News

FLOWERSOFTHERAREST: The recent Cottenham winner could line up at Ampton
photo: Phil Britt

The Mens Open Race is the centrepiece of what should be a highly competitive Dunston Harriers Point-To-Point at Ampton, near Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday January 15.

A total of 122 steeds have been entered for a seven-race card which begins at noon with a 21-entry Club Members Race for veteran horses and runs through until 3.30pm when there are 18 possibles for a Novice Riders event including the recent Cottenham winner, Flowersoftherarest, and Ballygalley Bob, who won at this fixture 12 months ago.

Caveman, trained at Wymondham by Nigel Bloom, is set to defend the honour of East Anglia in a 13-entry Mens Open which features a number of exciting young prospects. Now 12 years of age, Caveman is a standing dish at this Suffolk venue with four course wins to his name.

His opponents may include both the ten-time winner Start Royal from the powerful Alan Hill yard, and Divine Intavention, who is race fit and already has both an Ampton victory and a Hunter Chase triumph to his name.

But two long distance travellers from the North West take the eye here in the shape of Ballyeightra Cross and Current Exchange, who can each boast five career victories at an excellent strike rate.

Horner Woods, runner-up in the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009, is the most intriguing candidate among 11 entries for the Ladies Open. Sagalyrique, a dual scorer in decent company under Rules last January, also merits a mention.

Ampton is four miles north of Bury St Edmunds just off the main road to Thetford, the A134, post code IP31 1NS. Approaching from Bury, follow the signs for Thetford from junction 43 of the A14 then turn right at the pub in the village of Ingham. The course entrance is barely 100 yards down this road.

Admission will be charged at £10 per head with under 17s free.

Back to Top