Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace
Horseheath
Saturday 2nd February 2008
by "The Pub Team"
Courtesy of PointingEA

Advanced Going: Good

145 horses have been entered for this meeting in the seven races. In the days of The Sporting Life, who previewed the season, this was described as East Anglia’s premier meeting of the season. There are always good entries, good racing and it’s normally very cold. History appears to be repeating itself as the forecast for the weekend is for very wintry weather. One piece of advice we can give is to wrap up warm, Horseheath can be bitterly cold.

12 noon. Horseheath Hunt Club Members - 13 entries
Bob Ar Aghaidh was a little disappointing when 3 rd at Ampton and he will have to shoulder a penalty for his win in an Open last year. Briar’s Mist won this race last year beating stablemate Good Vintage into 2 nd and Parsonhumfrywebber well beaten in 5 th. Briar’s Mist failed to score again but ran some good races including when conceding plenty of weight to Scare Lotte ( Good Vintage well behind this time). Good Vintage is a perennial in these events and is perfectly capable if in the mood, he and Parsonhumfrywebber have locked horns quite a few times. Parsonhumfrywebber outstayed Good Vintage to win the Dingley 4 miler and comes here on the back of a good 3 rd in a Ladies at Ampton. Hawaiian Son was well beaten when runner up at Detling last season but the pick of his Irish N/H form would make him dangerous. Portavo won a fair Restricted at Parham last year (Peppershot 3 rd) and the yard had a double last Sunday. Rathnally Park has managed just one outing in the last 2 seasons but it resulted in a very easy win in a Club Members race at High Easter and this yard were also in winning form last weekend.

Selection: Bob Ar Aghaidh (Parsonhumfrywebber)

12.30 p.m. Open Maiden 5, 6 & 7yo - 30 entries
Iphar and Pingaro De La Vire are in the same ownership, so unlikely both will run unless the race divides, both failed to complete at Barbury but showed promise before departing; the pair also boast placed form in France. The Crow yard have Gunner Be Quick, Lilly De Rome and Talking Bishop entered; the first and third mentioned have shown little in the limited opportunities they have had and the other is unraced. Loose Morals has missed a few engagements since being brought down at Cottenham (had every chance 4 out). Lord Of The Knar ran a fair debut last season on soft ground but ran poorly on firm next time and is now in a different yard. Minehill Lad ran well before falling 3 out at Ampton (would have been 3 rd or 4 th) in a fair looking contest. Silk Shield was runner up at Marks Tey last Easter but the form has not been franked since. The Pipers Son showed ability on his first run last year and should progress and find a race if maybe not today. Where’s My Baby maintained a fast gallop before finishing 2 nd at Higham and the yard hit form last weekend. Delayed In Dublin made a perfectly respectable debut before pulling up at Barbury.

Selection: Where’s My Baby (Pingaro De La Vire)

1.05 p.m. PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) - 21 entries
A few of these have the option of going in the Members. Bob Ar Aghaidh and Parsonhumfrywebber will be well fancied which ever option they take. Baron Bernard won this race last year at a big price and he is well capable of doing so again if in the mood. Free has a touch of class about but is becoming hard to win with now (a comment that applies to many of these); this drop in grade should help his cause. Nokimover has been a beaten favourite on both starts this season and it could be that anno domini has caught up with him. Rainbow Tree was a good 3 rd in a Ladies at Thorpe last week and a reproduction of that would make him the one to beat but he is not the most willing of individuals. Scare Lotte has a big local following and this course winner has every chance of a victory on her return after an injury curtailed 2007. Teeton Priceless is very consistent but lacks a turn of foot. The very lightly raced Tribal Run (Hunter Chase winner 2007) got his debutant rider round at Barbury and is yet another more than capable of getting involved in a wide open looking contest.

Selection; Free (Rainbow Tree)

1.40 p.m. Mens Open - 17 entries
Ballylusky has had two outings this season winning at Cottenham at the second meeting and following that finishing 2 nd to Bon Accord at Ampton, will surely have benefited from these two runs. Denvale had form under rules last year winning a Handicap Chase at Towcester and being placed at Huntingdon, previously was a top class Pointer/ Hunter Chaser and now returning to racing between the flags, is probably being aimed at the top of Hunter Chasing starting here. Richard Hunniset, Denvales owner, has had considerable success at this course with other horses. Exceptionnel is moving up in class here, is from a good yard and won a Restricted at Larkhill in early January. Fane Counsel scored a double here in 2004 but probably has never quite reached the goals that were expected from him and can be a difficult character; he is from the Crow yard, missed last season but will appreciate this galloping track. This course will also be appreciated by Paddy for Paddy who was 2 nd in a Volkswagen Tourag Open at Barbury in January. SuddenArrivalhas had two outings this season winning an Intermediate at Dunthrop in December and subsequently finishing 4 th in a Mens open at Larkhill; course and conditions should suit and is on the upgrade. The Hookie Bookie gave one of pointings greatest stalwarts, Jimmy Tarry his 200 th winner and final ride, a difficult one to handle but has potential, winning a Confined at Dunthrop two weeks ago.

Selection: Denvale (Ballylusky)

2.15 p.m. Ladies Open – 20 entries
A decent entry for this race and the favourite is likely to be which ever comes from the Williams yard. Madge Carroll won this race last year from his only run and if recovered should go close, going and conditions should suit. Step and Run has been consistent winning his three appearances last season, conditions may not quite be to his liking. Scare Lotte had a tremendous season improving with each run but ended the season with a pelvic injury, if recovered would have a chance but looks to have an easier option in the Novice Riders race. Find me Another ran a decent seasonal debut on unsuitable ground at Ampton and if coming on for that run is another with a chance. Lady Baronette was only beaten 1 ½ lengths by BlueBusiness at the Heythrop, that was over 3 mile 5 furlongs and even this stiff course may not be enough of a stamina test. Unmistakably has ability and has been novice ridden; to quote the Mackenzie and Harris’s bible of pointing “a league above most pointers and can hopefully return to form under a rider who equals his own” - will need to see who is riding on this occasion. Leatherback could run well but will need the favourites to be absent.

Selection: Madge Carroll (Leatherback)

2.50 p.m. Restricted - 22 entries
Celestial Dragon made the perfect start to his pointing career with a win at Tweseldown and looks well capable of upgrading. Marble Leader won at Dunthrop and likewise should progress. Alliance Main won a modest Kimble Maiden but that form looks a little below the previously mentioned pair. Corey Cracker brushed aside his previous string of pulled ups to score at Mollington but once again the form looks fairly modest. Harry Oscar is very lightly raced but was a wide margin winner on his only run last year at Eyton but showed nothing when pulling up on his seasonal debut at Barbury. The Box Player is an Irish Maiden winner who will have the benefit of a good rider. Stablemate The Common Thread is another Irish Maiden winner but disappointed in 2 runs here last season, it may be worth giving him another chance. James Pine has managed placings in both starts this season and is improving steadily but still looks short of the required standard. Spanish Point is entitled to come on for his run at Detling last week. Jilted Lover looks the pick of the locals after his Ampton 3 rd but this prize looks at the mercy of the invaders.

Selection: Celestial Dragon (The Common Thread)

3.25 p.m. Open Maiden 8yr+ - 22 entries
Alpha Image ran a stormer when 3 rd at Ampton in what looked a fair contest (winner gone in again since). Alpine Star has not raced for 3 years but showed a good level of form when placed in a Cheltenham Hurdle. Edgar Wilde also was placed over Hurdles (2 nd at Plumpton best effort) but he jumped appallingly on his only Chasing start. Farmer Tom was well beaten in his Hurdle races but is in a good yard and should have no problem getting the trip. Draconian is woefully slow and is still looking for that elusive win after 15 starts in Points. Jerry ‘N See More ran a perfectly good 3 rd over this course last season but failed to appear again, he will be a leading contender if primed for this. Mountain Trooper is steady but will likely find one or two too good here. Souk Al Jabba was a close 2 nd in an Irish Bumper in 2006 and although he failed to show much in his Hurdle runs over here, he is in a good yard and is worth consideration. Sounds Good was well beaten when runner up at Barbury but is another to have a squeak.

Selection: Alpha Image (Jerry ‘N See More)

Enjoy some great racing