Charing Races second fixture is scheduled for Sunday 23rd February. The opening race of the fixture is the maiden race to be run over the shorter two-mile four furlong distance, and has attracted the most entries on the card with nineteen entries. The entries include Hannah Hickman-Jones trained Creapapy who was placed in four of his six starts in 2024 including finishing second at Godstone in May 2024. He ran in the three-mile maiden at the previous fixture at Charing three weeks ago and finished second to Monrocco Moonlight so comes here with a solid chance of securing a victory. Nigel Padfield trained Patricks Hill finished second over this distance at Cothelstone in 2024 and was second in the shorter maiden here at Charing on February 2nd behind Bobbarelli so also holds a strong chance if he returns to Charing. Elder Statesman trained by Sarah Ashby also ran in the three-mile maiden at the course three weeks ago, and pulled up after making a mistake and losing momentum at the ninth fence. If his jumping holds out he could also be a contender.
Andrew Pennock based near Bury St Edmunds has both My Jetta Plane and The Orchard Boy entered. The Orchard Boy finished ten lengths second in the maiden at Higham on February 9th whilst My Jetta Plane ran at Horseheath in December over the full three miles and finished fifth and on that occasion he finished ahead of David Phelan trained Time To Upgrade. Time To Upgrade pulled up in the three-mile maiden at Charing on February 2nd, but finished twelve lengths third at Horseheath last Sunday. Phelan also has Defying Gravity entered, he finished fourth in a point-to-point flat race over two miles at Larkhill in December, but will have to show he can negotiate the fences if he starts.
Pax, trained by James Henderson has yet to race in a point-to-point, but he has been racing under rules in Ireland in hurdle races. He finished fourth in February 2024 over two miles and was fourteenth on his most recent start finishing over twenty lengths behind the winner Giant Haystacks. Alan Hill trained Tellmesomethingood has also been running under rules in England in hurdle races finishing fourth, fifth and seventh in his three starts in March, April and May 2024. He has had one start in a point-to-point, pulling up at the penultimate fence in a three-mile maiden at Chaddesley Corbett in December, so he should appreciate the shorter distance and could get involved.
William Rekert also has two entries, Bolberry Down and Wait At The Gate. The latter pulled up in two starts in Irish point-to-points in 2023, but then finished ninth and fourth in two starts in Irish point-to-points in 2024. He has had two starts in point-to-points in England and has finished third on both occasions most recently at Larkhill in December, over this shorter distance. Bolberry Down ran under rules during 2024 and only completed on one of his three starts, he lined up in the two-mile four furlong distance maiden here at Charing on February 2nd and finished third but was never really involved in the race and finished a long way behind the winner Bobbarelli. Mark Grant has two entries also, Twomax who finished fifth in his only start at Cocklebarrow in January. He finished a long way behind the winner but should improve for that run. Barrow Brook has failed to complete in two of his three starts this season, he ran out in the closing stages of his first race when still in contention, but then finished sixth on his next start at Larkhill. He was in contention over this shorter distance at the course three weeks ago, but fell four fences from the finish, but he cannot be discounted if he starts. Dontblamejack unseated at the same fence that Barrow Brook was a faller at Charing three weeks ago. He ran well in an Irish point-to-point at Dromahane in December 2024 and was starting to get involved before unseating.
Michael Kehoe trained Codetalker finished three lengths second to Vol Royale at Dunsmore in November and was fourth at Larkhill in December over three miles weakening at the penultimate fence so is definitely one to add to the shortlist. South East Area owner / trainer Katie Featherstone has Crookbarrow entered who was previously with Cynthia Woods. He finished second in a two-mile flat race at Larkhill in February 2023. He has run in hurdle races during 2024 finishing fifth on two occasions and eighth on September 24th where he was forty nine lengths behind the winner. He pulled up on his most recent start over three miles in November and pulled up in the closing stages of a three-mile point-to-point last weekend at Horseheath, but has shown he can stay over three miles. Scene Stealer is yet to run in a point-to-point, but is another who has run under rules in hurdle races, she finished fourth in a hurdle race in December. Nicholas Wright’s Steppingstone would also be making his point-to-point debut if he lines up. He finished seventh in a national hunt bumper race in Ireland in September 2024, but this would be a totally new challenge. The final entry is Christy Woods trained Ifwegetaway who would be making his racecourse debut if he faces the starter.
The Level Two Conditions race over the full three miles sees Rob Varnham’s Count Simon entered. He won a ladies open race at Parham in April 2024 and was second in a ladies open at Peper Harow in May 2024, and will be looking to get back to winning ways. Alan Hill trained Getting Closer could be a danger. He has won nine of his fifteen starts in point-to-points and has been placed in four of his five starts in Hunter Chases. He missed 2024, but if he can show any of his previous form he can definitely challenge for the victory. Bea Coward trained Rocky Creed won a maiden race and a restricted race in 2024 and was fifteen lengths third in a member’s race at Milborne St Andrew three weeks ago, and also holds a chance if he lines up. Hannah Hickman-Jones trained Joy of Life finished second behind Definite Dilemma in the Men’s Open at Charing three weeks ago and would be a strong contender here.
Wireless Operator trained by Hannah Clarke, won on two occasions in 2023 and won a novice rider’s race in 2024 so has the ability to get involved. He pulled up on his only start to date this season at Milborne St Andrew three weeks ago, but is likely to benefit from that run. Benjamin Case trained Wisecracker has had ten starts in point-to-points and his best performance has been finishing fourth at Edgcote in a level three conditions race in May 2024. He has pulled up on both starts this season and may find one or two too good here.
Hardline was previously with Gordon Elliott and finished seventh in the Randox Aintree Foxhunter Chase in April 2024. He is now in Andrew Pennock’s stable and pulled up at Higham on February 9th in a level two conditions race having been prominent until the end of the race. David Phelan’s Carrolls Cottage is also entered, he had been running under rules in Ireland, and was ninth in a chase in June 2024 but generally struggled to make an impression under rules. He finished fourth in the level three conditions race for grassroots riders at Charing three weeks ago but was well beaten in that race. The last entry in this race is Gateau de Miel who was previously with Henry de Bromhead and struggled in 2024 under rules in Ireland. Now trained by Myles Osborne, he refused on his only start in point-to-points but was well beaten at the time.
The men’s open race is the third race on the card and looks a very interesting race with all entries holding a chance and is an option for Joy of Life and Hardline. Ella Gillings trained Definite Dilemma holds an entry in this race, he won the men’s open at the first fixture at Charing three weeks ago, beating Joy of Life by twelve lengths, and would be looking for a second successive victory for his connections. Rob Varnham’s Empire de Maulde is another course winner having taken victory in the level three conditions race for grassroots riders three weeks ago. This could be a tougher challenge but he is not without a chance having won in a faster time than Definite Dilemma. Itacare trained by Liam Corcoran has won four of his seven starts in point-to-points, including a men’s open at Wadebridge in December, however, he pulled up in his subsequent start at Wadebridge in January this year so needs to be back at his best if he is to challenge here.
Anthony Ward-Thomas trained Viva Lavilla finished third in a level two conditions race at Larkhill on January 18th. His next race was a hunter chase at Wincanton on January 30th where he was hampered and pulled up, but probably would not have tested the winner on that start. The final entry here is Bardenstown Lad trained by Sarah Loughnane. He has finished second in a ladies open at Chaddesley Corbett in December and then won a ladies open at Askham Bryan College three weeks ago. He has subsequently won a hunter chase at Fakenham on February 14th and looks like the one to beat if he lines up.
The ladies open has five entries and is an option for Bardenstown Lad and Viva Lavilla. Alan Hill has two entries, Back Bar and Learntalot. Back Bar has impressive form figures with nine wins, nine seconds and four thirds in his twenty nine starts, plus a victory in a hunter chase at Leicester in 2022. Two of his encounters in the winner’s enclosure have come at Charing over recent years and he has every chance of making it a third success at the course. His stablemate Learntalot also has impressive form, having been placed in all six point-to-point starts to date with two wins, two seconds and two thirds to his name. He also gained a win in his only hunter chase at Stratford-on-Avon in May 2024. He was a winner of a three-mile four furlong mixed open at Friars Haugh on January 19th and is a strong challenger here. The final entry is Sarah Ashby’s Monkey Puzzle, who has also been placed on fourteen of his eighteen starts. He finished second behind Back Bar in the ladies conditions race at the course in March 2024 and was second behind Southfield Lily at Charing on February 2nd. He also finished second in a level two conditions race for novice riders at Horseheath last Sunday and if running at his best could be a threat.
The level three conditions race is the fifth race on the card, and this is an option for Carrolls Cottage and Empire de Maulde. Ryans Fancy trained by Rebekah Bell won three on his eight starts in 2024 and beat Learntalot on one of those occasions. Thomas Malone’s Divilskin was second on his first start of the season, finishing only a neck behind Soldier Unknown in an intermediate race, but he pulled up in his subsequent start at Chaddesley Corbett in December in an intermediate race.
Phil York owned and trained Happy Larry won an intermediate race at Penshurst in 2023 and was then second behind Count Simon in a veteran and novice riders race at Aldington. He only had one run in 2024 in another veteran and novice rider’s race at Peper Harow where he finished second behind Highland Glory who also holds an entry in this race. Highland Glory has had two starts since his victory at Peper Harow. He was fourth in an intermediate race at Dunsmore in November but pulled up in the closing stages of a novice rider’s race at Chipley Park two weeks ago.
Bea Coward trained Gran Paradiso is a course winner. He won a men’s open at the course in December 2021 beating Golden Tobouggan by fifteen lengths. He has consistent form and was third on his most recent start at Larkhill in a hunt member’s race so cannot be discounted. Hannah Clarke trained Right Hand of God won a maiden race at Parham in 2023 and is another course winner having won the restricted race at Charing in February 2024. He was fourth in a ladies open race at Parham on his last start in April 2024.
Gardie Grissell has Goudhurst Star entered who missed 2024 and much of 2023. He raced under rules at Plumpton in February 2023 where he was fourth, fifteen lengths behind the winner, and he ran well at Charing three weeks ago to finish third in the level three conditions race for grassroots riders having been prominent until the fifteenth fence. The final entry is Benjamin Case’s Shanty Alley who has previously raced under rules with two successes to his name in national hunt chases. He has had one start in a point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett in December where he pulled up and this might be a challenge too.
The final race of the day is the restricted race and has nine entries. Bolberry Down, Rocky Creed and Creapapy all have this as an option. Artiste d’Ainay from Andrew Pennock’s team won a maiden in January 2024 at Horseheath and was a faller in the early part of his first start in restricted company at Larkhill in February 2024. He then ran at Guilsborough in March and was in contention until the penultimate fence, but eventually finished third. He has not started since but would be a danger here. Petite Mike is entered for Katie Featherstone, he won a maiden point-to-point in Ireland in April 2024 and was then placed in a hunter chase in Ireland in May 2024. His form then tailed off but he finished second five lengths behind Fame And Concrete in the restricted at Charing three weeks ago.
Liam Corcoran trained Up Killoughey was second in his first start in a maiden race at Larkhill in December, but won a maiden race comfortably on his second start at Milborne St Andrew three weeks ago. This would be his first time in restricted company, but he clearly has ability. Ultimate Survivor won a maiden point-to-point at Stradbally, Ireland in May 2024 so would also be making his first start in restricted company. Bloodstone trained by James Henderson won a two-mile five furlong restricted race at Lockinge in April 2023, but he has failed to complete in his three subsequent starts and has not raced since January 2024. The final entry is D’Last Spez, owned and trained by Phil York, he won a restricted at Chaddesley Corbett in May 2023, and then finished seventh in a hurdle race at Southwell in June 2023. He missed 2024 and may need the run, although he also has the potential to get involved.
Racing starts at 1pm with gates open from 11am. Cash only on the gate with adults charged at £15 per person but all accompanied under 16’s admitted free of charge. There will be food outlets, stalls and a bar and dogs are welcome on short leads. Wrap up and come and enjoy a day at the races.
The postcode for the course is TN27 0JD and What3words is rejoins.freshest.rudder.
Charing railway station is a 10-15 minute walk from the course.