The rearranged Carmarthenshire Hunt Point-To-Point Steeplechases takes place at Ffos Las Racecourse on Saturday, December 22 (writes Steph Rogers).
Entries for the first of the West Wales meetings are high in both quantity and quality in what promises to be a fantastic days racing.
There are plenty of English raiders among those entered with Sego Success hoping to shine in either The Timico Mixed Open or the CHC Conditions Race for Philip Rowley and Alex Edwards.
Arthur’s Secret and Robert Luke’s former Grade 2 Cheltenham winner Ordo Ab Chao are among the highly rated horses, who if all line up, will make for a high-class race.
All Great N Theory is entered in the Conditions race and will surely relish the soft ground, but could face tough competition from the likes of the Alan Hill trained Hawkhurst and Thegirlfrommilan.
The Mares and Fillies Maiden could see Double Miss improve on her third-placed finish at Howick, while Tom Ellis’ Jemma’s Gift could go one better than her last run at Barbury in November.
Ladies Champion Gina Andrews, who celebrated riding her 200th point-to-point winner at Cottenham, will be on board.
Of the 21 entered in the Open Maiden, Michael Bowen’s Hidden Cargo looks the one to watch, but Thomas Faulkner’s reign of success could well continue with Dino Boy, the French-bred gelding who was second on his debut last year.
Carmarthenshire Point to Point have received some great entries for their rescheduled meeting on the 22nd December @GoPointing @Point2PointAuth
For tickets please visit – https://t.co/JoS3YsYXqs pic.twitter.com/sT1o0yZPol
— Ffos Las Racecourse (@FfosLasRC) December 13, 2018
Warwickshire raiders are out in force in this race with the Fred Hutsby-trained Hold Your Whistle and Destination Gold.
Tom Ellis has Only A Tipple and Francesca Nimmo’s Courtandbould cannot be ignored, giving the trainers excellent potential strike rate in maidens.
The Restricted looks an interesting race with last time out maiden winners Robin Of Sherwood for David Rees and Equus Leader, who was unchallenged when winning at Barbury last month under Peter Bryan.
The ex-Gordon Elliott inmate Hard To Call is dual entered and is sure to be one to watch under Bobby Thomas, particularly if running in the Hunt Members where their only real danger could be the consistent partnership of Hospital and Elen Nicholas and Mark Robinson’s Jack The Hat who carries a 7lb penalty.
All The JRL Group Flat Race’s 11 entries will be making their racecourse debut at Ffos las except for the Black Sam Bellamy mare Cousin Rita trained by Helen Llewellyn Griffiths who ran in a point to point last year.
Michael Bowen has two entries with Constance De Champ and Geordie.
There are also a few entries from the West Country with the Kayf Tara gelding Oldmanderwyn for Robert Hawker, Vinnie’s Icon for Joe Tickle and Sir Echo for Richard Black who is set to be ridden by Carmarthenshire’s Ben Jones.
The first race starts at 11.30am and the ground is currently soft with a good covering of grass.
Gates open at 9.30am with the first race off at 11.30 at this P2P meeting.
The band Echolalia will be playing in the bar before, during and after racing, we will also have the Carmarthen Ukuleles here on the day.
Tickets are £9 in advance and £10 on the day.
For all enquiries call the office on 01554 811 092