by Emma Forman.

Carruthers heads the entries for a quality Mixed Open race at the Brocklesby Point-to-Point on Sunday where 122 entries have been taken for a 7 race card starting at 12noon.

The former Hennessy Gold Cup winner may line up in the feature DDM sponsored Mixed Open; now a 13 year old it would be a great spectacle if he runs at the Lincolnshire course on Sunday. Bred by the late Lord Oaksey and trained by his daughter Sara, Carruthers faces some of the best Point-to-Pointers in the area. The first two horses home will qualify to run in the AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Hunter Chase Final in May. Gerald Bailey’s stable could be represented by Richard Russell’s Gunmoney and Empire Builder. The latter is a course winner and ended last season by finishing third in the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Final at Cheltenham; he is sure to put up a bold effort with George Greenock in the saddle. Another course winner Court Red Handed also has an obvious chance.

Court Red Handed has possibly the easier option of running in the earlier Clark Weightman Midlands Area Club Member’s race where his rivals could include Jane William’s ride Grandturgeon. However, Sarah and Will Easterby may hold the aces here; they have the option of Grimthorpe Gold Cup winner Monsieur Jourdain or Soleil d’ Avril a Hunter Chase winner last season who was last seen when finishing down the field in the Crabbies Foxhunter’s Chase at Aintree last April.

Fearthedark was second behind Will Easterby and Carlton Ryan at Sheriff Hutton recently and in the absence of that duo will be bidding to go one better in the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate race. The mount of Alex Vaughan-Jones, Fearthedark employed front running tactics that day and was just caught close home. Joe O’ Shea’s progressive Lilbitluso, James Henderson’s good Cottenham winner Dream Garden and Sue Mason’s Sheriff Hutton winner Comedinewithme are all possible rivals. The first four horses past the post in this race will qualify for the Connolly’s Red Mills Final Hunter Chase at Cheltenham at the end of April.

Next is the Nine Years old and over Midlands Area Conditions race where veteran Swift Counsel could run. Now a 15 year old, Jane William’s mount has won five Ladies Opens and finished second on his seasonal debut at Ampton proving that he is still in good heart. Anthea Morshead’s Middleton qualified Locked Inthepocket is another for the shortlist as is All Great N Theory. Owned by David Renney, who rode him to success on this course in 2013 and chased home Gunmoney in a Hunter Chase in 2014, All Great N Theory missed last season. Sam Davies-Thomas is due to take over the reins on Sunday and he will certainly relish the expected cut in the ground.

The opening Flexi Hydraulic Brocklesby Members race will be the highlight for the local crowd. The Burt family look likely to be in the winner’s enclosure with either Galant Nuit or Murphy’s Promise. Galant Nuit ran a nice race for Yasmin Eagle who made her race riding debut at Sheriff Hutton recently when the pair chased home Palypso De Creek in the Ladies Open. Murphy’s Promise won the race in 2014 and his usual rider Harry Burt will be in the saddle. Tom Broughton could be the one to foil a Burt victory; he may ride No Alterations for joint meeting secretary Victoria Cottingham. This horse was also placed on his seasonal debut and will be suited by soft ground.

The meeting concludes with two Maiden races; the first is a Jockey Club Mare’s Maiden sponsored by Nunns Mitsubishi where Our Milly Acres looks the pick. John Chatfeild-Roberts’ mare was a good second at Cocklebarrow in January and could go one better. The first three horses past the post will score points in the Jockey Club Mares Maiden series.

The final Open Maiden due off at 3pm is sponsored by Paul Wiseman Ltd Electrical Contractors. Ardea missed last season but had some bits of form in 2014 and is now in the care of Justin Landy; he may be good enough to pick up a Maiden this season. With many of the runners very inexperienced Balinderry from Jane Kent’s stable may be another to consider; he has some place form under rules.

Brocklesby Park is situated just off the A18 near Humberside Airport, about 10 minutes from junction 5 of the M180 and around 20 minutes from the Humber Bridge. The course is set in beautiful parkland and is an ideal day out for all the family. There will be bookmakers, a licensed bar, refreshments and a good selection of trade stands. Admission is £10 per person with children under 16 free. Race cards will be £3.00. E-tickets can be purchased from www.midlandspointing.com for £10 and include a complimentary race card. For all the latest information visit the “Brocklesby Races” Facebook page or follow @Brocklesby Races on Twitter.