Oakley Hunt geared up for point-to-point at Brafield-on-the-Green in Northamptonshire

THE Oakley Hunt have revamped their race programme as they look forward to hosting a competitive meeting at Brafield-on-the-Green, near Northampton, on Sunday (1pm).

This year the six races are headlined by a mixed open - replacing the mens and ladies opens - and for the first time there will be a point-to-point flat race over two miles.

With the going described as Good to Soft, the meeting has attracted 65 entries, including 10 in the Brian Currie MK LTD Mixed Open.

These feature Previous Bounty and Dundrum Wood, who both chalked up wins here for Tom Ellis's Marton yard, near Rugby, 12 months ago.

Precious Bounty took the novice riders' race under Ellie Callwood last year and has won at Ampton and Garthorpe this term, before finishing second to the smart Law Of Gold back at the Leicestershire track.

Notre Pari, who was fourth on the latter occasion, could represent Luke Harvey after his busy week working for ITV Racing at Cheltenham.

Dundrum Wood, meanwhile, added to his tally this season when providing Martha Reeve with her first winner at Alnwick.

Ellis's wife, Gina Andrews, said: "We are undecided which will run. They are both in at High Easter (on Saturday). They have been in good form."

With Back Bar bound for High Easter, Alan Hill is set to run Reikers Island under owner-rider Dan Cherriman as they continue their preparation for a crack at the Randox Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree.

The Aston Rowant trainer said: "He has come out of his Kingston Blount win very well. It is four weeks until Aintree which is his big aim for the season and Dan is desperate to ride there."

Former classy chaser Janika could line up in the Landscope Conditions Race (Level 3) for Eight-Year-Olds and Over.

The 10-year-old, winner of the 2019 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter when trained by Nicky Henderson, finished fourth to Mr Snuffles at Brocklesby Park on his pointing debut for Ed Turner.

Oldgrangewood also starred under rules, but Alan Hill reported that the 12-year-old is more likely to run at High Easter on Saturday as owner Guy Myddelton has a runner at Carlisle on Sunday.

Charlie Poste has high hopes of a bold show from Hung Jury, trained by his wife, Francesca.

"He won a restricted well at Horseheath earlier on this season and finished second behind a good horse in Lift Me Up when the ground was quick enough," he said. "I am looking forward to seeing him with a bit of cut in the ground. He should be competitive."

Pass The Glass, who reeled off a four-timer in 2019 for Tom Ellis, is set to return to the track after a three-year lay-off.

Gina Andrews said: "He has been plagued with injuries. He got a leg at Ampton the last time he ran and then he broke a pelvis in training. Whether he retains his ability after such a long lay-off, and with being older, I wouldn't be confident."

Captain Biggles could fly high again for Ellis and Andrews in the Bells Motor Group Restricted.

The nine-time ladies champion said: "His form has worked out really well. Tara Storm, who beat him on his first run, has won twice since. Then he won very nicely at Garthorpe."

The Postes have entered Pocatello with Charlie commenting: "He did very well to win at Charlton Horethorne. The ground was too quick for him, and the race half got away from him and Alice (Stevens). They did well to pull it out of the fire. Captain Biggles could be a tough nut to crack."

The Postes are expecting In Our Dreams to feature prominently in the Phipps Henson McAllister Maiden, which has attracted the biggest entry of 14.

Charlie said: "He finished fourth on quick ground at Cocklebarrow that didn't really suit him. I think he has improved a good bit for the run, and I would be very hopeful he would go well."

Gina Andrews is optimistic the Ellis-trained Nene River and her brother, Jack Andrews, can bounce back from their fall at Garthorpe.

She said: "He jumped the fence fine and seemed to trip. Jack was happy with the way he was going at the time."

Six entries have been received for the Toby Hunt Conditions Race (Level 3) for Novice Riders, including the Joan Johnston-trained veteran Storm Lantern.

Now 14, the gelding has twice made the frame in ladies' opens at this venue under owner Jennifer Harbison and should be all the better for a pipe-opener at Garthorpe.

Kim Sly's Bentons Lad was a respectable fifth to Reikers Island at Kingston Blount on his seasonal debut, while Terrierman, trained by Rebecca Ffooks, finished a place ahead of Nick Pearce's Firak when they were down the field at Chaddesley Corbett.

The Dawn Man, from Callum Bickers-Price's yard, and Stephen Allen's Frankie Rapper complete the line-up.

The card is rounded off with the first running of the Gun Cupboard Country Store Flat Race for Four and Five-Year-Olds.

Of the 12 entries, Max Comley's Roseburg and Georgie Nicholls's King's Consort are the only two to have run before after making the frame on their debuts.

Phil Rowley has enjoyed success in bumpers in the past, making Mahland of interest, while Bradley Gibbs's pair Saunton Surf and Purrzealot also catch the eye.

The Postes are set to run Global Survivor. Charlie said: "She is very diminutive in stature, but very tough. I think she will acquit herself well, but it is a very much a fact-finding mission."

There will also be two pony races, starting at 11.30, sponsored by One Fat Hen and Steady Neddy, together with a parade of hounds between races three and four.

The action can be followed on a big screen, while the trade stand village provides plenty of shopping and there are lots of children's activities in the family fun area.

Entrance is £15 – to include a runners' sheet – and under 16s go free. Racegoers have the option of the Forward Pass, which admits a full car for £55 with a parking space for great viewing. These must be purchased in advance. Contact Angela Turner, [email protected]

The course is located one mile south of Brafield-on-the-Green, adjacent to Horton Road on the A428, 6m SE of Northampton. NN7 2BA.