Quality entry for Cherrybrook point-to-point
Devon and Cornwall’s tipster Donna Harris looks ahead to the jump racing action on the cards at Cherrybrook
POINTING enthusiasts will be heading to Cherrybrook this weekend as the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt host their sole fixture for the season.
A week after crowds gathered at its neighbouring course, Kilworthy, the undulating track near Tavistock looks set to welcome country and town folk alike on Easter Sunday.
A total of 60 entries have been received for the day’s six-race card, which is due to get underway at 1.30pm.
The Molly Malone Mixed Open looks set to the day’s feature event at 3.25pm, with seven exciting entries including Jay Bee Whiskey (Max Comley), unbeaten in all of his five starts this season including an easy seven-length success at Friars Haugh earlier this month under jockey James King. Among those who could be snapping at his heels are Cotley Ladies Open winner Sixteen Letters (Josh Newman) and Kilworthy Mixed Open winner Young Buck (Dean Summersby) for his daughter
Charlotte to ride. However, both only ran last weekend so will need to have fully recovered from their exertions. No Comment (Laura Jones) will be looking to notch up another win after his 22-length win at Milborne St Andrew in the hands of Laura’s sister, Natalie Parker.
Condy Mathias have sponsored the opening three-mile Maiden race, with a possible 16 entries heading to post. Dean Summersby’s previously virus-hit string have bounced back to flying form, following a four-timer at Kilworthy; and he is represented in this contest by The Dairydealer and Castlewellan. Another in-form trainer is Josh Newman, who is also doubly represented by Irish import Important Notice and six-time rules runner Irlandais.
The eye is also drawn to King Orry (Lucy Gardner) who has decent National Hunt place form and the Frankel-sired Navegaon Gate (Heidi Stevens) after finishing a good third at Badbury Rings behind the Will Biddick-trained and ridden No
Drama This End, sold for £160,000 at Tattersalls Cheltenham’s Festival Sale.
The Tyres and Wheel Service Restricted follows and this looks like another hot contest with many out-ofarea horses in the mix including Douglas Longbottom (Bea Coward), a recent five-length winner at Larkhill with Martin McIntyre booked to ride. Fine Investment (Myles Osborne) was a winner at Wadebridge in January and has since followed that up with a third in a hunter chase at Leicester last month. Great Colewood (Ed Walker) could put in a bold performance after winning at Charlton Horethorne this season and placed at Badbury Rings.
Next on the card is the OwnerTrainer Conditions which has been kindly sponsored by GSP Solutions, and Farrants Way (Thomas Murray) sets the standard having won by 20 lengths at Brocklesby Park last month. He could come up against Joey Steel (Jimmy Cole) who finished second at Great Trethew in November. Write It Down (Lucy Pickford) is a previous hunter chase winner and was unlucky to unseat Lucy at Didmarton earlier this month.
In the Cherrybrook Chance TRW Engineering Conditions, Jubertilee (Dean Summersby) was a winner at Kilworthy last weekend and could strike again if fresh from that race. Pileon was only two lengths behind race winner Mr Glass at Charlton Horethorne earlier this month and looks sure to go close under Natalie Parker. The Galileo-sired Vermilion Cliffs (Luke Price) won twice last year under James King and will be making his 2023-24 season debut if travelling down from Wales to Devon.
The Spooners-sponsored Hunt Members will close the day at 4.35pm and Captain MC (Luke Price) catches the eye as a winner of three points last season, and should go well if he can handle a softer surface. Rosie Token (Dean Summersby) has the benefit of a mares’ weight allowance as she looks to score, whilst Smithscorner (Gordon Chambers) looks to relish any going and could give owner Jenny Luscombe cause to celebrate.
Cherrybrook (PL19 0LA) is located off the A386, north of Tavistock. The course offers fabulous viewing and facilities including hot and cold refreshments, a bar, bookmakers and tradestands. Entrance to the course is £15 per person, including a racecard with cash or card accepted on the gate. Children under 16 enter free and dogs on leads are welcome.