Point-to-point column: new series gets off to flyer

The first double-header of the point-to-point season took place on Sunday at Garthorpe in Leicestershire and Dunsmore in Devon. Each were rewarded with competitive racing.  

Both meetings delivered a brilliant runner-to-entry ratio, and both courses hosted the first races of the new Jockey Club-sponsored 0-110 rated series, which is aimed at horses that have never achieved a lifetime official rating of more than1 10. 

It also offers a stepping stone for young, progressive horses on their way through the pointing grades. 

Both winners at the weekend were examples of the latter. 

At Dunsmore, the Josh Newman-trained seven-year-old Noble Blue, who had previously won a maiden and two restricted races, was an impressive winner in beating the Francesca Poste-trained Kilfilum Woods. 

Travelling well and jumping superbly throughout, Noble Blue won by eight lengths. Owned by a syndicate of friends, they were understandably delighted and can now look forward to bigger things.  

Warwickshire-based Gina Andrews trained and rode the consistent I'm Spellbound to win the Garthorpe equivalent, and she was full of praise for the new ten-race series afterwards. 

Andrews said: “He is a horse who likes to dominate and if all goes his way then he produces his best. 

“This is a brilliant series which we have a few to run in, and even better that an Open winner from last season can get in without penalties.”  

She added: “I'm Spellbound has been unsuited by the bigger National Hunt fences in the past, but the final [of the series] at Warwick would have to figure. He has been a star for connections, and a race of this type could be his Gold Cup.”   

This series opens new opportunities for horses with a handicap mark below 110 who may not have realised their full potential to participate in grassroots sport at their level.  

A winner under Rules with a rating of 110 or less can find it hard to be competitive in open races. The creation of this series eliminates the higher-rated horses and should produce competitive racing whilst encouraging support. 

Winners of all races within the series will be eligible to run in the final on May 9 and cannot run in the qualifying races again during this season. 

All qualifiers are also eligible to enter the final. However, if the number of declared runners exceeds the maximum field size, they will be placed in a ballot. 

The Point-to-Point authority (PPA) is delighted with participants' enthusiasm for the early season. 

For the time of year, the number of horses registered to run, RQC's (Rider qualification certificates) and first-time rider applications are higher than ever before. 

Paul Miller, Chief Executive of the PPA, says: “It is early in the season, too early to suggest what these statistics mean for the whole season, but we celebrate these wins while we can.” 

Meanwhile, the Coral Gold Cup Sale will take place at Newbury on Saturday after racing. 

A boutique sale of pointers will include Baron Du Brizais, the impressive four-year-old gelding by Nirvana Du Berlais, who won the first of the GB pointing bonus series races at Lower Machen on the opening day of the season. 

Held in high regard by trainer Luca Morgan, he jumped to the front at the second last and won by six lengths. Jockey James King said: “He did it very professionally and will be one to follow in the future.”  

Being French bred, it means new connections will be eligible to win a £15,000 bonus if he goes on to win under Rules within two years of his initial maiden win. The same applies to a British-bred horse, with the bonus being £25,000. 

Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 2JP. Gates open 10.30, first race 12.30. 6 races 

Larkhill, Wiltshire, SP4 8QR. Gates open 10.00, first race 12.00. 6 races.