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SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY 2025
By PETER BURGON
The Northern Area Point-to-Point season resumes after a three week break with the West Percy fixture at the Ratcheugh Farm course near Alnwick on Sunday 5th January.
It has attracted 75 entries, the most for this meeting since 2020, on a six race card which starts at 12.30pm.
The opening 2m4f Maiden contest (16 entries) may chiefly concern unraced fiveyear-olds Edith Pelham (Jack Andrews) and Matterofexpression (Jack Teal) who were both bought at the Goffs UK Doncaster Store Sale in May 2023. Related to several high profile jumps winners including The Tsarevich, Gungadu and Sam Spinner, Edith Pelham represents the in-form Warwickshire yard of Gina Andrews which has sent out 7 winners from 11 runners in the past week. Malton-based Teal has a good strike rate in recent seasons with first time out Maiden runners and his Soldier Of Fortune gelding is related to jumps winners Emily Gray, Rose Ravine and Ringaroses.
Of the others, Dear Dot, First Time Caller and Theoldboggroad are also entered in the 3m Maiden. First Time Caller kept on well in the closing stages when three lengths 3rd to Batsman Jack in a 2m4f Alnwick Maiden last month, with Dear Dot a further seven lengths away in 4th. Theoldboggroad led until four out in the 3m Ratcheugh Racing Club Restricted and may be suited by the drop in trip, with the same sentiment applying to The Village Way who has found only one too good on both outings this season. Kaviar Wood showed plenty of promise at Thorpe Lodge and Garthorpe last term, while Cali Dreamer has changed hands since finishing six-and-a-half lengths 3rd in a soft ground 3m Stowlin Mares’ Maiden last May.
The 16 entries for the 3m Maiden Race are headed by Robin Tate’s ex-Irish recruit Great Notions who ran a blinder on his first start for the yard when two lengths 2nd to the aforementioned Batsman Jack three weeks ago and the step up in trip should be right up his street. Jimmy Walton’s home-bred mare High On The Hill shaped well on her reappearance when runner-up to the useful Carlenrig on heavy ground at Hexham and should have more to offer, Notnowbob stayed on from two out when fifteen lengths 5th to Slaney Opera
Northern pointers back in action this week
Grace Beresford
over course and distance last month and has each-way claims, Walk Easy was placed in 7 of 10 Pointing starts in Ireland last season (beaten under 5 lengths on four occasions) in the space of eighteen weeks before joining Rhiannon Lodge’s Shropshire yard, while Where’s Willy should come on a lot for his first run over fences in the Ratcheugh Racing Club Restricted.
Fresh from riding her 500th career winner under all codes at Horseheath on Tuesday (404 Pointing + 96 Rules), Gina Andrews can add to that record-breaking tally on Loughan in the 2m4f Ladies Open Race. This Yeats gelding has been a model of consistency between the flags with 9 wins and 6 placings from 18 starts since November 2021. Having led from the off, Jesika Rennie was enjoying a great first ride on dual Alnwick scorer Diable De Sivola in the Ratcheugh Racing Club Mixed Open until her mount was carried out by a loose horse four out when still four lengths up. Granted a trouble-free round, the partnership should be in the mix over this shorter trip.
Others to note include Kingrullah, Killer Clown and Music Drive. Kingrullah ended a lean spell when beating Killer Clown by two lengths in the 2m4f Ratcheugh Racing Club Conditions, while the dark horse is former Gordon Elliotttrained 127-rated hurdler Music Drive who has been off the course since December 2022. Now with Kelly Morgan, he posted a careerbest effort when nine lengths 2nd to Hermes Allen in the 2m5f Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) at Cheltenham in November 2022.
Former Nicky Henderson-trained 150-rated chaser Dusart is the class act in the Men’s Open Race (8 entries). He was up with the pace and still travelling well when a mistake at the final open ditch (11th) unseated Tom Chatfeild-Roberts. His main rival is Jetaway Joey (Jack Andrews) who goes well fresh and was narrowly beaten by Diable De Sivola in the 2023 renewal with Sine Nomine eight lengths
back in third. Bardenstown Lad (also entered in the Ladies Open) had a hard race when threequarters-of-a-length 2nd to Master Templar at Chaddesley Corbett last Sunday and this race might come too soon. Proven stayer West Lawn has been placed on both starts this season in Conditions Races, while the versatile Galileo Silver also has the option of waiting half-an-hour for the Conditions Race.
A competitive-looking 3m Conditions Race has 14 entries. Now with Rhiannon Lodge, 130-rated hurdler Galileo Silver’s six wins under Rules comprise 2 hurdles, 1 bumper, 2 chases and 1 all-weather success at Kempton. The ultraconsistent Courting Flow boasts form figures of 211 at Alnwick, with one of those wins coming in last season’s Percy Restricted. The drop in grade should boost the chances of Bintheredonethat, Not The Chablis should come on a lot for his pipe-opener at Alnwick three weeks ago, while Humps And Bumps should prove to be an ideal schoolmaster for Ruby Wyld.
Slaney Opera got off the mark on his first start for Joe Wright in the 3m Ratcheugh Racing Club Maiden and bids to strike again in the concluding 3m Restricted Race. Sent clear approaching two out that day, he scored with plenty in hand by eight lengths and is still on an upward curve. Of the other 7 entries, proven stayer Shantou’s Temple shaped well on his seasonal debut when 4th to Wild Polly in the Border Conditions, Foxylee made all when beating two subsequent winners in a 2m4f Alnwick Maiden in December 2023, while Sponthus beat Slaney Opera by seven lengths in a Bedale Maiden last season which proved to be a true stamina test.
Admission is £15 per person, with under 16’s free. (Cash only on the gate)
The Ratcheugh Farm course is about 3 miles NE of Alnwick and is signposted from the A1. The post code is NE66 3AD.
SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY 2025
By BOB BRACHER
The first meeting of 2025 takes place at Larkhill on Sunday with the running of the Larkhill Racing Club meeting. This is a golden opportunity to shake off any excesses from the post-Christmas and New Year festivities and enjoy the spectacle of an afternoon’s racing at the very popular Wiltshire course where 95 horses have been entered for the seven scheduled races due to start at 11.30am. The course is in great shape after the two previous meetings with the current going reported as good, with rain forecast for Wednesday. The bends have been moved since the last meeting and the racing line has been rolled.
There will be hot and cold food available, a bar and a variety of trade stands plus the Bookmakers to have a bet with. Entrance cost is £15 per person with under 16s free and racecards at a cost of £2.50, Located 5 N of Amesbury and signposted off A345 and from the West off A 303 What3Words///tubes.driveway.conquests.
The meeting begins with the Godfrey Maundrell Memorial Conditions Race run in the memory of Godfrey who was a keen supporter of racing at Larkhill until his death in 2018. Of the 12 horses entered most will be making their seasonal debut so it may pay to side with two that have already raced this season namely All Loved Up trained by Olive Nicholls and to be ridden by High Lillingston, and Sake of Secrecy trained by Harriet Waight. The former gave Hugh his first career victory and a repeat victory would not be unexpected. The veteran Doc Pugh who will be celebrating his fourteenth birthday will be a popular winner but normally needs his debut run and similar comments apply to Pink Eyed Pedro who is of a similar vintage. For Rita goes well for her owner Abigail Henry and should be considered. Viva Lavilla was only seen once last season when third to Viroflay and a repeat of that form would be good enough to win this race. Marcle Ridge is the class act in the field and if back to his best could give his owner Clive Bennett another victory.
A high class of fifteen horses are entered in the Paul Nicholls and John Bolton sponsored Ladies Race headed by the Aintree Foxhunters winner in 2023 Famous Clermont. Partnered in his last outing at Stratford by Izzie Hill, he could run up a sequence in Ladies races this season if this is a route his trainer Chris Barber
plans to take. Already the winner of three races at Larkhill it would be no surprise to see him score for the fourth time at the course. Of his potential rivals Duc de Bourbon brings winning form this season and should not be discounted, Paul Nicholls has entered both Switch Hitter and Oscars Moonshine and the choice of his daughter Olive has place chances. Precious Bounty easily won at Badbury Rings but this is a much tougher assignment. If Famous Clermont swerves this race Izzie may still ride the winner with I K Brunel expected to come on from his debut last month.
The We Do Vans sponsored Maiden race may see a repeat of the clash between Five Quarters and Glancing Hill which took place at the first meeting this season when they finished runner up and third. With Josh Newman’s stable in such good form Five Quarters is selected to break his duck. Far Out West ran well when runner up to Crawter and he should be in the mix. The ex-Irish Mount Anglesby brings place form from Hurdling and if adapting to fences he could be of interest. Josh Newman has also entered Ted The Thief runner up to Good Boy Eric at the last meeting, and if the stable choice then the hint should be taken.
The Southern Counties Auctioneers sponsored Mens Open race contains an entry for the prolific Grace A Vous Enki who will be seeking his eighth consecutive victory at Larkhill. Already the winner of his two outings this season he is in such good form and he is hard to oppose. Famous Clermont holds an entry in this race and if declared it will be fascinating to see how he gets on. My Drogo ran well on his pointing debut and he may give the favourite the most to do. One For Rosie ought to come on for his seasonal debut but he may only be playing for minor honours.
The Restricted race sponsored by Alec Jarrett Limited has attracted twelve entries with four recent winners amongst the prospective field.
Crawter won his division of the Maiden at the last meeting whilst Southfield Scope won the other division and was the more impressive in his victory. Kilfilum Woods won his first Restricted race at the first meeting and now carries a 5lb penalty whereas Talimar Pearl won his Maiden at Wadebridge and is on the upgrade. All Star Boy won his Maiden at Larkhill last season and created a favourable impression and could be the one to challenge Southfield Scope.
The Woolley and Wallis sponsored Conditions Race for Novice Riders may see the seasonal debut for Sixteen Letters already the winner of fourteen point to points and a Hunter Chase. Now in the ownership of Kayley Woollacott and the likely mount of promising novice Hannah Morgan he would have to carry a 10lb penalty but his class may tell. Similar comments apply to Precious Bounty who provided Marina Bealby with her first winner when easily winning at Badbury Rings. Fan Club Aulmes was a promising second at Knightwick after a lengthy absence of over 900 days and he should be on the short list. Ping Pong Paddy is returning to racing after a long gap and this Fran Poste trained gelding is another to consider. Striking Out was placed in a Chase at Uttoxeter in May when trained by Henry Oliver and is now in the hands of Joanne Priest.
The meeting concludes with a Maiden Conditions race over the shorter trip of two and a half miles for which eleven horses have been entered. Glancing Hill and Ted The Thief both entered in the other Maiden hold entries and look to be the two principals if they opt for this race with the latter preferred. Shikantsen Enki was second at Badbury but unseated his rider at the last Larkhill meeting. The exIrish Riskamatriak was fourth on his second outing and now with Mike Vanstone he should be considered. Tom Malone’s Celtic Harmony was in the process of running well when being brought down at the third last but he is also entered at Horseheath.
BY JAKE EXELBY, SOUTH MIDLANDS AREA PRESS OFFICER
Norfolk farmer, stand-up comedian and former amateur rider Keith Loads is one of the more colourful owners on the pointing circuit, as well known for his enthusiastic celebrations as he was in venues up and down the country in his time as the ‘King of Norfolk Squit’! His light blue and white colours have been carried successfully both under rules and between the flags over the past decade and Jake Exelby got the lowdown on Keith’s 50 years in racing, a landmark he celebrated last season.
Tell me about your background
I’m 68 and from Hindringham, near Fakenham, but I now live with my partner Kate, near Framlingham in Suffolk. I’m a third-generation farmer but never wanted to farm – I’d have walked away if I’d had a brother but had two sisters!
Talk me through your career in racing so far
We used to have horses on the farm before tractors, and I had ITV racing on at the weekends – that’s where the bug came from. From an early age I wanted to be a jockey or trainer.
How did you get into point-to-pointing in the first place? I’ve been going pointing since the age of eight or nine, in the era of Michael Bloom, David Wales and Robert Case, then David and Josie Turner – I grew up looking up to them.
When I was 18, I was given an ex-racehorse – Fonton Eye VI – that would be good for me to learn on. The horse was free, but I had to pay £100 for the tack, which was a lot, as I was earning £6 a week at the time! I used to get up at 4am
to train him before starting farming, and take him to the beach at Holkham, walking him in the sea to get him sound. I trained him for the Newmarket Town Plate in 1975, I think we finished sixth (Sale & Mackenzie says they were tailed off!) and I was hooked.
Talk me through your riding career –point-to-points / flat / jumps I rode for about 25 years off and on and never rode an ‘official’ winner, although I had two charity race wins at Fakenham. I had several placings under rules and in Arab racing and was twice beaten in a photo finish by leading amateur Chris Bonner.
I only had a handful of rides a year and would diet to race, but the weight would go straight back on, and it would have been easier if I was riding every day.
You’ve had an increased presence in recent years. Why is that? I used to do it on a shoestring and every penny I earned went towards horses but about a dozen years ago, I had an offer for a piece of farmland that I couldn’t refuse, so I was able to get better class horses for both pointing and rules and took it to the next level.
Last year, you had a lot more pointers than usual – why so many and what were your hopes?
I reckon you used to need 12 or 13 winners to be leading owner, so I bought a few more to try and win the title in my 50th year racing. Little did I know how many runners Tim Vaughan would have! I knew within a few weeks that I wouldn’t win.
What have been your highlights of 50 years in the sport?
28th January 2024 was a once in a lifetime day. I had three runners with two trainers and three winners, ridden by three different jockeys. It was unreal, a dream and didn’t really sink in at the time, as they were in consecutive races, so I didn’t have the chance to enjoy it until afterwards.
And funniest moment?
It was at Dingley. I can’t say who, but three male jockeys decided to run naked down the slope from the car park to the racecourse.
You’ve had horses with a number of trainers over the years – what influences your decision on where to send your horses?
I went with Tom and Gina Ellis because (before Tom took out a
licence) they were professional in every way except the name. The only downside is that they’re three hours away, so I don’t get to see the horses. Andrew Pennock is only 40 minutes up the road, and we had success with Trojan Du Berlais last season, so I’ve got another one – Wiseman Said – with him this year.
I’m cutting down on pointers this season, because the training fees are almost as high as under rules and you’re running for £150! But I hope ‘Trojan’ will make the Intermediate Final at Cheltenham.
Under rules, it’s slightly different. I’ve got two horses with Gary Moore, as he specialises in juvenile hurdlers. Royal Way won two for me last year and I’ve got Risk It All, who won a bumper in France, who he holds in high regard. (He was third on his British debut last week).
And I could talk all night about Lunar Contact! He won a point-to-point at Fakenham and was always going under rules with Tom. He ran badly first time and I said he had one more chance, so we sent him back to Fakenham as we knew he liked it there. He won, then won there again, then Tom ran him over hurdles without a penalty and he completed his hat-trick – three wins in four weeks!
What are your ambitions in the sport?
I’ve got a pointer – Well Buoy – in Ireland with Enda Bolger, who won his Maiden in November. I bought him after he’d finished second in a bumper – if he’d won, I couldn’t have afforded him! It’s always been a dream to have a crosscountry banks horse and Enda’s the king of the banks.
The plan is to qualify him for the Ladies Cup at Punchestown and, long-term, for Cheltenham. To have a
runner at those festivals has been a dream for 25 years and I bought Risk It All for the Triumph Hurdle or – if not – the Boodles (4yo Handicap Hurdle).
Which jockey(s) do you like to use and why?
If I had the choice, it would be Gina Andrews (Ellis) every single time. She’s so strong and I believe she’s ridden 25 winners for me. Her brother Jack has also won for me and is second to none as a judge of pace. And Paddy Barlow was brilliant on ‘Trojan’ last year – he’s bred to be a jockey.
Which has been your favourite horse that you’ve owned? That’s very easy. Troufion, a gigantic grey who was about 17.2 hands. As a child, I had a dappled grey rocking horse, so always wanted to own a real grey. He was the first horse to win in my own colours when taking a Cottenham Maiden for Bridget Andrews, trained by Sandra Fryer. He then went under rules and won twice for Caroline Bailey.
Which horse (not one of your own) would you most like to own? It’s not very original, but Ihandaya, the pointer who seriously could be anything.
What’s your favourite course?
I used to love riding at Cottenham – its closure was a sad loss – as it was a fair course, whose fences were second to none. I also enjoyed Ampton – the downhill fence was like Bechers, with its drop.
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
I do it for two reasons. One is love, and the other is the friendship and fun you have, even if other people win. It’s not the same under rules. There’s no thrill like winning at a pointto-point – it’s a small world and everybody knows each other.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d run a mile from the job! Pointing’s going through so many changes. From a racegoer’s point of view, there are too many conditions races, which means fewer runners in opens. They can be an easy way to get a win and make for less competitive racing.
Tell me about your 30 plus years of a comedy career I always loved comedy on TV. We had a village party for the Silver Jubilee in 1977 then I did ten minutes of Norfolk comedy. Someone approached me to do more, so I built up a 40-minute set. It was a way of escaping the farm. Getting laughter on stage was like a drug and, if an evening went well, I was on a high for days.
My big break was when I did (turkey king) Bernard Matthews’ 80th birthday, which people like Jim Davidson and Ronnie Corbett attended. It led to more work and my biggest gig was the Thursford Christmas Spectacular, the biggest of its kind in Europe and as good as any West End show.
What is ‘Norfolk squit’?
It’s a mixture of humour and comedy and Norfolk is the only place it’s used. I’d go on stage and say, “It’s half skill, half wit, so we call it squit!”
Who are your comedy heroes?
Ken Dodd was my first. I got to know him well and we used to have a beer and a chat after shows. I also adored Cornish comedian Jethro – another massive supporter of pointing – and worked at his club. I was billed as ‘Norfolk’s Jethro’.
Tell me a joke
People ask me what I do with my time now I’m retired. Well, I’m writing a book about gales and hurricanes. It’s just a draft at the moment.
CHADDESLEY CORBETT 29/12/2024
11:00 1. PANJANDRUM (GB) Jack Andrews 13-2 2. SWEATING BULLETS (IRE) James King 2-1F
3. KING ROQUE (FR) M. McIntyre 8-1 (13 ran).
11:30 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE (IRE) J. Newman 17-2 2. BARTON SNOW (IRE) Huw Edwards 7-1
3. ARCTIC OSCAR (GB) Miss G. Andrews 7-2 (10 ran).
12:00 1. I’M SPELLBOUND (IRE) Miss G. Andrews 2-1 2. REWRITETHERULES (IRE) Huw
Edwards 5-4F 3. AMRONS SAGE (IRE) Mrs I. Hill 20-1 (13 ran).
12:30 1. MASTER TEMPLAR (IRE) Miss G. Andrews 10-11F 2. BARDENSTOWN LAD (GB)
Miss A. Johnston 5-1 3. SHANG TANG (IRE) Miss Aimee Jones 12-1 (7 ran).
1:00 1. JEUX D’EAU (FR) Huw Edwards 11-2 2. PREMIER MAGIC (IRE) B. Gibbs 3-1J
3. ONE TRUE KING (IRE) M. McIntyre 4-1 (11 ran).
1:30 1. LLANDINABO LAD (GB) W. Badlan 11-2 2. JET SMART (IRE) Rian Corcoran 4-5F
3. BALLYADAM DESTINY (GB) Daniel Williams 16-1 (12 ran).
2:00 1. MUMBO JUMBO (IRE) Miss G. Andrews 11-8F 2. IDEAL DU TABERT (FR) Huw Edwards 2-1 3. KING ORRY (IRE) J. Shaw 6-1 (11 ran).
HORSEHEATH 31/12/2024
11:00 1. ALL IS TRUE (IRE) Jack Andrews 5-4F 2. CHAMPAGNE GLORY (IRE)
Miss G. Andrews 6-1 3. PAPER MILL (GB) C. Case 6-4 (8 ran).
11:35 1. JULLOU DE GRISSAY (FR) James King 4-1 2. TAGHADOE (IRE) S. Mead 6-1
3. ALWAYS GROOVIN (IRE) Miss G. Andrews 6-4F (13 ran).
12:10 1. ARAMAX (GER) Cian Murphy 6-4F 2. DROP HIM IN (IRE) T. Hutsby 7-2
3. MASTER MALCOLM (GB) J. Wilmot 25-1 (9 ran).
12:45 1. FAIRLY FAMOUS (IRE) Miss G. Andrews 1-4F 2. GO GO GERONIMO (GB)
Miss M. Micklewright 3-1 3. BACK BAR (IRE) Miss Harriet Beeby Wynn 8-1 (3 ran).
1:20 1. ALLMANKIND (GB) A. Chadwick Evens 2. WHAT A GLANCE (GB)
T. McCain-Mitchell 6-4 3. RAGNAR LODBROK (IRE) Jack Andrews 9-4 (4 ran).
1:55 1. PREMIER FANTASY (IRE) B. Gibbs 7-4 2. CHABICHOU DUPOITOU (GB) James King 3-1
3. FINDING FREEDOM (IRE) D. H. P. Lewis 10-1 (5 ran).
2:30 1. CALL ME EARLY (IRE) Jack Andrews 2-1F 2. HIGHWAY SKYLINE (IRE) D. Peters 5-2
3. BARRINGTON JOHN (GB) B. Gibbs 6-1 (9 ran).
By ANDREW KING
Not only did Gina Andrews notch a career defining 400th pointing victory aboard Master Templar in the saddle at Chaddesley Corbett’s ever popular Christmas/New Year meeting on Sunday, but she also dominated proceedings by rattling off a quick-fire riding treble as well as training a remarkable four-timer.
Panjandrum kickstarted the winning jamboree for Andrews sporting her trainer’s cap while I’m Spellbound, the aforementioned Master Templar and Mumbo Jumbo completed the quintessential quartet for the former ladies champion rider.
Speaking after the dust had settled on the momentous day, Andrews said: “I have been very lucky down the years as I had the best possible start with support from my mother and father and now my husband Tom (Ellis) and myself have a really fantastic set-up at our yard in Warwickshire
“I have got some lovely to horses to train and ride and I hope there are plenty more winners to come especially as a trainer and a jockey - I have no intentions of hanging up my boots anytime soon as you are a long time retired.”
And Andrews confided that she is up for the fight to regain her champion riders’ crown which she was forced to relinquish to Izzie Hill last term after the pair had fought tooth and nail for winners over the last months of the season.
She said: “There’s no point in denying it - it pained me greatly losing out on the ladies title to Izzie as I became very frustrated when things did not work out as I rode so many seconds. In the heat of it all I nearly lost a friend in Izzie over the whole thing but we are fine now.
“However, I am hopeful things will pan out better from my point of view this time around and it would be great to end the season with another championship in the bag.”
Andrews conceded that she has called Master Templar a few names in the past but after he showed great tenacity to
narrowly get the better of Bardenstown Lad for the Ladies Open, she may have to revise that opinion.
She admitted: “I have sometimes been rude about him as he has not always been the easiest horse to ride as he has his own mind about things. But one thing is for sure he is a strong stayer on his day and simply loves soft ground.”
The easiest Andrews-partnered winner of the afternoon was I’m Spellbound as he powered clear of Rewritetherules in the Conditions contest, showing a neat turn of foot in the very testing conditions to score by an ever increasing eight lengths.
Of the winner, she said: “He was very good and I suppose he will have to go hunter chasing at some stage. He has got plenty of toe and jumps really well in the mainso has plenty in his favour going forward.”
Panjandrum and Mumbo Jumbo topped and tailed the card for Andrews with her brother Jack taking the riding honours on the former while Mumbo Jumbo proved the answer to the concluding Maiden as he shrugged off the attentions of Ideal Du Tabert.
Andrews said of the pair: “Panjandrum will likely head to the Cheltenham Sales at the end of January as he is a proper three mile chaser in the making, while Mumbo Jumbo proved pleasing as this was his debut for us and he can only go on from this effort.”
Last season’s Lady Dudley Cup hero Jeux D’Eau, trained by Laura Richardson and partnered by Huw Edwards, made a winning return to action when proving too good for Premier Magic in the Men’s Open.
Richardson was obviously delighted by the success and said: “He seems very versatile as it was good ground in the Lady Dudley Cup here last Spring and on this occasion he has come good again on conditions much more testing
“He really needs a bit of time between races so we will not rush him and the longer term plan will have to be hunter chasing as we think he has enough scope for those types of races.”
Trainer Jo Priest sponsored the Novice Riders’ Conditions race and she went home all smiles when scooping her own pot after sending out Llandinabo Lad to score at the expense of Jet Smart under a good ride from Will Badlan.
Priest said: “It really wasn’t my intention to win my own prize but that’s the way it has panned out. We have had the horse about ten weeks and we were hopeful of a big run as he had done all we had asked of him at home.”
Important Notice, trained and ridden by Josh Newman, outpointed Barton Snow to lift the Intermediate by two-and-ahalf lengths after taking the initiative approaching the penultimate fence.
Winning joint owner Tom Dalley revealed that the six-year-old had a wind operation over the summer months and his fingers were crossed he would be good enough to take in hunter chases in the second part of the season.
Quote Of The Day - “It’s no good speaking to me these days as Gina is the trainer and I’m just the box driver!” - Tom Ellis after his wife Gina (Andrews) had saddled Panjandrum to to land the opener.
TUESDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2024
By MIKE ASHBY
There was a superb start to the first meeting of the 2024/25 East Anglian point-to-point season, held at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve. A huge attendance witnessed some first-class racing with several close finishes and an outstanding riding milestone achieved by ten-times National Ladies Point-to-Point Champion, Gina Andrews.
Gina, now based near Rugby, has always held an East Anglian riding certificate and has been very supportive of the fixtures held in the region. Her first pointing winner came, just a week after her 16th birthday, in February 2008 at Cottenham and on the Sunday, prior to this meeting, she rode her 400th pointing winner. Here at Horseheath, when successful on Fairly Famous in the Ladies Open race, Gina was notching up her 500th career victory with her tally boosted by her successes when riding on professional GB racecourses and in Ireland. Those of us who have been privileged to watch Miss Andrews through the pony racing ranks, to that first pointing winner on Moving Earth then followed her continual haul of pointing winners, Cheltenham Festival success and a wonderfully impressive attempt in the Grand National. We in East Anglia, Gina, are proud of your fantastic achievements.
Fairly Famous had only two other rivals and although there was never any significant distance between the trio, it always looked as though Gina could make her move on the 1/4 favourite as and when required, which is how the finale of the contest materialised. Gina explained post-race that she didn’t want to give her mount a hard race and the 1½ length victory over Go Go Geronimo with Back Bar another 6 lengths behind was totally satisfactory, in the circumstances.
Gina is now responsible for the training of her pointers and in addition to her victory, her brother Jack completed a first and last race winning double on All Is True and Call Me Early respectively to land a treble for the stable. Jack’s effortless but confident ride on the latter was highly acknowledged by the enthusiastic crowd. Having been stone last, obviously by design, until after the 5th last obstacle, the pairing made smooth but swift progress past their rivals to jump clear at the last fence and go on to comfortably win by 2 ¾ lengths. Call Me Early victory completed a winning owner’s double for the Signy and Marriage Families, who also own Fairly Famous.
All Is True’s victory was summed up by Jack as “Plain sailing. Jumped and travelled well and loves this ground.” Having jumped alongside the early leaders Paper Mill and Ocean Drifter, at the final open ditch the winning combination were always in control and had 1¼ lengths to hand to quell the late challenge of Champagne Glory.
Newmarket trainer Jenny Owen enjoyed victories by Aramax and Allmankind. The former, partnered by Cian Murphy came with a perfectly timed run to take the spoils in the Novice Riders’ race whilst the classy Allmankind led all the way, with Alex Chadwick, in the Mens Open race.
Aramax’ jumping was slightly sub-standard in the earlier part of their race, according to Murphy, but “the ones in front came back to me “ which allowed the partnership, made favourites, to swoop late after the last fence, and overtake Master Malcolm who had led from 4 fences out and Drop Him In who looked the likely winner when jumping the last. Cian who has accumulated 6 wins from 16 rides is joining Paul Nicholls, on a full -time basis after the Ampton meeting in January and we will watch his progress with interest.
The classy Allmankind’s pointing debut was of particular interest and with Tim Gredley in attendance the former Dan Skelton inmate having won 9 races under rules, made a winning start against two highly-rated opponents in What A Glance and three -time course winner Ragnar Lodbrok. Alex Chadwick employed Allmankind’s normal front-running tactics and despite not jumping fluently at some the fences, especially the open ditch second time round, continued to find more and still held a 2¾ length lead at the winning line, over What A Glance with Ragnar Lodbrok, eased after the last, another 8 lengths adrift.
In the Restricted contest, the grey Chabichou Dupoitou cut out the early running but appeared to fade when facing the uphill finish, due to her early exertions. This allowed Bradley Gibbs on Premier Fantasy to seize
the opportunity and take command at the last fence but the dual-winner still needed to be driven out to hold the renewed challenge of Chabichou Dupoitou and James King who only failed by a short-head to pull back the deficit. Gibbs acknowledged that the intention was to challenge late but found themselves in front, sooner than they wanted and agreed ”it was tight in the end”. With over 240 pointing career wins to his name this was Bradley’s first success at Horseheath but by his own admission he has never brought that many runners to the course but now with his and his partner’s base near Welwyn Garden City, it’s likely his visit could be more frequent. The odds-on favourite for the race, Cheytac, was pulled up by Gina Andrews, just before completing a circuit, having bled.
Current national champion male rider, James King, was involved in another tight finish, earlier, in the second race on the card when snatching victory on the winning line, on Jullou De Grissay in the Open Maiden contest. Just a head separated the winner from the runner-up Taghadoe with the favourite, Always Groovin, another head away in 3rd place. Taghadoe gave Seb Mead an exhilarating ride with some spectacular fencing from the front and is one to note for the future, as is the third placed horse, and as the final distances suggest the run to the last fence and throughout the run-in, it was difficult to assess who, of the first three home, had secured the judges verdict. King was “quietly confident” his mount had won and was pleased to secure the win for the owners, who sadly missed the winning performance having travelled to Higham racecourse, in error. Max Comley was however present to accept the trophy as his partner, Elen Wylie, is now responsible for the pointers in his yard as Max has now taken out a professional trainer’s licence.
What an encouraging start to the new season and there was richly deserved praise from many participants for Clerk of The Course, John Sharp‘s, endless hours of course preparation which had showcased Horseheath in the very best light.
There was some high class racing over the festive period and something for everybody with a major contrast in the going between both fixtures.
At the Harkaway the going was undoubtedly testing and times indicate that it became increasingly so over the course of the card. Whilst this always poses a challenge for the time enthusiast, the use of various statistical techniques allows the projection of a ‘best fit’ modification to the raw going allowance until reasonable confidence can be found – even though to the naked eye it might seem perverse that one of the ‘fastest performances’ appeared to come in the race run in the second slowest race time of the day!
This might all appear nonsense to the lay person, but the calculations, as I compute them, suggest that the winner and runner-up in the concluding maiden to be well above average. The aptly named Mumbo Jumbo (112) may have raced sixteen times without success for the Emma Lavelle yard but had shown a decent level of form on occasions and importantly a predilection for soft ground. The same could also be said of second placed Ideal du Tabert (104) who had been rated as high as 119 under Rules, facing some tough tasks including behind Welsh Grand National winner Val Dancer. Strongly supported in the ring beforehand, Ideal du Tabert impressed with his jumping before ultimately having to give best to the Gina Ellis inmate, the pair finishing a distance clear of King Orry who had himself had some fair performances to his name in Hunterchases at the back end of last season. In conclusion this was the best maiden of the season to date and both Mumbo Jumbo and Ideal du Tabert should be followed.
Elsewhere on the card Jeux D’ Eau (120) clocked a solid figure in the Men’s Open drawing well clear of Premier Magic. Successful in a rather sub-standard Lady Dudley Cup last year, he is still only seven years of age and having been successful in five of just eight starts is another to keep on your side.
At Horseheath the main point of interest was whether Allmankind’s stamina would hold out over the course’s stiff uphill finish given that, despite racing at the highest level under Rules (4th in the Arkle Trophy to Shiskin back in 2021), he had never been previously successful at a distance beyond two and a half miles. The faster ground conditions were in in his favour however and in a cracking contest he made all the running and readily held off Horse and Hound Cup winner What a Glance on the run-in to register a three-length success. On form a high-class Open performance but a time figure of 100 is a little underwhelming suggesting he had his own way out front and may still be vulnerable over this trip in a more strongly run event. Fastest race on the card was the opening Conditions race won by All is True (108). An attractive sort, he was always travelling well behind the useful and consistent Paper Mill but, although quickening well to lead in the run to the line, gave the impression he finds little off the bridle. Exaggerated waiting tactics will continue to serve him well therefore and it’s also worth noting he is best served by a sound surface.
It is to be hoped that the weather gods will be kind to Larkhill this weekend where Famous Clermont is scheduled to make his seasonal debut. The presence of Larry (rated 133 under Rules when last seen in the Spring) makes for added interest.
05/01/2025
12:30 THE MAIDEN RACE: The Village Way (GB) (98) Kaviar Wood (FR) (87) Theoldboggroad (IRE) (80) First Time Caller (IRE) (78)
1:00 THE MAIDEN RACE (NWFAA): She Is The Enemy (IRE) (103) Walk Easy (IRE) (92) Notnowbob (IRE) (84) Theoldboggroad (IRE) (80)
1:30 THE LADIES OPEN RACE: Loughan (IRE) (128) Kingrullah (IRE) (124) Bardenstown Lad (GB) (121) Fightfortheroses (IRE) (116)
2:00 THE MENS OPEN RACE: Jetaway Joey (IRE) (110) Bardenstown Lad (GB) (107) West Lawn (GB) (101) Galileo Silver (IRE) (78)
2:30 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3): Not The Chablis (IRE) (108) Courting Flow (IRE) (102) Bintheredonethat (IRE) (100) West Lawn (GB) (96)
3:00 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Shantou’s Temple (GB) (100) Henry’s Regime (GB) (94) Sponthus (FR) (94) Foxylee (IRE) (93) Callmesusie (IRE) (90)
05/01/2025
11:30 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2): For Rita (IRE) (106) All Loved Up (IRE) (103) Grove Ash (GB) (98) Doc Carver (IRE) (97)
12:05 THE LADIES OPEN RACE: Famous Clermont (FR) (142) Sixteen Letters (IRE) (136) L’Air du Vent (FR) (130) Trappist Monk (IRE) (128)
12:40 THE FIVE YEARS OLD AND OVER MAIDEN RACE: Whatchagotder (IRE) (96) Five Quarters (IRE) (92) Dorset Dazzler (GB) (88) Glancing Hill (GB) (88) King de Palma (FR) (87)
1:15 THE MENS OPEN RACE: Famous Clermont (FR) (128) Grace A Vous Enki (FR) (117) Beyond Redemption (IRE) (116) Duc de Bourbon (FR) (112)
1:50 THE RESTRICTED RACE: Dorset Diamond (GB) (106) All Star Boy (IRE) (105) Kilfilum Woods (IRE) (99) Tekap (FR) (95)
2:25 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3), FOR NOVICE RIDERS: Sixteen Letters (IRE) (112) Premier d’Troice (FR) (108) All Loved Up (IRE) (103) Grove Ash (GB) (98)
3:00 THE MAIDEN CONDITIONS RACE: Glancing Hill (GB) (88) King de Palma (FR) (87) Ted The Thief (IRE) (86) Mad At Midnight (GB) (73)
POINTING
POINTING
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2024
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Dunsmore Club – Dunsmore
SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
East Cornwall – Great Trethew
SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER
Cornwall Hunt Club – Wadebridge
2025
SUNDAY 26 JANUARY
Tiverton – Chipley Park
SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY
South Pool – Buckfastleigh
SUNDAY 16 MARCH
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SUNDAY 23 MARCH
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AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
W Larkhill Racing Club Larkhill Sunday 05 January 2025
N West Percy Alnwick Sunday 05 January 2025
EA Dunston Harriers Ampton Sunday 12 January 2025
D&C North Cornwall Wadebridge Sunday 12 January 2025
Y Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club Sheriff Hutton Sunday 12 January 2025
W Royal Artillery Larkhill Saturday 18 January 2025
MID South Wold Revesby Park Saturday 18 January 2025
N Jedforest Friars Haugh Sunday 19 January 2025
EA Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace Horseheath Sunday 26 January 2025
SM Heythrop Cocklebarrow Sunday 26 January 2025
N Percy Alnwick Sunday 26 January 2025
D&C Tiverton Foxhounds Chipley Park Sunday 26 January 2025
MID Melton Club Garthorpe Sunday 02 February 2025
W South Dorset Milborne St Andrew Sunday 02 February 2025
SE South East Club Charing Sunday 02 February 2025
Y York & Ainsty and West of Yore Askham Bryan Sunday 02 February 2025
MID Brocklesby Brocklesby Park Saturday 08 February 2025
N Berwickshire Races Friars Haugh Sunday 09 February 2025
EA Waveney Harriers Higham Sunday 09 February 2025
W Combined Services Larkhill Sunday 16 February 2025
EA Puckeridge & Essex Horseheath Sunday 16 February 2025
Y Sinnington Duncombe Park Sunday 16 February 2025
D&C South Pool Harriers Buckfastleigh Sunday 16 February 2025
SAND Kimblewick (February) Kingston Blount Saturday 22 February 2025
N College Valley & North Northumberland Alnwick Sunday 23 February 2025
MID Cottesmore Garthorpe Sunday 23 February 2025
W Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) Badbury Rings Sunday 23 February 2025
WALES Curre & Llangibby Howick Sunday 23 February 2025
SE South East Club Charing Sunday 23 February 2025
WM Duke of Beaufort's Didmarton Saturday 01 March 2025
W South & West Wilts Larkhill Sunday 02 March 2025
EA Suffolk Ampton Sunday 02 March 2025
Y Yorkshire Jockeys Club Charm Park Sunday 02 March 2025
N Buccleuch Friars Haugh Saturday 08 March 2025
EA High Easter Racing Club High Easter Saturday 08 March 2025
W Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Charlton Horethorne Sunday 09 March 2025
MID Pytchley with Woodland Guilsborough Sunday 09 March 2025
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
SM Bicester with Whaddon Chase Edgcote Sunday 13 April 2025
N Overton Races Overton Sunday 13 April 2025
D&C Silverton Dunsmore Sunday 13 April 2025
EA Essex & Suffolk Higham Friday 18 April 2025
D&C Flete Park Races –Dartmoor Foxhounds Flete Park Saturday 19 April 2025
SM Kimblewick (Easter) Kimble Saturday 19 April 2025
WM North Staffordshire Sandon Saturday 19 April 2025
MID Pytchley with Woodland Dingley Saturday 19 April 2025
W Seavington Cotley Saturday 19 April 2025
WM Worcestershire Chaddesley Corbett Saturday 19 April 2025
D&C Four Burrow Trebudannon Monday 21 April 2025
WM North Cotswold Paxford Monday 21 April 2025
SM Old Berkshire Lockinge Monday 21 April 2025
WM South Shropshire Eyton on Severn Monday 21 April 2025
W Taunton Vale Foxhounds and Taunton Vale Harriers Cothelstone Monday 21 April 2025
N Tynedale Corbridge Monday 21 April 2025
WM Berkeley Woodford Saturday 26 April 2025
SE Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray Parham Saturday 26 April 2025
N Fife Pusk Saturday 26 April 2025
MID Quorn Garthorpe Saturday 26 April 2025
D&C Axe Vale Stafford Cross Sunday 27 April 2025
D&C Flete Park Races –Totnes & Bridgetown Racing Co Ltd Flete Park Saturday 03 May 2025
SE Mid Surrey Farmers Godstone Saturday 03 May 2025
W Devon & Somerset South Hill Sunday 04 May 2025
MID Fernie Dingley Sunday 04 May 2025
WM North Shropshire Eyton on Severn Monday 05 May 2025
AREA FIXTURE COURSE DAY DATE
D&C Stevenstone Vauterhill Monday 05 May 2025
SM Warwickshire Mollington Monday 05 May 2025 Y Zetland Witton Castle Monday 05 May 2025 W Minehead Harriers and West Somerset Holnicote Saturday 10 May 2025
Y Derwent –Scarborough Races Charm Park Sunday 11 May 2025
D&C Eggesford Upcott Cross Sunday 11 May 2025
SM Kimblewick (May) Kingston Blount Sunday 11 May 2025 W Weston & Banwell and West Somerset Vale Cothelstone Wednesday 14 May 2025 N Haydon Hexham Saturday 17 May 2025
SE Surrey Union Peper Harow Saturday 17 May 2025
D&C Dulverton West Bratton Down Sunday 18 May 2025
SM Grafton Edgcote Sunday 18 May 2025
WM Knutsford Races Club Tabley Sunday 18 May 2025
MID Fitzwilliam (Milton) Dingley Saturday 24 May 2025
Wales Welsh International Ffynnondruidion Saturday 24 May 2025
SM Berks & Bucks Draghounds Kingston Blount Sunday 25 May 2025
D&C Exmoor Bratton Down Sunday 25 May 2025
WM Albrighton & Woodland Chaddesley Corbett Monday 26 May 2025
D&C South Tetcott Upcott Cross Monday 26 May 2025
D&C Tiverton Staghounds Bratton Down Sunday 01 June 2025
D&C Torrington Farmers Umberleigh Saturday 07 June 2025
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE YOU CAN FIND SOME EARLY SEASON LEADERBOARDS.
• Goffs Ladies’ Champion Jockey
• Tattersalls Jockey Club Sales Men’s Champion Jockey
• Highflyer Bloodstock Leading Ladies’ Novice Rider
• Highflyer Bloodstock Leading Men’s Novice Rider
• Foran Equine Champion Trainer
• Foran Equine Leading Trainer (6-14 horses)
• Oriental Club Leading Trainer (5 horses or fewer)
• Point-to-Point Racing Company Leading Owner
• Connolly’s Red Mills Champion Horse
In the event of a tie in any category, the winner will be decided by second placings. If it is still tied, third, then fourth placings will decide the winner. Walkovers will again not count towards any National Championship in 2024-25.
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