MARCLE Ridge is reported to be in fine fettle as he bids to repeat last year's impressive win at the Barbury International Racing Club meeting at Barbury on Sunday, writes Russell Smith.
The nine-year-old, trained then by Sam Jukes, produced a terrific front-running performance in the Alan King Racing Mixed Open under Hannah Lewis to storm home by 11 lengths from Tuff Nano with 2019 winner, The Dellercheckout, three lengths back in third.
Lucy Smith took over the reins at owner Clive Bennett's Dymock stables, near Ledbury, for the rest of the season as Jukes pursued new ventures, which have taken him to Denmark where he is now working with a trainer breaking in horses.
Marcle Ridge, with Tommie O'Brien on board, went on to win at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting, and with the partnership maintained, Smith is hopeful her charge can shine again.
She said: "He is really well. He has had niggling problems because he is such a big horse, but he looks a million dollars. Sam's sister, Lottie, who rides him at home, says he's like an aeroplane over the fences.
"We are really excited and really lucky to have Tommie. He is a brilliant rider."
Tuff Nano, trained by Teresa Clark, and The Dellercheckout could renew rivalry, with the latter a winner at Knightwick this term for the mother-and-daughter team of Caroline and Immy Robinson.
They have the option of running Ballymoy, a nine-times winner under Rules for Nigel Twiston-Davies, before being pulled up on his pointing debut in this country at Knightwick.
Dragon d'Estruval, another smart performer under Rules, has joined Phil Rowley from Willie Mullins, while Oistrakh Le Noir won in good style for Ed Partridge at Ffos Las.
The 26-strong entry also includes Chameron, runner-up to Southfield Theatre at Dunsmore, and Rewritetherules, who has moved to David O'Brien after winning at Moira for John 'Shark' Hanlon, while Diplomate Sivola could represent Alan Hill's in-form Oxfordshire yard.
Activial, second to Ryans Fancy over 2m 4f at Hexham on his first start for Francesca Poste last month, is entered here and in the Jockey Club & Retraining Of Racehorses Nine-Year-Olds And Over Conditions Race.
Connections are leaning towards the veterans' race, and Poste's husband, Charlie, said: "He had his first run for Amy Cox and looked like he would win, but may have just needed the run. If he can build on that he should be there or thereabouts."
Hill will be looking for Aintree Foxhunters' Chase fourth Clondaw Westie to bounce back after being pulled up on his reappearance at Revesby Park.
Beau du Brizais, a five-time winner under Rules for Philip Hobbs, could make his debut between the flags for Teresa Clark, while Where's Wilma has won four of her last five starts, and comes into the reckoning along with Dunsmore winner In Arrears.
Smith and O'Brien are set to team up with Gottagottagetaway. The trainer said: "He ran in hunter chases last season because of Covid, and ran some cracking races. He should be a good spin for Tommie."
Fifty Shades gave Dan Ellis his first winner when taking a division of the HighFlyer Bloodstock PPORA Club Members Conditions Novice Riders Race (Level 2) last year, and the combination could defend their crown.
The Nick Williams-trained eight-year-old, who also holds an entry in the mixed open, forged four lengths clear of Azure Fly 12 months ago, but has 10lb extra to carry this time.
Paige Topley's Garrettstown and Welsh's Castle, first and second at Knightwick, are on course to clash again, while Westend Story, a four-time winner under Rules for Philip Hobbs, has joined Laura Jones, and is worth considering along with Badbury Rings scorer Twig.
With clerk of the course John White reporting the going on Monday to be good, the meeting has attracted a bumper entry of 153.
The opening Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Four And Five-Year-Olds Point to Point Flat Race has been divided making an earlier start of 11am - and will be run in the opposite direction to the races over fences as officials experiment going right-handed.
Runners from Rowley's Morville stables, near Bridgnorth, have been successful four times in this contest in the last three years, making his unraced French-bred gelding Epitafio of interest in Division 1.
Artic Row is set to carry the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings for the Postes, with Charlie reporting: "He has schooled around Knightwick three times and is a bit of a big baby. It is very exciting for us to have horses with Trevor Hemmings's family. It's a real honour."
The Postes also have high hopes for We'll C Bout Dat in Division 2 with Charlie saying: "He is a typical Kayf Tara. He gets on with the job and is a very solid horse. We will be disappointed if they both don't show up well."
Naunton handler Max Comley will be looking for Foxcote to go one better after finishing second at Revesby Park last month, while Lucy Smith says of her entry, Miss May Hill: "She is doing everything we ask of her and we will see how she goes."
Calvic aims to get off the mark for Alan Hill in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Four And Five-Year-Olds Open Maiden over 2m 4f.
Formerly trained by Ellmarie Holden, the gelding joined the Aston Rowant handler after finishing second at Loughrea in October.
Paudie, runner-up in an open maiden at Punchestown, is now with Steven Hosie, while Monty Searle finished second to Southfield Lily at Badbury Rings last month for Chris Barber.
The Postes are set to run debutant Western Zephyr, and Charlie said: "He went very nicely around Knightwick with Artic Row and if he replicates what he did there we will be going there very hopeful of a bold show."
Garde Bresilien is an interesting newcomer for champion trainer Tom Ellis, while Rowley has the choice of unraced duo Galassian and Turbo Dave.
Honey Be Good is on a retrieval mission for trainer-rider Bradley Gibbs in the Jockey Club Four, Five And Six-Year-Olds Mares Maiden over 2m 4f.
Sent off an odds-on favourite at Ffos Las, the daughter of Califet was going well in the lead when stumbling and unseating at the fourth-last.
Felicie du Maquis finished runner-up in that contest for Clive Boultbee-Brooks, and will look to step up a place, while Robert Pudd's Glimpse of Gladys returns after coming second to So Socksy in last year's renewal.
Buck's Billionaire is the stand-out entry in the Magee Equine for Pretraining, Breaking and Water Treadmill Six-Year-Olds And Over Open Maiden.
Formerly trained by Willie Mullins, the half-brother to Big Buck's finished second in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle in April before joining Rebecca Branton.
Hill will be hopeful Tres Francais can build on his second to Alfoski at Revesby Park, while Footloose was runner-up to The Big Sting at Larkhill for Arron Butterfield.
Advance tickets can be bought at the ‘Early Bird’ price of £10 per person at the PPRC website (www.pointtopoint.co.uk) and at the Barbury Races website (www.barburyraces.co.uk). Entry on the day is £15 per person, including a race card. Live streaming can be purchased for £7.50 at the above websites.
Covid-19 protocols will be in place with the weighing room and declarations area/marquee a designated Green Zone where face masks must be worn at all times.
MARCLE Ridge is reported to be in fine fettle as he bids to repeat last year's impressive win at the Barbury International Racing Club meeting at Barbury on Sunday, writes Russell Smith.
The nine-year-old, trained then by Sam Jukes, produced a terrific front-running performance in the Alan King Racing Mixed Open under Hannah Lewis to storm home by 11 lengths from Tuff Nano with 2019 winner, The Dellercheckout, three lengths back in third.
Lucy Smith took over the reins at owner Clive Bennett's Dymock stables, near Ledbury, for the rest of the season as Jukes pursued new ventures, which have taken him to Denmark where he is now working with a trainer breaking in horses.
Marcle Ridge, with Tommie O'Brien on board, went on to win at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting, and with the partnership maintained, Smith is hopeful her charge can shine again.
She said: "He is really well. He has had niggling problems because he is such a big horse, but he looks a million dollars. Sam's sister, Lottie, who rides him at home, says he's like an aeroplane over the fences.
"We are really excited and really lucky to have Tommie. He is a brilliant rider."
Tuff Nano, trained by Teresa Clark, and The Dellercheckout could renew rivalry, with the latter a winner at Knightwick this term for the mother-and-daughter team of Caroline and Immy Robinson.
They have the option of running Ballymoy, a nine-times winner under Rules for Nigel Twiston-Davies, before being pulled up on his pointing debut in this country at Knightwick.
Dragon d'Estruval, another smart performer under Rules, has joined Phil Rowley from Willie Mullins, while Oistrakh Le Noir won in good style for Ed Partridge at Ffos Las.
The 26-strong entry also includes Chameron, runner-up to Southfield Theatre at Dunsmore, and Rewritetherules, who has moved to David O'Brien after winning at Moira for John 'Shark' Hanlon, while Diplomate Sivola could represent Alan Hill's in-form Oxfordshire yard.
Activial, second to Ryans Fancy over 2m 4f at Hexham on his first start for Francesca Poste last month, is entered here and in the Jockey Club & Retraining Of Racehorses Nine-Year-Olds And Over Conditions Race.
Connections are leaning towards the veterans' race, and Poste's husband, Charlie, said: "He had his first run for Amy Cox and looked like he would win, but may have just needed the run. If he can build on that he should be there or thereabouts."
Hill will be looking for Aintree Foxhunters' Chase fourth Clondaw Westie to bounce back after being pulled up on his reappearance at Revesby Park.
Beau du Brizais, a five-time winner under Rules for Philip Hobbs, could make his debut between the flags for Teresa Clark, while Where's Wilma has won four of her last five starts, and comes into the reckoning along with Dunsmore winner In Arrears.
Smith and O'Brien are set to team up with Gottagottagetaway. The trainer said: "He ran in hunter chases last season because of Covid, and ran some cracking races. He should be a good spin for Tommie."
Fifty Shades gave Dan Ellis his first winner when taking a division of the HighFlyer Bloodstock PPORA Club Members Conditions Novice Riders Race (Level 2) last year, and the combination could defend their crown.
The Nick Williams-trained eight-year-old, who also holds an entry in the mixed open, forged four lengths clear of Azure Fly 12 months ago, but has 10lb extra to carry this time.
Paige Topley's Garrettstown and Welsh's Castle, first and second at Knightwick, are on course to clash again, while Westend Story, a four-time winner under Rules for Philip Hobbs, has joined Laura Jones, and is worth considering along with Badbury Rings scorer Twig.
With clerk of the course John White reporting the going on Monday to be good, the meeting has attracted a bumper entry of 153.
The opening Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Four And Five-Year-Olds Point to Point Flat Race has been divided making an earlier start of 11am - and will be run in the opposite direction to the races over fences as officials experiment going right-handed.
Runners from Rowley's Morville stables, near Bridgnorth, have been successful four times in this contest in the last three years, making his unraced French-bred gelding Epitafio of interest in Division 1.
Artic Row is set to carry the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings for the Postes, with Charlie reporting: "He has schooled around Knightwick three times and is a bit of a big baby. It is very exciting for us to have horses with Trevor Hemmings's family. It's a real honour."
The Postes also have high hopes for We'll C Bout Dat in Division 2 with Charlie saying: "He is a typical Kayf Tara. He gets on with the job and is a very solid horse. We will be disappointed if they both don't show up well."
Naunton handler Max Comley will be looking for Foxcote to go one better after finishing second at Revesby Park last month, while Lucy Smith says of her entry, Miss May Hill: "She is doing everything we ask of her and we will see how she goes."
Calvic aims to get off the mark for Alan Hill in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Four And Five-Year-Olds Open Maiden over 2m 4f.
Formerly trained by Ellmarie Holden, the gelding joined the Aston Rowant handler after finishing second at Loughrea in October.
Paudie, runner-up in an open maiden at Punchestown, is now with Steven Hosie, while Monty Searle finished second to Southfield Lily at Badbury Rings last month for Chris Barber.
The Postes are set to run debutant Western Zephyr, and Charlie said: "He went very nicely around Knightwick with Artic Row and if he replicates what he did there we will be going there very hopeful of a bold show."
Garde Bresilien is an interesting newcomer for champion trainer Tom Ellis, while Rowley has the choice of unraced duo Galassian and Turbo Dave.
Honey Be Good is on a retrieval mission for trainer-rider Bradley Gibbs in the Jockey Club Four, Five And Six-Year-Olds Mares Maiden over 2m 4f.
Sent off an odds-on favourite at Ffos Las, the daughter of Califet was going well in the lead when stumbling and unseating at the fourth-last.
Felicie du Maquis finished runner-up in that contest for Clive Boultbee-Brooks, and will look to step up a place, while Robert Pudd's Glimpse of Gladys returns after coming second to So Socksy in last year's renewal.
Buck's Billionaire is the stand-out entry in the Magee Equine for Pretraining, Breaking and Water Treadmill Six-Year-Olds And Over Open Maiden.
Formerly trained by Willie Mullins, the half-brother to Big Buck's finished second in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle in April before joining Rebecca Branton.
Hill will be hopeful Tres Francais can build on his second to Alfoski at Revesby Park, while Footloose was runner-up to The Big Sting at Larkhill for Arron Butterfield.
Advance tickets can be bought at the ‘Early Bird’ price of £10 per person at the PPRC website (www.pointtopoint.co.uk) and at the Barbury Races website (www.barburyraces.co.uk). Entry on the day is £15 per person, including a race card. Live streaming can be purchased for £7.50 at the above websites.
Covid-19 protocols will be in place with the weighing room and declarations area/marquee a designated Green Zone where face masks must be worn at all times.
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