The second running of the Barbury International Point-to-Point again draws together riders and horses from the UK and Ireland, writes Jake Exelby. As aficionados will note from a list of entries including the names of Paul Nicholls and Tim Vaughan, races are open to licensed trainers provided the runners have not run under Rules for 50 days and have a hunt qualification certificate. Last year's event staged the first ever "Bumper" (National Hunt Flat race) at a UK Point-to-Point course and it proved popular. This year sees the first of six scheduled Bumpers, all sponsored by the JRL Group, which has attracted 48 entries, facilitating a 3 way division at entry.
Organizers are delighted with the total entry of 177 - including 14 from Irish trainers Shark Hanlon and Eugene O'Sullivan, and meeting Chairman Nigel Bunter said, "In our second year, the Barbury International goes from strength to strength, with a new record entry. My thanks go to all the owners, trainers and riders, from near and far, who have chosen to enter their horses and I wish them every success on the day. As always we couldn't have put on this valuable meeting without the continued support of our sponsors, and I am especially grateful to the staff at Barbury, who have prepared this course wonderful course for this prestigious meeting to such a professional standard. We look forward to welcoming everyone for a great day's racing".
Clerk of the Course John White reported on Monday, "The Going remains Good to Soft following 7mm of rain this morning. Fences have been moved to fresh ground since the last meeting and the course is in very good condition." Cold sunny weather is forecast between now and the weekend. With a minimum 9 races on the day, the start time has been brought forward to 11 am.
The racing highlight of the day looks to be the Weatherbys Hamilton Mixed Open, with 29 entries, including Eugene O'Sullivan's Oighear Dubh, the only Irish-trained entry outside the Maidens and Bumpers. His Irish form leaves him, on paper, with something to find against the best of the British, for whom Cheltenham Foxhunters third and Timico Final winner Barel of Laughs stands out for in-form Phillip Rowley and jockey Alex Edwards.On Point-to-Point and Hunter Chase form, Laura Thomas's Aintree hopeful Full Trottle - "he runs if the ground is not too soft," according to his trainer - looks next best, while Tor Collins' mare Queen Olivia was progressive last season and Paul Nicholls' Port Melon has useful form under Rules since graduating from the pointing field.
Don't rule out either David Brace's Colorado Doc - possibly the best pointer in Wales, another improving type in Robert Waley-Cohen's Facile Bien and Ivy Gate, who may have needed his Cottenham reappearance for Christy Mews. Finally, keep an eye on Sam Jukes' selected mount from promising Chasforgold and proven Stone. Sam is joint leading jockey this term and owner Clive Bennett's team are in blinding form.
One of the many innovative events on the card is the 3m 6f Veterans race, for horses of 10 and over, carrying the Greatwood title for the first time. 21 entries include prolific winners Universal Soldier (who has changed yards since last season) and Horsham Lad. Colbert Station and Ericht are two old-timers who have prolific form in the professional sphere, and Nicky Henderson is likely to be present to watch his daughter Camilla ride the latter, whilst The Dapper Fox is nothing if not consistent. However, two more lightly-raced animals who appeal are Uncle Jimmy, a good second on his recent Chaddesley Corbett pointing debut, and Cotilllion, who finished second at this meeting here before beating the useful Jepeck at Chipley Park.
Highflyer Bloodstock again sponsors the 22 entry Novice Riders race. So often in these contests, it pays to focus on the jockey, and 16-year old Connor Brace, aiming to follow his Welsh compatriot James Bowen as National Novice Champion, has made a flying start to his fledgling career with two wins and six seconds already. He has two potential mounts for grandfather David, the aforementioned Colorado Doc and William Money, second at Ampton at the weekend. Other young talents with a choice of mounts are Huw Edwards, who may ride the improving Namako for Philip Rowley, and Sam Burton, whose booking catches the eye for Tempelpirate, Leading Horse in 2014. The latter's venerable trainer Tim Underwood is also represented here by Golden Crisp, while another worthy of mention is Ardkilly Witness, already a winner this season at Alnwick for another promising jockey in Will Thirlby.
As well as the Bumpers, the card includes three Maidens, framed to promote young pointing talent on both sides of the Irish Sea. Proceedings open with the Tattersalls Ireland 2m4f Maiden for 4, 5 & 6 Year Olds, which has attracted 16 entries. Only three of the field have placed form in the UK - Cool Claude is well-regarded by trainer Philip Rowley, Danseur Du Large (same ownership) has run well twice for Ed Walker and Tom George's Doctor Wong showed promise on his debut, whilst Andrew Quick's Dissertation was in contention when falling at the last on his only start between the flags. Another to look out for is Bolands Mill for shrewd trainer Thomas Gallagher. "He's a nice horse, the trip will suit him and he should run well," confirmed Thomas this week.
The Irish dominate this contest, with Shark Hanlon having 3 entries, Eugene O'Sullivan 2, but nine has shown any rateable form so assessment of jockey bookings may be the best course of action.
Goffs UK and The Jockey Club sponsor the Mares Maiden, also limited to 4-6 Year olds over the shorter distance. 12 have been entered, among them Jemma's Gift for Eugene O'|Sulliavn and Whistling Dolly for Shark Hanllon and rateable UK form is even harder to come by than in the opener, with only Dissertation's last fence fall and two fourth placings last term for Sally Alner's Truly Spoken worthy of mention. So it may prove best to follow trainers who do well in such contests. On that basis Tim Vaughan's Drumsheil and Tim Underwood's placed Irish import Thirdtimeben should be considered.
The third non-winners contest is the Albert Bartlett Open Maiden over the full 3m trip, which sits well with the sponsor's support of the three mile Novice Hurdle Pattern that concludes with the Albert Bartlett Novices' at the Festival. With 29 entries, it may even necessitate a further split, and being open to older horses, there is more form to go on. Top trianer Alan Hill, with four wins already this campaign, introduces Inmyday, a new horse for longstanding owners Rodney Mann with two placings in Ireland to his name. "He finished in front of (Cottenham winner) This Breac when third on his last start," reported Alan, "and has been a different horse since a wind operation. The course will suit him and he's fit and raring to go."
Four challengers are still trained across the water, all by Shark Hanlon, and Skyhill Allstar, with five placings, looks the best on ratings. The best home form this season has been shown by Jake Slatter's Chaddesley Corbett runner-up Bally River Boy, while Doesn'tbothermme (Martin Wanless) and Master Hide (JAne Allfrey) had useful placed form in 2016-17. Dean Summersby is a trainer going places and his Clondaw Bunny is of interest here along with lightly raced possibilities in Tim Vaughan's Catcharose, Tim Underwood's Cnoc Sion and Tom George's Doctor Fong (again). Lastly, two ex-Rules runners in Bodekin Point (for Nicola Martin from Charlie Longsdon) and Phar Island (for |Sally Alner from Thomas Mullins) should not be ruled out.
As mentioned above the JRL Group Bumper has already been split, with three divisions of 16 entries each. Form in the Bumpers is not just thin on the ground, but non-existent, as conditions state that horses should never have run over fences.
Evergreen and the ever-quotable Phil York has the well-bred Carried Away in the first division and Overshot in the second. "If only I knew, that would be good," he commented. "I've a whole bunch of unraced youngsters and they're passing trees well, but I'm not sure how fast the trees are! All my experienced ones are on holiday." Jonathan Tudor was keener to talk about the names of their horses and their chances. "Billygwyn Two got his name because his owner had a horse called Billy-Gwyn and Hinckley Nuneaton's owner broke down between those two towns after he bought the horse!
Charlotte Fuller was more forthcoming on the prospects of her filly Winter Holiday in Division I. "She's the first foal of Tamara King, a winning pointer for (daughter) Page, and will be our first home-bred she has ridden in a race. We like her so it will probably be the opposite of last year (when the Fuller's supposedly faniced Oliver's Island was a close second). She'll only have the one run this season." Several take the eye on breeding in this division, and Shark Hanlon's Delightful Dawn will be fancied after his New List took a division of this race last year.
In Division II, locally-based Laura Thomas is keen on the chances of Bright Voltage, saying, "We like him and hope he'll go well." Shark Hanlon relies on Ocean River, Sophie Lacey's Maidens are carrying all before them this winter, so take a good look at her Colorado Gold, and Philip Rowley's representative, the exotically-named Nobby, is another to bear in mind.
With no Shark Hanlon horse in the final leg, the spoils are sure to stay over here, and one that stands out is Byron Green, whose owner, and race sponsor John Reddington, rode Lostin A Fog to win here last year. However, he won't be bidding for a repeat, trainer Thomas Gallagher admitting, "John's been too busy with work to ride much, so Shane Roche takes the mount." Trainer form demands a look at Abbi Vaughan's Shaman du Berlais and Richard Bandey's Walkonthinice, and Tom Ellis has a potential runner in each division, rating Puolo the best chance. He reported, "He's a nice horse with size and scope, and he goes well at home. His dam won a chase in France and it'll be no surprise if he runs well. Oh, and he's for sale!"
The second running of the Barbury International Point-to-Point again draws together riders and horses from the UK and Ireland, writes Jake Exelby. As aficionados will note from a list of entries including the names of Paul Nicholls and Tim Vaughan, races are open to licensed trainers provided the runners have not run under Rules for 50 days and have a hunt qualification certificate. Last year's event staged the first ever "Bumper" (National Hunt Flat race) at a UK Point-to-Point course and it proved popular. This year sees the first of six scheduled Bumpers, all sponsored by the JRL Group, which has attracted 48 entries, facilitating a 3 way division at entry.
Organizers are delighted with the total entry of 177 - including 14 from Irish trainers Shark Hanlon and Eugene O'Sullivan, and meeting Chairman Nigel Bunter said, "In our second year, the Barbury International goes from strength to strength, with a new record entry. My thanks go to all the owners, trainers and riders, from near and far, who have chosen to enter their horses and I wish them every success on the day. As always we couldn't have put on this valuable meeting without the continued support of our sponsors, and I am especially grateful to the staff at Barbury, who have prepared this course wonderful course for this prestigious meeting to such a professional standard. We look forward to welcoming everyone for a great day's racing".
Clerk of the Course John White reported on Monday, "The Going remains Good to Soft following 7mm of rain this morning. Fences have been moved to fresh ground since the last meeting and the course is in very good condition." Cold sunny weather is forecast between now and the weekend. With a minimum 9 races on the day, the start time has been brought forward to 11 am.
The racing highlight of the day looks to be the Weatherbys Hamilton Mixed Open, with 29 entries, including Eugene O'Sullivan's Oighear Dubh, the only Irish-trained entry outside the Maidens and Bumpers. His Irish form leaves him, on paper, with something to find against the best of the British, for whom Cheltenham Foxhunters third and Timico Final winner Barel of Laughs stands out for in-form Phillip Rowley and jockey Alex Edwards.On Point-to-Point and Hunter Chase form, Laura Thomas's Aintree hopeful Full Trottle - "he runs if the ground is not too soft," according to his trainer - looks next best, while Tor Collins' mare Queen Olivia was progressive last season and Paul Nicholls' Port Melon has useful form under Rules since graduating from the pointing field.
Don't rule out either David Brace's Colorado Doc - possibly the best pointer in Wales, another improving type in Robert Waley-Cohen's Facile Bien and Ivy Gate, who may have needed his Cottenham reappearance for Christy Mews. Finally, keep an eye on Sam Jukes' selected mount from promising Chasforgold and proven Stone. Sam is joint leading jockey this term and owner Clive Bennett's team are in blinding form.
One of the many innovative events on the card is the 3m 6f Veterans race, for horses of 10 and over, carrying the Greatwood title for the first time. 21 entries include prolific winners Universal Soldier (who has changed yards since last season) and Horsham Lad. Colbert Station and Ericht are two old-timers who have prolific form in the professional sphere, and Nicky Henderson is likely to be present to watch his daughter Camilla ride the latter, whilst The Dapper Fox is nothing if not consistent. However, two more lightly-raced animals who appeal are Uncle Jimmy, a good second on his recent Chaddesley Corbett pointing debut, and Cotilllion, who finished second at this meeting here before beating the useful Jepeck at Chipley Park.
Highflyer Bloodstock again sponsors the 22 entry Novice Riders race. So often in these contests, it pays to focus on the jockey, and 16-year old Connor Brace, aiming to follow his Welsh compatriot James Bowen as National Novice Champion, has made a flying start to his fledgling career with two wins and six seconds already. He has two potential mounts for grandfather David, the aforementioned Colorado Doc and William Money, second at Ampton at the weekend. Other young talents with a choice of mounts are Huw Edwards, who may ride the improving Namako for Philip Rowley, and Sam Burton, whose booking catches the eye for Tempelpirate, Leading Horse in 2014. The latter's venerable trainer Tim Underwood is also represented here by Golden Crisp, while another worthy of mention is Ardkilly Witness, already a winner this season at Alnwick for another promising jockey in Will Thirlby.
As well as the Bumpers, the card includes three Maidens, framed to promote young pointing talent on both sides of the Irish Sea. Proceedings open with the Tattersalls Ireland 2m4f Maiden for 4, 5 & 6 Year Olds, which has attracted 16 entries. Only three of the field have placed form in the UK - Cool Claude is well-regarded by trainer Philip Rowley, Danseur Du Large (same ownership) has run well twice for Ed Walker and Tom George's Doctor Wong showed promise on his debut, whilst Andrew Quick's Dissertation was in contention when falling at the last on his only start between the flags. Another to look out for is Bolands Mill for shrewd trainer Thomas Gallagher. "He's a nice horse, the trip will suit him and he should run well," confirmed Thomas this week.
The Irish dominate this contest, with Shark Hanlon having 3 entries, Eugene O'Sullivan 2, but nine has shown any rateable form so assessment of jockey bookings may be the best course of action.
Goffs UK and The Jockey Club sponsor the Mares Maiden, also limited to 4-6 Year olds over the shorter distance. 12 have been entered, among them Jemma's Gift for Eugene O'|Sulliavn and Whistling Dolly for Shark Hanllon and rateable UK form is even harder to come by than in the opener, with only Dissertation's last fence fall and two fourth placings last term for Sally Alner's Truly Spoken worthy of mention. So it may prove best to follow trainers who do well in such contests. On that basis Tim Vaughan's Drumsheil and Tim Underwood's placed Irish import Thirdtimeben should be considered.
The third non-winners contest is the Albert Bartlett Open Maiden over the full 3m trip, which sits well with the sponsor's support of the three mile Novice Hurdle Pattern that concludes with the Albert Bartlett Novices' at the Festival. With 29 entries, it may even necessitate a further split, and being open to older horses, there is more form to go on. Top trianer Alan Hill, with four wins already this campaign, introduces Inmyday, a new horse for longstanding owners Rodney Mann with two placings in Ireland to his name. "He finished in front of (Cottenham winner) This Breac when third on his last start," reported Alan, "and has been a different horse since a wind operation. The course will suit him and he's fit and raring to go."
Four challengers are still trained across the water, all by Shark Hanlon, and Skyhill Allstar, with five placings, looks the best on ratings. The best home form this season has been shown by Jake Slatter's Chaddesley Corbett runner-up Bally River Boy, while Doesn'tbothermme (Martin Wanless) and Master Hide (JAne Allfrey) had useful placed form in 2016-17. Dean Summersby is a trainer going places and his Clondaw Bunny is of interest here along with lightly raced possibilities in Tim Vaughan's Catcharose, Tim Underwood's Cnoc Sion and Tom George's Doctor Fong (again). Lastly, two ex-Rules runners in Bodekin Point (for Nicola Martin from Charlie Longsdon) and Phar Island (for |Sally Alner from Thomas Mullins) should not be ruled out.
As mentioned above the JRL Group Bumper has already been split, with three divisions of 16 entries each. Form in the Bumpers is not just thin on the ground, but non-existent, as conditions state that horses should never have run over fences.
Evergreen and the ever-quotable Phil York has the well-bred Carried Away in the first division and Overshot in the second. "If only I knew, that would be good," he commented. "I've a whole bunch of unraced youngsters and they're passing trees well, but I'm not sure how fast the trees are! All my experienced ones are on holiday." Jonathan Tudor was keener to talk about the names of their horses and their chances. "Billygwyn Two got his name because his owner had a horse called Billy-Gwyn and Hinckley Nuneaton's owner broke down between those two towns after he bought the horse!
Charlotte Fuller was more forthcoming on the prospects of her filly Winter Holiday in Division I. "She's the first foal of Tamara King, a winning pointer for (daughter) Page, and will be our first home-bred she has ridden in a race. We like her so it will probably be the opposite of last year (when the Fuller's supposedly faniced Oliver's Island was a close second). She'll only have the one run this season." Several take the eye on breeding in this division, and Shark Hanlon's Delightful Dawn will be fancied after his New List took a division of this race last year.
In Division II, locally-based Laura Thomas is keen on the chances of Bright Voltage, saying, "We like him and hope he'll go well." Shark Hanlon relies on Ocean River, Sophie Lacey's Maidens are carrying all before them this winter, so take a good look at her Colorado Gold, and Philip Rowley's representative, the exotically-named Nobby, is another to bear in mind.
With no Shark Hanlon horse in the final leg, the spoils are sure to stay over here, and one that stands out is Byron Green, whose owner, and race sponsor John Reddington, rode Lostin A Fog to win here last year. However, he won't be bidding for a repeat, trainer Thomas Gallagher admitting, "John's been too busy with work to ride much, so Shane Roche takes the mount." Trainer form demands a look at Abbi Vaughan's Shaman du Berlais and Richard Bandey's Walkonthinice, and Tom Ellis has a potential runner in each division, rating Puolo the best chance. He reported, "He's a nice horse with size and scope, and he goes well at home. His dam won a chase in France and it'll be no surprise if he runs well. Oh, and he's for sale!"
Buy your tickets now
