A WINNING combination of trainer and jockey is looking forward to an exceptionally good point-to-point season this year.

Trainer Julie Houldey, whose Sandfield Farm yard is at North Nibley, near Wotton-under-Edge, had 33 winning horses last year, 32 of which were ridden by stable jockey David Mansell.

David rode a total of 42 winners last season, finishing second in the National Point-to-Point Championships.

Julie, 33, is in her third season as a trainer, having learned, she told the Gazette, everything she knows from veteran trainer Dick Baimbridge at Berkeley.

She started riding out for Dick straight while she was still at school at the age of 13 and stayed with him until leaving to branch out on her own just over two years ago.

Julie’s yard, which she rents from Julie and Gary Salter, is now at capacity, with 24 horses under her tutelage.

Despite her success, however, she is reluctant to name any in particular of her promising young horses, preferring instead to recommend that anyone willing to risk a pound each way should back any of Sandfield Farm’s maidens that have not raced so far this season.