POINT TO POINT MEETING SUNDAY 26th JANUARY 2020 - Midlands Area Club at Thorpe Lodge – Preview

Published 2020/01/22

There are 78 entries for the fixture with a number of horses having multiple entries in different races.

The going at time of writing is good to soft, soft in place, and the forecast for the week is dry and settled.

The MAC has put together a six-race card beginning at 11am with a conditions race supported by Southwell Racecourse.

A number of these horses are also entered into the confined race, next up, so remarks apply to both.

Quality runners here include Volnay de Thaix, Vedettariat, Crazy Jack, After Aspen and Warden Hill.

Following this we have a confined race with entries including Volnay de Thaix again, Minella Friend, After Aspen and Sugar Baron.

The punter’s favourite could be Pass The Glass, for whom this would be a fifth win in succession.

There are 16 entries for a race for novice riders which follows these.

These races have become a great opportunity to see experienced older horses in action and here we could see the likes of Workbench, Susquehanna River, Little Windmill, Don Bersy, Distime and After Aspen in action.

Don Bersy has already racked up a first and second this season, but could choose the mixed open race which follows.

The first two horses past the post in the feature race of the afternoon, The Midlands Area Supporters Mixed Open Race, will qualify for the Mixed Open Final at Cheltenham and the Skinner’s Ladies Open Final at Stratford-on-Avon.

We could see and amazing field for this one, with entries including 2019 Foxhunter winner Hazel Hill, who opened their 2020 account at Sheriff Hutton a fortnight ago on similar ground.

Challengers could include Caryto des Brosses, Don Bersy, Latenightpass, Volnay de Thaix, Thetalkinghorse and Inchcolm, among others.

The penultimate race of the day is a restricted race, kindly sponsored by Roade Fibres.

Of the 12 entries for this race only Dale Peters-trained and ridden Bonamargy has been in the frame this season. Gina Andrews has Dubai Quest here and the Wrights’ The Alchemyst could be another to watch.

Finally, an open maiden race concludes the day’s racing.

There are 16 entered for this one, including Fitz Well, a half brother to No Pretender, and Well Finn, both making their racecourse debuts.

Bear in mind that a number of mares and five-year-olds will get a weight allowance in this one.

Tickets are on sale online for £13 and will be £15 on the day for adults, with under-16s admitted free of charge.