The final meeting of the Wessex Area Point to Point season takes place at Cothelstone on Wednesday when the Weston & Banwell with West Somerset Vale hold their traditional evening meeting. There are 89 entries and the first race is at 4.30pm. Tickets can be purchased for £15 (under 16s admitted free) via www.pointingwessex.co.uk or on the gate. The two Pony Races are kindly sponsored by The Lydeard Farm Bush Camp and the House family and they precede the evening racing starting at 3.15pm.
The Alec Jarrett Ltd sponsored Conditions race includes top rated On Springs, a three time winner this season, all coming last month. A prolific winner when with Ben Pauling, Luca Morgan has him entered in several races here and he would be a worthy favourite in any although here he would carry a penalty. Opposing him is Josh Newman’s Holiday Fund who won twice at Dunsmore (Rocky Creed in 2nd last time) and Wadebridge but he disappointed last time at South Hill. Josh also has Honestlyntrufully who won a similar race at Vauterhill. Scoresby won three last year but has yet to reproduce that this year while Walk in the Wild has won two matches but again has a penalty here.
There are 14 in the shorter Maiden sponsored by the Westminster Society and this could go Tim Vaughan’s Eile Tara who improved on her run here in March to finish a close second last time at Higham. Hazy Winter has a good second (just ahead of Kate’s Lane) here at the April meeting which also puts her into the picture. Josh Newman has the unraced Sincerely Me and Western Vision who fell at the first last time so both are unknown. Luke Price’s My Kent showed nothing under Rules but is expected to improve while Mark Grant’s Silver Fish came down when challenging two out at Kimblewick and his form looks the strongest. Pebble Rebel makes her debut and is out of a winning pointing mare while Up the Front is a half-brother to 4 time winner Malina Ocarina and both should be noted in the paddock.
Briarwood Products sponsor the Novice Riders Race totalling 11 entries with leading Novice Rider Rian Corcoran looking to have the choice of two from his boss, Emma Summersby in Jubertilee and Jet Smart as well as Up Killoughey for his dad, Liam. Any of these three would be a worthy favourite under Rian and he has winning form on all of them. Acey Milan ran a good race when second to top class Famous Clermont and he should again go well here. Veteran Kauto Riko won 6 times under Rules and well last time under Eve Hobbs on his pointing debut. Precious Bounty has won his last two under Marina Bielby and is clearly in good form but holds entries elsewhere.
The Ladies Open is sponsored by the Clifton Club and has attracted 11 entries of which include course winner Ninth Wave who would be making his seasonal debut. Lakota Warrior dead-heated at Stafford Cross with Quintin’s Man and looks to be the mount of Jo Supple while Champion Lady rider, Izzie Hill has the prolific veteran Back Bar who won this race last year and comes here off a win at Higham. He could again show his liking for this course. Already mentioned Precious Bounty and Kauto Riko are also entered here while Soldier of Destiny, Eagle of the Glen and Finisher all have placed form around this track.
The Maxwell Chartered Accountants Men’s Open also has 11 entries including the top class and former Aintree Foxhunter winner Famous Clermont whose last two wins have come here. If he runs, he should confirm his status despite his trainer feeling he is not as good as he was. Dalamoi could pose a threat however having won three Opens this season for Tim and Ed Vaughan before finishing third in a Hunter Chase at Chepstow. Dr Oakley and Ecco met at Chaddesley Corbett in April with the former winning by 11 lengths and they could fill the placings as could Montanna. Jubertilee, Lakota Warrior, Ninth Wave, Walk in the Wild and On Springs mentioned above, are also entered.
The 17 entries in the Beachcomber Inn Restricted give it a competitive look and include a pair from Luke Price’s yard in Echo of Promise and Scoro who both won on their last starts with ease at Kilworthy and Chilfrome respectively. Both would be expected to continue their improvement. Others include Impakt St Georges who has won two this year for Josh Newman and Jewel in the Park for Chris Barber, another dual winner this season (including beating Talimar Pearl who re-opposes) and his form may be the strongest on offer. Chris also has City Silk who won two before disappointing at Chilfrome, while Ask Lileen who won here last time but needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at South Hill.
Cannington Enterprises Ltd sponsor the finale, a Maiden Conditions race and of those 15 entries, Hogan ran well when second at Howick to Avada Kedavra with the pair well clear while Queen Record posted a fair third at Vauterhill on her debut for the Newman yard. Well Mushelle was a fair second to the more experienced Kauto Riko and that form is enough to give her a chance here. Others with placed form who should pick up a race like this are Miss Ghillie, Middleton Fox and Lucarne.