A TOTAL of 60 entries have been received for the traditional Taunton Vale Point to Point at Cothelstone on Easter Monday, writes Kirsty Boutflow.

The course is a short distance from Bishops Lydeard. Early-bird tickets can be purchased via www.pointingwessex.co.uk or www.gbpointing.co.uk for £15 until 6pm, Sunday, April 5, or at the course with cash or card options on the day, and entry is £20 per person.

All children under 16 are admitted free if accompanied by an adult. There is also a Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Couple competition to win vouchers for The Firehouse, Somerset while a family dog show is scheduled in the paddock for 11am. The point to point racing starts at 1.30pm

The first race is the Greenslade Taylor Hunt Members race and three entries have been received. Local trainer David Pipe always likes to keep a few for pointing and has Ben Lilly entered. A 9 time winner under Rules split between Flat and jumps, he has yet to win pointing but posted a better effort when second last time at Trebudannon.

The Carter Jonas Maiden Conditions Race has attracted 14 entries. Dreamerlittledream was second here at the last meeting with Silent Auction back in 4th. River Don is trained by Harry Ryall and ran well to finish second at Larkhill in November.

The Bathroom Shop (Taunton) Conditions race has eight entries which include selection Ninth Wave fresh from his easy victory at Cotley and if in the same form as last weekend, he should add to his owners trophy haul. Will Biddick has Regatta de Blanc entered who has returned to him following a disappointing spell under Rules. She’s had two runs back but has yet to recapture that form that saw her dead heat for the Coronation Cup in 2024.

The Mixed Open sponsored by Mitchell’s Accountants has attracted 13 entries and they are headed by the super talented Macklin who is trained by Will Biddick. A gutsy winner on seasonal debut at Badbury Rings, he then won a Hunter Chase at Exeter and could be hard to beat here.

A big danger to the selection is Al Gasparo who is three from three for Josh Newman and had a rating of 144 when winning three times over hurdles for Gavin Cromwell. It could be a fascinating match if both appear. A pointing debutant in the shape of Tiny Tetley could add some flavour to the contest.

The nine entries in the Fennington Fibres Restricted include My Lucky Star who is consistent without really building on her maiden win. Selection Dollanstown looked a useful prospect at Badbury Rings when part of the Biddick Five-Timer but has been beaten twice since, both by Carillo including a week ago at Maisemore. That could be strong form and if reappearing, is interesting. Lily’s Choice looks very unexposed following two runs, the second of which resulted in a bloodless win last weekend at Parham.

The finale is an all aged Maiden sponsored by Monument Fuels and there are 13 entries including Champagne Blue who was second to Galudon at Buckfastleigh. The winner went in again last weekend and is the selection for the in-form Josh Newman yard. Ginderella has placed form under Rules for trainer Tim Vaughan and would be more than capable of opening her account here.