsored by the same company for 40 years, went the way of another odds-on favourite in Champagne Noir, trained by Tom Ellis and ridden by owner Ellie Holder. Six of the seven entries took part, and he was always going well behind leader Creadan Grae. Taking it up four out, he was unextended to score by 11 lengths from the runner-up, who gave Jemima Taylor a great first ride. The Borobodur was three-and-a-half lengths third.

“He’s been a great little horse and Ellie’s learnt so much from him – she also gave him a great ride in defeat at Mollington,” said Tom of Champagne Noir, winning his fourth race of the campaign. As for Tom, whose record-breaking 68 wins so far make him certain to be champion trainer for the fifth year in a row, “It’s been a really good year, with lots of horses progressing through the ranks and some smart four-year-old winners. Wicked Thoughts would be one of the best – he was very impressive at Eyton-on-Severn – and it was great to sell him and Touch Me Not to Ireland. It’s a big thing when the likes of Gordon Elliott buy your horses.” Asked about goals for the rest of the season, Tom hopes to win the Restricted final at Stratford with Captain Biggles.

“That’s the best fell he’s given me all season,” said a pleased Ellie of her horse. “He jumped well from the off and took quite a hold. I’ve had seven winners this season (she is third in the national female novice rider standings) and can’t complain, even though you always want more, don’t you? Next year, I’d like to have more winners than this, and pick up more outside rides.” 

11 took part in the day’s closing contest, the Framptons Planning Conditions Race, for veteran horses ten years old and over. It was won by Craigmor, a first success for 19-year-old Walter Barnett. Rear early, they made steady progress on the second circuit, took the lead four out and, despite hanging on the run-in, took the spoils by four-and-a-half lengths from the strong finishing Dr Des, with It’s For Alan – who was always close to the front – three lengths away in third.

Joe Hill, representing his trainer father Alan, exclaimed happily, “It’s fantastic to give a young lad his first winner. Walter came to us having been with Paul Nicholls and Chris Down, works hard and will be coming back to ours next year. He rode perfectly to instructions – I said he should sit a length and a half in front of Gina (Andrews, on unplaced favourite Pass The Glass). He kicked on but I hadn’t told him what to do in front! It’s also great for the Sunday Night Partnership, a bunch of local owners.” Reflecting on a season that sees Alan sitting a lower than usual fourth in the trainer table, Joe said, “It was a long winter as the horses weren’t quite right, but they’re going well now, we’ve still got lots to run and are taking three to Stratford, including I K Brunel. I’m off to Ireland tomorrow to find next year’s crop!” 

Walter, the “young lad” in question, is 19 and hails from Devon, where he pony raced and would love to ride in a point-to-point. He talked me through the race, saying, “I jumped off to get a position and, with lots of pace on, I was always tracking the favourite. He jumped well throughout, and I took the lead coming out of the back straight. I thought I might have gone too early, but he had loads left. I can’t believe it – that’s just my sixth ride, all for Alan and (wife) Lawney, who are great to work for and give me lots of opportunities to school. I’m now off to Gordon Elliott’s for a few weeks this summer.”

The first of the two pony races, sponsored by Ben Case Racing, went to 15-year-old Scarlett Dorricott and Nomoreanun – while the second was won by Here We Go Now and 12-year-old Isobelle Chalmers.

The Grafton point-to-point at Edgcote on Sunday 14^th May has attracted an entry of 104, the highest of the weekend fixtures, for the seven races on the card, which start at 2.00pm, writes Jake Exelby. Clerk of the Course Graham Tawell reported on Sunday that the going is now Good, Good to Soft in places. Rain is expected between now and Sunday week, but the course will be watered if necessary to achieve Good going on race day. The bends will be moved following the previous meeting to ensure racing takes place on fresh ground.

Centrepiece of the card is the PPORA Novice Riders Championship Final, with £1,000 total prize money and £500 to the winner. 15 have been entered, including Chenery, who has won his last two at Paxford and Tabley and Cobra De Mai, two out of three this season for Ricky and Chloe East. Sum It Up beat a subsequent winner last time at Garthorpe, Give Us A Swig was an unlucky loser before a Mollington second, The Composeur has been runner-up on both his pointing starts and Largy Mountain has been consistent this season without getting his head in front, and will have the services of leading female novice Amber Jackson-Fennell for the first time. Another leading novice, Molly Landau, will ride the enigmatic Captain Buck’s, who has loads of ability but his own ideas!

Verity Taylor will ride her mother’s Rizzardo, looking to follow-up their Paxford win. “It’s not ideal as he’ll be carrying lots of lead with his penalty, but he needs to run as there’s nothing else for him. I’d prefer it if the ground were good.” Amber is looking forward to riding Largy Mountain for her employers Station Yard Racing, saying, “It’s the perfect race for him. He’s been running in better company recently and the race should suit, because they’re likely to go a good gallop and he stays well.”

The highest quality contest of the day is likely to be the John White Funeral Directors Mixed Open. It has attracted 12 entries, the vast majority of whom look to have claims. Nine of the 12 have won at least one race this season and, of those who have yet to score, Hunter Chase form is represented by Solomon Grey’s third at Cheltenham last week and Red Maple’s Kempton second. Clara Sorrento has won three on the bounce for David Kemp. Alan Hill’s Getting Closer has won his last two, as has the improving Prairie Town, Tom Ellis’ Dundrum Wood has won three this year plus a walkover here and Thegallantway tops them all with four successes this campaign. If all the leading contenders turn up, it promises to be a cracking race.

“He’s come out of his last race well,” said Alan of Getting Closer. “He’s an intended runner as he proved at both High Easter and Mollington that he’s got to have a hill to finish up.” Charlie Poste advised that Muckamore is also entered at Dingley, although likely to run here, where he won his penultimate start. “The track seems to suit him, and he could be competitive if he and Harry Arkwright get into a rhythm.”

10 entries have been received for the Savills Owner-Trainer Conditions Race, which looks a tight contest. Although the aforementioned Chenery stands out on ratings, several others are in with a shout, including Aldington winner Padjoes Legacy for Nigel Padfield, who has a good record here and The Wonky Tonk (also entered in the Novice Riders final) if reproducing his Paxford Open third. Amber Jackson-Fennell’s consistent Heaven Scent is another but is unlikely to run.

The Towcester Vets Restricted Race has 20 entries, an impressive total for a race of this nature, and – with most of them closely matched on ratings, this could be the tightest contest of the day alongside the Mixed Open. Five won last time out – highest-rated Best Friend Barnaby, Ultra Viers, who was probably the best maiden in the country on form before breaking his duck, Politicianspromise, Gamalou D’Alene (albeit last season) and All The Ammunition, at the last meeting here. Another to score that day was Super Dawn, while others worthy of consideration are Alan Hill’s Fakenham second Tres Francais, the consistent Marton Abbey and Black Aphrodisiac, a good runner-up at Witton Castle on his seasonal reappearance.

“That was a good comeback run,” Alan told me about Tres Francais. “We’ll know more about it after the winner runs in a Hunter Chase this week and he’ll run as long as there’s some cut in the ground. Phillippa Taylor runs Garthorpe winner Ultra Viers and daughter Verity confirmed, “Charlie Case will ride as Joe Stevenson broke his wrist team chasing the day after they won! The aim is the Stratford Restricted Final, so Edgcote will be a good stepping stone.” “Secret Scripture came to us with problems,” said Charlie Poste, “But he’s run two solid races recently and, although three miles isn’t his best trip, he should have a chance if Harry can drop him in.”

The card opens with the Heygates & Sons Members Race, which has attracted seven entries including In Our Dreams for last year’s winning stable, Station Yard Racing and Champagne Noir for champion trainer Tom Ellis. The latter is the form choice, with three wins and a good second last time out, while the former is on the upgrade, having won his last two starts. Creaden Grey has a chance on his rules form and a Larkhill third, while the others look to have improvement to find. “Champagne Noir is going to be difficult to beat on form,” admitted Charlie Poste, but In Our Dreams is owned by a real Grafton partnership and they’re keen to run if the ground is on the softer side of good. We’ve got nothing to lose as it’ll be his last run this season.”

The NFU Mutual Open Maiden Race has 24 entries, the highest of the day and several are interesting newcomers and lightly-raced types from top stables, namely Badger’s Hill, pulled-up on his only start for Station Yard Racing, newcomers Don’t Mind It and Hugh De Lacy for Tom Ellis and Phil Rowley respectively and two “No mores” – Alan Hill’s No More No, who was pulled-up at Kimble and Bradley Gibbs’ Nomoreblackjack, third on his debut. Several possess placed form this season that could bring them into contention, most notably Equus Flight, Gentleman Sam, Horizon Dove, Queenhill and Quickly Now Please (owned by Christian and Geri Horner).

“No More No ran green on his debut,” admitted Alan. “He’s come on a serious amount for that run, and we hope to build on that, though he’s a longer-term project, not a sales horse.” Novice title chasing Amber Jackson-Fennell rides Dennis El Menace for Andrew and Alice Campbell and told me, “They like him, he goes well at home, and I’ve done a lot of schooling on him. I rode against him last time and hopefully he’ll come on for that run.” “Badger’s Hill never went a yard when pulled up at Dingley,” said Charlie Poste. We were hopeful of a decent performance but didn’t get one – I’m not sure if it was ground-related. We hope he’ll run a lot better on Sunday – he’ll need to!”

The final race of the day – with 16 entries – is the Framptons Planning Conditions Race, for veteran horses ten years old and over. Master Sunrise won this in 2021 and is in with a chance again for in-form jockey Freddie Philipson-Stow. Aintree-placed Clondaw Westie is potentially the classiest horse in the race, but Alan Hill is more likely to run Craigmor rather than take on his Dingley conqueror Pass The Glass again. Buster Edwards won at Bitterley, but has changed hands since, Hidden Charmer and It’s For Alan have been admirably consistent this season, the latter winning at Paxford, while Touch Tight has scored twice this year before a Mollington second for veteran Phil York, one short of his 400^th career victory.

In addition to the seven point-to-point races, there will be two pony races sponsored by Ben Case Racing, starting at 12.45pm. There will be a big screen to watch the racing, hosted by Charlie Poste. A parade of hounds will take place between the third and fourth races. Other attractions include vintage cars, plenty of trade stands and a children’s area.

Bradley Gibbs took centre stage once again at Cheltenham on Friday during HQ's season swansong for the Hunters' evening fixture. Premier Magic, successful in the St James' Place Cheltenham Foxhunter, returned to the scene of his greatest triumph for an assured 17l victory over Rebel Dawn Rising in the Ineos Grenadier Final.

The race turned into a match from 4 out with David Kemp's Rebel Dawn Rising, whose win in a Garthorpe qualifier for this £10,000 Final has been interspersed with BD and UR figures. In truth, Premier Magic always had the upper hand and had the race won before the last.

For good measure, Gibbs added to his score in the opening John Wyke aka Mr Guinness Memorial Hunters Chase over 2m with Fier Jaguen, last seen leading the field in the Aintree Foxhunter, where he unseated Gibbs at the seventh. Fier Jaguen came here with a mighty reputation on the back of wins at Chaddesley, Revesby Park and Ston Easton, but his jumping left much to be desired over these stiffer obstacles. Although blessed with a turn of foot, he looks something of a tricky ride.

David Kemp didn't head back to the east of England empty-handed however, as Law of Gold went one better than his second in this race 12 months previously to win the four miler. This attritional race always attracts a large field, but it needs to. Of the 12 starts, just 4 finished. Law of Gold is a model of consistency, with three victories from his last 7 runs, the other four efforts being runner-up. He sensibly avoided the Foxhunter here a month ago, and that decision was vindicated. He looks a likely candidate for the Stratford Foxhunter in 3 weeks' time.

Another with sound claims to Stratford is Quintin's Man, who stayed on resolutely to pass several others and win the Lycetts Insurance Brokers Intermediate Chase under Darren Andrews for John Heard. The John Corbett Cup, the season's highest accolade for novices, is a potential target.

Champion Point-to-Point trainer Tom Ellis has carried all before him this season, reaching a personal career best. Winning at Cheltenham however still means plenty, and Fairly Famous put him and rider Gina Andrews in the winner's enclosure with a ready 15l winner over locally-trained Marcle Ridge in the 3m2f Kdta Hunters Chase.

The shortest distance of the night occurred in the Barrie Wells Trust Box4kids Mares Hunters Chase, a relatively recent addition to this programme. There were three in a line approaching the second last. Tom Broughton on Miss Seagreen was first to go for his stick, and looked to have the worst of the tussle, but the 10 year old mare stuck to her task after the last to get up in the final 75 yards to beat Sine Nomine and Singapore Saga in the best finish of the evening. Sine Nomine, brought down from Catterick by Fiona Needham, could be fairly adjudged to be an unlucky loser; there'll be other races for the game grey mare. The winner was trained by Lucy Smith, a welcome reversal of Marcle Ridge's defeat.

The evening concluded with another close contest in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars open race over 2m4f. Paloma Blue looked to have the race in safe keeping two out, but had to rebuff a persistent late challenge from Fix It All, under J J Murphy-Knight, winner of two hunters' races at Ludlow. Josh Newman had something left in the tank, however, and ran on again to win by 3/4l with last year's winner Solomon Grey back in third.