Cornish Point To Point 2026 review – races galore at Wadebridge

By Mike Drowne

Wadebridge staged the first Cornish Point To Point of 2026 on Sunday, with six races taking place under dismal grey skies.

The first race of the day was the Moores Of St Wenn Devon And Cornwall Area Only Conditions (Level 3).

Clondaw Drake won five races last season and was well supported to make his seasonal reappearance a winning one.

The bookies took some late money for Minella Jab and went off at odds of 2-1. The 9-year-old was going well when taking a tumble three fences from home at Dunsmore.

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Race One

Jake Bament guided home Minella Jab for his partner, Megan Lawrence, whom only trains three horses.

Megan now has her sights set on a Hunter Chase for her horse. Reflecting on the race, she said: “We love the horse.

“He started the training journey for us and we missed him when he was out with an injury last year.

“We were obviously gutted to see him hit the floor at Dunsmore after running a good race up until that point.

“So it was brilliant to see him come home in font today. Today was a credit to his grit, after a year out, a crashing fall and to still come out swinging today was proof that he loves the game and wanted to win as much as us.”

Race Two

Race Two was the RJB Estates Conditions (Level 2) For Novice Riders. Holiday Fund was well backed into 6-4F to reverse the form with Hidden Heroics.

The 9-year-old prevailed by a shorthead at the previous meeting and gave his rider, Harry Neale, his first career win.

Neale was back in the saddle and adapted the same front-running tactics. Hidden Heroics produced a good leap at three out and galloped home strongly to win by lengths from Holiday Fund.

Neale is now two from two in the saddle and is riding the crest of a wave.

Race Three

Race three was the Kivells Mixed Open. It provided the smallest field of the day, with only four going to post, but it produced an exciting race nonetheless.

12-year-old Beacon Edge went off the 4-7 favourite, but he gave punters a moment of concern.

Soldier Of Destiny went off like a scalded cat from flag fall, and by the time they had jumped the first two fences, they were already strung out.

Josh Newman sat second on the favourite until the final circuit. Going down the hill for the final time, Quintin’s Man took the lead and was pursued by On Springs.

It seemed as if it was between the two until On Springs fell at the second last, as through came Beacon Edge to land the spoils.

Speaking after the race, winning trainer and jockey, Josh Newman said: “I felt I was always going to catch On Springs, but when he fell, it didn’t really help me, as my lad only does enough.

“Quintin’s Man came to my girth and my lad was only going to give enough to just stay in front.”

Race Four

Race Four was the Heltor Four, Five and Six-year-old Maiden. Millyellen had finished second at Wadebridge in December and was expected to go one better this time.

Unfortunately for the Josh Newman yard, they had to settle for second once more as they found Next Gen too good.

Frederick Philipson-Stow, who has the perfect name for a Point To Point jockey, managed to survive the carnage that unfolded around him when a loose horse careered into the pack, wiping out Another Notion and Weston Bay.

This proved a pivotal success for Will Biddick, who was saddling his first runner since calling time on his glorious career in the saddle. Biddick, who grew up close by to the track, had his first ride at Wadebridge, 23-years ago and went on to become the winning most Point To Point rider of all time.

Biddick was delighted that his first runner since retiring won and he thinks a lot of his mare.

Race Five

Race Five, the Mr and Mrs K Haywoods Restricted saw Impakt St Georges, Clonagoose and Madame Le’ Strange, who all won at the previous meeting, lined up once more.

Ed Vaughan retained the ride on Clonagoose for Emma Summersby, who was seeking a double after Hidden Heroics had won.

Clonagoose took the lead with three to jump and ran up the hill strongly under a delighted Ed Vaughan, who gave a salute of his whip.

Ed said: “It was hard to judge how much depth there was to the race last time and I didn’t know what level of ability he had.

“I knew he had given me a nice feel. He did it nicely today, in what I thought was a much deeper race. A flat track and nicer ground would be better suited as well.

“He’s obviously got a bit of class and I think he could rack up a few.”

Final Race

The final race on the card was the Lodge & Thomas Seven-Year-Old and Over Maiden. It saw the worst of the weather and the ground; only the hardiest were stood watching.

Bright Aura took the lead rounding the top bend and proceeded to gallop on strongly and one by one her three rivals dropped out.

This was a success for a true pointing family, owned and trained by Deborah Trenneer and ridden by her son Michael.

After winning the race, Michael said: “She ran well here last time and we thought she would come on again and that should go close.

“She made nothing of the ground, probably from being born on the hill and doing plenty of hunting on the hill; it felt like nothing to her!

“I work full time as a Chartered accountant for a mining company, and me and Dad ride them out before I go to work.

“It sometimes means riding out in the dark, but you just get it done. Hopefully she can do it again!”

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