PREVIEW: PYTCHLEY (SUNDAY 8TH MARCH)

Point-to-Point racing returns to the Midlands area on Sunday, 8th of
March for the Pytchley with Woodland meeting at Guilsborough (NN6
8SR). Tickets are available online from midlandspointing.com/tickets
or on the gate on the day, for £15. Under 16s are admitted free of
charge.

Clerk of the Course Robert Johnson and his team have done a superb job
given the difficult conditions in the early part of 2026. At the time
of writing their going is the good side of soft and the forecast for
the days running up to the fixture is very encouraging.

Guilsborough is one of the most inviting courses in the Midlands and
there will be plenty to do for all the family. In addition to various
catering options there will be a licensed bar and a whole avenue of
trade stands, as well as a dog show.

The day’s racing begins with pony racing at 12pm, with three races for
ponies of different heights and experience. This really is the nursery
for future jockeys and there are some very familiar names among the
entries, as children of jockeys and trainers start their careers.

Following the pony racing there is a six-race card starting at 1pm
with the Maiden Race.

There are six point-to-point fixtures over this weekend and inevitably
there will be a number of horses entered at other meetings as well as
this one, and in other races on the same card. Please take note on the
day of the horses declared to run.

The feature race of the day is the Berrys Mixed Open Race, at 2.45pm,
for which six horses are entered. Aramax will lead the field based on
point-to-point form and rating. This German-bred 10-year-old is
trained in Newmarket by Jennifer Owen for the Whiskey & Water
Partnership. An accomplished East Anglian performer, he is entered on
Saturday at High Easter as well as Guilsborough and will be
well-backed wherever they decide to go. Bowtogreatness (Dale Peters)
pulled up in a hunter chase at Leicester this week but will be strong
contender if all is well. They are entered both here in the Open and
in the level two Conditions race later in the day. In Our Dreams runs
for Francesca Poste having won here this time last year, and
subsequently at Paxford. Clara Brewitt takes the ride in this one or
the next. Ryans Fancy is entered here, looking for a first win with
novice rider Rebekah Bell in the plate.

Christian and Geri Horner have Cartesien entered in two races here at
Guilsborough, and two races at Didmarton the day before. Wherever it
runs it will be a points debut for this French chaser which won over
2m 3f. Similarly Coachman is a hurdle winner under rules, making his
debut between the flags, and hedging his bets with entries in the
Open, Conditions (Level 2) and Conditions (Level 3).

We start the day with a Maiden race, kindly sponsored by Billing
Finance, which has 12 entries, ranging from fairly experienced maidens
to horses making their racecourse debut. Among the better rated horses
are Corra Bheinn, trained by Francesca Poste for the Picnic
Partnership; Caractacus Potts, trained by Maxine Filby for Christian
and Geri Horner; Just Four Fame, owned and trained by David Dennis,
and Right Lets Go, trained locally by Stuart Morris for Judy Wilson.

Following this is the Restricted Race kindly supported by Mr and Mrs
Latilla-Campbell. Marina Bealby has had a decent season so far, with
two wins on board Easy Rider for her parents who train and own the
eight-year-old. Cash Or Card (Dale Peters) will be looking to improve
on third last time out, and along with Easy Rider carries a 5lb
penalty. Ahead of them in that Brocklesby Restricted was Suttons Hill
(Clara Brewitt) who was narrowly beaten on that occasion by
L’Aventara. Ben Case’s Seek Him There won his maiden last time at
Horseheath and hasn’t been out of the top two in points so far.
Bradley Gibbs trains Bluescape, with the mare’s allowance of 7lb,
third on her first run this season at Kingston Blount.

The are some well-rated runners among the eight entries for the Ace
Gearboxes Intermediate Race, at 2.10pm. Francesca Poste trains
Glancing Hill (Zac Baker), with wins at Hursley Hambledon and
Horseheath this season already, while Joe O’Shea makes the trip from
Northumberland with Boley Bob (Henry Crow) having won at Larkhill last
time out. Gina Andrews trains and rides Arctic Oscar, fourth at
Charing at the end of January, and Ask Elli looks to take advantage of
a 7lb allowance for Bradley Gibbs and Mr J. M. Castle, having won in
January at Horseheath. Fame And Concrete (Cian Murphy) should be a
contender for Nick Wright if he benefits from his first run at Charing
where he was 4th. Local interest is strong in this race: Cash Or Card
has an entry here in addition to the Restricted, and Stuart Morris has
Champagne Glory (Charlie Case).

After the mixed open, fourth on the card, we have two Conditions
races. The first of these is a level two Conditions race, sponsored by
Fox Land Rover. Cartesien, Coachman, In Our Dreams and Ryans Fancy all
have second entries in this one as well as the Open. Among the
seasoned campaigners also entered are Clashhill, trained by Nick
Wright and ridden by Cian Murphy, a multiple point-to-point winner
with two second-place finished this season, and No Risk des Flos,
trained by Gina Andrews, with a first and a second from their two
starts. Top show horse producer Matthew Ainsworth trains Rock House, a
capable pointer looking to return to form. Kelly Morgan saddles two in
this one. Bothwell Bridge (Ellie Callwood) is owned by a Midlands
syndicate and finished third at Brocklesby, and Dusart (Tom
Chatfeild-Roberts), having his first start of this season.

Our last race of the day is another Conditions Race, this time Level
3, sponsored by Foxton Construction, for which we are very grateful.
14 horses are entered for this race, many of which have other entries
on this card and may race earlier in the day. Major Dundee is enjoying
his first season between the flags, with two second-place finishes to
date. Another new to pointing is Ted’s Friend, second last time out
with part owner Alexandra Ingram in the plate. Stuart Morris trains
Clare Richmond-Watson’s Master Malcolm, a second season runner with a
second and third this season so far. Shanty Alley beat Ragnar Lodbrok
last season but is yet to finish this year. Fat Sam is owned and
trained by David Dennis, returning to pointing after a spell under
rules. Diplomate Sivola is a well-known veteran pointer, now owned and
trained by Juliet Thornhill. Miss S. Thornhill will ride.

Sunday looks set to provide some excellent racing. We look forward to
seeing you there.