Envoye Special is one to beat in hot Mixed Open
Championship titles will be on the minds of point-to-point jockeys and trainers alike competing at Upcott Cross on Sunday, Donna Harris reports as she shares her top tips
HOSTING duties will fall to the Eggesford Hunt this weekend for the latest instalment of point-to-point racing in the Devon and Cornwall area.
A competitive day of jumps action at Upcott Cross near Halwill Junction is set to come under starters’ orders at 2pm on Sunday, with 73 entries having been received for the six races on offer.
The feature event over this long galloping track will be the Simpkins Edwards-sponsored Mixed Open, with eight quality entries throwing their hats into the ring. Cheltenham hunter chase winner Envoye Special (Chris Barber) has the booking of Will Biddick in the saddle, fresh from riding six winners last weekend and reaching a personal milestone of 500 point-to-point winners at Vauterhill on Bank Holiday Monday. Following this, the Truro-born jockey has taken over the lead in the national male jockey championship.
Poised to take Envoye Special on could be Sixteen Letters (Neil McLean) with five wins under his belt this season including a hunter chase at Wincanton and, most recently, the Mixed Open at Stafford Cross.
Getting the action underway will be the Chris Hodgson Engineering-sponsored Conditions race in which Exeter hunter chase winner Port O’Clock (Dean Summersby) will be bidding to continue the yard’s impressive strike rate, with Darren Edwards in the saddle. If recovering from his win at Vauterhill earlier this week, The Big Sting (Chris Barber) could provide Will Biddick with another winner in his quest for the national championship title. River Myth (Stuart Sampson) is somewhat of an Upcott Cross specialist, having won three times at this course, and is therefore bound to feature heavily in the betting.
The following Intermediate race, kindly sponsored by Ashgrove and Rangemoor Stoves and Kitchens, has seven entries and Transition Period (Dean Summersby) will be looking to follow up on his win at Stafford Cross. However, he could be taken on by Knockmoylan, another for the formidable Chris Barber and Will Biddick partnership.
The Ford Fuels and Waie Innsponsored Maiden race could be divided on the day, having attracted a bumper 33 entries, with Aunt Lily (Ed Walker) likely to be high in the betting after her two-length second at Cothelstone, with the Ottery St Mary-based yard currently in fine form. Outside raider Finest Hour (William Twiston-Davies) could be the one to take them on, with Ben Bromley to ride. Others who look progressive include One Tree Hill (Lee Glanville), second at Flete Park; Kesa Great (Les Jefford), second at Trebudannon; Cockspur Balla (Rebecca Vanstone), third at Trebudannon; and Liberty Rock (Dean Summersby), finishing in third at Charlton Hawthorne.
Another from the Ed Walker yard, Nouva Vita, is the highest rated of the 10 entries forward for the C & R Construction-sponsored Restricted, having finished second at Woodford. The Walker team have also entered Cuzzicombe for this race, who will be aiming to follow up on his win at Badbury Rings. Jetmeoutofhere (Dean Summersby) looks the likely challenger after progressing from his Dunsmore win to score again easily at Stafford Cross.
The final race of the day is the Conditions for Novice Riders, which has been sponsored by Dave Phillips Bookmakers. Imogens Thunder will be one of the likely favourites after his two wins at Dunsmore and Cothelstone for trainer Mary Tory and promising young jockey, Charlie Sprake. Outside raider Galop Du Bosc (Tim Vaughan) looks to be the main danger after his eight-length win at the Lydstep meeting, but will need to defy top weight.
Upcott Cross (EX21 5AE) is located two miles south of Halwill Junction, off the A3079. Entrance to the course is £15 per person which includes a race card. Children under sixteen enter free. Dogs on leads welcome. On course facilities include hot and cold refreshments, bar, bookmakers and trade stands. Live-streaming of this meeting, hosted by Robert Cooper, will be available via the EventBrite link at www.pointingdc.co.uk/Live.