Winning Post

Festive point to point

The first race of Sunday’s (Dec 30) South Devon Hunt Club meeting at Ideford Arch has been brought forward to 11am to accommodate over 180 entries. Both Maiden races have had to be divided, with numerous challengers from outside the area likely to make the journey to Devon. Some useful performers hold entries in both the opening Club Members’ race and the Mixed Open. These include Double Honour and Premium First, who each won five times last season. The latter is being talked of as a hunter chase prospect by Worcestershire trainer Andy Hobbs. Tsar’s Twist is also doubly engaged, and he already has a win on the board this month. The Mixed Open is a qualifier for the Volkswagen Touareg series and has the makings of a terrific contest, with Black Forest Open winner Lord Trix and runner up Cowboyboots ready to renew rivalry. Concert Pianist and Let’s Fly will have benefited from their runs at Wadebridge. John Tudor could ride Minsgill Mans, and Jalons Star is another of the 30 entries to catch the eye. There are 22 nominations for the Club Members Novice Riders’ event. Kingston Banker and course winner Lady Myfanwy earned high ratings last season. Dracaena has been placed twice so far this season, and winning chaser Taksina is a useful recruit to pointing. The 24 entries in the Red Mills Intermediate include Fred Hutsby’s smart youngster Rash Move, who impressed when winning the Black Forest Restricted on the opening day of the season. He could be opposed by Little Ed, runner up on that occasion, who went on to win at Dunthrop. Lile Na Casca improved for Polly Gundry last year, and in a hot looking contest a case could be made for Ballybrown, Sargent Malarkey, Simon’s Seat and Theatre Call.   The two and a half miles Maiden for four to seven year olds has 26 in each division with plenty of promising youngsters holding entries. Come What Augustus ran well at Black Forest and could be the answer in the first section. Present of Flame could take advantage of her four year old allowance in the second division. The three mile Maidens look very competitive. Noeud Vert was prominent when unseating at Dunthrop recently, but has NH experience with the Hobbs yard and should be in the shake up in the first section. The 21 entries in the other division include Grey Hall, who was well backed on his debut at Tweseldown earlier this month. Josh Be Yourself also looks sure to win a Maiden this season. He stayed on nicely at Wadebridge for Richard Woollacott and had been placed in Ireland. “We are delighted with the quality and quantity of the entries, and particularly pleased with many entries from other parts of the country”, said secretary Julian Greatrex. “We also have entertainment for the children lined up and look forward to a great meeting.” Entrance for cars is £20 with single occupants £10. The course is situated just off the A380 between Exeter and Newton Abbot (signposted from the A380)