HORSE RACING: Sixteen-year-old jockey Felix de Giles is looking forward to a busy weekend at the Barbury Castle point-to-point this weekend.

The Stanton Fitzwarren-based youngster, who attends Farmors School, Fairford, is down to ride in nine races over the two days including three for his father Jonathan, who trains in the village at South Farm, and several for Highworth trainer John Manners.

The young jockey began riding in public soon after his 16th birthday last March and rode his first winner on the Manners-trained Hi Rudolph at Lockinge point-to-point last Easter.

During the rest of the season he was placed in 13 races, finished fourth in the Hunters Chase at Cheltenham and finished third in an Amateur Riders Hurdles race for top trainer Martin Pipe.

With plenty of horses around the place the youngster was in action in his early days show-jumping, hunting and pony racing winning the series before riding point-to-point.

A former pupil at Warneford School, Highworth, he moved to the sixth form at Farmors School, Fairford and rides out at every chance he gets for his father and the nearby Manners stable at Common Hill Farm.

"It is something I always wanted to do, but I'm not too sure whether I will make a career out of it," said the young rider. "I suppose it depends how successful I am."

At Barbury over the weekend he will be on board Raka King in the Intermediate, the first race on the card on Saturday, Bydemill Boy in the Maiden and Father Jim in the Novices, both on Sunday.

Asked if he could look forward to a rollicking from his father if he got it wrong the young rider replied: "You always want to do the best you can, if I do something stupid I would expect to be told off, but so far so good.

"I am really looking forward to the two-day meeting and hopefully I can stay in one piece."

Audrey Manners, who will be sending four or five to the meeting all due to be ridden by the young jockey, said: "He is a nice young man, he rode his first winner for us and rode in three races for us last weekend.

"He's a good rider, good over fences, copes well, works hard at it and does as he is told. He rides out for us at the yard and we will continue to give him what chances we can."

The course at Barbury is reported to be in perfect condition for the second-ever running of the two-day point-to-point meeting with the going described as good.

The first races on both days are scheduled for mid-day. Saturday's feature race, the Fawcetts Mixed Open Brace is due off at 12.35pm and day two's feature the Volkswagen Men's Open begins at 2.20pm.