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Point To Point 2026 update: Kilworthy hosts action-packed six-race card

After what felt like six months of rain, which resulted in losing Chipley Park and the first Buckfastleigh meeting, followed by a wintry day at the second Buckfastleigh last weekend, Point to Point fans were finally treated to a day’s racing under blue skies, albeit slightly hazy skies, as Kilworthy hosted a six-race card.

by
The Racing Ahead Team
26 March 2026

By Mike Drowne

The Pannell Commercials Subscribers & Farmers Race kicked off proceedings, with Zalando taking on dual Kilworthy winner, Jubertilee.

Jack Instance made the running on Jubertilee and looked to get favourite backers off to a winning start.

However, Jo Supple, who has been riding for well over two decades, was ready to pounce and took the lead before the final flight and crossed the line one and a half lengths clear.

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Keen

After riding her 102nd career win, Jo said: “He’s lovely, but he gets keen. He can be really keen, but that just worked out nicely.

“He switched off and I waited as long as I dared. He’s got a turn of foot and the race turned out nicely.”

Jo’s husband, Gerry, enjoyed her success so much that he didn’t want to leave the course and proceeded to lock the car keys in the car!

Fantastic job

Next up was The Jockey Club and Mr and Mrs Dennis Open Maiden Race for Mares & Fillies only.

Yet again, two went to post. Farm Assured, trained by Chris Barber, was having her racecourse debut and held the majority of punters money, going off the 2-5 favourite.

Newton Gold was 6-4. The pair jumped off together and kept each other company for the majority of the race, before Farm Assured asserted under Ed Vaughan to score by three lengths.

After the race, Ed said. “I just started going into Chris’s riding out once a week.

“I had my first winner for him last week and it’s paid dividends. He does a fantastic job and his horses are running out of their skin.

“I just had one moment at the ditch, but she’s shore footed and I just had to keep a leg either side of her.”

Warmed up to the challenge

Race three was the A C Worth Maiden Race for Horses & Geldings only.

Absolute Grey led his five rivals along, with Slide Rule close by in second. That order remained until the ditch for the final time when the latter took over.

Josh Newman had been biding his time on Dance If You Can and tracked them in third. He jumped three out well and took the lead.

After another good leap at the second last, he went three lengths clear. Slide Rule did rally at the last, but not enough to get Josh worried, and the 15-8 favourite scored by three lengths.

“He’s green enough; he did have one run in Ireland, but I’m not sure he was fully tuned for that,” said the winning rider.

“I was niggling away at him, but he warmed up to the challenge. He’s got a lot to learn, but he will step forward massively after today.”

Young talent

The Christopher Godfrey Memorial Mixed Open Race saw a competitive renewal, with prolific winners, Beacon Edge, Jet Smart, Hidden Heroics, Camino Rocio and Ben Lilly, plus King’s Quay and Makety lining up.

Harry Neale adapted his usual front-running tactics aboard Hidden Heroics, which saw him win at both Wadebridge meetings.

Stablemate Jet Smart cruised up into second with half a circuit to travel. With Harry scrubbing along on his mount, it appeared that Jet Smart would be the likely victor.

A good jump at the third last by the leader got Jet Smart at it. Hidden Heroics rallied around the bend and up the hill to score by four lengths, from the staying on Beacon Edge.

This was only Harry’s fifth career ride, but he showed great confidence. He was up against top riders, more fancied opposition, but rode as if he was certain to win.

It’s nice to see young talent coming through the ranks and I was impressed with the ride Harry gave the Emma Summersby trained horse.

Taken the next step

The C & R Construction South West Ltd Restricted Race saw another promising performance by a Josh Newman trained horse.

Lough Owel led them along, with Banzigane and Do Whatever in behind. Josh Newman was happy to get cover on Make Idaho Great and settled him in behind.

After jumping the ditch for the final time, he went into second, before taking it up with three to jump.

At which he produced a fine leap. The 5-year-old popped the last before running out a wide margin winner.

After securing his second winner of the day, Josh said: “He did it well today.

“He was a bit green at Charlton Horethorne, but he’s come on from that run and taken the next step well and done it nicely in the end.”

Under the bonnet

The final race of the afternoon was the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate Series Qualifier Race.

Four went to post, but it quickly turned into a two-horse race between Talimer Pearl and Clonagoose. Treble seeking Josh Newman, tried to dictate the fractions on Talimar Pearl in a bid to beat the favourite.

But Ed Vaughan took it up with four fences to jump and never came under pressure, running out a 20-length winner.

Ed, who has now won three races on this horse this season, said: “I wanted to see what was under the bonnet today.

“We went hard early and he’s quickened again off the final bend; he’s got a bit of ability and I think he will rack up a few more.”