It is often said that training Jump horses requires endless patience. And whilst there are undoubtedly those that take to the game like a duck to water, for others, the process of getting one's head in front can be tortuous.

So it has proved for 8 year old gelding Norvics Reflection, who has belied his impeccable breeding to remain a maiden under any form of racing until the age of 8. Beaten a total of 127l in 5 outings in the 2020-21 season, it may reasonably be assumed he was immature and unready for the task.

A two and a half year break has worked wonders for his motivation, if not necessarily for his owner's bank balance. That the owner is also his trainer, Ben Case, has not gone unremarked. Clearly, Ben saw something in the Mahler gelding to persist with. 

And so it proved. At Uttoxeter on Wednesday, he led from the off and showed great resolution to hold off Irish raider Bumble Bee Bet from Charles Byrnes' yard to win by a neck. 

Edgcote trainers are getting into their stride as the autumn begins to assert itself. Case is Edgcote's leading handler, and patience and expertise of this nature is one reason why. Sadly, the £4,356.80 won by Norvics Reflection in no way compensates for his faith in the gelding.

One of the greats of the US steeplechasing scene, Jonathan Sheppard, has died, aged 82 at his home in Pennsylvania.

For racing fans of a certain generation, Sheppard was a pioneer of international travel when bringing Flatterer over to run in the 1986 French Champion Hurdle, a precursor to a valiant second to See You Then in the third of that horse's Champion hat-tricks in 1987. At that juncture, the Breeders Cup didn't even exist, and international travel, excepting between Britain and Ireland, and the continent, was largely non-existent.

Flatterer's placed effort was the trigger to an effort to bring the US and UK markets closer together, brought about by the creation of the Sport of Kings Challenge, a set of six races - three on each side of the Pond - with handsome bonuses of up to $1m for winning a full set. Predictably, Sheppard was in the vanguard of the first US entries in the series, at Cheltenham, and Leopardstown. 

Commonly known just as "Jonathan", the elder statesman of US racing, was born in Ashwell, Hertfordshire, between Letchworth and Royston, in 1940 to a horsey family which encouraged his participation in local Point-to-Points. His father Daniel was an official with the Jockey Club, then the power in the sport covering regulation, finance, fixtures, the lot. Rides under Rules were scarce and limited.

There was no inevitability about a son following his father into the sport. Three other siblings avoided the racing bug, but Jonathan opted to try his hand in the land of opportunity, not having the finance to bankroll a start up training operation in the UK. In the early sixties, he worked with other legend Burly Cocks for two seasons before returning briefly to the UK. 

A lucky break was the making of his career with steeplechasers. In 1965, he met George Strawbridge Jnr, an accomplished and wealthy amateur rider, and heir to the Campbell Soup fortune.  The two set about growing a stable not just of National Hunt horses, but Flat too. Strawbridge was leading owner some 23 times from 1974 onward, a domination only really matched by one J P McManus over here. 

The Sheppard stable became both the go-to and the dominant force in the sport stateside. His 1,242 career wins over obstacles, winning over $25m, set records unlikely to be overtaken in our lifetimes, and he was Champion Trainer 26 times, the last just three years ago.

But whilst to most, Sheppard was considered an icon of the National Hunt world, his 2,184 victories on the Flat dwarfed his Jumping achievements, his horses winning some $60m+.

Like many good trainers of horses, Sheppard attracted the best human talent too. Those that worked with him have gone on to great success; just like the Duke and Reg Hollinshead, he was a nurturer of talent both equine and human. Graham Motion, who led up Flatterer in that epic Champion Hurdle adventure in '87, is now a highly successful Flat trainer in the States winning the Kentucky Derby in 2011 and Dubai World Cup 2 years later, whilst Janet Elliott became champion Jumps trainer in '91. More recently, Leslie Young and Keri Brion, who brought horses across to Ireland with a view to the Festival, have shown Sheppard's knowledge continued to flow even after his retirement.

The Jumps world is a sadder place without his diplomatic approach, hard work and understated expertise, and the Point-to-Point world can take pride that he launched from our fold.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls showed that his expertise for the craft extends from the zenith of the sport at Cheltenham to its grass roots in hunter chasing and Point-to-Point when picking up the feature event at Stratford's hunters' evening on Friday.

But whilst he took the scalp of last year's winner Vaucelet in the feature Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunter with Secret Investor, it was clear to see that daughter Olive's victory on Shantou Flyer in the Royal Equestrian Racing Club Ladies Open Championship final gave him still more pleasure.

Olive has been riding out of her skin this season, her second between the flags. 39 rides have resulted in 11 winners, of which Shantou Flyer has provided four, starting at Larkhill in late November before progressing through Chaddesley, and hunter chases at Exeter before Stratford. Always handy in this last race, she took up the running from the seventh, and never looked back. The 12l winning distance was a reflection of this horse's superior rating, 12lb ahead of the next best in the field of 7.

Trainer Sam Loxton, third in this race last year with Caid du Berlais, has enjoyed an impressive strike rate between the flags this season. One in three of his 36 pointing or hunter chase winners has passed the post first, a rate not even his mentor Nicholls can achieve.

In truth however, Nicholls' interest in the sport is largely because of Olive's success. The man who has conquered the heights of the sport's greatest races is very much at home in the amateur division of the sport, but owners and trainers need have little fear he is planning to dominate. This is a family affair.

Secret Investor, owned by Herefordshire - based Clive Hitchings - was a deserving winner of the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunter, but the rapidly diminishing 3l margin would have been reversed in another furlong. Runner-up Vaucelet, who lost a shoe in running, was hard - driven to make up ground from three out, and were it not for a messy leap at the last, the positions might have been reversed. It looks like 3m is my optimum trip, given his largely blemish - free season of 4 from 5 outings has rarely been over longer distances. Yet the sport is the winner for having a horse of this calibre within it; Secret Investor, rated 142, is the winner of 11 races and over £167,000 in prize money, toward which this £11,000 prize is yet a modest contribution.

Vaucelet will likely be back again; trainer David Christie enjoys this meeting and has met success here on several occasions, plus the homestay hospitality of Managing Director Ilona Barnett adds a considerable advantage!

Secret Investor and Vaucelet may well have to contend with a new challenger next year in Sine Nomine, winner of the pointtopoint.co.uk Champion Novices Hunters' Chase over the same 3m 3f distance. This gripping race saw plenty to excite the enthusiast. Three rounded the turn closely bunched, with Sine Nomine boxed in on the rail by a Jack Andrews on Brave Starlight, determined not to give race room. Once beyond the rail, Jack Dawson had the speed to take up an inner berth as Precious Bounty, with Sine Nomine to the inner, Brave Starlight to the outer, jumped the last in unison. The last two went on, before Dawson was able to conjure some extra speed to get him 2 1/2l clear in the final 100 yards.

Winning trainer Fiona Needham has recently stepped down as Clerk of Course for Catterick to devote more time to the family farm. The trip back up to North Yorkshire will have been all the sweeter for the anticipation of what is to come from this exciting novice.

Gina Andrews, crowned champion lady amateur rider during the course of the evening, showed just why she has won that accolade when getting up to win the Grace & Dotty Restricted Novices Hunters' event over 2m6f, to ensure no Hunters' evening was without an Andrews winner. In a white knuckle finish, favourite Captain Biggles and long - time leader Raleagh Flora, under Charlie Marshall, joined issue turning out of the bend, and met the last in unison. With a winning distance of just a head, it was only favourite backers who were glad of the result; a dead heat would have been as fair. Winning trainer Tom Ellis breaks records in the amateur level of the sport as frequently as Paul Nicholls in the professional game, this taking his seasonal tally into the mid seventies.

The Paul & Olive Nicholls team narrowly missed out on what could have been a double after Magic Saint went under by just 1 1/2l in the opening Jumping for Fun Hunters Chase over the minimum trip. leading off the bend, Magic Saint was in command, but Kaproyale under Zac Baker, took closer order. A blunder at the last gave the advantage back to the Nicholls contender, but Baker, having kept his seat, was able to conjure another run from Kaproyale to peg back the leader halfway up the run in and pull 1 1/2l ahead by the line. It was a 17th victory for winning trainer Fran Poste.

Jack Andrews, denied a winner in the Novice Championship, made sure of his place on the Winners' board for this annual Hunter chase jamboree in the closing Visit Irish Store Sales with ITM Point-to-Point Bumper. Some may argue a flat race has no place in the Point-to-Point circuit, but the influx of h=young horses gives the lie to this outdated argument. Racegoers were rewarded with a gripping race in which Nigel Padfield's Penniless ensured that was most certainly not the case with a 1/2l victory over Old Gold. The winning owner gets a £1,000 cheque to spend at any Irish sale coming up so chances are a Padfield horse will appear in the same race next year.

One truly unique race makes up this innovative and popular card, being the 2m 5f Hunter Chase handicap, underwritten by the White Swan Hotel. Two non-runners on account of the ground made this just a 5 runner field with a weight range from 12st 5 to 10st 5. Winner Sixteen Letters looks a horse to frustrate his trainer and rider Josh Newman. Plenty of ear movement approaching and after the last indicated he had more in the tank as Gina Andrews galvanised Peacock's Secret alongside, but Sixteen Letters decided to find more and the 2l winning margin is not a reflection of his superiority when he opts to show it.

A sunny day, a large crowd, some competitive racing – with 41 runners in the six events – and a couple of surprise results brought the South Midlands Area season to a close on Sunday.

Centrepiece of the card was the eight-runner Dickie Lim Memorial Mixed Open, in which popular veteran Southfield Theatre was made odds-on favourite to deliver the 28^th success of his illustrious career. However, he was never able to dominate as he likes– being taken on for the lead by Reikers Island with Take To Heart also close at hand and was headed by the latter round the final bend. Despite a better jump at the last, he was unable to catch Take To Heart and Charlotte Butler, who held on by three-quarters of a length, with Master Templar just a length back in third.

“We didn’t expect that – we knew Southfield Theatre was running, but thought we’d come for the day out!” laughed trainer Ed Turner afterwards of the 14/1 winner. “He ran well when winning at Dingley, but disappointed under 12st 8lbs at Peper Harow, so we thought we’d come here with 11st 2lbs, including Charlotte’s claim. He used to run in blinkers, but we took them off a couple of runs ago and I think that’s made a difference. We’ve had him since he was six and he’s had his issues but he’s a show-off… and he knows it! I knew we were in with a chance three out when the favourite was off the bridle.” Reflecting on a season that has produced six winners including a Hunter Chase with Janika, Ed said, “We’re very pleased – we’re just a small family operation nowadays (father David and grandfather Joe used to be titans of the pointing scene) with only five horses. We’ve got them fitter earlier by using our grass field to gallop them.”

“He travelled great and jumped well,” was Charlotte’s verdict on the 11-year-old. “He enjoyed the slightly softer ground and gets a bit lonely on his own, so it was good to have Southfield Theatre upsides. That was my fifth winner, including one on the flat this year, and the Turners have been great to me.” Charlotte is possibly unique in that her mother, Emily Peck, is also currently riding in points – having started after her daughter – and they rode in the same race on Emily’s debut!

The preceding race, the Carcomm Coachworks Ltd Conditions Race, in which seven went to post, had gone the way of Southfield Theatre’s seven-year-old half-sister, Southfield Lily, running in the same colours of Angela Yeoman and also ridden by Lily Bradstock. Like her half-brother, Southfield Lily is a confirmed front-runner and, making all, was untroubled – despite a slight mistake four out – to score by 12 lengths from market rival Imnottalkingtoyou – with My Friend Freddie another ten lengths third. This victory saw her bag several local area awards – see below.

“I was really pleased with that,” beamed the winning owner afterwards. “She’s a homebred and has taken time and care. She raced for the Bradstocks under rules, where she had a bit of a reputation for being temperamental and high maintenance, but Lily has been the making of her. She’ll go summer jumping now and Lily will keep the ride.” Mrs Yeoman has another ‘Southfield’ half-sibling pointing this season – Harvest, trained by Will Biddick, won on Monday at Upcott Cross – and has two broodmares at home, Chamoss Royale, dam of the aforementioned trio, and her daughter Etoile.

The card opened with the Little Red Owner-Trainer Conditions Race, designed to attract horse from outside the big yards, which had six runners and saw the longest priced winner of the day. Captain Woodie’s uninspiring form figures in points read UPP and ensured he went off at 20/1, but Charlie Marshall always had him handy, took over the lead from Too Many Diamonds two out and won by three lengths. Favourite Cobra De Mai, who had been outpaced, ran on to be 18 lengths third.

“I don’t know what to say,” replied winning trainer Lewis Morgan to my ‘How does it feel?’ “That’s my first winner as a trainer, he needed the better ground and the strong pace helped. Charlie said he was never in trouble.” Lewis, 32, rode Captain Woodie on his first two pointing starts, but admitted, “I fell off at the first once and, though I also rode the season before last, I prefer training to riding! I work for Nicky Henderson, who used to train the horse, and got him free of charge. I’ll keep him in training next season and give him a wind operation, because Charlie said he made a noise today.”

Explaining how he got the mount, Charlie told me, “Lewis and I are both good friends with Freddie Mitchell, who offered me the ride. I’d raced against him last time and knew he was a big horse who needs to be taken steadily. Today, he kept finding more as the pace increased.” Charlie is happy with his season, saying, “That’s seven in points and one (wide margin) Hunter Chase win. That’s my ‘real’ 50^th winner – I’ve had one walkover – and another today would be my 50^th in points. I’m excited about riding Raleagh Flora at Stratford on Friday.”

The G & T Racing (Tom and Gina Ellis) juggernaut rolled on with a double, initiated by Walkonthewildside and Ellie Holder, who saw off their eight rivals in the Magnus Group Novice Riders Race, over the shorter distance of two-and-a-half miles. Prominent throughout and always going well alongside Knight Bachelor, he took the lead for the first time four out and a good jump at the last sealed victory by 12 lengths with Captain Bucks a further eight lengths away.

The improving seven-year-old had disappointed here last time when odds-on and co-owner Brian Crawford explained, “It was a flat day for him, but we didn’t lose faith. He jumped beautifully today – Ellie gave him a great ride – and he’s a big horse, who probably won’t be full-strength until next season. He hacked up on his first two starts, but those were on flat tracks, where three miles suits him better. Dropping him back in trip was a question we needed to answer, and we’re delighted.” Brian retired last year as Clerk of the Course at Garthorpe, and admitted, “I’d lost the art of conversation for 30 years! This season I’ve managed to find time to talk to people and I’m enjoying going pointing more widely.” He is also involved with dual winner Loughan and told me, “I’ve had five wins from 11 runs this season – that’s an embarrassing percentage.”

It was an eighth winner of the season for Ellie, who said afterwards, “I kept going, ‘Don’t commit too soon’, in my head. He gave me a nice ride, jumped well, and responded to everything I asked. Jack (Andrews, who’d ridden Walkonthewildside previously) won’t get back on him now – he obviously benefitted from a woman’s touch!” Ellie diplomatically wouldn’t commit when pressed for a season highlight, telling me, “All my wins have been important and significant in their own right – Bawnmore was my first, obviously and it’s been great to win on my own horse Champagne Noir, but it’s been nice to get outside rides like this and Koyote and great to ride for Tom and Gina’s owners.”

Tom and Gina completed their brace with odds-on Kelsey Park in the five-runner Thorn Plant Hire Maiden, taking them to 70 in another record-breaking season. Held-up in rear early by Jack Andrews, as he had been on his debut, he went second three out, led at the next and was untroubled to come home by six lengths and six from Jay Bee Whiskey and early leader Whats The Solution.

“We’ve only had him five or six weeks,” said Gina afterwards. “He came to us from Dan Skelton’s after (Gina’s sister) Bridget had ridden him a couple of times at Warwick. We were confident after his last run (he was runner-up at the last meeting here) and he was much more relaxed today – he’s got a fragile mind and coming into the paddock later and taking the hood off helped. He should be a fun horse for our Ice N Slice Racing Club next season as he’s got a turn of foot and could go through the grades.” Gina cited the weekend of 25^th and 26^th March, where the yard had ten winners from ten runners, along with her win on Fairly Famous at Cheltenham, as season highlights and suggested the latter as a potential Cheltenham Foxhunters horse for next season. “To win that is my big ambition as a jockey,” she admitted. “We thought this might be the year with Dubai Quest, but it wasn’t to be.”

Six faced the starter in the Pangbourne Asphalt Restricted, which resulted in a comfortable victory for Freddie Mitchell and Dondiam, who is trained by Bradley Gibbs. Another to make all, he won unchallenged by 15 lengths from Right Hand Of God, who may have been closer but for a series of mistakes. Equus Flight, 17 lengths further back, was the only other finisher.

“He won a Maiden for Fran and Charlie Poste a couple of years ago,” Freddie confirmed, “Then went under rules for his owners Ratkatcha Racing and this was his second run back for Brad – he ejected Josh Younge at Bonvilston last week. Brad said I should pop out and go a sensible gallop and that was very straightforward.” It has been a frustrating season for Freddie, who spent two months on the sidelines after fracturing his skull at Charlton Horethorne, but he has developed a good association with the Gibbs yard, for whom he rides many of the progressive four-year-olds, including Aintree bumper winner Saunton Surf, who was subsequently sold for £175,000. As well as riding, Freddie trains one pointer – Cossack Dancer – from the historic Saxon House stables in Lambourn, where opening race winner Captain Woodie is also trained.

The last of three meetings this season at Kingston Blount – and the South Midlands Area finale – takes place on Sunday 28^th May. The six-race card, which kicks off at 2.30pm, has attracted an entry of 86 and local trainer Alan Hill – who has nine entries and as many as six potential runners at the meeting – reported on Monday afternoon that that the going is now Good, Good to Firm in places. With a dry week forecast, light watering has started and will continue all week to maintain. Since the last meeting, the course has been spiked and rolled, the grass topped, and the take-offs and landings repaired. The bends are being moved.

Highlight of the card is the Mixed Open, sponsored by the Friends and Family of Dickie Lim, for which there are 15 possibles, headed – in terms of age at least – by 15-year-old Southfield Theatre, aka Kevin, national leading horse last season, and a winner of 27 races in his long and illustrious career. Trainer Sara Bradstock also has Myth Buster, a course winner here in February, entered. Alan Hill also has a February course winner – Reikers Island – among his two entries, the other being the consistent Back Bar.

The main dangers to the aforementioned local horses look like Highway One O One – who has been more lightly-raced this season than last – and who will be ridden by novice title-chasing Molly Landau, and two last time out winners in Imperial Esprit, who scored at Peper Harow and Master Templar, who only won a match at Mollington and has yet to prove himself in this grade, but who is improving for Tom and Gina Ellis’ G & T Racing. Gabrial The Great took a lucky fifth course victory at the last meeting here, but all have been over a shorter trip, and he may not stay the extra distance in this grade.

“They’re both entered on Monday too,” confirmed Sara of her pair. Based on the track, Myth Buster would prefer to run here and Southfield Theatre at Chaddesley Corbett. He wouldn’t necessarily like the hill – let’s call him a gentleman with a certain opinion – although he’d love the faster ground. I’m non-committal at the moment.”

“Back Bar definitely runs,” stated Alan. “He ran very well at Cothelstone, jumping as well as at any time this season before being short of room two out then making a mistake at the last. He always runs a good race here – the hill comes at the right time, and he likes the downhill finish. Reikers Island might go too, but he’s also in at Cartmel.”

13 have been entered for the Magnus Group Novice Riders Race, over the shorter distance of two miles and about five furlongs. Molly Landau will ride either the talented but enigmatic Captain Bucks, or Butte Montana for the eternally young Tim Underwood, while her only rival for the female novice title, Amber Jackson-Fennell – has the mount on Collooney for Fran & Charlie Poste’s Station Yard Racing. Alan Hill’s Craigmor gave a debut success to Walter Barnett at Edgcote recently, G & T Racing’s Walkonthewildside disappointed at odds-on at the last meeting here, while Tangoed has been consistent this year without getting her head in front.

“I’m not sure if Molly will ride mine or the other one,” admitted Tim. “He needs to be handy as he’s got a lot of pace, having won over two miles. He didn’t run his true race last time.” Amber said of Collooney, “We’re also in the Ladies at Chaddesley Corbett but I think this race will suit him better.”

“I’m more likely to run Knight Bachelor of my entries, with Harry Greasby up,” Alan told me. “He ran better than the result suggests at Peper Harow last time – Craigmor will probably go to Chaddesley Corbett on Monday.”

The Carcomm Coachworks Conditions Race has 17 entries and represents an easier option – despite their penalties – than the Open for Gabrial The Great and Imperial Esprit. Sara Bradstock’s Southfield Lily made all to win here earlier in the month and she is one of several on the upgrade, along with G & T Racing’s Imnottalkingtoyou and Kauto No Risk, who took an impressive scalp at Bonvilston recently. Tim Underwood confirmed that his Ask Nile disappointed behind Southfield Lily, saying, “He ran like a drain! He sweated up badly, which he never does but has worked well since then. My runners will like the better ground but I’m no more than hopeful about any of them!”

“The plan is for Clondaw Westie to run”, said Alan. “I was over the moon with his run (after a lay-off) at Kimble, he didn’t see out the race at Dingley, then I don’t know what happened at Peper Harow – I thought he was a good thing, but he never travelled and was well-beaten.” “Southfield Lily will run as long as she works well tomorrow,” advised Sara, “Although she wouldn’t want it too firm. I’d like to get another point into her before she goes back under rules.”

Pangbourne Asphaltagain supports the Restricted Race and has been rewarded with 14 entries, of which the top-rated is Alan Hill’s lightly-raced Tres Francais, followed by the more experienced Classic Ruler, Dondiam – who has been running under rules – and Right Hand Of God, a close second here last time. Another returning to points after a spell under rules is Station Yard Racing’s Also Known As, while three last-time out winners represent powerful South Midlands yards, Calidad (at Godstone), Crawford (Eyton-on-Severn) and Gunteur (Dingley) for Alan Hill, Sara Bradstock and G & T Racing respectively. Amber Jackson-Fennell took Queen Kalamba on the long trip to Hexham last weekend and would be hoping for an improved performance closer to home but is more likely to go to Bratton Down next weekend.

“I’m likely to run Tres Francais and send Calidad to Chaddesley Corbett,” was Alan’s verdict. “He had good form last year – he should have won first time out, scored nicely at Barbury then ran a good second to Precious Bounty before having a problem here. He had a long time out before Fakenham, where he was given a cracking ride and will come on for the run. He’s grown 3-4 inches since we first had him.”

In contrast to Alan, Sara was unwilling to be drawn on Crawford, saying only, “He’s also entered at Chaddesley Corbett and it depends on the opposition.”

The opening contest is the Little Red Owner-Trainer Conditions Race, designed to reward smaller operations and which has 12 entries. Ricky East’s Cobra De Mai (also entered in the Mixed Open) heads the ratings – along with Edgcote second Padjoes Legacy and is also leading a tight contest to be top South Midlands Area horse. Ricky’s daughter, jockey Chloe East told me about Cobra De Mai, “He’s also in the Mixed Open and they both look nice races, although we’ve got to carry a penalty in this one. He’s come out of Edgcote (where the pair were third last time) in great form and he’ll love the quicker ground – he’s been waiting for it all season.

Grenadine Save may have something to find on form, but is on the upgrade, having won three of her last four and bidding to give Amber Jackson-Fennell the advantage in the novice riders title contest, although her owner-trainer rider admitted, “I’m on the fence about running her. It’s quite a competitive race and she’s had a long season. Even if I don’t run my horses, I’m hoping to have a couple of rides.” James Henderson’s Frisson Collonges ran poorly last time but has a chance on his early season form, as does dual winner Vango De Vaige, while this race could be an option for Tangoed.

Thorn Plant Hire sponsors the closing Open Maiden, which has attracted 15 entries. G & T Racing’s Kelsey Park looked a winner in waiting here last time, running green on his pointing debut, giving lots of weight away and only just being beaten, but won’t have matters all his own way. Richard Pringuer’s Dunworley – also entered in a Huntingdon Hunter Chase this week – has been a runner-up on both his pointing starts, Whats The Solution was a good second on his British debut, while Our John has good pointing form over the Irish Sea. Of the darker horses, Blackwell Bay may make a quick reappearance after falling last weekend, and no Philip Rowley trained debutant can be ruled out, which brings Espoir Des Forges into the equation.

Finally, the legend that is Phil York could introduce the nine-year-old mare Barb Wire – named after a Pamela Anderson film and because, “She used to be known as Barbie but she’s not a doll anymore!” according to her owner-trainer-rider. Interesting, Phil not only rode her dam (Eastern Point) between the flags, but also her sire Amber Life!

In addition to the six point-to-point races, the Tyreteam-sponsored Hound Race, with the usual enthusiastic commentary by Meeting Secretary Nick Quesnel, will take place between races three and four. The South Midlands Area Awards will be presented after the final race.

For mo