Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace
Northaw
Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2008
by "The Pub Team"
Courtesy of PointingEA

Advanced Going: - Good –Soft

With so much rain now falling and the forecast looking pretty unsettled it’s difficult to give any advanced going, hopefully someone will keep us informed on the message board. 110 entries for this six race card at Northaw, an amazing course being so close to the capital. It is a pity to start the card with such a poor entry for the Hunt race, in previous years there have been 5 runners. It has been very difficult to preview the races this week as many horses are entered at different meetings and on this card in many races, but we will try to give a few suggestions.

2.00 p.m. Hunt Members – 4 entries
Little point in a preview, two from the Andrews yard and two from the Burmans.

2.35 p.m. Confined - 23 entries
Bunratty’s Sole gave Nibby Bloom his final ride at Fakenham last Sunday and finished a very creditable 2nd to Took my Eye. Good Vintage finished 4th in that same race, these two have had many races together this year each getting the better of each other. Lightningconductor is entered elsewhere but did surprise a few at High Easter when winning the Club Members race, not to be written off here as it could well be a stayer that collects the spoils. Mid Div and Creep has been showing consistency, following a 2nd in a Restricted at High Easter went on to win the corresponding race at Fakenham last Sunday. Montys Tag may well appear again following a 4th last week, ran on at the end where Quid pro Quo finished behind in 5th. Thatmakestwoofus won a Restricted at High Easter two weeks ago, stable hitting some form after a disappointing period, and is entered to run in the Hunter Chase at Huntingdon on Thursday evening. Thoutmosis pulled up last week in a Mens open at Penshurst in the heavy but before that won an Open in good to soft ground at Parham; over the years the Turners have had much success at this meeting. They also have Winapenny entered who pulled up last time out at High Easter but previously had been placed on three occasions this season.
Selection: Thoutmosis (Lightningconductor)

3.10 p.m. Mens Open – 21 entries
Alittlemorereaction won the Higham Hunt Club race last time out and this is a higher standard than that but depending on what opposition turns up would not be without a chance here, Rupert Stearn will certainly be giving it his all. Rupert will also have the alternative of Cosmic Sky who has been placed this year, last won in January 2007. Celestial Heights is still quite highly rated but the best has managed to achieve is 4th this year, does stay. Dead Mans Dante should like the ground here, finished 3rd to Star Double at Fakenham last week. Hatsnall last ran at High Easter in March when finishing 2nd to Caveman in the Mens Open. Mid Div and Creep (already previewed in the Confined). My Best Buddy is entered elsewhere over the weekend but would stand a good chance here, has been 2nd on three of last four outings 3rd in the other, did win an Open at Marks Tey in February. Persian Hero is also entered elsewhere and has been a top class pointer, maybe not showing his best form now, last won a Hunt race at the Pytchley meeting. Valence has only had one run this season and that was at the Vale of Aylesbury meeting at Kingston Blount two weeks ago where he finished 2nd to To The Top in a Confined
Selection: Persian Hero (My Best Buddy)

3.45 p.m. Ladies Open - 19 entries
Alittlemorereaction, Celestial Heights and Mid Div and Creep entered here also see Mens Open reference. Free has won two Ladies Opens this year at the Oakley meeting and at Horseheath, was 3rd at Guilsborough last weekend, has been a highly rated pointer. Frosty Run has had two runs since winning the Ladies Open at Horseheath; last time out was 3rd to Parsonhumfrywebber at High Easter. Leatherback has been consistent, last two runs has finished 2nd, the most recent was last weekend at Fakenham when beaten a long way by Beet De Bob. Madge Carroll was beaten by Frosty Run at Horseheath but has finished 2nd on three runs this year, other run was 3rd; you would expect the result to be different if they met again. Limerick Leader is from the same yard as Free, has won twice this year beaten at Marks Tey by Fauntleroy into 2nd. Millenium Way has been incredibly successful in current ownership and did win an Open at Ampton early in the season, has not won since but has been placed 2nd on four runs; last run was surprisingly beaten into 4th at Parham two weeks ago. Scare Lotte has had a fantastic season, won three races and was 2nd in an Open at Godstone, going may not be just suitable on this occasion.
Selection: Limerick Leader (Madge Carroll)

4.20 p.m Restricted – 19 entries
Comeonourfella and Esplendidos did not have much luck last week at Fakenham. The first mentioned the saddle slipped and the second fell at the second fence. Lady Ann Lewis won a Hunt Race at Marks Tey and has been placed in a couple of Maidens, would not be expected to win here. Little Mickey is from a good yard and was going well when falling at the twelfth at Catsfield three weeks ago. Lord Phillip was 5th in a Restricted at Hackwood Park last time and did win his hunt race at Charing in April. Lunch Was My Idea won a very moderate Maiden at Marks Tey in February and has not run since. Nomadic Blaze was in the race that Mid Div and Creep won last week at Fakenham, finished 6th; has finished 2nd twice this year, best run was to finish 2nd to The Pipers Son in March. In that race also finishing 2nd was The Right People from the Turner yard, has shown some improving form. Prey Bird won its Maiden at Cottenham in January and then went on to finish 2nd in a Restricted at Charing; since then has unseated rider on last two runs. Reymysterio has had similar form, won a Maiden at Godstone but pulled up twice since and unseated rider last time. Sideline Critic is from the Gerald Bailey yard and was 2nd last time out, been 2nd twice in Restricteds this season, most recently last week at Guilsborough to a 33/1 outsider. Tates Avenue has only run once this season when falling in a Hunt race at Catsfield, started as favourite.
Selection: Sideline Critic (Prey Bird)

4.55 p.m. Open Maiden 5yo+ - 24 entries
So to the final race of the season in the East Anglian area; some horses with a modicum of form but quite possibly an outsider could take this. Bridgham is quite highly thought of and would give Paul Rackham some recompense for his sponsorship of the Hunter Chase at Huntingdon on Thursday. Last time out was 3rd to Camisky at Higham, looks sure to be on the upgrade. Foulstons Ruler was 3rd to Sironi at High Easter. Inchadoney Boy was 5th last week at Guilsborough but previous to that was 2nd twice, once when joint favourite along with race winner Jubilee George at Brafield on the Green and 2nd also to Jerry N’ See More. Mirage Prince has also been 2nd on two recent runs but was pulled up two out at Fakenham. Mountain Emperor was driven out a very tired 2nd behind Clash last week, it would appear that he struggles to get the trip and this will take some getting. Sodanty was in that same race, jumped poorly but did manage to get home in 4th.
Selection: Inchadoney Lad (Bridgham)

Points for you to discuss on the message board for the blank months. What have been the features of the 2008 season in East Anglia?

From our viewpoint:

• The emergence on the scene of Georgina Andrews was anticipated but her success has been amazing. Whilst it would be unfair to pressurise her, maybe we will have a National Champion in the area again in a year or so.

• The performance of Scare Lotte this year after the injuries of 2007 when it was of concern that the horse would ever run again.

• Finally what has been the best racing performance of the year, may we suggest both races won by Jilted Lover at Horseheath, particularly the first.

Have your say!

Enjoy the summer; the 2009 season will come around far too quickly.