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GO POINTING

01 08 / NOVEMBER / 2024

COVER PHOTO: Tim Holt

03 A WORD FROM THE NEW CEO OF POINT-TO-POINT AUTHORITY PAUL MILLER

05 PREVIEWS

08 THE SOUTH MIDLANDS AREA PREVIEW

13 ON THE CLOCK

14 SPEED FIGURES

AND…THEY’RE OFF!

Welcome to a new season and a new start. The 2024-25 point to point season is here at last, the clocks have gone back, the leaves are falling from the trees and miraculously the rain has held off. What more could we ask for?

We kick off at Knightwick on Saturday followed by Dunsmore on Sunday, with entries looking pretty healthy for the opening weekend.

Over the coming months we have over 130 scheduled fixtures across almost 78 courses including two brand new ones in Wales and Scotland. There’s a very positive feeling in pointing at the moment, with lots of enthusiastic forward-thinking people and passionate teams who make the fixtures what they are.

Pointing is an amazing sport and one we should all be proud of. Last season saw some of the most competitive racing for years with a number of fixtures enjoying record crowds, so we’re obviously doing something right.

There have been a number of changes within the Pointto-Point Authority Board and Office this year. January saw Caroline Bailey come in as Chair and Charlie Poste joining the Board as the PPORA representative. June saw previous CEO Peter Wright leave after 6 years to be replaced by Paul Miller.

We recently caught up with Paul to find out what has been happening over the last few months and what we can look forward to.

Amazingly he still has a smile on his face and is brimming with enthusiasm.

“It’s been non-stop since I started. Peter did warn me that the closed season is extremely busy for the PPA office and he wasn’t wrong. It has been relentless! I’m glad I started when I did though as it let me experience the different deadlines and processes, allowing me to see early on what can be streamlined and simplified for next year”.

Paul’s career over the last 25 years has been in recruitment,

resource management and marketing and commercial strategy. “I’ve worked with organisations looking at where they are and where they want to get to - identifying the obstacles they face, then designing and delivering the solutions. By looking at team structures, what works and what doesn’t and improving processes, things can quickly and positively move forward. I’m hoping pointing will really benefit from a fresh perspective whilst sustaining everything about the sport we all love”.

He's not new to pointing either, having gone to his first point to point around eight years ago. “I was already a fan of jump racing, but with point to point I loved that you could take your dog, walk the course, stand by a fence and have a picnic. Proper racing as I called it. I got involved in syndicates with Claire Hart and then got into racing clubs and ownership with both pointers and under rules horses”.

So what has been happening?

“We’ve had a very busy summer looking, listening and putting in a lot of groundwork which will massively help us going forward. We’ve been quickly building strong relationships across racing. The BHA, HBLB (levy board) and The Jockey Club, to name a few, have been particularly quick to come on board and offer their help, whether that be financial, in professional expertise or through their support services. We are now working with them at board level and I’ve been impressed with how genuinely supportive of pointing they are. Many of their people rode in points and have never lost their passion for it. We are the grass roots of jump racing, with so many trainers, jockeys and horses starting out in points before progressing under rules.

New for this 2024-25 season:

• Free digital planner introduced with every Hunter Certificate

• Subsidised RQC costs introduced for first and second year riders

2024-25 National Championships:

• The PPA took the opportunity of having new board members to revisit the previous decision that the National Championships end on the late May bank holiday. That decision had meant the two June fixtures at Bratton Down and Umberleigh wouldn’t count nationally although they still counted towards D&C Championships. There followed a lengthy discussion looking at a wide variety of viewpoints such as runner numbers, going, social licence, the desire for the season to culminate in exciting Championship deciders across multiple courses and the difficulties Bratton Down and Umberleigh face in moving their fixtures into May. Taking everything into account it was agreed that, whilst it was not ideal, the best compromise for the coming season is again that the National Championships end over the late May bank holiday on Monday 26th May.

What to look forward to:

• Novice rider allowances: a working group is currently looking at novice rider allowances for the 2025-26 season. The feeling is that they are not high enough, don’t last long enough and should apply to more race types

• Race types: a separate working group is looking at conditions races, race conditions and all race types for the 2025-26 season. The group will look at live data such as types of races, runner numbers, horse population etc. and will then form a race advisory group for fixtures to utilise

• New marketing strategy: implementation of a new strategy designed by a team of experienced marketers within racing and pointing. It will work nationally and locally, showcasing local fixtures and local talent with great stories and engaging content. We are about to announce the appointment of a Digital and Content Marketer at the PPA who will start in January

• Sponsorship: we are currently producing new sponsorship packs and brochures which will let us approach and engage more sponsors for pointing. We’ve fallen from 7 national sponsors to 3 in recent years so it’s an area of opportunity as we know who our audience is and what sort of businesses we can appeal to

• HBLB funding: a new funding application window has opened which will allow us to apply for funding for a range of new ideas which otherwise wouldn’t be open to us until 2026.

So, a lot has been happening and there is much to look forward to…and that’s even before the racing is under way!”.

Here’s to a great season, fun days out, success stories and a very bright and positive future for our wonderful sport.

PREVIEWS

KNIGHTWICK RACES

SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2024

By Andrew King

It’s good to be back.

Knightwick kick-starts the pointing season on Saturday (November 9th) with a six race card that has amassed a healthy 65 entries and the first contest is scheduled to be off at mid-day.

Clerk of the course Jim Squires is confident of “lovely jumping ground “ for the meeting with the official going at the time of writing standing at “good to soft and soft in places.”

And one trainer certainly meaning business is Hannah Roach, who has no fewer than eight entries on the card - with four of them in the featured Mixed Open.

Obviously all of the quartet - Gracchus De Balme, Iskandar Pecos, Time Leader and Willewonga - are unlikely to take each other on and go to post but the yard’s selected will make plenty of appeal.

Gracchus De Balme would be a very interesting runner as he was picked up

for £12,500 at the sales over the summer, having previously been an inmate at the powerful Joseph O’Brien yard in Ireland.

The eight-year-old was very highly rated at one time and boasted very decent form on soft conditions for O’Brien over fences so would not be inconvenienced by any give underfoot at the Worcestershire venue .

But it may not be one way traffic as Nickie Sheppard’s A Jet Of Our Own comes into the reckoning on the back of some solid performances last term when he proved a model of consistency for his connections.

The Conditions (Level 2) contest has an open look about it but Myth Buster might prove the value answer as he handles most types of ground and stays very well.

Enigmatic would probably sum up The Composeur, who is decent on a going day and anybody backing him in the Conditions (Level 3) race will be hoping he is in the right frame of mind as he could take a lot of beating.

Knightwick makes a welcome return this weekend

As usual, the Maiden has something of a minefield look about it with so many relatively unexposed types nestling in 21-strong entry. However, Dropematthestation really caught the eye on his debut at Cotley last spring. He could be an interesting contender from the Georgina Ellis stable.

If he does bypass this contest then the way may be open for the Nick Pearce-trained The Village Way, who has shown enough to merit plenty of respect

The Grass Roots Riders contest which raises the curtain on the card has somewhat disappointingly only drawn five entries and Killer Clown can make a winning start between the flags for owner/ trainer/rider Daisy White.

Photo: Alun Sedgmore

DUNSMORE RACING CLUB POINT

SUNDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2024

By GRANVILLE TAYLOR

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE DEVON & CORNWALL POINT-TO POINT- AREA

THE Dunsmore Racing Club has the honour of opening the new point-to-point season in the West Country on Sunday November 10th

Competitive racing is assured at the Dunsmore track on a card featuring six races, with the first event scheduled for 12.30pm

A highlight of the day will be the Keagan Kirkby Remembrance Conditions race for Grass Roots riders who have ridden fewer than 20 winners, kindly sponsored by Paul Nicholls Racing Ltd, with proceeds of the race going to the charity “Friends of young carers in the Bath & NE Somerset area” thereby recognising Keagan’s own devotion in this respect.

Duc De Bourbon would be a fitting winner from the Sam Loxton yard and would have a chance if reproducing his Milborne form in January. Call Simon would be a popular local winner but has to shoulder a 5lbs penalty. Longshanks is also penalised. He goes well fresh and won this event last year. Emma Summersby saddles Lakota Warrior who got his act together late last season and is the mount of the talented Rian Corcoran. Kayf Hernando has some useful form under rules but disappointed last season and changed hands cheaply afterwards. The Composeur is inconsistent but scored on his seasonal debut last year. Fitness wil be all important and I will side with Lakota Warrior

The Goffs four-year-olds only Maiden opens proceedings. There is very little form to go on, but Will Biddick’s well bred Vol Royale showed promise on his debut at Kimble in soft ground in March and is given the vote. The Fran Poste trained Taymount and Dropmeatthestation, stabled with Georgina Ellis, would enter calculations, but are both entered at Knightwick on the previous day.

The Exeter Racecourse Intermediate (The Haldon Gold Cup is at at Exeter on Friday)

Michael Kehoe’s Bicester gelding Paper Mill has developed into a useful pointer and ran well on his hunter chase debut at Cheltenham

In May. This progressive eight-year-old is taken to open his seasonal account. King Orry is in a good yard and was not disgraced in a couple of hunter chases last season. Holiday Fund won on a sound surface at Bratton Down in June and will have the assistance of Josh Newman.

The Mixed Open, sponsored by A & S Paving Ld

Jumps and flat come alike to Humaniste who has been a terrific servant to the Danni Kenealy team. He took his winning tally into double figures at Vauterhill, but can have his off day (can’t we all), but Will Biddick generally gets the best out of him. Myth Buster is a strong stayer who rounded off last season with a win at Kingston Blount. Call Simon, Duc De Bourbon and Longshanks hold alternative engagements but I will take a chance with Tip Top Mountain who has recently joined the Josh Newman yard. He has lost his form a bit lately after seven career successes under rules, but could well be rejuvenated with a spell of point-to-pointing.

The Restricted is sponsored by SFJ Yeandle Contracting & Stuart Luxton Plant Hire

Five-year-old Summer Jam struggled last season after running well at Chipley Park. Holiday Fund has the option of this race and merits respect. Finding Freedom struggles to get the trip but is in good hands. However, I will side with the mare Emberscombe who will strip fit after her summer jumping campaign.

Heltor Oil Maiden

Whatchagotder flattered to deceive more than once last season. Although he managed

a trio of places, his capitulation at Umberleigh is still fresh in the mind. Silent Venture and Shuile Warrior gained experience in bumpers and El Capitaine looks the best of the Newman duo. I expect Far Out West to be well tuned up. He was placed in Irish Maidens and has joined Will Biddick’s yard. A cautious approach is recommended with 15 lightly raced maidens in the entry list

The course is located at Dunsmore, Silverton, EX5 4DU, signed off the A3072 and A396.

Entrance fee for public: £15 / person. Under 16s free entry. Race cards: £3

Cash and card taken on site. No advance ticket purchase facility is available for this meeting.

Licenced bar, refreshments, and bookmakers on site.

Additional trade stands - featuring - POSH country clothing, Farmer’s Friend clothing and accessories, The Liquorice sweet shop, Exe Valley Farm Shop, Stuart Luxton Plant Hire, Compass automotive, Westcountry Videos, Livery Dole, Caroline Taverner Beeswax candles and gifts, Funtasia bouncy castle / inflatable fun and possibly the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Minutes silence at 11am to mark Remembrance Sunday.

No planned roadworks in the area. Access to site via the A3072 (Exeter to Tiverton main road) signposted from main road to venue.

What3words for venue entrance: ///durations. depravity.suppers

Lakota Warrior will be looking to continue lasts season good form

Photo: Tim Holt

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By Jake Exelby, South Midlands Area Press Officer

THE SOUTH MIDLANDS AREA PREVIEW

The South Midlands Area was once again at the forefront of the sport in the 2023/2024 season. While only one national champion was crowned – Izzie Hill (nee Marshall) winning a first female riders title – leading male rider James King is based in the area, as is Gina Ellis (nee Andrews), runner-up to Izzie and Tom Hutsby, who rode five winners in his debut campaign. He will be a leading contender for novice rider honours this year.

As far as the trainers go, Alan Hill was runnerup in the national championship, Max Comley enjoyed a breakthrough season to finish third and Francesca Poste and Gina Ellis were jointsixth. If Gina’s husband Tom’s winners before he took out a rules licence had counted, their G&T Racing operation would have won another title. Overall, South Midlands yards were responsible for over 150 winners, nearly a quarter of the entire national total.

With the new season starting this weekend, South Midlands Area Press Officer Jake Exelby spoke to some of the leading yards in the area about their hopes for the coming campaign.

COMLEY & ELEN WYLIE (Max Comley Racing)

Battleoverdoyen

A new purchase who will be targeted at Hunter Chases. Has won 11 races including two Grade 1s and two Grade 2s (when trained by Gordon Elliott, for whom he was rated as high as 160). He should be a horse to have some fun with in the latter stages of his very successful career. Owned by Caroline Mackness.

Boss Man Fred

Came to us after two years off with a tendon injury. We only ran him three times last season and he was second on his first run, following up with a win at Larkhill. I think he’ll be a better horse this season and will be aimed at the staying races. Owned by The Cotswold Stars Syndicate, in which shares are available.

Kaproyale

Needs no introduction. A successful pointto-pointer and Hunter Chaser who was formerly with Fran and Charlie Poste and an absolute credit to them, having won 12 times from 18 starts. He won most recently at Stratford in May and will start off in points before going hunter chasing in the new year. I also think he could be competitive in a handicap under rules off his mark of 115. Owned by Katie Sunderland.

Spaghetti Pete

Still a maiden but ran a tremendous race to finish third at Paxford on Easter Monday. It took a long time for the penny to drop last season but he certainly has ability

MAX

Boss Man Fred (Photo: Tim Holt)

Capparattin leads the ﬁeld on his local track at Mollington ( Photo: Neale Blackburn)

and I would be hopeful he could progress through the grades.

Trudie Glen

Placed in two bumpers and a maiden hurdle under rules for Dan Skelton. She’ll start in Mares Maidens and I think she’ll be a progressive type between the flags. We’re looking for an owner for her to stay in training with us.

GINA ELLIS (G & T Racing)

All Is True

Owned by Chris Jones and the Oak Partnership and was unlucky not to win last year. Needed the run first time out, then we ran him at Garthorpe on ground that was too soft – being by Court Cave, he needs good ground – and he didn’t stay at Higham. Still eligible for Conditions races but we hope he can make up into an Open horse.

Call Me Early

A replacement for Koyote, who we lost last season, for the Marriage-Signy partnership who have been lucky owners and have had nice horses with us. We bought him at Doncaster in May from Warren Ewing, for whom he was third on his second run in Irish points. He’s a four-year-old, who’ll probably start at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve, and we hope he can go through the grades.

Latenightstory

As the name suggests, a sibling of Latenightpass and – as he’s a full-brother – he’s very similar to ‘Bob’. He’s only three and is still small but is easy and straightforward and has already schooled over hurdles. Won’t run until the spring.

Master Templar

I wouldn’t mind a few more like him – he cost hardly anything and has won ten out of 15 for us. Was second in the Cheltenham four-miler before finding it too quick at Stratford and could run in the Foxhunters if it comes up soft because he travels strongly and stays well. I love riding him as he’s a real challenge – a total monkey – and you can’t guarantee what mood he’s in. When he runs left-handed, he hangs right… and vice versa! Will start at Chaddesley Corbett over Christmas.

Mumbo Jumbo

Bought from Emma Lavelle to replace the retired General Arrow for the same

partnership. Though he’s eight, he’s still a maiden but has loads of experience, was fourth in the EBF Novices Hurdle final and is rated 113. He’ll be ready for either Chaddesley Corbett or Horseheath after Christmas.

ALAN HILL

Back On Track

A four-year-old by Milan, who (son) Joe bought at the store sales in summer 2023. Has grown and matured substantially this year and is a promising type. Jumps very well at home and we’re looking forward to running him soon.

I K Brunel

Made an impressive start with us, winning a hot Ladies Open in his debut then a Taunton Hunter Chase. Following a nasty fall when he was brought down in the Aintree Foxhunters, he’s since won three Opens, including two last season. His last run at Kingston Blount, where he battled gamely to beat the odds-on favourite, was superb, and pivotal in securing (daughter-in-law) Izzie the Female Riders Championship. Hopefully he can continue his good form this season.

Jongleur D’Ainay

Purchased from Doncaster sales last year having finished fourth on his sole start. Made a pleasing and successful start to his career with us, winning a Wadebridge Maiden impressively by 15 lengths, powering up the home straight and pulling clear. Being such a big horse, we then turned him away to give him time to continue to grow into his frame. He’s come back in looking well and strong and we’re looking forward to seeing him progress.

Soldier Unknown

Joined the yard earlier this year and has shown ability and progressed on every start. Made a promising debut when winning a Paxford Maiden and gained confidence and experience from that run, going on to win a Restricted at Godstone and a Conditions race at Peper Harow. He was second at Dingley on his last run on ground quicker than ideal but ran well considering the step up in grade. His will to win stands out and ownership shares in him are available!

Tellmesomethingood

An exciting new maiden and this year’s “milk bottle” horse – I put money in every Friday from September to back one first time out. Purchased from Jim Boyle this summer, he’s been placed five times under rules and shown a lot of promise. He has a lovely character and attitude to his work. By top stallion Walk In The Park, he’s impeccably bred, being a half-brother to Invitation Only, who was rated 161.

MYLES OSBORNE

Ask A Honey Bee

Has come from Fergal O’Brien’s and will be ready early. Fell four out when running a big race in the Scottish National two years

Master Templar ( Photo: Neale Blackburn)

I K Brunel (Photo: Neale Blackburn)

ago. Eligible for Conditions races but rated 130 so could get up to Open level and may go Hunter Chasing in the spring. Should be a fun horse. ‘Fly’ McIntyre will ride him –he’ll ride most of mine when he can.

Green Bonnet

A 5yo mare by Dartmouth who was a £25,000 store but was too weak to run last year. She’ll start off in the bumper at Great Trethew and should run a nice race – we really like her. She’s got a good page and should repay her purchase price.

Moratorium

Owes us nothing and coming back for one more year. Had a little injury after winning at Badbury Rings so has only just come in, and will run early in the new year. I’ll ride him again – he’ll probably be my only mount.

Rock On Cowboy

A nice horse who I knew when he was at Ben Pauling’s and has come to us via the Megson dispersal. Won an Irish Maiden then was sold expensively before running in novice hurdles for Ben. Will have a couple of runs for us before going back under rules.

Take All

My favourite of the lot this season. Will start in the Open at Dunsmore (is also entered at Knightwick) and be ridden by Sam Scott, Ben’s amateur. Bought from Shark Hanlon in the summer, he’s got loads of natural ability and could potentially be

useful. Eligible for Opens but might make a Hunter Chaser as the season progresses.

FRAN & CHARLIE POSTE

(Station Yard Racing)

Capparattin

Did well for us in the Spring, winning at Mollington and Edgcote, having previously been trained by owner Jane Burton and her family – it was great for his owners to win at their local tracks. Will start in a Restricted with a penalty, maybe at Alnwick or Chaddesley Corbett, and we think he’ll improve for a test of stamina, which he has in abundance. Could be good enough to win Conditions races. He’s Charlie Case’s ride.

Japon De Carjac

A French-bred, who was formerly trained by Paul Webber for the Rocher family, who’ve sent us a couple now Paul’s retired. Ran once in a bumper at Huntingdon in 2023 and didn’t show much, so we’ve been asked to see if he has ability – his home work suggests he does. He’s a lovely big horse who schooled well at Maisemore Park recently and he’ll start in a 3m Maiden on a fair track.

Kilfilum Woods

Rated 108 after three runs over fences, including a close second at Huntingdon and another to come from Paul Webber – we bought him privately for a syndicate including David Doolittle and Mark Burgess, who had novice champion mare Imperial Pride last year. He’s eight, and still a maiden, but goes well at home. The plan is to start him at Knightwick (is entered at Dunsmore too) and we’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t go close. Zac Baker will ride – he and Charlie will share the mounts on our horses this season along with a couple of novice riders.

Pocatello

Owned by a local syndicate including our vet Bridget Gatehouse and Nicola Burton, who nursed him back to health after he fell and fractured a knee at Brafield-on-theGreen in 2023. That was his fifth run for us that season and – after a terrible start –he improved with each run before winning at Charlton Horethorne. He’s back in work, is bigger and stronger than before, and should be out before Christmas.

Taymount

Just ran once last year, when fourth at South Hill. Travelled nicely until losing his

chance with a mistake, but stayed on well. He’s come in more furnished this year, is another who schooled well at Maisemore Park, and won’t be far away with a clean round of jumping. May start at Dunsmore (also has an entry at Knightwick) or in another early young horse Maiden, He’s a sales horse with a nice pedigree and was bred by the late Robert Chugg

TIM UNDERWOOD

Ask Nile

Never runs a bad race and managed to nick a victory at Larkhill last year (in a match), then had an injury which put him out for the rest of the season.

La Vega Moon

Winner of two points in Ireland and still eligible for a Restricted with a penalty. Had a point-to-point rating of 93 after taking his ‘Winners of One’, where he beat Private Ryan – who won two Hunter Chases in the spring –by 12 lengths. Subsequently showed moderate form over hurdles with a rating of 92 and there could be some improvement in him as he still looks unfurnished. Came from Shark Hanlon.

Stranger Danger

I bought him from Colin Bowe mid-season hoping he was going to change my luck but – guess what – he got colic. He’s been operated on, hopefully successfully, and is back in work. He had reasonable Open

Moratorium (Photo: Tim Holt)

Ask Nile (Photo: Tim Holt)

form with an Irish point mark as high as 105, which should stand him in good stead to win modest races over here if he regains his form.

The Priests Leap

I bought this horse out of Gordon Elliott’s yard. He’s been plagued with foot problems, which is why he hasn’t run for a year but is sound now. He has a modicum of good form, mostly at around two miles but, being by Flemensfirth out of an Oscar mare, he should get the three-mile trip.

Windgap Hill

Ran a promising race when a close second in a reasonable maiden at Lockinge then started favourite at Parham, but had a crashing fall at the ditch. Unfortunately after that, his jumping fell apart, but hopefully we can get his confidence back and take him to tracks with more forgiving fences.

JULIE WADLAND

Bushtucker Park

She won her Maiden and Restricted very easily for James King last season but her Chaddesley Corbett run in the Mares

Maiden Final was a race too many – she had been in work a long time and didn’t appreciate the soft ground. She’s had a nice break and will go to Larkhill in December. She’s probably better suited to 2m4f but if she runs in an early season Restricted, that won’t be an option.

Glenmount

Didn’t do much wrong last season with three wins and two seconds from five runs. He’s still only six and a tall, rangy, horse who runs up quite light. However, he’s much stronger this year and works like a very nice horse, so let’s see. He will go to the first Chaddesley Corbett meeting in December. (Owned by PPA Chief Executive Paul Miller).

Golden Tobouggan

He’s been a great syndicate horse for us, owes us nothing, and his form on paper last season doesn’t do his runs justice as he ran some very game races for an old boy. He seems to still enjoy it and he’s far too quirky for another job so he will hopefully have another go sometime in December, but this will surely be his last season?

Lagan Valley

Started last season with a lovely win at Sheriff Hutton for James, then the heavy ground – which he didn’t handle – and a virus took its toll mid-season. But he finished the season with a Mixed Open win at Holnicote and a great run to finish third in a hot Ladies at Chaddesley, both for Izzie Marshall. Will aim for a Mixed Open in December, either at Larkhill or Chaddesley Corbett, depending on the ground.

Yakaleo

A five-year-old who’s had a few runs under rules. We haven’t had him long and so far I like him! He’s had a little break and is now cantering away. Will hopefully run in a maiden in early January.

Lagan Valley (Photo: Tim Holt)

Point-To-Point Social Media

GO POINTING

ON THE CLOCK

Much of the joy of any new point-to-point season comes in the anticipation. The perusal of the fixture list to pinpoint local fixtures, the prospect of exploring new courses, the early starts on crisp winter mornings, the obligatory course walk on arrival and the catching up with old acquaintances over a warming libation and a comforting picnic. Above all however, it’s the excitement of seeing horses you noted last season making their seasonal debuts, hopefully progressing this, and making you a few pennies on the side.

Any enthusiast likes to formulate a list of the favourite horses to follow, perhaps validating their prospects by reference to the Point-to-Point Yearbook, a publication that contains not only the results of last season (complete with comments in running) but also a detailed overview of the character of each runner together with a review of noteworthy performances on the clock.

To whet the appetite and provide food for thought I therefore set out below a few suggestions of my own - a selection of horses who posted above average times for their class of race last season and which appear to offer hope of further progression.

Arctic Oscar – lightly raced 8-year-old mare who has won 4 out of her 6 starts to date

BlagtheBookies – beat just two rivals but posted fastest time of the day at Cothelstone. Disappointed under Rules subsequently but offers hope now dropped back in class and is well entered up this weekend.

Camdonian - six-time winner with valid excuses for last two defeats and should be a force to reckon with on the Yorkshire circuit this season

Design to Win – held in very high regard by David Kemp and being given a typical patient introduction.

Douglas Longbottom – scopey son of Helmet (AUS) who went ran up against useful rivals on a couple of occasions before building on the promise shown in the Aintree Bumper the season before.

Glenmount – good looking type who completed a hattrick on last three starts and looks a strong stayer.

Ihandaya- highly regarded and made massive strides last season winning on last four stars. A possible candidate for top honours.

Im Spellbound- appeared to lose confidence following a crashing last fence fall at Larkhill but firmly back on track by the season’s end. Hunter Chase candidate.

Iskandar Pecos - progressive 6-year-old who was sent off favourite for the John Corbett but forfeited all chance with a bad blunder at the very first fence. Impressive previously at Leicester and Cheltenham and can make his presence felt again

Master Templar – has won ten of his 17 starts to date and although has to date disappointed slightly in Hunter Chases might put that right this year.

Perfect Attitude – won a hurdle race in Ireland and unbeaten in two point-to-points last season. Looks capable of further improvement.

Soldier of Rock – a raw son of Soldier of Fortune who quickly built on his debut rout of maiden rivals to follow up in an admittedly weak Hunter Chase. Should do well in the North.

Wolf Walker – expensive purchase but quickly landed the hattrick at Larkhill. Hunter Chasing was perhaps a step too far in his first season but still just a five-year-old and has time on his side.

A couple of the above are entered up this weekend so hopefully we can start the season with a bang.

Hopes are high for Ihandaya this season

Photo: Sweet Photography

SPEED

FIGURES

KNIGHTWICK

09/11/2024

12:00 THE JOCKEY CLUB ‘OPPORTUNITY’ CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3), FOR GRASS ROOTS RIDERS: Ballyadam Destiny (GB) (103)

12:35 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2): Myth Buster (IRE) (103) Top of The Charts (FR) (97) The Composeur (IRE) (89) Silver Sheen (GB) (84)

1:10 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Blagthebookies (IRE) (103) Summer Jam (IRE) (92) Cossack Dancer (GB) (90) Finding Freedom (IRE) (90) Great Valley (FR) (79)

1:45 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3): Blagthebookies (IRE) (108) Ballyadam Destiny (GB) (103) Highland Glory (GB) (100) The Composeur (IRE) (89)

2:20 THE MIXED OPEN RACE: Time Leader (IRE) (140) Iskandar Pecos (FR) (130) A Jet of Our Own (IRE) (125) Willewonga (GB) (123)

2:55 THE MAIDEN RACE: Sabre Rattling (GB) (100) Whatchagotder (IRE) (96) Dropematthestation (GB) (82) Taymount (GB) (81)

DUNSMORE 10/11/2024

12:30 THE GOFFS FOUR-YEAR-OLD ONLY MAIDEN YOUNG HORSE SERIES RACE: Vol Royale (IRE) (78) Dropematthestation (GB) (77) Taymount (GB) (76) Codetalker (GB) (52)

1:00 THE KEAGAN KIRKBY REMEMBRANCE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR GRASS ROOTS RIDERS: Lakota Warrior (IRE) (116) Kayf Hernando (GB) (112) Duc de Bourbon (FR) (105) Highland Glory (GB) (103)

1:30 THE EXETER RACECOURSE INTERMEDIATE SERIES QUALIFIER RACE: Paper Mill (GB) (103) Highland Glory (GB) (98) Funky Sensation (GB) (93) Holiday Fund (IRE) (92)

2:00 THE MIXED OPEN RACE: Humaniste (IRE) (129) Duc de Bourbon (FR) (115) Myth Buster (IRE) (115) Call Simon (IRE) (113) Longshanks (IRE) (111)

2:30 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Holiday Fund (IRE) (92) Summer Jam (IRE) (92) Finding Freedom (IRE) (90) Emberscombe (IRE) (67)

3:00 THE MAIDEN RACE (NWFAA): Whatchagotder (IRE) (96) Fongs Way (IRE) (86) What’s Up Harry (GB) (82) Tangos Tangerine (IRE) (77)