Tiverton
Chipley Park
Sunday 27th January 2008
by Lucy Johnson

THE trend of terrific point-to-point racing seen so far this season looks set to continue at Chipley Park on Sunday where nearly 200 hundred entries have been received. Several weeks of rain have been welcomed by organisers the Tiverton Hunt. Point-to-point secretary Keith Granger said: “We have good, good to soft ground at the moment and we are not worried if it rains right up to Friday. There is no question of the meeting not going ahead. We are very lucky with our ground and the more rain the better.”

Racing begins at 11am with 12 entered in the members’ race including Denis The Legend, a winner of four last season. He makes his seasonal reappearance and is sure to attract plenty of support.

The Five Hundred Pounds Mixed Open is a qualifier for the Volkswagen Touareg Men’s Point-to-Point Championship Hunter Chase at Towcester in May and the 22 entries include some grand campaigners from under Rules’ whose efforts have given their followers no end of fun.

Last year’s winner was Saint Romble. Katherine Hobbs was in the saddle that day and she’s been in great form this season, booting home Croix De Guerre, another entry, to Ladies’ Open success at Black Forest Lodge on Sunday. Fool On the Hill, a confirmed mud lark, is the veteran of some 58 under Rules, and it would be great to see him back in the winners’ enclosure again.

Ask Again’s win at the course last year for Sarah West, was the first of a treble and he looks open to plenty of improvement while Unleash ran a cracker at Ideford Arch in December where he was second to class act Double Honour. That run should have fully wound him up and he’s got form in his past on the ground.

Throw in the hugely consistent Maxou Des Brosses, Stone Valley, Spanish Oath and Wendy’s Dynamo and a terrific race is on the cards.

The Intermediate is a qualifier for the hunter chase final at Exeter Racecourse in May and entries include Candlelight Valley, second at Barbury Castle earlier this month, Flying Fuselier, third in the same race and Tweseldown winner Mr Goofy.

Lady Myfanwy stands out in the Doson & Horrell PPORA novice riders race where there are 34 entries with plenty in with chances. Lady Myfanwy has already won this season at Ideford Arch, loves the mud and stays forever and is assisted by the very able young jockey Rhys Flint.

There are also two restricted and three maidens to get stuck into with Royal Niece, Tres Bien, Yufo and Rockwithacaveman just some of the horses to note.

The course is situated off the B3187 three miles from Wellington and one mile from Milverton.

Entry is £20 per car and £10 per car with one person.