PREVIEW: NORTH CORNWALL (SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY)

The second of two meetings takes place at the Royal Cornwall Showground on Sunday. Although we will be hoping for better weather than last time, they have received a healthy number of entries which poses for some good racing. Gates open at 9:30am with the first race due off at 11:30am. Entry is £15pp. Postcode PL27 7JE.

Moores of St Wenn Devon & Cornwall Area Only Conditions (Level 3)

Clondaw Drake could look to start the ball rolling for the Joshua Newman team where he looks likely to go off favourite for the opener at Wadebridge. The winner of five races last season, including twice at this track, he comes here for his first run and carries no penalty in this race. Getaway Drumlee for the same team, holds an entry in both this race and Novice Riders and ran well down here at the last meeting. Minella Jab took the eye in the paddock at Dunsmore before unfortunately coming to grief when falling 3 out. He was running a nice race on this occasion and is another who has won at this track. Honest Opinion has been a wonderful horse for the Summersbys and will be making her seasonal debut. The team enjoyed a double at the last meeting and will be hoping for another good day!

JB Estates Conditions (Level 2) for Novice Riders

Hidden Heroics (Emma Summersby) and Holiday Fund (Joshua Newman) look to lock horns again and on this occasion. Hidden Heroics will now have to carry a 5lb penalty for winning at this meeting in December. Given a lovely ride by Harry Neale, he came out on top in a driving finish by a short head, to give Harry his first win on his first ride in public. Getaway Drumlee (Joshua Newman) and Hannah Morgan followed both these home to finish third on that occasion and would not be disregarded to go closer this time. The third of Joshua Newman’s entries comes in the form of Honestlyntrufully, who was a dual winner last season and could really throw his hand into the mix. Ben Lilly ran well here in the Mixed Open for David Pipe and Ashley Dascombe and he could find this a much easier race. The 8yo will be looking to add a Point to Point win to his CV having already won seven times on the Flat and twice over Hurdles!

Kivells Mixed Open

The Mixed Open looks to be very hotly contested and could prove very exciting. Gina Andrews holds one entry with Tigerbythetail, who is prolific in Point to Points winning 7 from 11 starts. He is coming back from a stint under rules and will need to be back to his best. We saw Al Gasparo win with his eyes shut in December and performed as he should have when cantering home unchallenged. Joshua Newman will have the pick of Al Gasparo or Beacon Edge, who is looking to make his Point to Point debut. He is the winner of 10 races reaching a peak rating of 147 along with a Grade 1 win over fences and a Grade 2 over hurdles. It was only 13 months ago he finished 9 ¼ lengths behind Lossiemouth in the Hatton’s Grace Grade 1. He is an exciting prospect to Points and if enjoying the switch, should hold his own. Cheltenham Intermediate Hunter Chase winner Quintin’s Man (John Heard) is another prolific winner and made a pleasing debut at Larkhill a month ago. He has never managed to get his head in front at this course and could find some of the fancied ones too hot here. Soldier Of Destiny is one to keep an eye on, lightly raced and returned to winning ways last season when taking the Ladies Open at Cothelstone. He had some strong form under rules before losing his way and is now owned/trained and ridden by Megan Bevan.

Heltor Four, Five and Six Year Old Maiden

Both Millyellen and Caracara were both the bridesmaids at the last meeting and connections will be hoping to go one better this time! Millyellen gave Blackmore Racing Club plenty to be pleased about and did all the hard work in Division I before Clonagoose pounced at the last. Caracara, for Teresa Clark and House Family Partnership, looked the sure fire winner in Division II, before drifting off her line and therefore getting collared close to home. Emmas Wish was a close runner up to Talimar Pearl at this course 13 months ago for John Heard but things did not go her way on the last occasion and she was quickly pulled up after a circuit. Hopefully she can put a line through this as will Savant Du Mesnil (Joshua Newman), who was very disappointing on yard debut. Newly retired from the saddle, Will Biddick, will firmly have his trainer hat on and brings forward two nice prospects for this. Next Gen finished 3rd at Dunsmore and will surely have taken a step forward. The beautifully bred Winding Lake was 8 lengths 2nd at Badbury Rings and looks like a nice horse for the future. Tim Vaughan has Another Notion entered, who finished 2nd to Western Monkey at Lower Machen in the Maiden. There was a form boost at the beginning of December, with Western Monkey winning on rules debut at Haydock for Harry Derham, making it 2 wins from 2 runs. 

Mr A & Mrs K Haywoods Restricted 

The Restricted division seems to be incredibly hot at the moment with every entry of the 14 entries having a case to make. John Heard is double handed with Larkhill Maiden winner Tourmaline entered, who on this occasion beat Easy Rider (Ashley Bealby), who has since gone on to win his Maiden at Chaddesley and holds an entry here. John’s other entry, Dawn Supreme, won two races last season but couldn’t do enough here in December to get in front of Imapkt St Georges, who also holds an entry for Joshua Newman with a 5lb penalty. Clonagoose, for Emma Summersby, looked a smart recruit from Irish Point to Points and won his maiden at the track in December and should be very competitive in this. A Force To Reckin has always caught the eye for owner/rider/trainer Jack Veysey and won his Maiden and Restricted last season and made a good seasonal debut at Dunsmore to finish 2nd. Madame Le’strange beat Caracara in Division II of the Maiden and stayed on tremendously well after slipping and nearly falling on the flat before 3 out. She will be looking to give Will Biddick his second training winner of the season. 

Lodge & Thomas Seven Year Old and Over Maiden

Another one to take out of the Lower Machen Maiden is Mayor Kingston, who finished 3rd behind Western Monkey. With only six other opponents, this could be his day and be a popular winner for Neil Gittins. Lustful Lady finished 2nd on debut in an Irish Point to Point but this was in May 2023 and was purchased by David Pipe for £32,000 after this but has clearly had problems as has not been seen since. Tim Dennis has Mrs Pen entered, who was disappointing at this last meeting but clearly has ability as finished 2nd in a Point to Point Flat Race around Great Trethew in November 2024. Le Vainquer has not quite lived up to his €120,000 price tag as a Store but has posted some solid Maiden runs before joining Chloe Mills and is another that will have to defy a long lay off the track.