THE FINAL meeting of the Wessex Area Point to Point season takes place at Cothelstone on Wednesday, May 13, when the Vale of Taunton & Banwell Harriers hold their traditional evening meeting, writes Kirsty Boutflow.

Gates open at 2pm and there are 84 entries with the first race at 4.30pm. Tickets can be purchased for £15 (under 16s admitted free) via www.pointingwessex.co.uk until Saturday 9th May 6pm or for £20 thereafter including on the gate.

The Alec Jarrett sponsored Conditions race has some progressive horses entered including Chris Barber’s Jewel in the Park. He is three from three this season and is well thought of by connections. Dangers to him are Will Biddick’s pair, Dollanstown and Far Out West. The former looked useful when winning at Badbury Rings and then won again at Cherrybrook and last time at Cotley and he’d be an obvious danger.

Far Out West took a notable scalp in Ninth Wave here on Easter Monday but was then beaten at Axe Vale by Clonagoose who jointly leads the National standings for most wins this season, so that is no disgrace. Just Loose Change relished his front running role and a change of ground when winning at South Hill and he should also be considered while the genuine Talimar Pearl always runs his race and only got beaten close home at Flete Park last time. He’s one for an each way choice.

There are 19 in the shorter Maiden sponsored by the Westminster Society and Chris Barber could introduce the ex-Irish Connemara Joe in this or the later maiden. His form in Ireland looks ordinary but Chris regularly improves these types and he should be considered. Josh Newman too has the ex-Irish Crystal de France and Diamonds and Denim and again they are interesting.

Of those to have run over here, Son of Saratoga made a nice debut for Will Biddick at Eyton when 3rd while Fran Poste has a couple in Guseakie and Plantaroma with fair placed form and they are not without a chance and the Emma Summersby yard has two debutants in Champagne Dude and Telexpress who could be of interest too. Fortunate Bernie finished third behind What A Pleasure and Stick Season at Chilfrome with the second having won since making the form look stronger.

Briarwood Supplies sponsor the Novice Riders race and it often pays to look at the jockey first. Young Lucas Murphy has really made an impact, winning 12 races this season and he could partner Emailandy for trainer Paul Nicholls here. He’s only had the one start so far and was third of three but that was against Duc de Bourbon and Walkin Out and he came to the last with every chance.

That puts him well into the picture here. Histrionic gave Will Higgs his first winner at South Hill, comfortably beating the re-opposing Josh Newman’s Holiday Fund and that could give the pair confidence to confirm that form. Josh has also entered Clondaw Drake, a winner last time at Lower Machen and Getaway Drumlee who won at Didmarton before not enjoying heavy ground at Trebudannon. High Game Royal was third to Stumps or Slips and Macklin at Exeter and could have place chances. Recent Eyton winner Ringsend John will enjoy the quicker ground.

The Ladies Open is sponsored by Maxwell Chartered Accountants and has attracted 12 entries of which highest rated Macklin is surely the standout. Surprisingly beaten at Exeter last time, the quick ground and an unexposed former chaser in Sticks or Stumps were given as excuses. He faces some fair opposition notably Duc de Bourbon who has won 2 this year before just missing out in a close finish to the talented Walkin Out at Axe Vale. Lavorante has three wins to his name this term and is one who enjoys a quick surface while Myth Buster hasn’t run since January when he notched a second win of the season but is held on course form by Macklin. Important Notice was in good form on softer earlier winning twice at Trebudannon but he unseated at Stratford last time.

Tigerbythetail has appreciated being dropped back into pointing including winning here in March while Ninth Wave has easier options elsewhere as he hasn’t always found this his luckiest track.

T he 18 entries in the Beachcomber Inn Restricted give it a competitive look with several trainers having multiple entries. Josh Newman has Ghost Jury who won at Flete Park and Dance Ifyoucan who won as he liked at Kilworthy in March on his first start for the yard and he could prove the better of the two. Luke Price has the ex-Irish Eco Pete, yet to race for him and Mr Bezi who has looked fragile but did win twice for him two seasons ago. Chris Barber has two mares, Citizen Jane a winner at Woodford and Walkingtheline who won well at Howick but didn’t build on that last time.

Prince in the Park probably has the best obvious form on view with two wins at Kingston Blount and Tabley following a good third to the useful Dollanstown at Badbury Rings. He’d be the choice but he may opt for Kingston Blount again. Slide Rule won well at Cherrybrook while All Rise Malone was given a good ride by owner/rider Emma Freeman at South Hill and relished the quicker ground there.

Cannington Enterprises Ltd sponsor the finale, a Maiden Conditions race and of those 11 entries not already mentioned, Priceforlove, Roxhill, and Down the Inner have all shown ability in their maiden races to date. Granny Smith would be a popular winner for Teresa Clark and she will enjoy the firmer surface plus she ran well enough at Cotley to suggest she could win a race, as would Monderra, placed twice this season.