East Essex
Marks Tey
Saturday 16th February 2008
by "The Pub Team"
Courtesy of PointingEA

Advanced Going: Good

The amazingly fine weather continues with the forecast for the weekend getting warmer after a couple of cooler days. Good entries for this meeting so let’s hope for a repeat of last week when there was some great racing in East Anglia.

12 noon. Hunts Members - 5 entries
Rydal Park was a very easy winner of his Maiden at Higham and will probably go off favourite if going for this race. Stablemate Halcyon Times won at Maisemore last year (different yard) but was disappointing when pulling up at Detling. Royal Atalza has taken on fair company this season and this former French winner will appreciate this stiff track.

Selection: Royal Atalza (Rydal Park)

12.35 p.m. Open Maiden - 41 entries
Sounds Good looks to have the best pointing form here; he was well beaten when runner up at Barbury but the experience may be invaluable, it is worth pointing out that he has missed several engagements since. Delayed In Dublin is from a yard in scintillating form and he showed promise on his Barbury debut. Foulstons Ruler is out of a winning mare and is worth a look in the paddock. Jerry’n See More was well beaten at Horseheath but is lightly raced and may have needed the run (not usually the case for the Kemp runners). Lady Ann Lewis was placed in a dire contest last year but has time on her side. Captain Marshall showed a glimmer of ability in Irish bumpers when with Charlie Swann. Lord Of The Knar is fairly steady and his ability to complete the course should see him reach the frame here. Nomadic Blaze failed to build on his good run at Higham when never getting competitive at Cottenham last week. Onyx d’Ace has placed form in France but surpassed that when 3 rd in a Hurdle race at Worcester (before the rains came). The Right People has form under rules and will have benefited from his seasonal debut at Higham.

Selection: Onyx’d Ace (Lord Of The Knar)

1.10 p.m. Confined – 13 entries
Only thirteen entered here, a bit worrying as to how many runners there will be later in the season in East Anglia. Another Dude would seem to have a better chance in this race than in the Mens open. Cosi Celeste was placed four times in Novice Hurdles and won two poor races at Dingley last season, ran last week at Cottenham and fell at the eighth fence when well behind. Itsallupintheair is very error prone but did finish 3 rd in the Club Members Novice Riders race at the last Higham. Rathnally Park started as favourite last time out at Horseheath but was pulled up two out, did miss last season and only ran once the season previously when winning easily at High Easter. Rydal Park is an ex Novice Hurdler, easily won its Maiden at Higham two weeks ago. Thatmakestwoofus won his Maiden in 2005 and ran for the first time since at the recent Ampton meeting when finishing 2 nd in the Restricted. Thoutmosis has run twice this season, once finishing 4 th at Ampton but does not appear to stay the distance. Regrettably this appears a race of moderate quality horses but hopefully one will come out of the race on the upgrade.

Selection: Rathnally Park (Rydal Park)

1.45 p.m. Mens Open - 16 entries
Another Dude sprang a surprise when winning the Mens Open at High Easter last season at 20/1; he was 2 nd in the Mens open at Higham two weeks ago and previously was 4 th at the first Higham meeting, we wouldn’t think he would be good enough here. Bon Accord is a top class pointer and is probably being aimed at the Foxhunter at Cheltenham next month. Bon Accord beat Ballyluskyat Ampton on his first appearance of the season last month. Cantarinho has not fulfilled his early potential, did win the Club Members at Higham two weeks ago but this is different class and there are others who would appear to have a better chance. Honourable Spider ran at Folkestone on Tuesday where he finished 2 nd and it would be unlikely if he ran here. The course should suit My Best Buddy who has an impressive record but is not up to the standard of Bon Accord. Northall Lad is inconsistent but did win the Intermediate at Thorpe two weeks ago. Tallow Bridge, at the same meeting, won the Midlands area Club Members race, has shown consistency but whether up to this class yet remains to be seen.

Selection: Bon Accord (My Best Buddy)

2.20 p.m. Ladies Open – 21 entries
Find me Another was beaten when unseating last weekend, he could run into a place if turning out again. Either of the Hutchinson horses, Free and Limerick Leader, would have a chance and both have had the benefit of a run. Jilted Lover gave Alex Embiricos her first winner for a long time at Horseheath but has an easier opportunity in the Intermediate. Millenium Way beat Find me Another comfortably at Ampton but as beaten last weekend at Godstone. Va Vavoom was easily brushed aside at Higham but should be at peak fitness now and looks sure to go well.

Selection: Limerick Leader (VaVavoom)

2.55 p.m. Intermediate - 19 entries
Balableu won a Maiden at Detling in which 3 subsequent winners have already emerged; however, it would be a little surprising if he for goes his Restricted opportunity. Ifubelievedreams showed battling qualities to win twice last year but needs to improve. Jilted Lover sprouted wings to win at Horseheath and looks a major player here; having written that, he needs to find 20 plus lengths to reverse Ampton form with Shady Minx and Thatmakestwoofus, but he is definitely on the up grade. Shady Minx loves to bowl along and this lightly raced mare stays well. Thatmakestwoofus returned from an enormous absence at Ampton and is also entitled to progress . Supreme Sir has disappointed after his seasonal debut win at Higham. John The Mole ran on strongly when runner up at Ampton and this yard have been very successful with ex Turner horses in the past. Round The Isles and Supreme Sir were behind him that day. Balau ran at Leicester on Wednesday.

Selection: John The Mole (Shady Minx)

3.30 p.m. C A Members (Novice Riders) - 17 entries
The drying conditions this week may tempt Scare Lotte out again; she was a very easy winner at Cottenham last week. Dr Mann, Free, Dunmanus Bay and Nokimover were all behind her at Horseheath. Good Vintage was runner up in a faster run race at Horseheath but this former course winner is difficult to win with. Black Frost was below his best last year and can only be watched until signs of a revival. Galapiat Du Mesnil finished in front of Nokimover at Higham and this former Paul Nicholls chaser should go well here. Indoux is an out an out stayer and will probably find a few too quick today. Old Village Copper has always been better going clockwise (best form at Cottenham and Ampton). Tribal Run won a Towcester Hunter Chase last year but was well beaten when getting his debutant jockey round safely at Barbury.

Selection: Scare Lotte (Good Vintage)

Enjoy some great racing