PREVIEW: COTLEY (SUNDAY 29TH MARCH)

Point to Point racing returns on Sunday to the popular course at Cotley situated a mile from the town of Chard in Somerset when racing starts at 1pm. There are various trade stands, children’s activities as well as the bar and refreshments tent which will be open all day and where there will be live music after racing. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome.

The Restricted race sponsored by Barleymows Farm Shop has 7 entries and Master McShine won his maiden well at Buckfastleigh last year but didn’t really progress after that. He did show a return to form last time however at Cothelstone when second to Eileen’s Milan (My Lucky Star well held in 3rd)., One Tree Hill won a 3 runner maiden at Flete Park last season and pulled up on his only run this term at Badbury Rings. Welsh trainer Luke Price enjoys his forays to this course and he has Galudon who opened his account last time when an impressive winner at Buckfastleigh. That puts him right in the mix here whilst his other entry, Shareyourbiscuits was previously with Dan Skelton and opened his account for Luke at Howick which places him firmly in the mix here. Impakt St Georges won on heavy at Wadebridge in December but hasn’t progressed as expected. Dollanstown won a maiden nicely at Badbury Rings before possibly finding a drop in trip on the sharp side when beaten at Charlton Horethorne. Back up to 3 miles should suit.

The Greenslade Taylor Hunt Men’s Open has 4 entries includes the popular Ninth Wave who was surprisingly beaten last time at Cothelstone. The ground however that day was not to his liking and he should resume winning ways here. Fighter Allen won two last season when with David Pipe and ridden by Rian Corcoran. Now in the care of Ed Walker, he is the mount of novice rider, James Pyman who only just got touched off at Buckfastleigh and should open his account soon. Backbyjet won 4 while under Rules for Brian Ellison and ran well for a long way at Didmarton on his pointing debut. He could be an interesting recruit for the Richard Morgan team. Northern Reel won a chase under Rules when with Olly Murphy but has yet to show much in two pointing runs for current connections

The Maiden Conditions race is sponsored by Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood with 7 entries and Will Biddick may have found a good opportunity for Winding Lake. A good second on debut at Badbury Rings behind J’Envoievalserenki, this well bred mare then probably found the softer ground subsequently not to her liking. Back on a quicker surface she ought to find this easier. Dangers could appear from Perseo who won a Pointing flat race at Larkhill last season. This is his seasonal debut though and Savant du Mesnil for Josh Newman may be a better option. Josh does well with ex-Irish pointers and although he has pulled up in both starts for them so far, the quicker ground here could see a better run. River Don is another who has shown his best form on good ground when second at Larkhill in November and could be of interest here. Alyson Dalton may opt for the easier last race.

The Carter Jonas Ladies Open is run over the shorter trip of 2 and a half and the 6 entries include Shang Tang who won 2 Ladies Opens under Aimee Jones in 2024 but hasn’t been in the same form since. The selection, Casper’s Court won 3 ridden by Hannah Morgan last season but unseated his new pilot early on seasonal debut at Wadebridge. He could be up to winning this though with a clear round. Edison Kent may opt for a race at more local to home at Howick. Cluain Aodha won 2 under Rules and on that evidence might prefer this quicker ground and could be one for the placings. Madaket too won twice under Rules and has just had one start for Ellie Hatcher so could be of interest while Kansas du Berlais finished first at Charing last time but was disqualified and could give the Casper’s Court most to do.

The 6 entries in the Kitson and Trotman Conditions race include the high-class former chaser The Big Breakaway who was rated 151 at his peak. Now with Les Jefford, he easily opened his pointing account for the yard under Anna Johnston and he should not be opposed here. Shang Tang, Ninth Wave, Fighter Allen are mentioned above while Diplomate Sivola won 5 points for Alan Hill. Now with Juliet Thornhill, he’s in the veteran stage but looks to be educating his young rider. Prolific winner Lavorante won 7 in a row over two seasons including a walkover but although he started the season with a win at Charing, he was then subsequently beaten at Cocklebarrow and Charlton Horethorne when odds on. There may have been trip or ground issues there though and this trip plus quicker ground should be more to his liking. Best Mate Dave may find a couple too good here.

There are 8 entries in the Symonds & Sampson sponsored Maiden and this could be an opportunity for Don’t Ask Aiden to open his account. Third to Mount Gay Run at Didmarton, he brings the best form to the race. Bright Focus ran well last term when second at Flete Park and should find a race before long. Doeshefitthebill didn’t show much under Rules For Jonjo O’Neill while Alyson Dalton ran well for a long way on her debut at Badbury Rings for Martin Sweetland and may opt for this race instead of the earlier Maiden Conditions race which looks hotter on paper.

The meeting is at Cotley, Chard, Somerset TA20 3EP and can be found 1 mile south of the A30 and 1.5 miles south west of Chard. Admission is £15 (under 16s free).