The Minehead and West Somerset point to point at picturesque Holnicote on Saturday has attracted an entry of 50. The first race is at 2pm and the course is signed from the A39 between Minehead and Porlock – TA24 8TE. Admission is £15 per person to include a racecard (under 16s admitted free) – tickets can be purchased on the gate or in advance via www.pointingwessex.co.uk . As in previous years there will be a return of the very popular free admission after-party with live music from the band Turnette Doon which looks set to be a big draw. A family dog show is planned plus the appearance courtesy of Jeremy Scott, of the locally trained Champion Hurdle heroine, Golden Ace who will parade fresh from her recent second in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last week.
The first race the Members race is sponsored by BHR Farrier Ltd and of the 5 entries they include two course winners in the George Beilby-trained Champions Hill who won a Restricted here two years ago while Canastero took this race last year beating the decent Beau du Brizais to give jockey Ashley Dascombe his first winner. Two are entered from Elizabeth Scott’s yard, Kate’s Lane who was third to Gig in the Park at Cothelstone and top-rated Reikers Island who was capable when trained last season by Alan Hill but didn’t show much in his only start for this yard at Umberleigh last June.
The East Lynch Stud Maiden has 10 entries including Majestic Moment trained by Emma Summersby who has pulled up in both starts since joining the yard after running well for a fair way. Both runs however were on softer ground than he will face here and he could improve for that. Two that are yet to grace a racecourse are Fran Poste’s Dictatorship who is a full brother to a winner in Gabriel Ranger while Josh Newman has Western Vison who is out of a dual NH winner for Dan Skelton and would be of interest. Chris Barber has acquired Eileen’s Milan from Harry Derham for whom he had just the one run. Prior to that he was narrowly beaten over hurdles at Newton Abbot last June for Paul Nicholls and that form should be good enough here.
The PPORA Novice Riders Conditions race is sponsored by Molland Ridge Stud and of the 6 entries, Josh Newman has two of them with Hannah Morgan likely to take the ride of whichever is chosen. Clondaw Drake has looked useful this season with 5 wins and a good second to Cheltenham Hunter Chase winner, Douglas Longbottom on his CV. He uncharacteristically disappointed last time though pulling up at Flete Park but if all is well with him, he could easily return to winning ways. Josh’s other entry, Caspers Court easily took at similar race at Flete Park last Saturday under Hannah so if he was chosen to represent the yard instead, he too would be the selection. Liberty Rock ran at the Cheltenham evening meeting where he was eased after running a fair race in a hot contest. He’d previously won at Kilworthy under Rian Corcoran who would take the ride here. Veteran Step Back hasn’t won this season and may have to settle for a place here.
A small entry in the Mixed Open sponsored once again by Sandhill Racing and the Hobbs family sees top class Famous Clermont set to take on last year’s second, the popular Ninth Wave. Famous Clermont may not be the force of old having been beaten at Milborne and Aintree but he posted two decent wins at Cothelstone alongside and he may have too much class for Ninth Wave as well as a fitness edge as the latter is making his seasonal reappearance. Dorrells Pierji and River Frost make up the field but they might be playing for places.
The Conditions race is sponsored by the Somerset Freemasons at Sylvanus Lodge with the prolific Luke Price pair, Inchidaly Robin and Lavorante jointly heading the ratings. The former won impressively at South Hill last Sunday while his stablemate opened his account in a match at Howick. Either would be good enough here while Ecco has each way prospects. Caspers Court and Step Back are also entered while recent Cheltenham hunter chase winning trainer, Harriet Waight has Sake of Secrecy entered and he has plenty of consistent form.
The Harold Scott Memorial Restricted has 9 entries and Luke Price again has two entered with the mares, Echo of Promise and Fifty Shadesof Bay both coming off wins last time out. The former beat River Story by 6 lengths at Kilworthy while Fifty Shadesof Bay won a Larkhill maiden by 30 lengths following a tussle with Lady Lussa who fell when challenging. Jewel in the Park (who also holds an entry in the last) won a Restricted at Stafford Cross with Boys Will Be Boys back in third; both are set to carry 5lb penalties here. Impakt St Georges beat Templier d’Habert that day in a Members race and should confirm that form. Gallant Geronimo won at Higham last time but like Penniless hold entries closer to home.
The Chetwood Wealth Management Intermediate concludes the racing with several already mentioned. Luke Price has Elle Est Beau here (as well as Lavorante) and she is three from three since joining the yard from Dan Skelton’s and would be expected to make it four. Fellow Welshman, David Gibbs has Woodford winner, Ask Dai but he is set to carry a penalty which might prove tough here. City Silk won at Larkhill and Milborne before disappointing at Chilfrome in April. He ran in snatches that day but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back and is the obvious danger to the Price chosen. Jullou de Grissay has a similar profile although the ground last time at Parham may have been too quick.