PPORA Novice Rider final: Edgcote

Ragnar Lodbrok in winning action (Graham Bishop)

The PPORA Novice Riders Championship Final (a Level 2 Conditions Race), at Edgcote on Sunday 18th May, is the showcase event of the races supported by the PPORA across the course of the 2024-2025 point-to-point season. It is open to any horse qualified to run in point-to-points who is owned by a member of the PPORA, and to any novice (five wins or fewer at the start of the season) jockey who has finished in the first four in any PPORA-supported race this season. It carries a total of £1,000 in prize money, with £700 to the winner, for the jockey; Charles Owen Helmet Voucher, a pair of Tuffa Boots and a Spillers sponsored rug for the Owner. The racecard, with commentary on each of the nine horses entered and a summary, is below. 

By Jake Exelby

Summary

Three stand out against the field, although all carry at least a 5lb penalty. Kilfilum Woods was a Maiden at the start of the season but has progressed to Open company and is in great form but may go to a Hunter Chase in Huntingdon instead. Coeur Serein is also in form, ignoring a first fence unseat last time, and has run well here before. But RAGNAR LODBROK showed signs of his old ability last time under his promising rider and is well clear of the rest of the field on last season's form. Assuming his win last time wasn't a one-off, he looks the pick despite his welter burden.