A fascinating evening awaits pointing fans as Stratford sees out this most interrupted of Point-to-Point seasons on Friday evening, with a whole card dedicated to the amateur cadre.
The feature Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunter Chase is graced by the presence of Aintree Foxhunter third Annamix, bidding to maintain the momentum of Willie Mullins in the British Trainers’ Championship. Annamix is rated just 2lb ahead of other runners, 2023 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner Premier Magic and Gina Ellis trained Fairly Famous, who downed the former at the Cheltenham Hunters’ evening at the start of the month.
Unbeaten this Spring is Kelso and Ludlow winner Go On Chez, trained by former riders, now turned training partnership, Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, on the face of it with a little to find. However, both his starts this Spring have been untroubled victories, so he has yet to be tested and might spring a surprise.
Also unexposed is What A Glance, trained by Tom Britten, but he has a little to find on Stratford form on a softer surface in late April.
The field is completed by Lift Me Up, well beaten by Fairly Famous at Cheltenham, and Law of Gold, second in this race in 2022, but pulled up last year. Whilst he is twice a winner at High Easter this spring, his star may be on the wane.
This time last year, Fiona Needham made the long trek from north Yorkshire to win the pointtopoint.co.uk John Corbett Cup, aka the novice championship, with Sine Nomine. A more select field awaits the starter on this occasion, headed by Hannah Roach’s Iskander Pekos, who has graduated from his Leicester maiden success under Rules to consecutive successes at Ludlow over 2m4f and Cheltenham at intermediate level earlier in the month. He will start a warm favourite to see off the Rowley – trained Forest Chimes, successful here in February and a recent winner at Eyton, and Go Go Geronimo, trained by Kelly Morgan, who comes here fresh from a 3 1/2l victory over Camdonian at Charm Park earlier in the month.
You can never rule out runners from the Ellis stable, and Master Templar was staying on when 3 1/2l behind Gabiorot in the four miler at the Cheltenham Hunters’ evening. Stratford’s tight turns are a different kettle of fish however.
Bradley Gibbs runs Dur Al Aghaidh, a recent acquisition from Ireland. Whilst a winner at Boulta last November, recent form has been patchy, so a watching brief may be advised.
The other race of note is the Ladies Open Championship Final, in which just 5 are declared. Famous Clermont has run well this Spring without hitting the heights of his Aintree Foxhunter triumph of April ’23, but he found the Champion Hunters’ at Punchestown rather too hot at the start of the month. At his best, he should have the beating of the other four, who include Shantou Flyer, who ran a 20l sixth to Sine Nomine at the Festival, and comes here on a hattrick after wins at South Hill and Cothelstone. Olive Nicholls takes the ride.
Also on a hattrick is Imperial Esprit after wins at Mollington and Edgcote, but he is facing higher-rated competition for the first time. The field is made up by Captain Biggles, three times the bridesmaid in his last 3 contests, with little reason to suggest he can go one place better here.