Race fans to return next week
POINT-TO-POINT racing in Devon and Cornwall will take a huge step forward when welcoming the public back through the gates from Monday.
The Dulverton West Foxhounds fixture, taking place on May 17 at Bratton Down near Barnstaple, is set to be the first since March 2020 to have a limited number of 1,500 paying spectators on course and enjoying the action as it happens.
Pony racing will get the proceedings underway at 3pm, followed by the main six-race card from 5pm. More than 90 entries have been received for what is the first of three meetings due to be held at this Exmoor track for the rest of the 2020-21 season, which is scheduled to end on June 13.
The Mixed Open looks to be the day’s feature, with those entered to contest over £700 in prize money including Board Of Trade for in-form East Devon trainer Ed Walker, who impressively beat Southfield Theatre at Flete Park earlier this month under jockey Chloe Emsley. Recent Trebudannon winner Eric The Third could go well again for trainer John Heard, while outside raider Barney Dwan has previous form and could prove dangerous.
The opening Restricted could be a battle between Edabean, Florrie Webb and Don’t Ask Us, with the three-mile Open Maiden also holding an interesting selection of entries including Benny’s Miracle for the Teresa Clark yard, Lassue, Not At All and Nouva Vita.
Catching the eye in the Conditions are Flete Park winner Journey Juice, another for the Ed Walker yard; and Holnicote winner Rolling Dylan, for upand-coming young trainer Laura Parker.
They also hold entries in the Members Conditions race, in which they could come up against the Francesca Nimmo-trained Dr Time, who is looking to complete a hat-trick of wins this season under the current front-runner in the national male jockeys championship, James King.
Concluding the day will be the Intermediate, with many previously of those mentioned holding claims if wanting to challenge in this race, along with For Rita following her 10-length win at Flete Park.
Tickets are available to order from the website www.pointtopoint.co.uk and priced at £15 including a race card. Children under 16 go free, but must apply for an e-ticket. On-course facilities will include a bar, bookmakers and trade stands, with social distancing to be adhered to at all times.
As has been the case throughout the season, the meeting will be fully live-streamed by the Devon and Cornwall Point-to-Point Association to those watching at home, with a complete programme of race commentary and interviews led by former BBC racing correspondent, Cornelius Lysaght. To register for the livestream, at a cost of £10 plus a small admin fee, you will need to log on to Eventbrite which can be accessed through the website pointingdc.co.uk.
The postcode for Bratton Down, located off the A399, is EX31 45G.