PREVIEW: FIFE (SATURDAY 25TH APRIL)

The penultimate fixture of the Northern Area Point-to-Point season takes place on Saturday 25th April at the Pusk Farm course near Leuchars, where the Fife card starts at 2.00pm.

Nine of the 13 entries for the opening 3m Northern Area Conditions Race are double-entered, including Whatdeawant and Townhill who are well clear of their rivals on ratings. The former has won 4 of 5 Pointing starts this season, including a one length success over Townhill in the Berwickshire Ladies Open, and chased home former 161-rated chaser Nassalam in a Hexham Hunters’ Chase last time but seems at his best on a softer surface. After staying on well to beat locally trained Not The Chablis at Friars Haugh in early March, Townhill had excuses next time out when runner-up to Deerstalker at Overton and Lucy Brown’s mount is taken to get back on the winning trail here.

Of the others, a sound surface will suit Economic Editor and Everyday Champagne who have placed form at Overton this term, as well as recent Overton winner Foxinthebox who was rejuvenated by first-time blinkers, while dual Overton scorer Hurricane Harmony is probably best with some cut in the ground.

The 3m Restricted Race has 8 entries, including the aforementioned Hurricane Harmony, while Carrhill, Libero, Loch Frisa and Master Bricklayer also figure among the 8 entries for the concluding 3m Maiden Race. After some disappointing efforts under Rules earlier this season, Carrhill got his career back on track on his first start for Charlotte Crozier’s yard when going down by a diminishing head at Overton and can go one better here. Former Irish pointer Libero, who was returning from an eleven-week break at Overton, was beaten in second when blundering two out before being pulled up but may have more to offer over this longer trip. 

Ex-hurdler Master Bricklayer stepped on his comeback 3rd to Helm Bar at Overton when beaten under a length by Hurricane Harmony on a return visit to the South Lanarkshire venue three weeks later and should again be in the mix, while proven stayers Royal Cave and Whatudoing have shown their best form on soft ground.

The aforementioned duo Townhill and Whatdeawant could renew rivalries off level weights in the 3m Ladies Open Race (9 entries). Of the others, Brandy McQueen and Watch Law also have the option of running in the 2m4f Mixed Open. Brandy McQueen followed up his Friars Haugh Conditions Race win in great style when landing a Catterick Hunters’ Chase before failing to fire at Hexham last time, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Lucy Brown’s mount bounce back to form here, while all of Watch Law’s career wins have come on a sound surface. Stuart Coltherd-trained Batman For Ever, a dual Overton scorer in a lower grade, comes here in good heart and has scope for further improvement.

None of the 6 entries for the 2m4f Novice Riders Conditions Race have won this season and by process of elimination the selection is For One Night Only. Best on a sound surface, Sam Herdman’s mount was only beaten two lengths by Theoldboggroad in Open company at Overton five weeks ago and that represents the best form on offer. All Ways And Ever (2nd) and Darkest Day (3rd) were beaten 20 lengths and 35 lengths respectively by Itwasfate at Overton last time out, First One d’Ana’s sole win in twenty starts since January 2023 came when dead-heating with Blouebrav on quick ground at Overton in April 2024, while Yorkshire raider Jump The Shark ran better at Charm Park last week than his finishing position might suggest.

A strong pace is guaranteed in the featured 2m4f Mixed Open Race (10 entries) in which the main protagonists are likely to be Itwasfate, Deerstalker, Western Run and Clapton Hill, along with aforementioned duo Brandy McQueen and Watch Law. Ex-chaser Itwasfate gave Fergal Holohan a memorable first winner on only his third ride when making all over this trip at Overton a fortnight ago, while Deerstalker landed a third Overton success at the same meeting. Another Overton specialist Western Run has failed to complete on his last three starts but did beat Fightfortheroses in last year’s renewal. while Clapton Hill produced his best form of the season when four lengths 2nd to Deerstalker at Overton.

If Northumbrian raider Carrhill bypasses the Restricted Race earlier on the card, he will be the one to beat in the concluding 3m Maiden Race (8 entries), while lower rated rivals Libero, Loch Frisa and Master Bricklayer also have both options. The other one to note is Claramount who was not beaten far when placed at Alnwick (twice) and Tranwell , but Liz Nixon’s charge is yet to encounter a sound surface this term and might be more effective over a shorter trip.

The going was Good on Monday and watering continues on a daily basis until Saturday to maintain.

The main action will be preceded by pony racing, with a total of 10 entries for the two contests.

Admission is £15 per person.

The Pusk Farm course is close to Balmullo village and Leuchars Railway Station, and the post code is KY16 0AD.