Described as the ‘Sport of Kings’, it therefore seems fitting that point-to-point racing will be part of the Coronation celebrations this weekend. On hosting duties at Upcott Cross will be the Eggesford Hunt, with their seven-race card on Sunday (May 7) due to come under starters’ orders at 1.30pm. A total of 80 entries have been received.
A bouncy castle and extended bar license will ensure that adults and children alike are entertained over the course of the day. Organisers of the meeting, which takes place at Halwill Junction near Okehampton, will pay tribute to the King’s Coronation by sounding the UK National Anthem ahead of the first race.
Headlining the card will be the Simpkins Edwards Eggesford Mixed Open at 2.40pm, which has attracted 12 quality entries including Singapore Saga and Quintin’s Man from the yard of local Okehampton trainer, John Heard. Singapore Saga has won five times this season at Wadebridge, Chipley Park, Kilworthy, Exeter and Stafford Cross; while her stablemate Quintin’s Man has scored four times at Chipley Park, Buckfastleigh, Kilworthy and Trebudannon. However, both hold entries for tonight’s (Friday, May 5) hunter chase evening at Cheltenham.
Of the outside entries, Salvatore (Philip Rowley) is a dual winner this season after claiming a hunter chase at Musselburgh and open point-to-point at Sheffield Park for the Shropshire-based trainer, steered home on both occasions by Darren Andrews; and Muckamore (Fran Poste) is highly rated after his win at Edgecote last month for Station Yard Racing, based near Stratford-upon-Avon.
Kicking off the action will be the Conditions kindly sponsored by Chris Hodgson and Quintin’s Man (John Heard) stands out from the 10 entries, should his connections choose this race over the Mixed Open. Walkin Out (Les Jefford) was a winner at Trebudannon last month and then finished fourth to King’s Quay (Matt Hampton) in a hunter chase at Exeter last month.
Following this will be the Waie Inn-sponsored Maiden Conditions and of the 13 entries, Azolo (Josh Newman) could improve on his second at Flete Park last weekend under Darren Andrews. Summerleaze (Jill Dennis) has been consistently placed and runs off a low weight thanks to her mares’ allowance. Rock D’Ete (Will Biddick) is an interesting entry for the jockey and trainer and has shown promise on the track, finishing six lengths third to Quintin’s Man last season.
In the C & R Construction Maiden for horses aged five years and over, champion trainer Paul Nicholls has Amenon entered for his daughter Olive to ride, and they could improve on their second at Bishops Court. Frontieres Lad (Hannah Clarke) will be looking to reel them in after his seconds gained at Buckfastleigh and Cothelstone, both when ridden by Charlie Marshall.
The Restricted race, sponsored by Ashgrove Kitchens and Rangemoor, has attracted 13 entries and many are close in the ratings including Great Colewood (Ed Walker) after breaking his maiden tag at Larkhill and Melvyn (Dean Summersby), an easy 25-length winner at Stafford Cross and second at Vauterhill on Monday. He therefore may need more time to recover. Hearts Corner (Josh Newman) was a winner at Cotley and Move With The Beat (Chris Barber) looks interesting after his recent second at Holnicote.
The Totnes and Bridgetown Races Company have kindly sponsored the Grassroots Series Conditions race and this looks a tricky one to call, with Southfield Harvest (Will Biddick) standing out from the 12 entries and due to be ridden by Lawrence Jordan. Fiston Des Issards (Chris Barber) has won twice this season at Wadebridge and Dunsmore, with seconds again at Wadebridge and Holnicote; whilst Ed The Red (Chloe Newman) is on four for the season following good wins at Buckfastleigh, Charlton Horethorne, Dunsmore and Stafford Cross.
Closing the day’s card will be the Eggesford and South Tetcott Hunt Members, which has been sponsored by Gilbert Stephens. Liberty Rock (Dean Summersby) was a dual winner at Upcott Cross last season and has so far this year won at Kilworthy by 10 length and finished third to King’s Quay at Exeter last month. He could come up against the two John Heard entries, Singapore Saga and Quintin’s Man, if they skip the Cheltenham hunter chase meeting and earlier races here.
Upcott Cross (EX21 5AE) is located two miles south of Halwill Junction off the A3079. Entry is £15 per person which includes a race card, with under sixteens entering free. Facilities include hot and cold refreshments, a bar, bookmakers and tradestands. Dogs on leads are welcome.
