Racing: Hunter Chase Pointers

The increasingly competitive point-to-point circuit is having a bigger impact on jump racing under rules than ever. This new weekly column aims to pinpoint future hunter chase winners and horses who, like Teeton Mill, the Gold Cup favourite, may go on to even better things.

LARKHILL (30 Jan)

Gildrom clocked an outstanding time for a five-year-old debutant when winning Division One of the 21/2-mile Open Maiden in the fastest time of the day. Making headway to lead at the third last fence, he went clear two out to beat Fair Wind by 21/2 lengths.

Fair Wind, always prominent, was far from disgraced in defeat, keeping on gamely and finishing 15 lengths clear of the third.

AMPTON (31 Jan)

Hatcham Boy won the Mens Open in the fastest time of the day. Always well there, he was ridden to lead two out and went away to score by four- lengths from Avostar.

Ian Davies