A cold wind interspersed with hail showers blew across Salisbury Plain when the Tedworth held their point to point at Larkhill, Despite this a large crowd was present to see some competitive racing despite relative small fields with the highlight being the success of Crawter in the feature race the Tedworth Gold Cup Mixed Open. The other successes were a double for the riding/training combination of James King and Luke Price and a first ever riding double for a rider whose previous successes had all been in Flat races.
Crawter trained within sight of the course by Harriet Waight and owned jointly with the well known Stan Rawlins returned to the form he had shown in 2025 by outstaying Who’s in the Box ridden by James King in the Open race. Reunited with his usual pilot Josh Newman after his disappointing run at Exeter behind Macklin he showed much more verve as he enjoyed his return to Larkhill. After his main rival had made a stumble after the last Josh was able to maintain a length lead all the way to the line. Josh said ‘ he jumped much better and enjoyed the faster ground and showed he stayed the extra distance’ Stan Rawlins was a relieved man after the race as after his run at Exeter had made him consider whether he should draw a line on this season but this effort has put that thought out of his mind.
Luke Price used this meeting in 2025 to launch the career of the prolific Inchidaily Robin in the opening Restricted race and followed up in the renewal by saddling Shareyourbiscuits ridden by James King. Although the winner on his debut for the stable at Howick he was held up by James as Our Brother John ridden by Josh Newman set a strong pace and was soon clear. Gradually closing as the last fence loomed James found extra on the run in to draw over two lengths clear at the line. James explained that ‘ he was still green and I did not want to push him too hard but I thought the leader would come back to us’ Acquired by Luke last December out of Dan Skelton’s yard where he had run four times over Hurdles the explanation for his name was not known to Luke but he was quick to add that ‘ I do not share my biscuits with anyone’
The Conditions race was a match and it turned into a tactical affair with Cassidy Francis riding her own Sublime Heights setting a steady pace ahead of their solitary rival Hybery ridden by Henry Main. As the pair turned for home Hybery challenged and after a good tussle on the run in he prevailed by a neck. Owned and trained by Nikki Henton at Eastbury Near Lambourn she explained that ‘ I bought him out of Willie Mullins stable some four seasons ago and this is his first win for me’ She added ‘ he works well at home and I thought he ought to have won by now’ Trained with her other horses that race in Hunter Chases Franco De Port and Fan de Blues and normally ridden by Daniel Williams he was a chance ride for Henry Main as Daniel had been claimed to ride by his employer Nicky Henderson at Uttoxeter. Henry, 23, who also works for Nicky Henderson was recording his first point to point winner having ridden six winners on the flat in 2021 and 2022.
Luke and James brought up their double when Lightning Legs was a comfortable winner of the Jockey Club Mares Maiden over two and half miles. Owned in partnership by Luke and his cousin David Van Poucke and Eirwen Lewis who were paying their first visits to Larkhill she was purchased by Luke at the Thoroughbid online auction site from Gordon Ellott’s stable for £1200.James advised that ‘ she still has more to learn but she will progress further and looks one to look forward to for the rest of the season’ Based on past experience she is one who could run up a sequence of wins to her name.
The old adage of backing the outsider of three runners certainly came true in the Conditions race for Novice Riders when Garde La Peche ridden by Henry Main defeated his more fancied rivals headed by Farnoge ridden by Freddie Fletcher. Adopting waiting tactics Henry took command after the final ditch and stayed on stoutly to record his first ever riding double. He was very quick to thank Daniel Williams for recommending him to the connections of both of his winners who he had not previously known and not ridden either of his mounts before. Tim Underwood was relieved to record his first winner of the season with a mare that he had bought out of Henry De Bromhead’s stable via the Thoroughbid Online auction site last year. Henry who is the nephew of trainer Heather Main has only had a handful of point-to-point rides to date but did ride for his boss Nicky Henderson in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival and is a name to remember for the future.
Skeeter Rock was a comfortable winner of the finale, the Maiden, for owner James Drummond and trainer Chris Barber. Adopting front running tactics Ed Doggrell was always in command and he had five lengths in hand over I’ve Got a Friend ridden by Sean O’Connor. Described by Chris as ‘ a big gawky baby’ he had shown promise in his two previous outings and looks progressive. Likely to step up to run under Rules next season Chris had bought him for James from Ireland after one placed outing and as one of his stalwart owners was delighted to have trained another winner for him.
Prior to the point to point races there was a Charity race raising funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. There was a familiar name in the winner’s enclosure with Rilly Goschen riding a substitute mount by the name of Bob for owner Belinda Payne. Rilly retired from race riding in 2020 but is still involved with producing young horses and helps out at Wincanton and still showed her desire to win.
