| Ashorne | 4m S of Warwick between B4087 and B4100 (Exit 13 M40) | Map |
| Barbury Castle | 3m NW of Marlborough. (10m from Exits 15 and 16 M4) | Map |
| Brafield on the Green | 1m S of Brafield Village. 6m SE of Northampton | Map |
| Dunthrop | 2m NE Chipping Norton at junction of A3400 & A361 | Map |
| Guilsborough | 10m NW of Northampton (Exit 18 M1 or via A5199 from A14) | Map |
| Kimble | 5m South of Aylesbury on B4009. 6m from A41 | Map |
| Kingston Blount | 8m NW of High Wycombe off B4009 (Exit 5 or 6, M40) | Map | Lockinge | 2m SE of Wantage on B4494 (8M NW of Exit 13, M4) | Siddington | 2m S of Cirencester nr A419 (20m from Exit 13, M5 and Exit 15, M4) | Map | Tweseldown | 3m W of Aldershot, 6m from M3 (Exit 4 or 5) | Map |
Information and Pointers To South Midland Courses
ASHORNE
Meetings: Warwickshire.
Course : RH Track
Nice course with good Viewing especially near the winning post or in the middle of the course.
Generally suits front runners, and often very quick ground. Fences are good and often runners make mistakes as the pace increases down the back straight.
Not many horses get caught after the last fence even though a long uphill climb to the line.
The Hutsby's like to have winners at their home meeeting so their runners must be well respected.
A good selection of refreshments and stalls for a very pleaseant late afternoon Bank Holiday Monday fixture.
BARBURY CASTLE
Meetings: Point to Point Owners and Riders.
Course : LH Track
Fantastic Track set in a picturesque and natural amphitheatre.
Paddock and Number board is well positioned for the general public.
Generally attracts very decent horses and riders from all over the country.
I was very scepticable about a 2 day meeting but has proved a great success, due to the moving and repositioning of the fences for the second day.
Usually loads of runners and lots of races hence they can split the fixture into 2 days.
BRAFIELD ON THE GREEN
Meetings : Oakley
Course : RH Track
Course built on an old aerodrome. Entry and Exit from the course can be quite difficult as only 1 exit. Good Viewing from the bank area. A long run-in which invariably changes many results.
DUNTHROP
Meetings: Heythrop, Farmers Bloodhounds and Bicester with Whaddon Chase.
Course : RH Track
Very short run downhill to 1st Fence can catch out inexperienced horses.
Tight turn into the home straight always beneficial to get on the inside as some horses cannot stop and go very wide on the course.
Often suits front runners even though last fence and runin is all uphill.
Always attracts good size fields and plenty of races.
Good viewing from middle of course or infront of the bookmakers boards.
GUILSBOROUGH
Meetings : Grafton
Course : LH Track
Nice course which has two long straights which is almost flat all round.
Can be very difficult on entry and exit from the course when wet as long steep hill to car parking area.
Good paddock next to bookmakers boards and good position of number board at top of the hill.
Viewing has improved over the last couple of years due to the removal of many trees.
You must be close up at the last fence as very short runin and often judges decisions do not go as expected to the naked eye as the winning line is positioned on an angle.
Often has lots of good horses and usually numerous races and runners.
The best viewing position is opposite the 2nd last fence as you can view almost all of the course.
Stuart Morris is a jockey to follow at the course.
Some nice youngsters are usually introduced at this course, which can be followed closely for the rest of the season.
KIMBLE
Meeting : Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks.
Track : LH Track
A great course kept in superb condition.
Shame that only 1 meeting is staged at this venue throughout the season and that it should be on Easter Saturday. As so many other meetings are taking place.
Crowds are massive and can be very large queues approaching and entering the course. Usually small fields with average horses which does not do the place justice. Fences are well built and usually suits stayers as almost 3m 1f. Don't forget to bring your Barbeque and picnic hamper. A great day out for all the family.
KINGSTON BLOUNT
Meetings: Oxford University Hunt Club, Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks, Berks and Bucks Draghounds.
Course : LH Track
One of the best courses in the country kept in fantastic condition. Great to see they usually have 4 meetings a season. The watering facility is exceptional and makes an excellent venue for end of season pointing when many other courses are suffering from rough and hard ground. Very big climb up the Crowell knowl can catch horses out when coming down the other side. Can be especially tricky if the grass is damp or slippery as has a tight turn coming into the back straight. Alan Hill likes to have winners at his home track. James Tudor rides the course exceptionally well. Fantastic to have Mark Johnson as race commentator. Excellent venue for a great afternoon pointing.
LOCKINGE
Meetings: Old Berks
Course : LH Track
A good course which unfortunately, often suffers from firm or hard ground. Horses go extremely far away from the crowds along the far side and bottom of the course so Binoculars are recommended. Definitely a front runners course and not many horses get caught coming around the final turn as all downhill to the winning line. Massive crowds for Easter Monday fixture. Superbly organised with lots of entertainment, stalls and refreshments. They even have the best Picnic competition. Bookmakers plentiful and often good value prices can be had at this meeting. A great day out and not to be missed.
SIDDINGTON
Meetings: VWH
Course : LH Track
Almost flat all around,but horses often finish tired. Very large crowds with good viewing except for the finish which seems a long way away from the main crowd and hard to judge a close result. Fences seem tricky with numerous fallers over the past few years. Improved access on entry and exit from the course.
TWESELDOWN
Meetings: Tweseldown Racing Club and South Midlands Area Club
Course : RH Track
Much improved viewing over the last few years with the removal of many trees. Best viewing is from the hill in the middle of the course. Fences are good and the sandy ground usually means the ground is much better here than at many other courses, especially in the early months of the season. Course was saved from closure and has been revamped over the last couple of years with the repositioning of the paddock and the course as a whole has seen vast improvement. A great credit to all involved and hopefully will be kept in tip top condition for the future.
Overall in the South Midlands Area we are extremely lucky to have so many good point to point courses. This is purely down to the hard work,committment and great organisation of all the teams of people involved. This enables everyone to have a great safe day out and to join in and be part of the sport we enjoy. Thank you to all those people behind the scenes which never get a mention to make each and every event happen.
We appreciate all your hard work.