WE HAVE not had many runners in the last week on the track but we did have four runners at the local point to point at Chipley Park on Saturday, which yielded two winners for the team.

Fighter Allen won the Mixed Open and Sidi Ismael the novice riders race; both were ridden by our young amateur Rian Corcoran and this was his first ever double, so many congratulations to him.

It was a little strange as both races were called dead heats! It is quite rare to get a dead heat but to have two on the same day with same jockey and trainer involved is very unusual but both horses have ‘1sts ‘ besides their names so it doesn’t really matter!

Fighter Allen is now a step closer to Cheltenham and/or Aintree qualification and is for sale should anyone be interested in owning him!

Martin McIntyre rode our other two pointers, African Lady who made a promising debut in this sphere to be third in the maiden and looks a winner in waiting between the flags (also for sale!). Royal Defender built on the promise of his Wadebridge fourth to be second in the Restricted. He probably bumped into a useful rival and can be winning soon.

Unfortunately, Mia Holmes did not get very far on her first point-to-point ride, being unshipped on the bend early in the race. She is absolutely fine which is the main thing and is hoping to have another go very soon!

On Tuesday, we have just the one runner over jumps at Lingfield, Royal Mer. It was his best run of the season to date last time out Uttoxeter when he finished third. He will enjoy the testing conditions this time even more and hopefully he will not be too far away.

On Wednesday, Nini Star makes her hurdling debut at Hereford. She has some fair form on the flat in France and has schooled well at home. Lock Out hated the heavy ground at Exeter last time and can hopefully get back on track in less testing conditions while American Sniper heads back to Wetherby where he finished third on Boxing Day. Callum Pritchard rides him again claiming a valuable five pounds and he should not be too far away.

Later in the week, River Run Free is likely to head to Leicester on Thursday. He won nicely on handicap debut at Lingfield last time.

On Saturday, we have entries at three jumps meetings, Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton. Neon Moon and Jilaijone have entries at Ascot; they look competitive looking handicaps at entries stage as you would expect but keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest information on the stables runners.

Eden Du Houx is entered in the Veterans chase at Haydock while we’ve confirmed Gericault Roque for the Grand National trial handicap chase. Top weight, Royal Pagaille was also confirmed which means he will have to give more than a stone to all of his rivals if he runs and we are slightly out of the weights at present but so are several of the field.

On Sunday I shall be heading to Buckfastleigh where I shall probably be more nervous than on a normal day’s racing because my son Jack will be making his Pony Racing debut!