Sir W.W.Wynn's Hunt Point-to-Point, Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse.

On Sunday 19th February 2017, Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse hosted the Sir W.W.Wynn's Hunt Point-to-Point meeting. The racecourse is a firm favourite of ours, as not only is it the closest track to ourselves, but seeing as it is a National Hunt track makes everything better. This meeting was our first P2P meeting of the year, and it is safe to say that were more than a little excited for the racing to begin.

The first race was the 'Bernard Corbett Sir W.W.Wynn's and Flint and Denbigh Hunts' Members, Subscribers and Farmers Race', over 3m. A typically competitive race, it was won in great fashion by DESERT STING and Ed Glassonbury, who went clear with a couple of fences to go and stayed on strongly to record a great win for the hosting hunt.

Desert Sting and Ed Glassonbury (near side)

Well done to Ed and all connections there!

The second race was the 'Miles Macadem Surfacing Open Maiden Race', held over the same distance as the first race, and was won in rather impressive fashion by GARDE VILLE and Stephen Davies. What made the 18 length demolition slightly more unbelievable was the fact that the horse was the joint-outsider at a scarcely believable 33-1! He certainly did not run like a 33-1 shot, and has since put in 2 rather good efforts back at Bangor and Tabley. Congratulations to the connections of Garde Ville, especially to the trainer Patricia Rigby.

Race 3 was the 'Timico Mixed Open Race', held over 3 miles. The race was a qualifier for the 'Skinner's Ladies Open Final' at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on Friday 9th June. The first two past the post would qualify for the race, and in total the distance between the qualifiers was a head, with TEMPLE GRANDIN and Alex Edwards just fending off the challenge of Brody Bleu and J. Smith-Maxwell. The Philip Rowley stable is in fine fettle this season, and the authors presume that he will have a few runners at Cheltenham for Hunter Chase evening on Friday 5th May. Congratulations to the connections of Temple Grandin, a winner at 4/5F at Bangor. Some images of him and Alex winning are below, with Alex wearing white and red on the near side.

Race 4 was the 'Become an Owner at Manor House Stables Confined Hunts Race', over 3 miles. 12 horses went to post for this race, and the race was won by young Henry Myddleton aboard the 2/1F MISTER SPLODGE. Drawing clear 3 out, it was a comfortable win for Henry and Splodge, made easier and more special by the huge support at the final fence for the pair, resulting in an easier than it appeared 8 length win. A young rider with a very bright future, congratulations to connections, especially the trainer, Edward Glassonbury.

The fifth race of the day was an opportunity for Maidens to take centre stage, and a select field of 8 lined up for the 'Meadow Foods Four, Five and Six-year-olds Open Maiden Race', run over 2m 4f. The first three past the post would qualify for the Goffs Spring Sale Point-to-Point Bumpers. Spoilt Sam would go off favourite under Ed Glassonbury, but it was left to FOLLOWING MAMA and Alex Edwards to win by 4 and a half lengths from Alright Chief and Miss L. Brooke. It may well be a case of "what could have been" for the Fergal O'Brien yard, as Trespassers Will and Lilly Pinchin came down at the second last, possibly tiring approaching the final two fences. Thankfully, all parties were OK. Congratulations go to the connections of Following Mama, especially to the trainer, Diana Ralph.

The penultimate race of the day was the 'Broxton Gates PPORA Club Members Race For Novice Riders', with a field of 10 going to post. Drawing clear two out, COTTAGE OAK and Henry Crow won by 15 lengths from Farmer Matt and Thomas Murray, at odds of 6-1. Clearly, age was no burden for Cottage Oak, and showed he still relished the challenge. Congratulations to connections!

One thing to note however, is that on 5th April it was revealed that Cottage Oak had run his final race, and had been retired. A very happy retirement beckons, and if there is one horse that deserves it most, it's this fella!

The final race of the day was the 'EFG Harris Allday Restricted Race', with INDIGO ISLAND providing Philip Thomas with a winner on the day. Taking up the running at the 11th, the 7-1 shot held on well to record a neck victory from Upton Venture and Ryan Bradford. Congratulations to all connections!

Incidentally, Indigo Island, by winning, qualified for the Subaru Restricted Point-to-Point Series Final at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse on 9th June.

And with that, that brings an end to a photo round up of the day. Below are some selected highlights, from those who did not win that day, but put in a great show nonetheless.

Sulu Magic leads the field over the next.