Isabel Tompsett's inside view - Yorkshire Area P2P Club, Sheriff Hutton

I must say it is so nice to hear the enthusiasm in Isabel's voice when we discuss Point-to-Point racing - it really puts a huge smile on my face and Isabel was in good spirits when we spoke on Friday afternoon. She has had a busy week at Oaksey House and was waiting for her mum to pick her up and take her home for the weekend. 

Issy took great delight in filling me in on what she has been up to during the last 5 days, this included two trips to Hungerford for a swim, and of course she had still found the time to preview the entries for the AGA Ladies Open race at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday. She was pleased that the Racing Post Weekender had been delivered to her on Thursday, and asked me to pass on her thanks to Fleur Cushman and the team at the RPW (I will most certainly do that).

Issy enjoying another romp aboard Annie

Before we got stuck into the card for Sunday's race (which includes several familiar names) we talked about last weekends AGA race at Wadebridge in Cornwall as Issy was quite taken with the winner - Monkerty Tunkerty, and I told Isabel that her race preview was the most read post on this blog on Saturday and Sunday! 

This weekend Isabel is really keen on the chances of the old boy Amicelli - 4th in the AGA final last season, and also Optimistic Harry - who won the AGA qualifier at Brocklesby Park in February, and she also gave a quick mention to Narciso. Having heard about Sea Scout's win at Alnwick earlier this season she asked me whether he liked to front run, and if he enjoyed being taken on for the lead, my answer was yes to both.

Isabel's verdict - it will be close between Optimistic Harry and Sea Scout, with Amicelli in close attendance, but Sam Drake's multiple winner gets the nod ... I'm with Isabel and will be having a cheeky little flutter on Harry!   

Isabel with 3 of the AGA Pointing team - Fitz, Mark & Chris,
after the Hunter Chase final at Cheltenham

The photograph was taken at Cheltenham in May after the AGA Hunter Chase final, where Issy met a lot of my colleagues, and every single one of them would be overjoyed if she could join us again for this seasons's final - her final words to me today were "enjoy your Point-to-Point", amazing lady!