PUCKERIDGE HUNT MEETING – Horseheath

SATURDAY 10^TH April 2010

Advanced Going: Good, Good to Firm

2.00 p.m. Horseheath Hunts Club Members –12 entries

Lotta Presents is in another league compared to the rest of the entries and if racing should win. As punters we always look for reasons as to why the favourite might get beaten and it is true to say that this one has only won over the flat tracks in East Anglia so there is a possibility that he may not act on the ups and downs of Horseheath but in truth we are probably clutching at straws. Of the rest Belavard won the Restricted at Marks Tey on Monday but it would seem unlikely that the horse will be brought out again so quickly. Both Ah Come on Tom (3^rd in the Novice Riders) and Good Vintage also ran on Monday so their appearance is doubtful. Evening Echo was all out to win the Restricted at Marks Tey three weeks ago and if reproducing that form may run into place. Romper Stomper had an easy win at Horseheath during February but then ran disappointingly at Marks Tey the following month; could this be a case of horses for courses? Portavo is thought highly of by connections but since Parham in March 2007 has not delivered the goods. The rest of the entries would appear to either be on the downgrade or simply not competitive as yet.

Selection: Lotta Presents (Romper Stomper)

2.35 p.m. Open Maiden – 28 entries

There's a good entry of 28 for this race and with the safety factor being 18 there's just an outside possibility of a split on the day. Just Judy has been 2^nd on her last two runs, at Whitfield last month when just going down by a head to Dusky Lory; previously she was beaten by Nomadic Dreamer by 5 lengths, again at Whitfield in February; she must be one for the shortlist here. The Gerald Bailey trained Kandelin has been placed on three out of four outings this season, the other time he fell; his last run was a 4^th at Whitfield to Dan Maguire beaten just over 21 lengths. Spotthestripe has been 2^nd on her only run so far when beaten 2 lengths by Princess Fyona at Whitfield last month in a Mares Maiden. Current Exchange was sent off favourite on his debut at Garnons last month but could only finish 3^rd beaten 7½ lengths by Lilia's Lad; given that he hails from Sheila Crow's yard and is likely to be ridden by Richard Burton, he must be a major player here. Creadon Boy pulled up at Higham last Saturday but prior to that run had been 2^nd at the same track to Law Court beaten 3 lengths last month. Would I Lie To You pulled up three weeks ago at Hackwood in a short Maiden, prior to this he was 4^th at Cottenham in another short Maiden beaten 11 lengths by Mambo Ruler, but he may be seen to better effect on a flatter track. Thyne Hall has been placed on his last two runs, the latter at Marks Tey last month when 3^rd beaten 7¾ lengths behind Cavanquarter. Carleton Forehoe was sent off favourite for a Maiden at High Easter a fortnight ago but fell at the open ditch. Another from Nibby Bloom's stable makes more appeal, Johnny Buck is a half brother to top Novice Chaser Weird Al and useful pointer Bunratty's Sole and is probably capable of stepping up on his debut run at Higham where he pulled up early in the race won by Law Court. Silver Barle is another who should do better after having a quiet run at Marks Tey in the race won by Cavanquarter. Just Judy sets the yardstick here with her consistency and Current Exchange given his connections should improve on his debut effort at Garnons.

Selection: Just Judy (Current Exchange)

3.10 p.m. Ladies Open – 17 entries

Kelly Smith has formed a great partnership with Mid Div And Creep who’s emerged as the top Ladies’ horse in the region with four wins from five runs this season; she will carry a 7lb penalty this time but should easily be good enough to take this. King Du Berlais is the only horse to have beaten Mid Div And Creep this season but that was at Marks Tey and the mare seems almost invincible around here. Other threats could come from a revitalised A Few Bob Back who beat Carryonharry and King Du Berlais at Penshurst two weeks ago. Delightful Cliche was never travelling at Higham last Saturday and pulled up seemingly amiss; he will be without regular jockey Gina Andrews who broke a collarbone at Huntingdon on Monday but sister Bridget would be an able substitute. Scotmail Too ran twice over Easter and we doubt he will reappear so soon. We're Confused should appreciate the switch to Ladies company - the jockey should give an indication of his chances; he had a hard race in the 4-miler at Dunthrop two weeks ago. Winning Counsel won a Hunter Chaser in Ireland but could only finish 25 lengths behind Scotland Yard at Higham and will need to improve significantly to feature here. Balinova is not the force he once was but still places regularly. Of the others, Duxy Hill Lady won a Mixed Open at Ideford Arch for Polly Gundry but pulled up last time. Inishturk has an outside chance with two wins in Novice Riders’ under Bridget Andrews. Mister Bertolli was a decent 3^rd behind Balladeer at Kingston Blount. Takotna ran poorly here last time but then placed 2^nd at Wadebridge under Polly Gundry and Leatherback finished 3^rd 20 lengths behind Mid Div And Creep on Monday.

Selection: Mid Div And Creep (King Du Berlais)

3.45 p.m. Mens Open – 24 entries

After a couple of weeks with small fields, the Men’s Open could contain significantly more runners. Unfortunately one absentee will be the 3^rd from the Cheltenham Foxhunters, Reach For The Top; he runs in the Aintree Foxhunter on Thursday. The entries contain no less than five horses who won their most recent race. Rydal Park has won two this season, but has also suffered unexpected reverses; last time out he denied Caveman by a short head at Marks Tey, this was revenge for a length defeat by Caveman at Ampton on their previous outings. Stepping up in class is Lotta Presents who has performed with distinction on the flatter tracks of Higham and Cottenham; on his last outing he won the Intermediate at Cottenham in a very fast time, beating the useful Goscar Rock by a neck with Foulstons Ruler a distance behind in 3^rd. Six year old, Horsham Lad has progressed throughout the season; winner of a Maiden at Whitfield in early February, Horsham Lad won the Restricted at the last Horseheath meeting and has since won an Intermediate at Brocklesby Park. Raleagh House has also continued to progress; winning an Intermediate on his seasonal debut, he then ran in a Men’s Open at Barbury but was beaten a long way by Chilling Place; he has since won two Club Members races, the latest at Maisemore Park, at the end of March. Aztec Warrior has won his last three races, the latest on Easter Monday where he won the Men’s Open ahead of The King of Angels; prior to this he had won two races at Garthorpe, one a Novice Riders race where he had John Diamond a distance behind in 3^rd. Another horse that ran on Monday and must be doubtful is Where’s My Baby; unfortunately he made a bad mistake at the first fence in a Hunter Chase at Fakenham and never got into contention, and ultimately fell at the last. Present Glory was the selection for the first meeting at Horseheath but he never ran; he has yet to win this year, but he was only beaten 8 lengths by Rydal Park at Carlton on his first run for connections. Finally, a mention must be made of Afrad; the last time he was seen on a racecourse was in the 2007 Cesarewitch for N. Henderson, when he finished down the field; the last time he was successful was in a 2½ mile Chase at Chepstow in December 2006 where he beat Ballybough Jack.

Selection: Lotta Presents (Horsham Lad)

4. 45 p.m. Intermediate – 16 entries

A potentially very competitive (11 rated in the 80’s) 16 entry race in prospect. Four of the five who ran in the Marks Tey Intermediate on Easter Monday are entered but perhaps will not run 5 days later - Jazz Attack beating Thatmakestwoofus by 10 lengths with Lady Ann Lewis and Cumbo Kid well beaten. Native Bob from the in form Turner Team should go close and make it 3 in a row following a Restricted win at High Easter in March by 6 lengths from Cyber Mat and a clear 6 length Maiden win at Ampton. Ashwell Lad could be his main challenge following an impressive easy and fast Restricted win at Didmarton in early March. Enigma Variations also has claims following an emphatic Restricted win at Garthorpe in March with Richard Burton up. Pocket Park, another with an unchallenged Restricted win at Dunthrop in March following an easy short Maiden win at Cottenham in early February, also has the credentials to be in the frame. Romper Stomper ran a poor Confined at Marks Tey in March behind Thatmakestwoofus (20 lengths) and Toe to Hand (a head). Pleasure Shared was 2^nd (20 lengths) to Canticle in the Garthorpe Intermediate in March following another 2^nd to Horsham Lad (3 lengths) in the Intermediate at Brocklesby Park 2 weeks earlier.

Selection: Enigma Variations (Native Bob)

5.20. p.m. Restricted – 24 entries

Despite starting as favourite, Alliance Main finished 3^rd in the Restricted at this course in February 2008, then after a long break came 2^nd in the Restricted at Dunthrop a couple of weeks ago; the nine year old mare finished a distance behind the winner Pocket Park but a neck ahead of Present Love. Two entries only have one point to point place to their name, and both of these are in Restricted Races: Cyber Mat Ire), after finishing 2^nd at High Easter a few weeks ago, six lengths behind Native Bob and Sebber Bridge (Ire) after a 2^nd place by two lengths at Godstone in February. After winning a Maiden in 2008, Il Marinaio (Fr) had no places between the flags until finishing 2^nd in the Restricted at Buckfastleigh last month just a neck behind 10-1 winner Alpha Native. Another who has seen action in this class is Newnham Rambo after a 2^nd place at Dingley with eight lengths between himself and the winner plus a 3^rd a place at Garthorpe, despite starting as favourite. With seven places from nine starts between the flags, seven year old Orient Legend took the Open Maiden here at Horseheath in February then went on to come 2^nd in the Restricted at Whitfield last month, three quarters of a length behind the winner. Two Maiden winners move up after winning un-testing two horse Maidens this season: Fealeside Lord (Ire) won the Open Maiden at Penshurst last month by one and half fences and Castledockrell (Ire), who after many attempts in the Maiden class broke through the barrier this season with a win at High Easter.

Selection: Orient Legend (Newnham Rambo)

Enjoy some great racing