Fresh from cheering on the runners in the National last weekend, enjoy a local version with point-to-point racing.

Pack up your picnic, wellies and head to the track at the foot of Charing Hill for the Ashford Valley Tickham race on Saturday, April 15, starting at 2pm.

East Kent with West Street will race at Church Lane, Aldington on Easter Monday at 2pm.
You will need cash to cover entry fees and a racecard, although splashing out at the bookies is optional. Dogs on leads are welcome.

For more details visit pointtopoint.co.uk

TIPS FOR POINT-TO-POINT FIRST TIMERS

by Nicola Dean, south east area public relations officer

“Point-to-point is a great day out for all the family where you can get closer to the action than you may do at a racecourse. A lot can happen in a point-to-point race, so the favourite may not always win the race!”

PLACE YOUR BETS

The bookmakers are usually near the paddock where the horses parade before their race, so you can check out the runners before deciding on your bet.

Bets can be placed on a horse to win or each-way (which means the horse will need to finish in the any of the positions being paid out on which can vary from top two to top four places.)

There may also be a bookmaker who will take bets on the runners without including the favourite and in this case you will be paid out if your horse wins or finishes second to the favourite. You’ll need to bring cash as there are unlikely to be facilities for card payments.

TYPES OF RACES

Some point-to-point meetings include pony racing where children aged between nine and 15 can experience race riding on the flat. These usually happen before the main racing.
A hunt members’ race is for horses qualified with the hunt or hunts promoting the meeting.

A maiden race is open to any horse which has never won a race at a point-to-point meeting or any race under the rules of the Jockey Club.

A restricted race is open to any horse, which at starting, has not won any race under the rules of any recognised racing authority other than a National Hunt Flat Race or flat races, or any point-to-point steeple chase other than maiden races or hunt members’ races.
An intermediate race is open to any horse which has not won a flat race under Jockey Club rules or other racing authority.

A confined race is for horses qualified with the hunt or hunts promoting the meeting.
An open race is open to any horse and is either a men’s (ridden by gentlemen), ladies’ (ridden by ladies) or mixed (ridden by either).

HORSES

Occasionally horses who have lost their rider during a race may try to get back to their horsebox – so beware. Listen to announcements made or the fence stewards who will be aware of any loose horses. Don’t try to stop a horse, just move out of the way and let the mounted hunt staff do their job.

Also, screens around a fallen horse or jockey do not necessarily mean the worst, but give paramedics, vets and jockeys privacy.