Mixed Open set to be highlight of Axe Vale card
After a busy Easter weekend, Devon and Cornwall’s point-to-point season continues in South Devon on Sunday, Donna Harris reports
IT’S the turn of the Axe Vale Hunt to host their sole point-to-point fixture at Stafford Cross. A total of 51 entries have been received for the seven races at this flat and sharp track near Seaton, due to get underway at 1.30pm.
Fresh from parading at Flete Park, Santini, trained by Ottery St Marybased Polly Gundry to finish fourth in the Grand National, will be shown off to the crowds on Sunday.
The Mixed Open, sponsored by Lee Clifford Engineering, will be the day’s feature race at 2.45pm, with those standing out from the nine entries including Highway One O One (Jenny Gordon), a winner of four point-to-points so far for the 2021-22 campaign. Captain Buck’s, also saddled by the Gordon family, is a second option for Jenny’s son Fred to ride, with this particular horse and jockey partnership having won twice this season.
Chameron (Sam Loxton) will need to defy top weight if he is to win for a third time this year under jockey Ben Sutton, while Sixteen Letters (Neil McLean) has arrived in the winners’ enclosure four times under Josh Newman and Lucy Turner, either of which could get the leg up here. Recent hunter chase winner Twig (Matt Hampton) will appreciate the faster going and Country Legend (Francis Bishop) won the Mixed Open at Dunsmore earlier this month, so this promises to be a closely-fought race.
Heading up the action at 1.30pm is the WBW Solicitors incorporating Beviss & Buckingsale-sponsored Hunt Members which could see Board Of Trade (Ed Walker) figure if recovering from his fall at Flete Park last weekend, when going well under Chloe Emsley. Cockspur Balla (Rebecca Vanstone) is another to note after finishing third at Trebudannon on Easter Monday under Darren Andrews. Dunsmore
Maiden winner Jetmeoutofhere (Dean Summersby) could run in this race or be switched to the later Restricted, with Darren Edwards booked to ride on both occasions.
The Restricted, sponsored by Hammett Associates, has eight entries including Transition Period (Dean Summersby) who finished second at Trebudannon and will be one for the shortlist if not finding this race too soon. Say About It (Roy Smith) won his Maiden down at Wadebridge this season and is sure to go close at the finish.
The Martin Diplock-sponsored Intermediate, which has only got three entries, follows and West Hill (Sam Loxton) looks to be the likely favourite here after his impressive 24-length win at Dunsmore under Charlie Sprake. He could be fighting out the finish with Jabbea (Mary Sanderson) under Robert Hawker. A runner-up at Kilworthy, losing out to Footloose by only a neck, this could be a thrilling tactical race.
There are two Conditions race and in the first, which has been kindly sponsored by J & FJ Baker, Party Tunes is another trained by Dean Summersby who could run well, having won twice last season and with the yard back in form. His only other opponent is the veteran Druid Spitfire, who has given owner and breeder Elisabeth Kessler many years of fun while in training with Robert Chanin.
At 3.55pm will be the Lentells Accountants Novice Conditions event, with Rocheston being one to note having won the Hunt Members race at Cothelstone in March, ridden that day by Purdy Pester. This former hurdle winner was in training with Paul Nicholas but is now based with Tom Doggrell. Bistouri D’Honore (Michael Felton) is another to have previously been trained by Paul Nicholas and has the ability to improve on his third at Dunsmore earlier this month. Nikki Steel (Rob Chanin) ran a promising second in the Hunt Members at Dunsmore and could go well again for jockey Anna Hylands.
An Open Maiden, sponsored by Scott Rowe Solicitors, will end the day and could see a battle between Arv Way There (Hugh Thomas), Kates Lane (Elizabeth Scott) and Buck’s Billionare (Rebecca Branton) as all are progressing well in their pointing careers.
Stafford Cross (EX24 6HZ) can be found off the A3052, about half an hour from Junction 30 of the M5. Entrance to the course is £15 per person which includes a race card, with under sixteens entering free. Dogs on leads are welcome. On course facilities include hot and cold refreshments, a bar, bookmakers and tradestands. This meeting will not be live-streamed. For further details and the latest updates, please visit the website www.pointingdc.co.uk.