Ben Roe

DESPITE two abandonments it was still a busy weekend of point-to-point and hunter chase action in Britain with two leading Cheltenham Foxhunter hopes outlining their credentials for the big race.

Rose Loxton’s prolific pointer Current Event put his name firmly in the reckoning for the March showpiece with a visually impressive success in the Scottish Champion Hunters’ Chase at Musselburgh. The former Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, who himself remains as one of the joint owners, was given a perfect hold-up ride by Bryony Frost. The eight-year-old travelled and jumped supremely and is now a general 10/1 chance for Cheltenham glory. Alan Hill’s Harbour Court was fifth in the race last year, despite a far from ideal preparation, and he finished his groundwork for the Festival with a gutsy win at Milborne St Andrew last Sunday. Hill believes the horse requires a five to six week gap between races and he will now head straight to Prestbury Park.

Elsewhere, Victor Thompson stole the show at his local course, Alnwick, with a fantastic four-timer at the rearranged West Percy meeting. Jockey Catherine Walton shared the headlines by riding three of the winners, including Sharivarry in the ladies’ open.

Meanwhile, Palypso De Creek won the hunter chase at Wetherby for third consecutive year, giving weight and a beating to the higher-rated pair of Junior and Twirling Magnet.