The Northern Area Point-to-Point season draws to a close on Saturday 17th May with the Haydon fixture at Hexham Racecourse.
It has attracted a total of 75 entries (comprising 56 individual horses) and starts at 2.00pm with the 2m4f Graham Reader Motor Engineer Conditions Race in which Hollywood Harmon could supplement previous wins this term at Askham Bryan (2) and Hornby Castle.
This shorter trip is ideal for Pippa Brown's mount who also has the benefit of a previous run at the track having finished runner-up to Wotnowcato in the 2024 Haydon Maiden. Of the others, former 148-rated chaser Killer Clown is also suited by sub-3 mile races having landed a 2m4f Knightwick Conditions and 2m6f Bedale Ladies Open this season under Daisy White, Frankies Fire recorded the last of her six Pointing wins at Hexham in May 2022, while dual Overton scorer Blouebrav finished one length 2nd to Clapton Hill in the 2m4f Morpeth Ladies Open on his last outing seven weeks ago.
There are 16 entries for the 3m Howden Insurance Maiden Race and 17 entries for the 2m4f Jacksons of Hexham Maiden Race. The quintet who make most appeal and have the option of taking their chance in either contest are As The Lad Says, Backindesaddle, Boom Boom Boris, Bryman's Moon and Wherearethejudges.
Thomas Fife's new ex-Irish recruit As The Lad Says finished well clear of the third when two-and-a-half lengths 2nd to Corbally Cross in a Curraghmore Maiden on April 20, well related debutant Backindesaddle was bought at the Goffs Arkle Sale in June 2023, Boom Boom Boris shaped well when seven lengths 3rd to Elusive Knight in the 2m6f Holderness Maiden last time out, lightly raced Bryman's Moon caught the eye when placed here on debut in May 2023 behind Hawkseye View, while Wherearethejudges showed plenty of promise on debut when eight lengths 4th to stable companion Lets Go Harry at Tranwell.
The 8 entries for the 2m4f Luxe Automotive Ladies Open Race include the aforementioned Blouebrav and Killer Clown who would have 17lb and 27lb respectively less to carry here than in the opening Conditions Race. Clapton Hill has won three of his last four starts in small field contests at Overton, Tranwell and Pusk, and a second place finish here would be enough to clinch the Northern Area Champion Horse and Novice Horse titles for Victor Thompson's charge. Locally trained Fightfortheroses has produced his best form in the last two seasons on a sound surface and should be in the mix if reproducing his run behind Western Run at Pusk, while Midlands raider Precious Bounty completed a hat-trick of small field Open wins at Charm Park last Sunday under Marina Bealby who is in contention for the National Ladies Novice Riders title.
The 8 entries for the 3m J S Hubbuck Ltd Mixed Open Race are headed by Cullin Hills. She won the National Leading Horse Award two seasons ago with seven wins, including the 2023 Haydon Men's Open, and, after being sidelined last term, has returned in good form - landing a Hexham Hunters' Chase on April 14 before being headed in the final stride by Latenightfumble in a Cheltenham Mares' Hunters' Chase on May 2. Will MIlburn's charge has come out of the latter contest well and is ready to go again but her participation at Hexham is very much ground dependent. Of the others, proven stayer Blue Sans landed the 4m1f Grimthorpe Gold Cup on quick ground at Sheriff Hutton before going down by a neck to Tanora at Witton Castle, the Kelly Morgan-trained geldings Dusart and Go Go Geronimo are both capable of being in the mix on their day, while proven stayer West Lawn could easily bounce back after being pulled up last time out in the Hexham Hunters' Chase won by Cullin Hills.
Whatudoing and 2024 Haydon Maiden winner Shantou's Temple are joint top-rated in the 3m Insync Physio & Sports Injury Clinic Restricted Race (8 entries). This season's Berwickshire Maiden winner Whatudoing should be suited by this stayers track and is back in calmer waters after finishing ten lengths 5th to Slaney Opera in last month's Buccleuch Cup Maiden Hunters' Chase at Kelso. Shantou's Temple is also down in grade after chasing home Paramaribo in the Morpeth Mixed Open last time. Ex-Irish pointer Glencorp kept on well in the closing stages when 4th at Witton Castle, Portgloriam hasn't been seen since beating the useful Diamond Flush at Friars Haugh ten weeks ago, She Is The Enemy deservedly got her head in front at Pusk after a few near misses over the last two seasons, while Alnwick Flat Race winner Royal Maggs dead-heated with Cinque Terre on his second start over fences at Witton Castle and has scope for further improvement.
The 12 entries for the concluding 3m High Plains Conditions Race include the aforementioned quartet of Blue Sans, Dusart, Shantou's Temple and She Is The Enemy. Of the others, Ashjan was only headed near the line at Pusk by Bearwithmenow having previously run well when placed at Friars Haugh and Overton, Fife raider Not The Chablis should be in the mix if reproducing the form shown when scoring at Alnwick and Friars Haugh earlier this season, while 2023 course winner Tanora has no stamina doubts.
As usual, the main action will be preceded at 1.00pm by pony racing, with all 3 contests (total of 19 entries) sponsored by George Ireland Livestock Ltd.
Admission is £15 per person including a racecard, with U16's free.
Hexham Racecourse is well signposted from the A69 and the post code is NE46 2JP.