Two mares could land all or part of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s 3-2-1 Bonus in Friday’s Point-to-Point Bumper on Stratford’s hunters’ chase evening card.
Six-year-old Latenightfumble (pictured above) and the year-younger Granny Mags could gain a £3,000 bonus if they win the race, £2,000 if they finish second to a gelding and £1,000 if third to two geldings. This additional money is given to the first mare to finish if she was bred in Britain, owned by a TBA member and she reaches the first three. The idea is to promote the breeding and racing of British-bred fillies and mares.
Latenightfumble, who is trained by Tom Ellis for his mother, Pip, won £1,000 when third to the geldings Latitude and Foxinthebox in a similar bumper at Aintree earlier this month. The Georgina Nicholls-trained Granny Mags, who is owned by Amanda Bowlby, a sister of Jenny Pitman, was most recently seen finishing second in a point-to-point Flat race at Revesby Park in March.
Of seven horses entered in Friday’s race – which is sponsored by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing – only one, Fountains Chief, is a gelding. The mares Rose Above It and Lettie Lutz, and the fillies Hope Des Blins and If I Say, were bred in Ireland or France and are therefore ineligible for the TBA Bonus.
The Stratford card kicks off at 5.10pm and is being shown live on Racing TV. Two series’ finals are taking place, namely the Skinner’s Ladies’ Open Final which has attracted seven entries, and the Print Concern Supports The NHS Restricted Point-to-Point Final, for which there are 11 entries.
The pointtopoint.co.uk Champion Novices’ Hunters’ Chase for the John Corbet Cup (11 entries) and the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters’ Chase (18 entries) are other highlights.