Cambridgeshire with Enfield
Chace
Horseheath
Saturday 5th February 2011
by Simon McInnes
A first visit to Horseheath, a track which
manages to give a sense of being in a remote place, off the the
beaten track, whilst remaining very accessible from the major road
network, with the exit going direct onto the A1307. Usually we have
to rely on America for leading the way in convenient located
wildernesses, with good services. Although Horseheath has more
toilets. And less bears.
The main weather feature of the day was the
wind, which had dropped since Friday but still blew like mad. The
dip in the centre of the track, where all the facilities and the
paddock sit, provided some degree of shelter, but as soon as either
slope was climbed to be near the course proper, it was very
noticeable how much it increased. Some of the brimmed hats took off
faster than the horses were running. Most amusing to those not
wearing one, and our thanks go to their owners for amusement
provided.
Going: Good (Good to Firm places)
Race 1: Grant Thornton Members
1: Bluegun 2: Where's My Baby 3: Evening Echo
Winner owned: Mrs P Rogers, trained: Simon Andrews, ridden: Gina
Andrews
There were only eight entries for this race, but a healthy turnout
of six ensured a competitive race of a decent standard, and all
were well bunched descending the hill to the fourth last, where
something happened. Unfortunately, looking into the wind was
causing eyes to water, and whatever did occur opted to do it as I
was brushing them clear. The suspicion was that one ran out and
another unseated, with The Rodeo Clown and Irish Rebel departing.
The results of an enquiry included Where's My Baby in the incident,
but deemed it all accidental, so perhaps whichever "ran out" just
had no room to do anything else. Appearing over the rise into the
straight, Bluegun had hit the front, but he was unable to dash away
from the persistent challenge of open winner Where's My Baby and
the less predictable presence of Evening Echo, who has only won up
to Restricted standard. Bluegun was quite highly rated under rules
and certainly did not run to that level, but he also looked as if
he would come on a bit for the run. However, since his hurdles
debut in April 2008, this was the first time he has got his head
home first, so he seems beatable. Under the circumstances, Where's
My Baby did not post a bad first run of the season, but it could
have been even better had he been able to ratchet up the pressure
on the winner.
Race 2: Alexanders Open Maiden, 4-7 year
olds
1: Bavard Court 2: Chief Of The Pack 3: Lord Francoise
Winner owned & trained: Joe Turner, ridden: Louise Allen
A maiden that proved quite interesting, with an ebbing and flowing
of fortune for those involved in the finish. Bavard Court, who had
struggled a little climbing the hill into the back straight, came
from off the pace to lead three out, seemingly travelling best of
all. Almost unnoticed, which is unusual for a grey except in fog,
Chief Of The Park emerged to take the lead at the last, all set for
a glorious start to his racing career - having looked a bit small
and anonymous in the paddock. Whether it was lack of nous, or race
fitness, he found Bavard Court coming back at him, and could not
hold off the rally. A fine start and he looks like a winner in
waiting. Lord Francois looked the fittest horse in the race but was
a bit one paced at the end, at least finishing well clear of Gentle
Jim in fourth, who has not built on a promising debut at Detling -
previous assertions that he would "definitely do better" are
looking very over-optimistic. Irish maiden runner-up Redbridge Perk
ruined his chance with a cluster of sloppy jumps, and Karintino did
the same in the last half mile or so, ruining her moving through
the field very sweetly to challenge, having started well off of the
pace.
Race 3: Dodson & Horrell PPORA Members,
Novice Riders
1: Ballygalley Bob 2: Carapuce 3: Early Wings
Winner owned: Miss C Fryer & D Taylor, trained: Caroline Fryer,
ridden: Richard Collinson
Four runners went clear in this going across the skyline before
five out, and it appeared that one by one Ballygalley Bob had
burned the other trio off. However, the climb into the finishing
straight proved hard work all day, and he also suffered, having to
be ridden out to seal a win that had appeared no sweat. He had his
moments under rules, both in a good way and a bad one, so having
taken his pointing tally to two runs, two wins, Ballygallley Bob is
almost due for a flop. Since switching to points, the speciality of
Carapuce has been to finish without managing to stick his neck in
front, and it was the winner tying up that flattered him a bit
here. Early Wings lived up to his name, working hard in the first
mile, and paying the price at the end, being in danger of losing a
place when Captain Knock unseated at the last - the fourth time he
has gained a U in five runs, spoiling any positives for his distant
completion at Charing last week. Greek Star, who was detached from
the start and tailed off with a fair way to run, refused to stop
and as others did not follow his example, he ended up an unlikely
fourth.
Race 4: Greene King Men's Open
1: Denvale 2: Aughlea Bridge 3: James Pine
Winner owned & ridden: Richard Hunnisett, trained: Gerald
Bailey
Last year's winner repeated the feat for 2011, with Denvale taking
advantage of the overly aggressive tactics of his main dangers.
Five from the finish, James Pine - placed in hunter chases last
season - and Aughlea Bridge were going head to head, and also
leaving the oppo well behind. At that point they were head on into
the wind, and the effort told (although the rest were far too
distant to have any claim to waiting cunningly in the slipstream).
Denvale began to close on the downhill stretch, and rising into the
straight the previous leading pair were treading water and he
passed them with ease. He also looked as there was a small amount
of fitness improvement to come. Aughlea Bridge outlasted the
exhausted James Pine for second, but has now been found wanting in
a couple of fair standard opens. That is not to say he cannot win a
less well contested one. Rydal Park, who won three last season, was
very laboured with over a lap to go. On looks, he did not seem to
be at full fitness, but ran even below the expectation derived from
that view.
Race 5: SCB Holdings Ladies' Open
1: Mid Div And Creep 2: Kilcasan 3: Ungaro
Winner owned: Mrs K Exall, trained: Alan Hill, ridden: Gina
Andrews
Seven lined up here, but the betting had it as a two horse race.
Mid Div And Creep had not been beaten in six previous visits to
Horseheath, but she had the 2010 bet365 Gold Cup runner-up Hoo La
Baloo to contend with this time. They were similar prices, which
reflected the fact that Hoo La Baloo, whilst able to boast
occasional very strong form, had disappointed with regularity and
seemed often to be pursuing his own agenda - one in which racing
was a peripheral interest. Mid Div And Creep is woefully named, as
she likes to be out in front and it was business as usual. When Hoo
La Baloo challenged and took a slight lead before the fourth last,
the course streak appeared in serious danger, but Mid Div And Creep
recovered her poise and forged ahead in the straight. The main two
both found the home straight a stiff challenge, with Kilcasan
coming through to get second, having been well behind with six
furlongs or so to race. This was above what he has managed in the
past, but he is only seven, and with an Ampton run to put him
right, might be a genuine improvement. Hoo La Baloo even managed to
lose third to Ungaro in the last couple of yards, for which his
rider was fined. Owner Andy Stewart is unlikely to lose much sleep
over the fifty quid it cost him.
Race 6: Cheffins Restricted
1: Ide No Idea 2: Galway Jack 3: King's Chase
Winner owned: Mrs S Fryer, trained: Caroline Fryer, ridden: Rupert
Stearn
The pendulum swung dramatically for Ide No Idea, who posted
cracking form in his only point in Ireland,* but mostly lost the
plot quite badly. This was his first run in Britain, and fellow
Irish migrant Galway Jack harrassed him all the way, but there was
no sign of his morale breaking. Another that has only just turned
seven, this reignition of the spark still has time to carry him to
better things, and two losses on heavy at Punchestown (latest in
blinkers) suggested that he never totally forgot how to race.
Galway Jack is a year younger, and also showed his best Irish
results most recently, so in theory supports the view of Ide No
Idea being revitalised. Slightly concerning for the form was the
close proximity of King's Chase. He had won a maiden in Ireland
nearly two years ago, but his form since (which was mostly under
rules) looked like a spilled tin of Alphabetti Spaghetti. And the
fourth, Harty's Quay was also a little too close for comfort
considering his previous efforts. The counter views are that recent
winners Particular Man and Up And Away were blown away by the first
four and a rapid winning time of 6m 11s (only beaten in the Ladies'
Open), but talking of being blown away, maybe the strong winds were
making conditions faster as the afternoon progressed.
* Beat dual Grade 1 winner Realt Dubh, a distance clear of the
other quintet, four of whom have won since.
Race 7: ProCam Agricultore Open Maiden, 8
year olds and older
1: Batalov 2: Royal Gesture 3: Hoola
Winner owned: A Howland Jackson, trained: Simon Andrews, ridden:
Gina Andrews
This did not impress as a strong race, and although the winning
jockey will be rightly delighted with her treble, Batalov was far
from convincing in achieving it. The form of his third at Ampton
had been let down by Vote For Doodle at Charing, and even once he
had control in the lead, he approached the last unconvincingly, and
the head on view was one of a horse with half a mind to call it a
day before jumping it. Once this step had be negotiated he lumbered
on a bit less slowly than the exposed Royal Gesture and Hoola. The
two newcomers for this both looked appealing in the paddock.
Charlie's Chance weakened rapidly and pulled up before fence
twelve, but Polirock D'Aron was going like a major contender when
he fell five out. His jumping had been fine until then, but there
was still a way to go and for anyone thinking he would have won,
plenty changed on the day in the last half mile or so.
