11 January 2011 Preview: S.E. Point-to-Point Supporters Club - Detling
by Mark Siggers
NOAKARAD DE VERZEE: returns to Pointing this season after being successful under Rules
photo: Jackie Oliver
The Point-to-Point season in Kent, Sussex and Surrey gets under way at Detling, near Maidstone, on Saturday January 15th. Entries are healthy despite many horses having been held up in the recent bad weather.
Reigning male champion Peter Bull intends to run Supa Tramp in the Club race and Honourable Spider in the Mens Open. Master T is entered for both Open races but won't run if there is rain at the end of the week. Bull also rides Sum Say So, trained by Hannah Payne for Hat and Russell Norman.
Philip Hall trains and rides Tommy Thunder but the ground wouldn't want to be too sticky for him in the Club race.
Jenny Gordon brings Baroque Star to the Maiden, a first Point-to-Point runner for Owner Les Gilbert to be ridden by Tom Cannon. Fenton Ramsahoye will be aboard Presenting Express in the Members race, while Anthony Ward-Thomas bids to qualify Launde for Aintree in the Open. Neil Henderson completes the team of Gordon raiders on Top Ram (Novice Riders).
Control Man, winner of eight races with Martin Pipe under Rules and a further three Point-to-Points, has just turned 13 and hasn't raced for four years. He makes his comeback in the Club race in the hands of Owner Stuart Robinson. Another making a comeback is Noakarad De Verzee, who is entered in the Mens Open for owner David Maxwell.
Surrey Rider/Trainer Philip York is a regular winner at this meeting and he saddles Ringa Bay in the Maiden. This could be a winner without a penalty as the horse was disqualified after finishing in front at Cottenham on January 2nd. Blue Dark, who won the 2m4f Maiden at the same meeting, reappears in Detling's Restricted race with Claire Douglas again in the saddle.
Former pony racer Freddie Mitchell, who won on his debut Point-to-Point ride, makes his first appearance in the South East aboard Stroom Bank in the Novice race. He'll be joined by pony racing colleague Oswald Wedmore, who is down to ride Soldershire for the Grissell team. Both young Riders are expected to make their marks this season.
The Ladies Open has attracted 13 Entries, including Caroline Dennis's Forest Miller, while the talented Gold Heart is also entered for the Mens race and Master Alf, now owned by the Cobbs, is a first ride for their daughter Gemma.
Detling racecourse is on the A249 near Maidstone (Junction 7, M20) and the postcode for satnavs is ME14 3JF. The first of six races starts at 12.00. Admission is £10 per person, children under 16 are free and there is no charge for car parking.
To hear all updates supplied throughout the week and on the morning of the meeting, call the Talking Point news line on 09068 44 60 61*.
*Service provided by Bluetogreen Ltd LS7 1PZ, company wholly independent of Weatherbys Ltd. Calls charged at 60p/min. Charges from non BT lines & mobiles may be higher. Terms & conditions at bluetogreen.co.uk. Customer Support Line 0844 993 0298.
