Point-to-point: Heythrop fixture proves a huge success

Celebrating point-to-pointing and being proud of what is all about can at times feel hard, especially in a month like January when the weather can go against us and it feels like a chore to leave the house, but, on Sunday in a quiet corner of the Cotswolds, one of the most well attended and supported meetings on the fixture list took place, and it did not disappoint. 

An enormous crowd descended upon an unusually warm Cocklebarrow in Gloucestershire for the annual Heythrop point-to-point. 

This fixture has become a ‘go-to’ day out for many and, over the years, we have witnessed many famous faces. On Sunday, ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell had a runner and you couldn't walk a stride before bumping into a national-hunt trainer or jockey, who are always in strong attendance at the meeting.

Lily Pinchin and ex-jockey Archie Bellamy, who both started within pointing were both leading up in the pony racing, the latter leading up a winner. 

The Heythrop committee must be applauded for their brave move some seasons ago to invest in an impressive heated marquee. Inside, it houses a bar, food stalls and individual areas that can be purchased by racegoers to give them a warm private spot for the day to bring their picnics. Later in the day the music starts and whilst the people dance; the music plays! 

Outside of the marquee a number of things alongside the racing take place, the ‘Cocklepull' also known as Tug of war - there was one round for under 18s and one for adults. There was dog racing, a bouncy castle and viewing of the racecourse from the man-made mound. 

Hosting a meeting late in January can generally provide little more than good racing but this event comes alive and offers a fantastic day out for all the family where no stone has been left unturned. 

Good events require atmosphere and there is something about Cocklebarrow that creates just that. 

Pony racing started the day and we saw Molly Mansell ride a winner. Daughter of Dave and Julie, both ex-point-to-point jockeys, it is brilliant to see the next generation come through. The second pony race was won by Harry Longsdon, son of Sophie and Charlie Longsdon who train at Chipping Norton. At 12-years-old, Longsdon, who rides out for Dad in the holidays and as much as he can around school, looks one to follow . 

The racing was superb, with a good ratio of declared runners to entries, and the restricted race saw all nine entries declare. We saw some very nice performances from horses’ worth noting for the future. Two such horses are the Gina Andrews-trained and ridden duo. Debutante Percy de Courcy, who won the two-and-a-half-mile maiden, and Entity of Substanz, who won the Restricted, making it three from three this season, both look progressive. 

11-time women’s point-to-point champion Gina Andrews rode and trained another winner and a second during the afternoon. A female jockey whom we are unlikley to see the likes of again was delighted and said: “Three lovely winners with horses at different stages of their careers. I must however make a special mention to Master Templar who was second in the ladies. He had a fall at Aintree in the foxhunters' and fractured two vertebrae so his run was brilliant.” 

Kingston Lisle Trainer Harry Brown enjoyed a double. All loved Up won the first classic race of the season, the Lord Ashton Of Hyde Cup men's open over the extended three-and-a-half-mile trip under jockey Hugh Lillingston for his family, and Bass Rock, ridden by sixteen-year-old Lucas Murphy in the Novice rider’s race, was Brown's other winner.

Brown told on course NDCC Sophie Davis: “We have enjoyed a very good day, All loved up winning the classic and then Bass Rock backing up his Chaddesley win. He deserved to be sent off favourite today and has done it well.” 

Two young jockeys, the aforementioned Lucas Murphy and Tilly Dennis, were seen winning and demonstrating their abilities as future jockeys. Murphy, son of grand-national winning jockey Timmy won for the second time this season aboard Bass Rock, and Dennis, daughter of national-hunt trainer David Dennis, gave Innisfree Lad a fantastic front-running ride to win a competitive ladies open. 17-year-old Dennis is based full-time with Fergal O’ Brien and is completing a two-year apprenticeship for her level two with the racing school. 

She has aspirations to be a jockey and says: “Inisfree was amazing. The first win I had on him was in a small field so it was brilliant to win a more competitive race and to beat a role-model in Gina Andrews. Gina had been so helpful in the preliminaries, telling me to be careful on the bends and helped at the start when my lad was being a bit temperamental.” She adds: “I need to gain more experience on him before I ride my other one. He is called Fat Sam but I hope to get on him later in the season.” 

16-year-old Murphy is at Marlborough College sitting his A levels - an education is something he is keen to gain - however, a future as a jockey is looking well within his sights. He is already attaching himself to some top yards when he has time to ride out. He says: “I ride out during the holidays, I have been to Nicky Henderson's, Fergal O’Brien's, and I have been to Ditcheat to Paul Nicholls'. I have been very lucky. I want to ride as many winners as possible pointing to gain experience before considering any dreams of being a conditional.” 

18-year-old Dom Lewis, who works for Dan Skelton, rode his first career winner in the hunter chase at Hereford on Monday aboard Snipe for his boss and in doing so beat the favourite, Stattler. Lewis, who has worked for the Skelton team since July 2023, has the backing of his boss who says: “Dom is a good lad, he works hard and his riding has improved a lot. He listens when we are trying to explain things to him and he does have some natural talent, which is obviously important. We require a high work ethic at our yard and he has shown us he has that.” 

Lewis says: “Monday was brilliant, I had nine rides pointing last season and I now have a pointer of my own, Finding Freedom who will run soon. Monday was my third ride for Dan, I feel very lucky to have his support and it was wonderful to gain that win. Snipe hadn't won for a long time so it was lovely for the horse to gain another victory.” 

Asked of his aspirations he admits: “I would love to be a jockey.” and adds: “Champion one day!” 

In a game where dreams do come true, it is exciting to explore these young names and to follow their careers. 

Charing, Kent, TN27 0JS. Gates open 10.00am, first race 12.00pm, 6 races. 

Milborne St Andrew, Dorset, BH20 7JN. Gates open 10.00am, first race 11.00am, 7 races.