Point-to-point: Gina Andrews achieves another milestone thanks to Nicholls

In the point-to-point world, Gina Andrews is a record breaker. Over 400 winners between the flags, the most ladies’ point-to-point championship titles, and she has ridden more winners over fences than any other British female. However, the next milestone for Andrews happened under rules when her 100th winner finally came in the form of Golden Son, who won the Open Hunters' Chase at Taunton for trainer Paul Nicholls on the 12th of February. 

Andrews explained she had “a few things still to tick off my bucket list, one of them is I must have a ride for Paul”. Golden Son is normally Olive Nicholls’ ride, but due to her being sidelined after falling at Hereford in January, Andrews’ agent jumped at the opportunity. Andrews explained that Paul was “very good to let me ride him, and I rode Shearer on Saturday”, where she finished 3rd in the Walrus Open Hunters’ Chase at Haydock. 

Olive is now back in the saddle and is likely to retain the rides on her father’s horses, so I asked Andrews what horses she had in her own yard that she was excited about. Firstly, when chatting about that infamous 100th under rules winner, Andrews mentioned how nice it would have been to get 100 winners on one of her own horses, but felt like she was “stuck on 99 forever” and was happy she managed to achieve that feat on such a high caliber of horse and described the ride on Golden Son as very straightforward having won by 11 lengths. 

Andrews told me about a horse she was excited to have in her yard, Entity Of Substanz, who could go hunter chasing at the back end of the season. Entity Of Substanz has won 3 point-to-points on the bounce this season since moving yards from Dan Skelton. A flag bearer for the yard, Fairly Famous, could have another entry at Cheltenham and has proven form at the track after winning at the May hunter chase meeting in 2023 and again in 2024. 

When I spoke to Andrews, she was on her way to the 2026 Randox Grand National weights lunch held at St George’s Hall in Liverpool. Husband, Tom Ellis, has an entry in the 2026 Grand National with Ain’t That A Shame, who was purchased from the David Maxwell dispersal sale before Christmas. The horse was last seen in the 2024 Grand National, where he finished 6th for owner and jockey David Maxwell. Andrews explains that there's no guarantee that the horse will run in the 2026 renewal, as his handicap mark has dropped due to not having a run since 2024. 

Looking back at the headlines for Andrews, you have to mention Latenightpass (pictured above), who has taken Gina to all the big parties in racing. Owned and bred by mother-in-law Pippa Ellis, Latenightpass has run at both big spring festivals for the family. In 2022, Gina rode him to victory in the Foxhunters at Aintree, as well as 2nd in the Cross Country Chase at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, having already won a Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham back in December 2023. Most notably, in 2024, Latenightpass gave Gina her first ride in the Grand National and her husband, Tom Ellis, his first runner as a professional trainer. Both horse and rider got home safe, finishing 12th of the 34-runner field. 

When asked what else she had on her bucket list, Andrews told me, “One more, I would love to have a ride for J.P. (McManus), it’s probably not realistic, but I can try”. Many would agree that Gina Andrews is an amateur jockey in name only, given her professionalism, determination to win, and now having secured 100 winners under rules. It is only a matter of time before she ticks off that last thing on her bucket list. 

Brockelsby Park, Grimsby, DN37 8LH. Gates open 10.00, first race 12.00. 6 races. 

Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3AE. Gates open 11.00, first race 13.00. 6 races. 

Badbury Rings, Wimborne, DT11 9JL. Gates open 10.30, first race 11.00. 8 races. 

Duncombe Park, Yorkshire, YO62 5EB. Gates open 10.00, first race 12.00. 7 races.