South Midlands : Area News : Weatherbys Point-to-Point

Last Updated - 11 April 2007

April

Lockinge Point to Point and Country Day Review - 9 Apr

ANOTHER RECORD CROWD AS OLD BERKS POINT-TO-POINT RACES ON

A beautiful Easter Monday saw a record estimated 15,000 gather at Lockinge for the 55th Annual Old Berks Hunts' Point-to-Point & Country Day. Thousands arrived to grace the morning sunshine with a walk around the course, as the cars kept arriving in droves.

According to Chairman of the Organising Committee Tony Constance, the crowds were up by 10% on last year with a rise in trade stands and food outlets on offer. Cars once again were forced to use the overflow parking area to cope with the sheer volume of visitors.

With temperatures soaring many sought refreshment at the beer tent, which became the focal social point for the younger generation, with the crowd spilling onto the hill for an ideal viewpoint of the finishing stretch.

Racing UK's cameras covered the racing with Mark Johnson adding a thoroughly enjoyable and enthusiastic commentary for each race.

The first race, the The Kidson-Trigg OBH Members', Subscribers'and Farmers' Race, was won by Claire Matheson on Meandmrsjones, with a fine display of jumping to beat off the challenge of defending champion Tessa Good on Boyne Banks.

The standout performer of the day was Sam Whaley-Cohen who rode both Menantol, in The Bear at Wantage Intermediate Race and Lord Code in The Darbys International Restricted Race, both owned by Alice Fox-Pitt. He deservedly picked up the Stan Mellor Ride of the Day Award.

Justin Mort rode well to fend off Claire Matheson going for the double with victory on Mr Naborro in the James French 4x4 Countryside Alliance Club Members' Race for Novice Riders. The VW Touareg Men's Open Race was won by Sharlom, with Micky Harris on board. Gavin Hall on Moonlight Knight took home the spoils in the Motorworld Open Maiden Race.

Jessica Benfield on Red Pepper fought off the stiff competition in the first of the two Pinewood Perpetual Trophy Pony races. Sugar Plum, ridden by Emma Prest was a superb winner in the second Pony race beating Edward Sibbick on Longriver Lupin.

The Best Picnic competition returned with a vast array of spreads giving the judges a full stomach to ponder their decision. The winner this year was Helen Hall who lives near Swindon. Helen has been producing a picnic at Lockinge for 25 years, and according to her husband, spent 4 days in preparation, with a nettle quiche, and her 'Evil Pate' with Eton Mess, winning over the judges' palette.

For further press information please contact Belinda Boyd on 01793 780 780 or email belindaboyd@2020pr.com , or sebastianbrain@2020pr.com

Lockinge Point to Point and Country Day - 9 Apr

Easter Monday 2007 - Preview II

With seven days to go just over 102 entries have been received for this year's Lockinge Point to Point & Country Day on Easter Monday. This has exceeded the entries for last year and has whet the appetite for what is gearing up to be another competitive day's racing come Monday.

Clerk of the Course, Dickie Green said: "In my opinion, the course has never looked better at this stage and the going is good. We will issue another going report on Thursday."

Tom Bowlby, son of trainer Mandy Bowlby, will be riding Native Emperor in the Members' Race and Tessa Good is returning to defend her title once again on Boyne Banks.

This year sees some stiff competition in the Pony Races with entries from VWH Joint Master, Suzy Goess-Saurau's daughter Franziska, Alan Hill, the Master of Vale of Aylesbury's two children, Joe and Gaby and local trainer Mark Bradstock's two children, Alfie and Lily.

In addition to the racing and the hound parade, for the first time attractions will include terrier racing at 11.30am, a birds of prey display from 12.30pm, ferrets, and a chance to see a host of other countryside animals.

Those providing picnics should bear in mind their spreads are under close scrutiny from one of the anonymous judges of the Best Picnic Competition, and could find themselves winning dinner for two at the Trout Pub at Tadpole Bridge and a Road Angel camera detector.

Talking of food the whole event is generously supplied with numerous food outlets, a large beer tent and the traditional plus (and this year, enlarged) shopping mall.

Racing UK will be providing on the day coverage of the event, with Mark Johnson commentating on the races scheduled.

Editors Notes:

History:
Some of racing's most famous faces have been involved over the years. HM The Queen Mother had runners there; former Champion Jockey Richard Dunwoody had his first English race there on Game Trust (which later won at Cheltenham); the four-time champion trainer, the late Dick Hern, rode two winners at the first meeting and helped build the famous course.

Date: Easter Monday, 9th April 2007

Location: Lockinge, situated on the B4494, 2 miles South East of Wantage

Entry: £20 / £25 per car - £5 per pedestrian (All purchased on entry)
£10 per car with single occupant.

Information: www.oldberkshunt.co.uk

Gates Open: 9.30am
Terrier Racing: 11.30am
Hound Parade: 12.00
First Race: 1.30pm
Dogs: Welcome but to be kept on leads

Race Sponsors:
Kidson-Trigg
Arkells Brewery
James French 4x4 Centre
VW Touareg
Darbys Solicitors
Motorworld
Pinewood School (pony races)

For further press information and interviews, please contact Belinda Boyd at 20-20 PR on 01793 780780 (Mobile on the day: 07831 488 777) or email belindaboyd@2020pr.com

March

Tedworth Open Maiden Time Change - 7 Apr

Please be advised of an error in the planner with regard to the timing of the last race, the Open Maiden Race in the Tedworth race programme.

The race will be run at 4.55pm and NOT 5.05pm as stated in the planner, therefore Declarations for the race will close at 4.10pm.

Lockinge Point to Point and Country Day - 9 Apr

Easter Monday 2007

The UK's Largest Point-to-Point with a unique Country Show Atmosphere just gets bigger and better.

The Old Berks Hunt will open its gates at 9.30am for its 55 th annual Point-to-Point meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage, on Easter Monday, 9 th April. Last year's estimated crowd of 13,500 set a new benchmark for the event, with this year's race meeting and country celebration set to raise the bar even further.

In addition to the racing and the hound parade, for the first time attractions will include terrier racing, a birds of prey display, ferrets, and a chance to see a host of other countryside animals.

Returning for a fourth year, the two pony races will take place at the end of the day for young would-be jockeys who will battle it out over the flat as part of a National series organised by the Jockey Club.

One of last year's success stories was the introduction of the Best Picnic Competition. It's back again with even bigger prizes for the car or cars that puts on the best culinary feast.

Talking of food the whole event is generously supplied with numerous food outlets, a large beer tent and the traditional plus (and this year, enlarged) shopping mall.

Due to its previous popularity we will see the continuation of The Heavyweight Men's Race , a division of The Member's Race for riders of thirteen stone and over. Designed for those 'slightly' challenged in the weight department, this race is perfect for those aspiring jockeys who maybe had one Easter egg too many!

Lockinge is also a qualifier for The VW Touareg sponsored Men's Open Series, who are offering a £10,000 first prize and a £5,000 bonus for the winner of this series. Stan Mellor, one of the top jump jockeys of all time, will also present a prize for the best ride of the day.

In view of the ever-increasing success of the event, the organisers have made improvements to the access point, which will speed up the queues and help to tackle the major delays experienced last year.

Editors Notes:

Date: Easter Monday, 9th April 2007

Location: Lockinge, situated on the B4494, 2 miles South East of Wantage

Entry: £20 / £25 per car / £10 single occupancy - £5 per pedestrian (All purchased on entry)

Information: www.oldberkshunt.co.uk
For Trade Stands information please contact Chris King on 01844 339575 or Lucy Cown on 07786 833559'

Gates Open: 9.30am

Dogs: Welcome but to be kept on leads

Race Sponsors:

Kidson-Trigg
Arkells Brewery
James French 4x4 Centre
VW Touareg
Darbys Solicitors
Motorworld
Pinewood School (pony races)

For further press information, please contact Belinda Boyd at 20-20 PR on 01793 780780 or email belindaboyd@2020pr.com

OBTAINING ENTRIES AND RESULTS

The Entries and Results are available to our Members as soon as they become available - Results on Saturdays and Sundays and Entries which this year close at lunchtime on Mondays, the same afternoon - but can only be seen by non-members from the following Friday. It is therefore highly advantageous to have this prior access via Membership.

In addition, there is a Form Guide available to Members only, giving 1st, 2nd, 3rd placings for all horses covering the current season and results from 2002 onwards. This is exclusive to Members and cannot be viewed by the general public.

Click here for details on our Point to Point Membership - don't delay apply today!