PREVIEW: WARWICKSHIRE (MONDAY 4TH MAY)

The next point-to-point in the South Midlands Area is the Warwickshire fixture (also known as Mollington Races) at Mollington on Monday 4th May, with the first of six races at 2.00pm. Clerk of the Course Fred Hutsby confirmed on Monday morning, in advance of entries closing, that the track is being watered in the mornings and evenings, and that the going remains Good to Firm but is starting to soften and is expected to be Good by race day. 46 entries have been received from 43 individual horses.

Centrepiece of the meeting is the Ray Randerson Carpets Mixed Open Race, which has eight entries, headed by pointing legend Grace A Vous Enki, a winner of 13 of his 14 starts between the flags – including 11 out of 11 at Larkhill – who won this race two years ago and took the prestigious Lady Dudley Cup last time. Trainer Chris Barber has also entered Mount Sinai, three times a winner this season, but below her best at Howick last time. Jenny Owen is also responsible for two entries – both Aramax and The Big Lense have won twice this season and have definite chances. The same could be said for Gina Andrews’ Master Templar, another prolific winner (15 wins from 21 outings in points) and he would be a popular success for local owner Jenny Hayward. Farnoge won a match at Lockinge but was only third at Woodford last weekend, Mister Splash has yet to win in this company and has an entry at Warwick on Friday, while Alan Hill advised that Soldier Unknown is more likely to go for the Dingley four-miler on Sunday.

“We’re hoping to run Grace A Vous Enki,” Barber told me. “But we’d like some rain and everything needs to be 100% with him.”

Master Templar, along with Andrews’ other two entries on the day, also holds an engagement at Dingley, and his trainer-rider admitted, “We’ll probably go to Dingley, as it looks an easier race, and we don’t want to take on Grace A Vous Enki.” Andrews, who has her 12th female jockeys championship in the bag, but is seeking a first trainers title, added with a smile, “We need wins!”

Five entries have been received for the F N Pile & Sons PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 1), restricted to Novice Riders who have not had more than ten winners. Garde La Peche heads the ratings based on her Larkhill win in March. She didn’t reproduce that form next time, but the race may have come too quickly, then was hampered when unseating at the first last weekend. Definiteadare – trained by Justin Brotherton – ran his best race of the season to finish second at Woodford on Saturday and would be bidding to give Georgia Kirk a first winner. Premier D’Troice and Ryans Fancy have been running below their best this season, while pointing debutant El Saviour has shown nothing under rules for two years but – ridden by Marina Bealby – will not lack for assistance from the saddle.

Tim Underwood said of Garde La Peche, “Her unseat could be a blessing in disguise because, if she’d had a hard race on Saturday, she wouldn’t have been able to run at Mollington. She’s in good form and gets all the allowances.”

The Sir James Shuckburgh BT Restricted Race has 11 entries, the highest of the day. Three are trained by Chris Barber, of whom Jack Black is clear top-rated after two comfortable wins at Maisemore Park and Chaddesley Corbett. His other two, Taktics and Farm Assured, have both taken weak Mares Maidens, with the latter’s success coming in a match. Main Stage, trained by Gina Andrews, Ben Case’s Seek Him There and Validation are all incredibly consistent – between them, they have either won or been in the frame in their last 20 starts! However, the first-named is more likely to go to Dingley. Try The Money broke his duck at Bitterley but was well behind Jack Black last time, Myfanwy has disappointed since her Lower Machen second, Frontieres Lad has no form since the 2023/2024 season and Connor Gray’s The Sad Shepherd showed nothing last time on his return from a near two-year break. Alan Hill’s Our Brother John will probably run at Godstone rather than here.

“I got a bit excited entering three, as we’ve still got a chance of the trainers title,” laughed Barber. “Jack Black is the pick of mine and he’s an intended runner.”

Charlie Case, son of trainer Ben, confirmed, “The primary plan is to run Seek Him There at Mollington, although he’s also entered at Eyton-on-Severn, and it depends on where the other entries are going.”

The opening contest is the Butler Sherborn Warwickshire and Adjacent Hunts Conditions Race (Level 1). Five have been entered, headed by Gina Andrews’ Young Rich, the mount of female novice riders championship contender Molly Legg, who has been running well this season with a

win and two placings. Luca Morgan’s intriguingly named J’Envoievalserenki won on his pointing debut and has three thirds to his name since but has failed to finish on his last two starts, while Shanty Alley – trained by Ben Case for his son George – has not shown the same form this season as he did when winning at Edgcote last year. Charlie Case advised that the intention is to run, with the horse having no other entries this weekend. Elen Wylie’s Au Fleuron is another running below his best at present, while The Sad Shepherd is also entered in this race.

“We’ll probably run Young Rich,” said Andrews. “Although Molly also has Tigerbythetail entered at Witton Castle on Monday.”

The Winkworth Conditions Race (Level 2) is run over the shorter distance of 2m4f and seven have been entered. The class act looks to be Alan Hill’s The Dancing Tree, however his trainer confirmed him a runner in the Intermediate Final at Warwick and expects Coolagh Park to represent him here. “Coolagh Park is my most likely runner at Mollington,” Hill told me. “He’ll appreciate the two-and-a-half-mile trip, and this race would be the choice of his weekend entries.”

James Luck’s What A Steal won at Didmarton but fell at Parham last weekend and The Jolly Pot – trained by Jimmy Tarry, who older readers will remember having a five-timer at Mollington in his riding days – ran well last time when third at Chaddesley Corbett. El Saviour and Ryans Fancy are entered here as well as in the Novice Riders race, while Tim Underwood plans to send Ask Nile to Godstone.

The card closes with the Walnut Hill PPORA Club Members Maiden Race, for horses who have raced at least twice in point-to-points, and which has attracted ten entries. Myfanwy’s Magic must be one of the unluckiest maidens in training, having been beaten a length or less on his most recent two outings and – before that – being in contention when hampered and falling. Standupanddeliver also deserves to get his head in front – and provide Anna Dando with a first success – having been placed on his last three starts, while Bingo Little looked the certain winner when unseating at the last at Kimble, before disappointing at Chaddesley Corbett. Chris Barber’s debutants are always worth a look, so keep an eye on his four-year-old Chasing Good Times, another juvenile who is potentially on the upgrade is Café Whispers, but James Henderson’s Knick Knack has not shown much in three runs since an encouraging second at Cocklebarrow on his first pointing start. Maxine Filby’s Mi Chico Latino – named after a song by her owner Geri Horner – has not run since the 2023/2024 campaign and the other three entries – Penelope Ann, trained by Victoria Collins (some placed form notwithstanding), Hydrbra, and Justin Brotherton’s

Gladiateddi – appear to have plenty to find, although the latter showed a glimmer of promise before running out last time.

Barber wouldn’t be drawn on whether Chasing Good Times would run, telling me only, “He’s also entered at Eyton-on-Severn and, while the Mollington race looks weaker, we won’t make a decision until later in the week.”

Fixture Secretary Katharine Henry is looking forward to the meeting and said, “We’ve got loads of trade stands, the usual kids corner, the hounds will be in the paddock, and we have a dog show. There will be plenty to keep what we hope will be a big crowd entertained and we hope the rain stays away!”

Admission is £15 per person (cash only) on the day, with 16s and under free. Reserved premium parking can be booked by emailing sponsorship@mollingtonhorseraces.co.uk. The first race is at 2pm and gates open at 11am. Entertainment includes childrens attractions, a family dog show (six classes starting at 12pm, with entry at £3 per class), and a hound parade before the first race.

Mollington is a wide, undulating, galloping track with four long, sweeping bends and a stiff uphill finish. It is on the A423, five miles north of Banbury. Postcode OX17 1QE. What Three Words: bleak.teardrop.waking. Mollington Races is a very popular Bank Holiday meeting and racegoers are asked to allow ample time for their journey. For more information, visit https://mollingtonhorseraces.co.uk or find us on Facebook @MollingtonRaces