POINT-TO-POINT racing takes place at Ideford Arch on Bank Holiday Monday December 28.

SOUTH DEVON HUNTS CLUB RACES AT IDEFORD ARCH, BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY DECEMBER 28TH : PREVIEW ON BEHALF OF THE DEVON & CORNWALL POINT-TO-POINT AREA ASSOCIATION by Granville Taylor

POINT-TO-POINT racing takes place at Ideford Arch on Bank Holiday Monday December 28th, where the South Devon Hunts Club hold their meeting. Competitive racing looks assured with 92 entries and an early start at 11 o'clock.

Fully Loaded has been in great form and bids to win for the third time this season in the Novice Riders' event. The gelding has given sisters Emma and Lucy Pugsley their first winners on their first rides in the last month, and it will be Emma's turn to preserve their 100% record this time.

Learning the Blues scored twice under rules for David Pipe and has joined Ashley Farrant's Bampton yard for his pointing debut. He will be hard to beat in the Club Members' race where Lisheen Storm, The Venetian and King Georges could be the main dangers.

The Mixed Open also includes some useful NH performers. Minella Tipperary and Polinamix have each scored over fences and look useful recruits to the pointing field.

Glacial Call won easily at Wadebridge and seeks to follow up in the Intermediate where Greenhill Bramble, Matako and Walter de Wodeland head the opposition.

The two Maiden races present quite a puzzle. The 26 entries for the young horses two and a half miles Maiden should reveal plenty of future winners. Orvita finished best of all when a well backed runner-up at Black Forest, and Henri Prends Garde, Imperial Falcon and Shoot for Home have all run creditably in early points. Diego Velasquez has been placed in a 'chase, whereas the Hobbs representative Lord Lescribaa will be bidding to improve on his six unplaced efforts under rules.

The three miles Maiden has 20 nominations. The Polly Gundry trained pair Blejan Eyhre and Lord Raspberry will have to step up on their previous efforts this season to take a hand. The same remark applies to Terminalexcitment, but her stable supplied two winners at Black Forest and she looks capable of improvement. Safe Catch was still in touch when unseating at Wadebridge, but had jumped well and hinted at ability until then. Chateau Queiras was placed in one of his three Irish points in 2008 before changing hands for �8,000 at Doncaster shortly afterwards.

Ideford Arch could be the ideal occasion for the family to blow away the Christmas cobwebs, but for anybody still hungry and thirsty, food and drink will be in plentiful supply. Admission costs �20 per car with �10 for a single occupant. The course is located just off the A380 between Exeter and Newton Abbot, signposted from the main road with easy access. TQ13 0AB. Remember first race time is 11 o'clock.