PREVIEW: MINEHEAD HARRIERS AND WEST SOMERSET (SATURDAY 9TH MAY)

The Minehead and West Somerset point to point at picturesque Holnicote on Saturday has attracted an entry of 63. The first race is at 2.35pm and the course is signed from the A39 between Minehead and Porlock – TA24 8TE. Early bird ticket prices are £12.50 via www.pointingwessex.co.uk (accompanied under 16s are admitted free) until 6pm Wednesday 6th May then afterwards at £15 online or on the gate. A family dog show in the upper carpark from 2.30pm while the racing is preceded at 1.30pm by the Oliver Price charity race run in memory of him in support of the Air Ambulance UK, Exmoor Search & Rescue and Minehead Middle School.

The first race, a Maiden race is sponsored by East Lynch Stud and Josh Newman has 2 of the 10 entries, both making their debuts for the stable having been purchased in Ireland. He does well with these ex-Irish pointers and both are of interest having run with credit over there. Diamonds and Denim finished a fair second on his third start and is out of a prolific winner under Rules in Alpine Breeze while 4 year old Crystal de France has only had one run finishing 4th. He comes from the family of Ballyadam and both could make significant improvement. Ballinoulart has been busy recently posting two seconds within a week while Down the Inner and Granny Smith also come here with two seconds in their last two starts and both should find a race soon. The best domestic form was probably by Thief of the Night who only just got beaten by Dreamaboutit at Flete and could go one better here.

The PPORA Molland Ridge Stud and Rehabilitation Novice Riders Conditions race has 9 entries including highest rated, Ninth Wave who has struck up a good partnership with Jack Stenhouse and that is often a good indicator in these races. He resumed winning ways at Cotley last time and may be good enough here to defy a 10lb penalty. Another recent winner set to shoulder a penalty is Galileo Silver who won at Woodford last month while Joly Maker and Pirates Tale both won their Members’ races last time out at Stafford Cross and Flete respectively. Hannah Morgan won this last year on Casper’s Court for Josh Newman and may well team up again with Getaway Drumlee on whom she just held on to win at Didmarton in March before possibly not enjoying the ground next time at Trebudannon. Oliver Chamings won this race two years ago on Wireless Operator and he clearly enjoys the track.

A competitive Mixed Open race is sponsored by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Racing and of the 9 entries, Josh Newman has Hearts Corner and Important Notice entered in his bid to secure a National Trainers title. The former is unbeaten in four runs this season including last time at Flete Park while his other entry, Important Notice, a nephew of the late, great Denman, unseated at in a hunter chase at Stratford following two wins at Trebudannon. Luke Price also has two entered; Inchidaly Robin who comes here fresh from a bloodless victory at South Hill and Lavorante who is 10 from 19 for the yard including 4 this season. Chris Barber has been frustrated for Jewel in the Park recently having accepted a walkover at Stafford Cross last time only to find the same looked like happening at South Hill causing him to withdraw. A winner at Dunsmore and Chilfrome this term he won a Restricted at this meeting last season and that could give him the edge here. Tigerbythetail holds entries elsewhere and may opt for those.

An entry of 10 in the Conditions race sponsored South West Farrier Ltd sees both Getaway Drumlee and Joly Maker double entered but of the others not mentioned, Galudon resumed winning ways at Parham following an unseat at Penshurst, adding to his wins at Cotley and Buckfastleigh. He seems to handle all going and could add to his tally here. Trainer Darren McAlinden has acquired a useful sort in Castle Robin who racked up 6 wins under Rules for Charlie Longsdon and so long as he’s over the cause of his extended break which only saw him reappear in March of this year, his class could be enough to take this.

The Harold Scott Memorial Restricted has 16 entries and Luke Price has a couple entered. Eco Pete won a bumper in Ireland and was placed 5 times over hurdles while his other entry, Mr Bezi won 2 races for the yard in 2024 but has possibly been fragile only appearing twice since, falling on both occasions. Riskamatriark beat Suvla Bay at Dunsmore and the second, who re-opposes here, then went on to win at Stafford Cross next time. Dreamaboutit also faces Thief of the Night who she beat at Flete last time while Josh Newman’s trio, Diamonds and Denim (also in the maiden), Dance Ifyoucan and Ghost Jury should be considered. The latter won easily at Flete Park last weekend while Dance Ifyoucan won very comfortably on yard debut at Kilworthy in March. Kings Affinity also won on his yard debut this time for Chris Barber and looks progressive while Laudable won well at Cotley for Fran Poste and Kow Boy Sivola looked a horse to follow when wining at Cothelstone but was well beaten at Stafford Cross last time.

The Porlock Bay Oysters Intermediate has 9 entries and concludes the racing with some progressive types. Those include Dollanstown who hacked up in a Restricted at Cotley following wins at Cherrybrook and Badbury Rings earlier in the season for trainer Will Biddick. Will also has Far Out West who downed Ninth Wave at Cothelstone before getting overturned herself at Stafford Cross by Clonagoose. Chris Barber’s Eileen’s Milan won a maiden here last season and opened his account with a win at Cothelstone in March before two placings in Wales. Chris’ other entry is Jack Black who is two from two for the yard and looks the stronger of the pair. Make Idaho Great is owned by John and Sonia Gardener who currently head the National Leading Owner title and he has won all three races for them this season.