REPORT – NORTH CORNWALL (SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY)

Wadebridge staged the first Cornish Point To Point of 2026 on Sunday,
with six races taking place under dismal grey skies.

The first race of the day was the Moores Of St Wenn Devon and
Cornwall Area Only Conditions (Level 3). Clondaw Drake won five races
last season and was well supported to make his seasonal reappearance
a winning one. The bookies took some late money for Minella Jab and
went off at odds of 2-1. The 9-year-old was going well when taking a
tumble three fences from home at Dunsmore. Jake Bament guided
home Minella Jab for his partner, Megan Lawrence, who only trains
three horses. Megan now has her sights set on a Hunter Chase for her
horse. Reflecting on the race, she said, “We love the horse. He started
the training journey for us, and we missed him when he was out with an
injury last year. We were obviously gutted to see him hit the floor at
Dunsmore after running a good race up until that point. So it was brilliant
to see him come home in front today. Today was a credit to his grit, after
a year out, a crashing fall, and to still come out swinging today was proof
that he loves the game and wanted to win as much as us.”

Race Two was the RJB Estates Conditions (Level 2) For Novice Riders.
Holiday Fund was well backed into 6-4F to reverse the form with Hidden
Heroics. The 9-year-old prevailed by a shorthead at the previous
meeting and gave his rider, Harry Neale, his first career win. Neale was
back in the saddle and adapted the same front-running tactics. Hidden
Heroics produced a good leap at three out and galloped home strongly
to win by lengths from Holiday Fund. Neale is now two from two in the
saddle and is riding the crest of a wave.

Race three was the Kivells Mixed Open. It provided the smallest field of
the day, with only four going to post, but it produced an exciting race
nonetheless. 12-year-old Beacon Edge went off the 4-7 favourite, but he
gave punters a moment of concern. Soldier Of Destiny went off like a
scalded cat from flag fall, and by the time they had jumped the first two
fences, they were already strung out. Josh Newman sat second on the
favourite until the final circuit. Going down the hill for the final time,
Quintin’s Man took the lead and was pursued by On Springs. It seemed
as if it was between the two until On Springs fell at the second last on
through came Beacon Edge to land the spoils. Speaking after the race
, winning trainer and jockey, Josh Newman, said, “I felt I was always going

to catch On Springs, but when he fell, it didn’t really help me, as my lad
only does enough. Quintin’s Man came to my girth and my lad was only
going to give enough to just stay in front.”

Race Four was the Heltor Four, Five and Six-year-old Maiden. Millyellen
had finished second at Wadebridge in December and was expected to
go one better this time. Unfortunately for the Josh Newman yard, they
had to settle for second once more as they found Next Gen too good.
Frederick Philipson-Stow, who has the perfect name for a Point To Point
jockey, managed to survive the carnage that unfolded around him when
a loose horse careered into the pack, wiping out Another Notion and
Weston Bay. This proved a pivotal success for Will Biddick, who was
saddling his first runner since calling time on his glorious career in the
saddle. Biddick, who grew up close to the track, had his first ride at
Wadebridge, 23 years ago and went on to become the winning most
Point To Point rider of all time. Biddick was delighted that his first runner
since retiring won, and he thinks a lot of his mare.

Race Five, the Mr and Mrs K Haywoods Restricted saw Impakt St
Georges, Clonagoose and Madame Le’ Strange, who all won at the
previous meeting, lined up once more. Ed Vaughan retained the ride on
Clonagoose for Emma Summersby, who was seeking a double after
Hidden Heroics had won. Clonagoose took the lead with three to jump
and ran up the hill strongly under a delighted Ed Vaughan, who gave a
salute of his whip. Ed said, “It was hard to judge how much depth there
was to the race last time, and I didn’t know what level of ability he had. I
knew he had given me a nice feel. He did it nicely today, in what I
thought was a much deeper race. A flat track and nicer ground would be
better suited as well. He’s obviously got a bit of class, and I think he
could rack up a few.”

The final race on the card was the Lodge & Thomas seven-year-old and
Over Maiden. It saw the worst of the weather and the ground; only the
hardiest stood watching. Bright Aura took the lead rounding the top
bend and proceeded to gallop on strongly, and one by one her three
rivals dropped out. This was a success for a true pointing family, owned
and trained by Deborah Trenneer and ridden by her son, Michael. After
winning the race, Michael said, “She ran well here last time, and we
thought she would come on again, and that should go close. She made

nothing of the ground, probably from being born on the hill and doing
plenty of hunting on the hill, it felt like nothing to her! I work full-time as a
Chartered accountant for a mining company and me and Dad ride them
out before I go to work. It sometimes means riding out in the dark, but
you just get it done. Hopefully she can do it again!”