Please visit  www.obhpointtopoint.co.uk – the home of the OBH Point-to-Point.

Gates open at 10.00am and the races over fences are preceded by a dog show, pony racing sponsored by Pinewood School and a parade of hounds.

The course had new portable fences for 2022, so they can be sited in the best positions. The first fence is now on the outside of the track, with the finish along the inside running rail and the open ditch is now the third fence (three-mile races) and the ninth (two-mile five furlong race).

Lockinge is located two miles south-east of Wantage on the B4494, eight miles north-west of M4 Exit 13. Follow the signs if coming from the south. OX12 8PA

For more information, visit www.obhpointtopoint.co.uk

PREVIEW

OLD BERKSHIRE HUNT POINT-TO-POINT

LOCKINGE, NEAR WANTAGE, OXFORDSHIRE

Easter Monday 21^st April 2025

By Jake Exelby

The Old Berkshire point-to-point at Lockinge on Easter Monday (21^st April) is one of the best-known and most popular meetings of the season, attracting crowds of up to 10,000. Racegoers are known for turning up hours before the first race and walking the course, a dog on a lead in one hand and a drink in the other! Meeting Secretary Lucy Cowen said on Tuesday afternoon, “The going remains Firm, Good to Firm in places, with a good covering of grass. Watering will continue, to improve the going, and we are aiming for Good to Firm on the day. The team are working incredibly hard to produce safe racing ground and we will agrivate if necessary. The Course Inspector and Senior Steward are visiting on Friday, following which there will be a further update.”

50 entries (37 individual horses) have been made for the six races, of which six are in what is likely to be the highlight of the card, the MAKAROVA Mixed Open Race, sponsored by Saracen Horse Feeds and Brightwalton Stud. Entries are headed – on Pointerform ratings – by Viva Lavilla, but his Larkhill win was lucky and came in a match and he has shown nothing since. Likewise, Precious Bounty’s form has regressed since his Badbury Rings victory, although he ran well last time at High Easter. Alan Hill’s Back Bar is 13 now and has his own ideas about the game, but he has been runner-up on both his last two starts, while Doctor Foley has shown nothing for his first season rider. James Luck’s Aikenbreakinheart looks to have better opportunities elsewhere on the card, while Bloodstone – trained by James Henderson – has been entered for five of the six races but looks likely to target this one, following his recent Siddington victory.

James said of his multiple entries, “The team at Lockinge have worked so hard, so I want to support them. (Son and rider) George has had a look and thinks Bloodstone should go in the Open unless it’s too competitive a race.” “The owners would like to run in their Members Race at Higham on Friday,” admitted Alan. “But we feel this race could be a good opportunity for him and we think he’ll like the course. We’ll decide during the week.”

Marina Bealby, rider of Precious Bounty, could also not confirm plans. Both her entries on the day have options elsewhere and are likely to run at the same meeting, and she told me, “We honestly don’t know yet where we’ll run. Lockinge is most likely, but it is ground dependent.”

The Luck Greayer Bloodstock Shipping Keeper-Jockey Conditions Race (Level 2) has attracted ten entries. Races of this nature – limited to keepers and jockeys who have not trained or ridden more than three winners this season – are designed to offer opportunities to the grass roots of the sport and are always popular with participants. This race looks to be the day’s target for Aikenbreakinheart, given that his trainer sponsors the contest and James’ brother – well-known racing broadcaster Nick – confirmed as much before his Edgcote second on Sunday. Tabley winner Due Reward and Parham second Mister Tickle – bidding to give Jack Etheridge a first winner – will provide stiff competition, but Divilskin – for whom Paul Nicholls once paid 245,000 guineas – has pulled up twice since a Wadebridge second.

Kauto Riko was once rated 149 under rules but is 14 now and hasn’t run for nearly two years, Master Malcolm showed little at Edgcote on Sunday, Ecco’s Bitterley second does not amount to much, and Madeline Plumb’s Laurel Girl has not done much since winning at Cocklebarrow. Pax is another multiple entrant for James Henderson who might be outclassed in this grade.

Marina Bealby said of Due Reward. “The same applies to him as to Precious Bounty in the Open. We’d like to run at Lockinge, but it depends on the ground.”

The Bear at Wantage (Arkell’s Brewery) Conditions Race (Level 2) has 11 entries, the highest of the day. Dual course winner Arthur’s Sixpence, trained by Olive Nicholls, sets the standard, but he is unraced for the best part of two years, while all his potential rivals are fit – and many are in form. Tim Underwood’s Ask Nile is looking for a four-timer, having completed his treble in similar company at Kingston Blount under Heidi Palin, although 58-year-old Phil York – the Peter Pan of Pointing – will ride on Monday. His other entry, Presenting Point, is set to take his chance in the opening Members race. Inchidaly Robin is on the upgrade – his Larkhill win doesn’t amount to much, but he beat stiffer opposition cosily at Edgcote on Sunday under a penalty and his trainer is in flying form. Most of the other entries – including Footloose, Jo Davis’s It’s For Alan and Wireless Operator – have recent placed form, but in small fields, while Ben Case’s Wisecracker has no apparent chance on recent form.

Tim, who plans to run all five of his entries on the day, said, “Ask Nile is 100% after Kingston Blount and we cantered him a couple of days ago. He’s got every chance, and I think Didero Vallis and Hidalgo Des Bordes look the ones to beat.” Olive – who trains at nearby Kingston Lisle – admitted, “I’m going to walk the course later in the week before deciding, and whether Arthur’s Sixpence runs depends on the ground. He may wait a week and go to Woodford.”

Racing commences with the Moss Fallon Solicitors Old Berkshire Hunt Members Race, which has attracted seven entries, although four have another entry on the card. The irrepressible Tim Underwood’s Presenting Point was second in a match at Kingston Blount to Olive Nicholls’ Didero Vallis, who was ending a frustrating run of placings. James Luck and family-owned Hidalgo Des Bordes when Warren Greatrex trained him to win under rules and he would be making his pointing debut here. James Henderson always likes to win his Members race, but his two entries are likely to target other events on the day.

Tim confirmed this as the preferred option for Presenting Point, saying, “I think we’ll be knocking on the door. I’ve had him less than three months and he’ll come on a ton for his last run,” while Olive confirmed, “Didero Vallis’ participation is also ground dependent, and he’s also entered at Trebudannon.”

The Dubarry of Ireland Restricted Race over two-and-a-half miles has nine entries and could go the way of top-rated Mr Bezi, a winner of two of his three pointing starts. Although he’s making his seasonal debut, his trainer generally has his charges ready to give their best first time. Three come here on the back of a Maiden win – James Henderson’s Pax and Tim Underwood’s Song For My Father showed similar levels of form when winning at Siddington and Kingston Blount respectively, while Colibri Bleu’s win for trainer-rider Will Thirlby came in a Garthorpe match.

Monrocco Moonlight won for trainer Joe Hill at Charing and was then third at Penshurst before setting off like a scalded cat at Kingston Blount and being well-beaten when pulling up at the last. He looks a doubtful stayer and this return to a shorter distance should suit. Highway Hero was beaten a long way when third at Parham and flat winner Intricate Pillar has been pulled up on both pointing starts for forty-something Barry Logan, returning to the saddle this season after a 16-year break!

Alan Hill said of his son’s horse, “He’s also in at Paxford – over the same trip – and Kimble, but only as a backstop. We’ll look at the entries for both the two-and-a-half mile races but there’s every chance he’ll run at Lockinge as I think the course, ground and trip will suit,” while Tim was bullish about the ex-Irish Song Of My Father, telling me, “I’m happy to run him over the shorter trip as he’s got a lot of pace about him and he’ll probably be among the highest rated in the race. I’ve only had him five or six weeks and he’s been transformed since I’ve had him. I think he’s in with a shout… if he stands up!” (He has plenty of letters in his Irish form figures).

James confirmed, “Pax is most likely to run in the Restricted, with the Members as a back-up. We’ve been pleased with him since Siddington and the horse who was upsides when falling at the last won on Saturday.”

The final race of the day is the Charles Russell Speechlys Maiden Race, and the sponsors have been rewarded with seven entries. Elen Wylie’s Gallant Geronimo is also in the Restricted, but this looks a more suitable contest for the consistent nine-year-old, placed on 11 of his 15 pointing starts. He will come on for his reappearance. Heather Kemp’s Just A Joy is also consistent, having been third four times this season (twice in Ireland) – he ran well at Edgcote on Sunday. Tim Underwood has entered two, of whom seasonal debutant Kyler Kane has shown better form than Shelfield Park third Kedg West. Fred Hutsby’s Myneighbour’s Larkhill second came in a match and Fromposttopillar showed moderate form under rules. Finally, watch the market for newcomer Tommy Tins. His trainer Mark Grant can get his horses ready first time out.

Tim intends to run both his entries and admitted, “I put two in to avoid it being a walkover! They’ll both run and – if you asked me – I’d rather ride Kyler Kane. He hasn’t run yet because he only came in from the field in February – he hasn’t had any setbacks. Kedg West may struggle to get the trip.”

Elen’s partner, Max Comley, confirmed that if Gallant Geronimo goes to Lockinge, he’ll target this race, saying, “He’s no world beater, but I thought he was a certainty at Cotley – when it was abandoned on the day, we had to reroute to Trebudannon, the only place in the country with soft ground! He wants quick going and may be ideally suited by under three miles. Aimee Jones will ride.” However, like so many of the other entries – 24 horses have more than one option over the weekend – Gallant Geronimo may run elsewhere.

Gates open at 10.00am and the races over fences are preceded by a dog show, two pony races sponsored by Pinewood School and a parade of hounds. Terrier racing will take place during the afternoon and there will be a children’s funfair.

Lockinge is located two miles south-east of Wantage on the B4494, eight miles north-west of M4 Exit 13. Follow the signs if coming from the south. OX12 8PA

Join us for the social highlight in the Oxfordshire sporting calendar on Easter Bank Holiday Monday 21st April 2025

Listed in ‘The 4 Smartest Point-to-Points’ according to Tatler! – http://www.tatler.com/news/articles/january-2016/the-smartest-point-to-points

Information: (times subject to change)
10.00am – Gates open
12.15pm – Pony Racing

1.00pm – Parade of the OBH Hounds
2.00pm – First Race

4.55pm – Sixth Race

6.30pm Showground Closes

Our thanks to Race Sponsors:

Pinewood School – Pony Racing

Webbs Builders Merchants

The Bear at Wantage (Arkell’s Brewery)

Brightwalton Stud

Saracen Horse Feeds

Dubarry of Ireland

Luck Greayer Bloodstock Shipping

Charles Russell Speechlys

Fence Sponsors:

Dubarry of Ireland

Brown & Co Incorporating Adkin

Barn Store

Charles Murphy Wines

JPPC Chartered Town Planners

Charles Hoile

Edward Bays Ltd

Cross Counties Equine Vets

Jess Simpson Property Search

Other Sponsors:

The Allenby Family

Compton Beauchamp Estates

Deacons

SE Solicitors

St Hugh’s School

Savills (Oxford)

Official Race Day Photographer – Francesca Altoft

https://www.francescaaltoft.co.uk