Dodson & Horrell the UK's longest national supporter of Point-to-Point racing will be hosting the final of the Dodson & Horrell Point-to-Point (PPORA) Members Club Novice Riders Series at The Knutsford Races Club at Tabley, Cheshire on Sunday 17 May 2015.
“I am really looking forward to being there amongst our core customers on Sunday. This Novice Riders series is a great opportunity for Dodson & Horrell to give something back to the sport at an amateur level and really reaches the grassroots of the sport and the heritage of horse racing,” said Chris Gordon, Technical Director at Dodson & Horrell.
“The final comes towards the end of a long season and the horses and jockeys have worked tremendously hard to get here. I'm sure it will be a race to be remembered.”
Dodson & Horrell first became involved in point-to-point racing at a local level in 1987 supporting the Oakley and Woodland Pytchley Fixtures. The sponsorship soon extended to a nationwide series of races – now made up of twelve races across the country. The first four horse and rider combinations in each of the races qualified for the prestigious final this weekend.
Point-to-Point racing is a fertile training ground for many of the nation's top national hunt trainers including David Pipe, Henrietta Knight and Venetia Williams who all started their careers in Point-to-Point racing.
The series focuses on the up-and-coming riders in the sport and past winners include Megan Nicholls, daughter of Somerset trainer Paul Nicholls and his retained jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.
2014 winner Megan Nicholls commented: “Winning the final at Tabley was an amazing end to an exciting season. Thanks to the continued support from Dodson & Horrell more young, novice riders can have the chance to aim for a big prize right at the start of their career. I wish them all lots of luck!”
This year's race features nine horse and rider combinations who have qualified throughout the season.
Notable entries include Kelly Morgan riding Lough Inch (IRE) who has had four wins this season. Kelly is the sister of trainer Tommy Morgan and it is his girlfriend Liz Harris who owns the horse. Another jockey that has seen success this season is Lucy Wheeler who riding Cottage Oak (IRE) secured their place in the very first qualifier at Barbury Racecourse back in December.
The men are represented too, most notably Peter Bryan who will be riding Gullible Gordon (IRE). Peter is one to watch as he is currently lying in third in the Gentleman's Novice Riders series this season.
