Point-to-point

WEEKEND HOCKEY ROUND-UP – PAGES 60-61

Racing returns to the county on Sunday when Old Surrey Burstow & West Kent Hunt stage their first meeting of the season at Penshurst. Many of the horses have multiple entries across the seven-race card, with connections keeping their options open. Champion trainer Nick Pearce is set to make the short journey from his base at Mark Cross on the Kent/ East Sussex border with The Vicar and Wah Wah Taysee among his entries, while trainer-jockey Rose Grissell from nearby Brightling is another local trainer likely to be well represented. Little Legend could be among the leading fancies to win the Ladies’ Open. The 12-year-old has an impressive record with 11 victories from 26 starts and a 50% strike rate in hunter chases. He was last seen at Penshurst a year ago, finishing third in a close finish with Behind The Scenes and Counting House and will be looking to record a further success here. Minerfortyniner won comfortably at Godstone and looks like he will be the horse to beat if he makes the journey to Kent this weekend. Kingsfold Flare won both her maiden and restricted races at the course in her only two previous starts for owner/jockey Wayne Russell. She may find the company in the Intermediate tougher but can’t be totally discounted. Charlie Marshall continues to lead the way in the men’s jockey title race, ahead of Peter Bull who was not in action at the weekend at Parham, west Sussex. Shane Roche has moved into third place in the standings and also leads the novice rider’s title race. Grissell maintained her advantage in the ladies’ title race, with Tabitha Worsley and Hayley Moore hot on her heels.