PREVIEW – JEDFOREST (SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY)

The Northern Area Point-to-Point season gets back on track after a five-week break with the Jedforest fixture at Friars Haugh, Kelso on Sunday 18th January.

Kindly supported by Kelso and Musselburgh Racecourses, it has attracted 69 entries on a six-race card which starts at 12.30pm.

Phantoms Cave is top-rated in the opening 3m Maiden Race sponsored by A & S Clarkson Engineering and Midburn Construction Ltd. After making most of the running at Alnwick last month, he lost nothing in defeat when finishing six lengths 2nd to The Dog Thief and can go one better here.

Of the other nine entries, the promising Jack Wooley was beaten under five lengths when placed over a shorter trip at Hexham and Alnwick, long distance traveller Kow Boy Sivola (also entered in 2m4f Maiden) was close up for a long way in a 2m4f Young Horse Maiden at Badbury Rings two months ago, while Pip Pirrip shaped encouragingly on debut when third behind The Village Way in the corresponding race at last season’s Jedforest fixture.

Claramount looks the one to beat in the 2m4f Maiden Race which has 11 entries and is sponsored by R & B Painters and Gillon Bloodstock. Liz Nixon’s charge made an eye-catching seasonal debut when four lengths 3rd to Azlad at Alnwick in December and should have even more to offer with that run under his belt.

Others to note include the aforementioned Kow Boy Sivola, former Ben Pauling-trained gelding Loch Frisa (one of six runners on the card for Victor Thompson who celebrates his 83rd birthday this week), ex-hurdler Midnight Alnwicky who shaped with plenty of promise when ten lengths 4th on heavy ground at Hexham, and debutant William Crump. The latter’s dam Granoski Gala won 11 of 17 Points and also landed the 2007 Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters’ Chase at Hexham.

A strong pace is guaranteed in the 2m4f PPORA Club Members Ladies Open Race sponsored by Harbro, with plenty of confirmed front-runners among the 12 entries.

The class act is former Ben Pauling-trained 133-rated chaser Densworth, a five-times winner under Rules, who is significantly down in grade after running against the likes of Caldwell Potter and Saint Segal last season.

Harjo was given a positive ride by Jesika Rennie when only beaten three-quarters-of-a-length by Whatdeawant at Alnwick and should again be in the mix, the drop in trip is likely to suit winning chaser Lunar Contact, Saladam’s best form over hurdles for Olly Murphy came at this trip a few seasons ago and the lightly raced nine-year-old got his career back on track when two lengths 2nd to Eastern Storm at Hexham, while long distance traveller Camino Rocio is another one who likes to force the pace. He has changed hands since winning 5 Chases last season from Jim & Suzi Best’s yard, the first one off a mark of 77 and the last one off a mark of 105.

Proven stayers will come to the fore in the 3m4f J.A.Wilson Contractors Ltd Northern Area Feature Mixed Open Race which has a season’s best prize fund of £1,500 on offer, with £1,000 to the winner.

The 12 entries are headed by 2025 winner Learntalot, however he won’t be making the long trip from Alan Hill’s Oxfordshire base this year. The business end of proceedings may chiefly concern course winners Chameron, Diable De Sivola and Whatdeawant. The evergreen Chameron was rejuvenated by the switch back to Pointing last season and had form figures of 112 at Friars Haugh, Diable De Sivola won Ladies Opens at the 2025 Jedforest and Berwickshire meetings and looked as good as ever when making a winning reappearance at Alnwick in December, while 137-rated hurdler relishes a test of stamina and comes here in search of a seasonal hat-trick under Lisa O’Connor.

There are 10 entries for the ‘Hands and Heels’ Series Conditions Race for Novice Riders sponsored by The Jockey Club & Point-to-Point Authority and Hawick Trainers & Jockeys. 

The aforementioned Harjo (10lb penalty) is well clear on ratings but would have 29lb more to carry here than if taking his chance in the Ladies Open earlier on the card. Of the others, there shouldn’t be much to choose between course winners For One Night Only, Portgloriam and Theoldboggroad, while the dark horse is lightly raced So They Say who won over fences at Musselburgh in January 2024 but has been off the track for almost twenty one months.

The 14 entries for the concluding 3m Conditions Race sponsored by NRT Hoof Solutions and Lauderdale Firewood Company include the aforementioned quintet of Camino Rocio, Chameron, Diable De Sivola, Portgloriam and So They Say. Of the others, Annie Magic chased home Chameron and Eagles Rock over course and distance on her only start last season and a repeat performance would put her in the mix, while another one expected to make a bold bid for a second course win is Not The Chablis.

As usual, the main action will be preceded by pony racing from 11.30am, with 8 entries for the 138cm Open and 8 entries for the 148cm Open.

Admission is £15 per person including a racecard, with under 16’s free.

The picturesque Friars Haugh course at Kelso is located alongside the A699, and the post code is TD5 8LT