By Emma Forman

The annual South Notts Point-to-Point races take place at Thorpe Lodge on Easter Monday, 22nd April, with 81 horses entered to contest the 6 race card. With good weather forecast, the point-to-point is an ideal opportunity for a family day out with a picnic. The opening race scheduled for 1.30pm, is a PPORA Conditions race where any novice riders in the first four will qualify for the £1000 PPORA Novice riders’ final at Edgcote on 19^th May. Dan Cherriman is a novice rider with 4 wins so far, he could team up with Guilsborough Members winner Spanish Fleet. Smoke Man has a hat-trick of wins to his name for the Chatfeild Roberts family while Captain Von Trappe would easily be able to defy a three pounds penalty to win this.

The feature Mixed Open race is a qualifier for both the Timico Mixed Open Final Hunter Chase at Cheltenham and the Skinner’s Ladies Open Final at Stratford. Guilsborough winner Black Valentine will take some beating here if he lines up despite carrying a penalty. Margaret Moody’s The Talking Horse is a course winner and holds an entry whilst Alan Hill’s Man Of Steel is another in form contender to consider.

Alan Hill has another good chance of a winner with Captiva Island in the Intermediate race; this horse is a progressive 6 year old and the same comments apply to Nicky Tinkler’s Hafajay who won his restricted at Sheriff Hutton nicely at the end of March. Dale Peters is enjoying a fine season and is usually in top form over the Easter weekend; he may team up with The Unmentionable in this contest.

The Restricted race may see The Triple Pillar step up a grade for the Gerald Bailey stable. Charles Dixey’s five year old was impressive when winning a hot maiden at Garthorpe in March and should move quickly through the pointing ranks. Another to consider here is the Armson runner Alburn who ran well to finish second at Guilsborough recently.

Racing concludes with two maiden races; the first of these is for four, five and six year olds and there is very little form to go on. Two to watch out for are Andrew Pennock’s five year old Straight Eight and Peter Fahey’s Wang Dang Doodle. The final seven year olds and over Open Maiden is scheduled for 4.25pm and has attracted 20 entries. Three to note here are Quizzacle High, Ted Thistle and Round Robin.