HORSE racing grabbed the attention of the nation with the Grand National at Aintree last Saturday — but the gaze of local racing enthusiasts turned to the Cherrybrook point-to-point races organised by Spooners and West Dartmoor Foxhounds on Sunday, April 9.

The six races kicked off with the Condy Mathias Hunt Race, which was won by Dicky Bob. Trained by Walkhampton’s Verity Nicholls, Dicky Bob won this race in 2016 and followed that up with a hunter chase win at Exeter.

The Subaru Restricted Race, which acts as a qualifier for the Restricted Point to Point Series Final in Stratford on Avon in June, was won by Little Billy Boy, ridden by Matt Hampton.

The day’s third race, the Langdon Transport Mixed Open, was won by the heavily fancied Jepeck from the Kayley Woollacott team. Under jockey Jamie Thomas, Jepeck won the winners only mixed open race in Buckfastleigh in February.

The confined hunts race, sponsored by The Rock Inn, was won by It’s All or Nothing, ridden by Jo Buck.

The fifth race, the Exeter Racecourse Intermediate Race, saw Essex-based entry Excitable Island power home for victory, while in the day’s last race, the Tyre Marks Open Maiden Race, the horse Mr Washington took victory in his first ever race.

Heather Parr, secretary of the Cherrybrook Point to Point event, said: ‘We had a tremendous turnout, helped by the fantastic weather on the day. We had good racing all day, and good to see a local horse win in the first race.

‘There were no injuries or anything like that — it really was a great day for racing.’

Photos by Richard Gee. See pages 12 and 57 in this week’s Times for more pictures.