WITH its reputation for fast-draining ground coming on the back of an exceptionally wet winter, the Old Berkshire Hunt point-to-point has been rewarded with the biggest entry of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend for its meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage, on Monday (2pm).

Trainers eager to run their horses on a sounder surface have been attracted to the course's chalk-based old downland turf with the six races boasting 112 entries. The forecast is unsettled, but the going was described as Good on Monday, increasing hopes that there will be plenty of runners to thrill what is traditionally a bumper crowd.

Among those handlers keen to see less testing conditions is Gina Ellis, whose first three runners between the flags since taking over the licence from her husband, Tom, produced a treble at Garthorpe on Saturday.

She is set to rely on Champagne Noir, a winner at Ampton last time out under Ellie Holder, in the Webbs Builders Merchants Mixed Open, which carries prize money of £1,000 with £450 to the winner plus the Lockinge Challenge Cup. "He looks a strong stayer and has been waiting for the better ground, so hopefully he will get that there," said Ellis, who is based at Marton, near Rugby.

Fellow Warwickshire trainer Fred Hutsby landed this contest 12 months ago with Zee Man, and bids to repeat the dose with Drop Him In, a fine third behind Gaboriot and Windsor Avenue in a Catterick hunters' chase earlier this month. "He is a consistent little horse," said the Wellesbourne handler. "He ran well on ground he hated and surprised me. I am hoping he will run a big race."

Francesca and Charlie Poste will weigh up the options for Deise Aba, a two-time winner this season for their Ettington yard, near Stratford, before deciding whether to run here or at Maisemore Park on Sunday. Charlie commented: "For all that he won on very slow ground under rules we are coming round to the idea he needs nicer ground, so Lockinge could be a good fit for him."

Also, among the 20-strong line-up is Jack Teal's Camdonian, who is unbeaten in five starts between the flags, and Tara Storm, who has the option of tackling the Luck Greayer Bloodstock Shipping Keeper-Jockey Conditions Race (Level 2).

Eve Hobbs's eight-year-old hasn't been out of the first two in eight starts, finding the smart Fier Jaguen five-and-a-half lengths too good at Didmarton last time out.

Lily Bradstock, from nearby Letcombe Bassett, has entered Myth Buster, who was fourth to Itacare at Milborne St Andrew last time, here and in the feature race, together with Southfield Theatre.

Fama Et Gloria, a winner at Didmarton for Michael and Robert Hawker, also has strong claims along with Sarah Ashby's Charing runner-up Monkey Puzzle and John Smith-Maxwell's High Easter third Ecco.

Southfield Theatre is the stand-out entry in the Moss Fallon Solicitors Old Berkshire Hunt Members, Subscribers & Farmers Race.

Now 16, Bradstock's admirable veteran has won 18 of his 30 starts between the flags and never been out the first three. He may not be the force of old but can still be expected to serve it up to his younger rivals.

Champagne corks were popping for Nick and Rebecca Romain, from Ardington, after Terrierman gave them their first winner when taking this prize by 30 lengths last year. The 10-year-old is back to defend his crown but doesn't arrive in such good form this time.

Buscot Park-based James Henderson plans to run Frisson Collonges, second in conditions races at this meeting for the last two years, as the nine-year-old bids to make it third time lucky.

All Loved Up, trained by Olive Nicholls at Kingston Lisle, gave Hugh Lillingston a winner on his first ride with victory at Larkhill on Saturday, and could attempt to follow up.

Ellis is hopeful better ground can help I'm Spellbound, who is also entered at Thorpe Lodge, make amends for a last-fence fall at Larkhill in the Bear at Wantage (Arkell's Brewery) Conditions Race (Level 2).

She said: "He doesn't want the ground too soft, so Lockinge would probably be better than Thorpe. He was 10 lengths clear going to the last. He has recovered well. He is a pretty good horse, but things have not worked out for him yet."

Hutsby could run Ampton winner Shoal Bay, although he believes the 11-year-old may be up against it. "He is a classy old horse, but he will probably struggle in this sort of race," he said. "He probably wants dropping back into a novice riders' race, but there are not enough about."

Jacqueline O'Neill's The Composeur, a winner at Cocklebarrow before finishing fifth on soft ground at Garthorpe, should appreciate the return to a sounder surface, while Nicky Sheppard's A Jet Of Our Own is another with claims.

Ellis also believes Creapapy will appreciate the prevailing going in the Charles Russell Speechlys Maiden.

She said: "He had a very good debut run at Ampton and was then disappointing at Garthorpe where the going was probably too soft. He then ran okay at Larkhill without setting the world alight. Again, he probably likes nicer ground."

Hutsby took this contest last year with Joe Kidd and this time runs Jepsone, who has been pulled up in both his starts between the flags.

"He shows plenty at home but has been disappointing when he has run," he said. "He has been too gassy and does a little bit too much early on. We will change how we ride him."

Sheppard's consistent Money From America looks a leading contender along with the Postes' Jullou de Grissay, who has the option of going to Paxford.

Charlie commented: "He is still a bit of a frame, but he has a future in him, and nice spring ground should help him. He will be winning before too long. Hopefully, it is this weekend."

Henderson, who will be looking to Islo to step up here on his third to Lavorante at Garthorpe, will assess Bloodstone before deciding whether to let the gelding bid for a second successive win in the Dubarry of Ireland Restricted.

The nine-year-old stormed home by eight lengths in the 2m 5f contest last year but has been pulled up three times since. "If Bloodstone is right, he will run with a penalty for winning it last year," said the Buscot Park owner-trainer.

Gill Anderson is leaning towards running her Cocklebarrow second Quickcharge here rather than at Kimble, saying: "I think he's got the pace for the 2m 5f trip and he'll be suited by the better ground there."

Bea Coward's Larkhill winner Douglas Longbottom and Thatshalfthebattle, who was second at Charlton Horethorne for Jo Priest, look the other main contenders.

TOM Ellis brought the curtain down in style on his record-breaking point-to-point training career when Anariza gave him a winner with his last runner at the Oakley Hunt meeting at Brafield-on-the-Green, near Northampton.

The five-time champion is set to take out a full trainer's licence with Latenightpass on course to be his first runner under rules in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 13 with his wife, Gina Andrews, on board.

And Anariza ensured he went out on a high note between the flags with a smooth success under Jack Andrews in the JRL Group Four and Five Years Old Point-to-Point Flat Race on Sunday.

Owner-breeder Sarah Faulks's four-year-old filly cruised into the lead in the two-mile contest and when Andrews let out an inch of rein, she shot clear to pass the post eight lengths ahead of Zloty and Dale Peters.

Anariza was Ellis's 293rd point-to-point success, and he said: "That's my last point-to-point winner. It's a tad bit emotional and it's really nice to sign off with a win.

"Pointing has taught me everything I know. I started off riding and progressed into training. I have made a lot of mistakes and learnt a lot from it. I hope it will stand me in good stead for the next chapter.

"Gina will take over the point-to-pointers we have left. My focus is very much on getting Latenightpass ready for Aintree. I am back to school for my last trainer's module and hopefully I will have my licence through by the end of the week.

"I've had five championships on the trot. I broke the record for the most winners in a season and broke it again the next season. To have a horse like Latenightpass in the greatest race in the world is a small part of a massive fairytale."

Ellis, who is based at Marton, near Rugby, added of Anariza: "She is a very smart filly. This one is not for sale. This one will go into training. If the ground stayed right, we could go for an Aintree bumper with her in April or the one at Stratford."

The organisers did a terrific job to get the rearranged fixture on following the recent rain, which left the going soft, heavy in places, with 25 runners lining up in the six races.

Barry Denvir produced a fine training performance to record his first winner as Golan Fortune returned from an 871-day absence to land a gamble in the Eight-Year-Olds and Over Conditions Race (Level 3), sponsored by Lifestyle Gates.

Formerly smart under rules for Phil Middleton, the 12-year-old was retired after being pulled up with an irregular heartbeat at Stratford in October 2021.

But, after being given to Simon Paynter to go hunting, the gelding went back into training in January with Denvir, who is based at Great Rollright, near Chipping Norton.

Backed down from 3-1 to evens joint favourite in this three-runner affair, Toby McCain-Mitchell's mount showed he retained all his old enthusiasm, taking it up from Touch Tight and Phil York after the fifth-last before holding off that rival's renewed challenge to score by four lengths.

Denvir, who hails from Downpatrick and is assistant to Richard Phillips, said: "This race was always the plan with Simon being a master of the Oakley Hunt. He was a very good horse in his day, and we fancied him today even after two years off the track. Good horses train themselves and we are delighted with him.

"What I am most delighted about, though, is that it is St Patrick's Day. I had flights to go back home, but when this was rescheduled, I cancelled them."

Only two runners went to post for the Oakley Mixed Open, sponsored by Brian Currie (Milton Keynes Ltd), but it produced a thrilling finish with Ragnar Lodbrok getting up in the dying strides to pip Master Templar by a short head and repeat last year's success.

Alex Chadwick on the winner tracked Master Templar and Gina Andrews, who still led by a length and a half at the last where Ragnar Lodbrok made a mistake.

But with Chadwick bringing Newmarket trainer Jenny Owen's nine-year-old wide on the run-in, his mount found more to snatch the spoils.

Ragnar Lodbrok had won at Guilsborough just seven days earlier for The Whiskey & Water Partnership consisting of John Sharp, David Docker, Robin Vestey, Alice Vaughan-Jones and Gerald Bailey, who said: "We were not exactly sure whether that had left a mark, but he has a bit of class. He is no mug, but he always keeps a little bit to himself.

"We might run him at Easter somewhere and then have a go at the Cheltenham hunter chase meeting."

Chadwick, who was recording his 18th winner of the season, said: "He is a very talented monkey. I thought I had won by a head. If I had jumped the last well, I would have won by further."

Newmarket owner-trainer John Wright's patience with Orion D'Aubrelle was rewarded with victory in the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 3) for Novice Riders, sponsored by Bedfordshire NFU Mutual.

Running for the first time since picking up a minor tendon injury at Higham last April, the 11-year-old, ridden by Josh Parker, joined Some Operator and Daisy White at the fourth-last before drawing clear for a 10-lengths success.

Wright said: "I got him from Tattersalls for £2000. He had lost his way in Ireland where he had been running in good races and was a 135-rated horse with Willie Mullins before joining Shark Hanlon. I took my time with him, and we have ended back here with a winner."

It was a fourth success for Parker, who works for James Owen. He said: "I went through a wing yesterday, so it's great to get a winner under my belt."

Sawtry trainer-rider Dale Peters believes Cash Or Card has a big future after the Irish import made it two wins from as many starts in this country with an easy success in the three-runner Restricted, sponsored by Hatters.

Winner of a Sheriff Hutton maiden in January, the six-year-old cantered up alongside Ultra Viers and George Case, before coasting home by 15 lengths.

Peters commented: "I have been waiting for better ground, but it was time to run again, and he was impressive. I think he will be even better on better ground. He has the potential to go to the top if we have a lot of luck on our side."

The gelding is owned by the This That & The Others Partnership made up of Paul and Andrew Walpole, Andrew West and Georgie and Beryl Close, who said: "He jumped like a dream. He is a very special horse. I think he could go a long way."

Owner-trainer Phillippa Taylor was delighted to see Elmdale finally open his account with a runaway triumph in the Oakley Maiden, sponsored by Phipps Henson.

Revelling in the testing conditions, the 10-year-old grey took up the running under Zac Baker after a circuit and gradually drew clear of his rivals to come home 30 lengths clear of Rockhamton and Patsy Page.

Taylor, who trains at Fringford, near Bicester, said: "We bought him four seasons ago off Nigel Twiston-Davies for my daughter, Phoebe, to ride. She has just had a baby, so Zac rode him."

Baker added:  "I couldn't believe I was nearly a fence clear when I looked through my legs. He is no showstopper, but he keeps going."

The meeting was preceded by two pony races with Camilla Froggatt, 11, from Great Rissington, near Stow-on-the-Wold, taking the One Fat Hen 138cm contest by four lengths on Warmwell Lizzie.

Harry Vigors, 14, from Aldbourne, near Marlborough, then claimed the Barton Petroleum 148cm Race aboard 10-lengths winner Miss Millfield.

The St James's Place Foxhunter turned in a feel-good story to close out Gold Cup day at Cheltenham with the victory of Sine Nomine, 22 years on from owning a previous winner of the race for Robin Tate.

Trained by daughter and Catterick Clerk of Course, Fiona Needham and ridden by John Dawson, the game grey mare showed a good turn of foot after the last to make up around 3l and outpoint 11/8 favourite, It's On The Line, and retain the Festival's largest trophy in Britain once again.

Back in 2002, it was Fiona Needham in the plate to win the race on Last Option, but this time around, it was senior statesman of the Yorkshire Area changing room, John Dawson, who guided the 8 year old mare to success. Dawson is a veteran of over 900 rides between the flags, and nearly 200 winners, but this will rank right up there with the best. "We didn't really know what we had," he told Racing TV, "but I always knew she had that little bit of something else."

Hunting round the first circuit, Sine Nomine took closer order at the top of the hill joining a group of 7 after Ferns Lock had cut out the running for the first circuit and a half. Time Leader and Shantou Flyer were both prominent throughout, and favourite backers could have been forgiven for thinking their horse was cooked as It's On the Line was pushed along down the hill. Two out, Time Leader asserted, pressed by the favourite, who hadn't left Dawson and Sine Nomine room on the inner. Switching before the last, the grey mare responded to her rider's urgings to win by 3/4l. 

Dawson continued, "I was hoping the race would pan out in her favour. If we were travelling coming down the hill, we'd be galloping at the top."

Sine Nomine has been lightly campaigned since winning the novice hunter championship at Stratford last June, but with this target in mind. A 3l second in an Alnwick Open last December, her only other run at Wetherby in early February, where a bloodless victory over Bennys King brought race fitness without really finding anything more detailed, have been a product of the abysmal weather which has forced the abandonment of half the first half of the Pointing season. 

But the back-to-back victories of English-trained winners in Pointing's showcase race offer encouragement to those growing the sport as a nursery for young horses and riders, even if john would agree that epithet no longer describes him. This is one race where home-trained horses have largely kept the Irish at bay, and gives a massive fillip to pointing in Yorkshire, whose 11 fixtures provide plenty of stirring entertainment. 

Ready steady Freddie

Perfect intro

Patience is a virtue

Glory for Gloria

Racing is a small parish. In the world of horsecare, with less than 20,000 horses in training across the entire UK, it's not quite a trusim to say that everyone knows everyone, but it's not far off the truth. 

Even in the pyramid of excellence, there'll be connections between liverymen and breaking yards and licensed yeards, where the public profile is that much higher. And whilst much of the public visibility of the sport is inevitably soaked up by the top leaders of the game - both trainers and riders - the exploits of people further down the food chain are appreciated by all; witness the admiration of fellow riders toward James Best on winning his first Grade I chase in the Scilly Isles in mid-February.

So, despite the fact the yard contained little more than a dozen horses, the loss of the personable Mark Bradstock last week was keenly felt throughout. All along the Berkshire downs, and a great deal further afield, Mark had made his presence felt in the sport across a career spanning 40+ years. 

Mark first came to prominence as assistant to the remarkable Fulke Walwyn, who for many years held the record for the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival, before the growth of the sport inevitably allowed others to rise above him. Walwyn was a scion of the sport in the seventies and eighties, and still of the generation that made their way in the sport from the military and from hunting. His record of 40 Festival winners between 1946-86 remained unbeaten until only 2012, when Nicky Henderson finally reeled him in. 

Mark was no slouch in the saddle himself as an amateur, enjoying some 18 winners, notably as stable amateur for Walwyn, who trained for the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, a keen supporter of the Jumps game. 

Marriage to Sara inevitably kept him in the racing game, Sara being daughter of none other than John Oaksey, rider, columnist and immense enthusiast for the sport, also a trustee and driving force behind the Injured Jockeys Fund. It wouldn't have been a difficult decision to try his hand at training back in 1988. But if truth be told, the Bradstock empire was never going to be huge.

This was, from the off, what some might call a boutique operation. On no occasion over that 36 year period did the yard's runner count exceed 50, and the 8 winners enjoyed in the 2014-15 season were largely embellished by the exploits of one novice, Coneygree, whose apogee was to beat seasoned chasers in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was a classic case of the little man winning big, last seen when Syrrel Griffiths drove Norton's Coin from his Welsh sheep farm to win the same race in 1990. 

Coneygree was not the start of a massive influx of horses however, and it's doubtful whether Bradstock would have wanted to rise ti the challenge of a megastable. His was an altogether more intimate association with his horses. With small numbers, he enjoyed disproportionate success, including a first running of the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase (now superceded by the conditions Turners Chase) at the Festival in 1995, and a Hennessy (now Ladbrokes Trophy) with Carruthers in 2015.

The stresses of running even a small yard manifested themselves in a heavy smoking habit. The Bradstocks were well known for their bonhomie and open household.

Latterly, daughter Lily has been keeping the racing tradition alive, particularly with Southfield Theatre, winner of multiple open races these past few seasons between the flags. 

The racing world passes on quickly, but it is to be hoped that the popular Bradstock will leave a lasting legacy well beyond the exploits of one or two thoroughbreds.