12:13pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Sara Pawsey
IT’S that time of the year again for picnics out of the back of the 4x4 in sloping fields and more than likely, chilly weather.
For point-to-point enthusiasts a warm and sunny day is a bonus.
The amateur form of National Hunt racing takes place in the early months of the year when it can be two degrees in a biting east wind that cuts you in half or 20 degrees and sweltering. This year the problem might probably be more of a snowy one with the white stuff blanketing the countryside far more than usual, making life difficult for trainers trying to get horses fit and ready for what could be an exciting season, stretching as it does right to the end of May.
Worcestershire and Herefordshire have always been hotbeds of pointto- pointing.
In fact, the sport’s blue riband race, the Lady Dudley Cup, is run at the Worcestershire Hunt meeting, to be held this year on the Chaddesley Corbett track on Saturday, April 17. Large crowds usually gather on the day, as they do at the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt races on Easter Tuesday – this year April 6.
One yard to watch in 2010 is Helen Needham’s near Kidderminster. She took the West Midland’s area small trainer award last year and enters the new season with a quartet of horses that are all worth looking at.
These include old favourite Snowtre – which won four times in 2009 – and Murphy’s Fulilier, which was placed on three occasions in 2009 before getting his head in front at the Golden Valley Hunt’s meeting at Bredwardine, near Hereford. Obviously a multitalented horse ,Murphy’s Fulilier has also competed with some success in dressage competitions and hunter trials.
Another, Victor Bravo, has to some extent flattered to deceive.
But he is now six years old and there shouldn’t really be any excuses if he fails to make the grade this year – it’s time for Victor to get his head down.
At Rushock, near Droitwich, Theresa Morris juggles a point-topoint yard with running two successful businesses. One to watch is Namur, which came second and third in maidens last May and will look to be first past the post this term, while stablemate Clones finished 20 lengths clear in a maiden at Bangor, North Wales, and so obviously has plenty of potential.
Of the others with Theresa, Iochtaran won at Chaddesley Corbett last May and Catch the Wind was only beaten by half-alength at Brampton Bryan and looks certain to score this time.
The Tollit dynasty from Himbleton, near Droitwich, continues to be a major force with various branches of the family striving hard to live up to the legendary deeds of grand dame Pat, the leading lady rider for many seasons.
Members of the tree include Angela and William Rucker, who took the leading owner/trainer/rider award last season, helped by the success of Honest Endeavour, Blue Business and Petit Lord, all of whom should be a force to be reckoned with again this season. Another to look out for from this yard is Cedrus Libani, a successful former hurdler, who won six times from 14 starts.
Angela’s sister Katherine Smith-Maxwell has taken over as vice-chairman of the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association but still finds time to train Red Law at home, while daughter Alex has Hi Tech Man with Pip Hooley at Ross-on-Wye.
Of course, no trip around the local yards would be complete without a stop at Tyre Hill, Hanley Swan, near Malvern, where Team Hobbs – as husband and wife Andy and Rachel are styled – consistently score with both pointers and National Hunt horses. Ones to watch here include Ice Cool Benny, open winner Sparkling Spirit and St Reverien, providing the horse gets out of bed on the right side.
DAIRY DATES:WHERE TO WATCH POINT-TO-POINT RACING
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20: North Hereford Hunt, Whitwick Manor, Hereford.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28: Albrighton Hunt, Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3: Ross Harriers, Garnons, Hereford.
SATURDAY, MARCH 6: Beaufort Hunt, Didmarton, Gloucestershire.
SATURDAY, MARCH 20: South Hereford Hunt, Garnons, Hereford.
SUNDAY, MARCH 28: Ledbury Hunt, Maisemore Park, Gloucester.
SATURDAY, APRIL 3: Teme Valley Hunt, Brampton Bryan, Hereford.
MONDAY, APRIL 5: North Cotswold Hunt, Paxford, Gloucestershire.
TUESDAY, APRIL 6: Croome & West Warwickshire Hunt, Uptonupon- Severn.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17: Worcestershire Hunt, Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster.
SATURDAY, APRIL 24: United Hunt, Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire.
SUNDAY, MAY 2: Radnor & West Hereford Hunt, Cold Harbour, Hereford.
MONDAY, MAY 3: North Ledbury Hunt, Maisemore Park, Gloucester.
SUNDAY, MAY 9: Wheatland Hunt, Chaddesley Corbett, Kidderminster.
SATURDAY, MAY 15: Golden Valley Hunt, Bredwardine, Hereford.
SUNDAY, MAY 23: Clifton-on- Teme Hunt, Upper Sapey.
MONDAY, MAY 31: Albrighton Woodland Hunt, Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster.
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