Rivals should fear The Big Sting at Vauterhill
ROUNDING off a busy weekend of Bank Holiday point-to-pointing will be the Stevenstone Foxhounds meeting at Vauterhill.
Taking place near Umberleigh on Monday, May 2, a total of 46 entries have been received for the six races on offer, with a start time of 2pm.
The Mixed Open, sponsored by Kivells, will be the day’s feature race and with the jockey points championships hotting up, this is bound to be a competitive contest.
Seven-time national champion, Will Biddick, is booked to ride The Big Sting (Chris Barber), a fourtime winner already this season having quickly progressed from Maiden to Intermediate level. Eric The Third (John Heard) could be in line to follow up on his win at Trebudannon, with Jake Bament in the saddle.
Kick-starting the action is the Lomas Helicopters-sponsored Conditions. Attracting just the five entries, this could go the way of Little Billy Boy (Annabelle Bacon) who finished four lengths behind race winner Imogens Thunder at Cothelstone. Doctor’s Differ (George Hiscock) is another to have gone close when coming home in third at Cotley under Ella Orttewell.
Entries for the Restricted, which has been sponsored by Penbode Vets, are headed by Clever Des Assence (Laura Jones) after two recent seconds at Ston Eston and Dunsmore, with Laura’s sister Natalie Parker booked to ride. Golly It’s Molly won the Hunt Members at Dunsmore under Jake Bament, with Ask The Lady (Dean Summersby) coming from a stable that is back in form and looking to improve on her second at Trebudannon on Easter Monday.
Brewer Harding & Rowe sponsor the Intermediate race which could see Don’t Ask Us (Keith Cumings) follow up on his two-length second at the Dunsmore meeting, while Reflex Action (Paul Nicholas) is another suggestion after his win at Cherrybrook under Darren Edwards.
The Jockey Club Maiden for Mares and Fillies holds 12 entries including Kate’s Lane (Elizabeth Scott), who finished second at Dunsmore; She’s A Legend (Stuart Sampson), placed third at Barbury; Queen Kalamba (Amber JacksonFennell), second at Lydstep; and Wise Garden (Danielle Kenealy), having finished one-length second at Ston Eston.
An Open Maiden, sponsored by Wades, will end the day with Roc The Boat (Jennifer Boucher), Roc The Motion (Dean Summersby) and Gingerbred (Laura Jones) among those who have shown promising form to date.
Vauterhill (EX37 9BT) is located at High Bickington, signposted off the A377, A3124 and B3317. Entry is £10 per person, with under sixteens entering free. Facilities include a bar, bookmakers, trade stands and refreshments. For more details, please visit the website www.pointingdc.co.uk.