A TOTAL of 60 entries have been received for the traditional Taunton Vale Point to Point to be held on Easter Monday at Cothelstone.

It is a short distance from Bishops Lydeard. Early-bird tickets can be purchased via www.pointingwessex.co.uk for £12.50 until Sunday 20th or at the course with cash or card options on the day and entry is £15 per person.

All children under 16 are admitted free. The first race is at 1.30pm while a dog show is scheduled for 11am plus terrier racing and trade stands.

The first race is the Greenslade Taylor Hunt Members race and 5 entries have been received. David Pipe is a well-known local National Hunt trainer who supports the pointing scene and has the likely favourite in First Lord de Cuet. He hadn’t sparkled under Rules this season but a drop into this company last time at Buckfastleigh resulted in an easy win and he is the selection.

Another local, Teresa Clark always enjoys bringing her horses here and has Ask Lileen who has just had the one run for the yard here in a Restricted race in March. Previously trained by Teresa’s brother, Anthony Honeyball, she had taken a fair scalp in Apple Away when winning an Irish point three years ago and anything like that form would make her of interest.

The Carter Jonas Maiden Conditions Race has attracted 6 entries. Likely favourite Gig in the Park ran well to finish second at Chilfrome to Scoro while Gallant Geronimo has some placed form last year and Lucy Mager has the German-bred Sternpate and is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure here.

The Sleeps12.com Conditions race has 12 entries including the remarkable Southfield Theatre, winner of 19 points and a hunter chase for connections. He won this race two years ago but he may opt to run elsewhere. Josh Newman has two entered, Honestlyntrufully who won last time at Cherrybrook and Important Notice who looked useful in his first two starts when winning at Chaddesley Corbett and Chipley but then ran into the top class, Macklin at Buckfastleigh last time.

The Mixed Open sponsored by S Morris has attracted 12 entries and include former Aintree Foxhunter winner Famous Clermont who also won here at the last meeting before a slightly lacklustre display back at Liverpool. If he is none the worse, he would be hard to beat judged on his facile victory here in March. Another who put in a rare off-day last time was the usually ultra-consistent Dr Rhythm who has two course wins to his name.

The 14 entries in the Mitchell’s Accountants Restricted include Will Biddick’s Southfield Scope who won very impressively at Larkhill in December from subsequent dual winner Up Killoughey. He then disappointed when favourite next time at Milborne but could well bounce back here. Will also has the mare, Far Out West who was second here before winning a maiden at Ston Easton.

The finale is an all aged Maiden sponsored by Monument Fuels and there are 12 entries including Chris Barber’s four year old, Top of Off who should come on for his two runs this season. Chris also has Chief O’Hara who didn’t show much in Ireland but an improvement for this yard would not be a surprise.