Point-to-point horse racing heads back to Bishops Court, Ottery St Mary this coming Saturday (April 14), writes Donna Harris.

It promises to be a fabulous family day out at this beautiful parkland setting. Not only will there be six races on offer, but the organisers have hired a large TV screen which will be set up in the Bishops Court Cafe on site for racegoers to watch live coverage of the Aintree Grand National meeting.

Over 70 entries have been received for the six races on track, which start with a competitive members race to kick off the action at 1pm.

Of the 12 entered, The Dapper Fox ran a blinder at Milborne St Andrew when taking the novice riders race for owner/trainer/jockey Jack Veysey when winning by 15 lengths, and would look to be the likely favourite.

In the open maiden race, both Moonaro and Ann Maries Reject have gone close when runners-up at Kilworthy and Ston Easton and look sure to progress from maiden company soon.

Local trainer Ed Walker’s horses are in good form and his entry Danseur du Large could add another win for the team if taking the Strutt & Parker-sponsored restricted race.

Harris Timber & Cotton Horse Shoes-sponsor the ladies’ race in which Foxcub, for the Racing Rabble Partnership, looks interesting having won a Hunter Chase at Fakenham on soft going in February, and previous seconds at Ampton & Cottenham.

On that form he should be well respected if making the trip down to the area. Dicky Bob is entered in both the ladies and men’s open races and is in good form having taken the mixed open race last weekend at Cherrybrook under jockey Rex Dingle. [STEVE - next sentence doesn’t make sense to me. ] If staying fresh from that run could well turn up here where he has won on two previous occasions for owner/trainer Verity Nicholls.

If Dicky Bob runs in the men’s open he could have a new challenger to fend off in Different Gravey, another of the Ed Walker recruits.

Different Gravey is on a score of two out of two in point-to-points under jockey Will Biddick.

He showed some good form when running under rules for Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson with wins at Ascot. Finally up is the Exeter Racecourse-sponsored intermediate race in which entries Emperor Renard and Wind Tor both won last weekend. Micky Stark had stayed on well when winning at Buckfastleigh in testing ground, and Eastern Calm also deserves a mention after winning her restricted race at Kilworthy on soft going and won her maiden race at this track last season.

Entrance to the course is £10 per person to a maximum of £30 per car. Pedestrians £10 and children under 16 free. Dogs on leads welcome. On course facilities include bar, hot and cold refreshments, bookies and a host of trade stands. The course is located at Bishops Court, Ottery St Mary. Postcode EX11 1RJ

Check out the pointingdc.com website and FB page for up-to-date information on full preview and runners, along with the going.