CAMBRIDGESHIRE with ENFIELD CHACE MEETING - HORSEHEATH

Saturday 30th January 2010

 

Advanced Going:  - Good - Good to Soft in places

 

12.00 noon. Horseheath Hunts Club Members – 12 entries

Racing kicks off at 12.00 with the Horseheath Hunt Club Members, 12 are entered; a few of these ran at the excellent Higham meeting last week.    Would I Lie to You was fading in the Open Maiden when falling last week, with Irish Rebel pulling up in the Restricted.    Briars Mist won at Horseheath back in 2008.   Find Me Another won a couple of Ladies Opens back in 2008.   Good Vintage finished 2nd at Northaw last year and 3rd in this last year.   Kipper won the Restricted at Northaw last season.    Portavo and Romper Stomper haven’t been in the winner's enclosure since 2007.    Rock Charlie won a Restricted in 2009 at Horseheath and should run well.    Saddlers Melody won a Maiden in Ireland and is an interesting runner.    Salsero has run OK under Rules and could run well.    So Tis Now has no real form to speak of in Ireland so far.

Selection: Good Vintage (Portavo)

12.30 p.m. Open Maiden 4, 5, 6, &, 7 – 21 entries

Only a modest entry by the usual standards for this contest.   Orient Legend was placed in all his four outings last season and must be strongly considered here; he was 2nd at Marks Tey in February 09 beaten 3 lengths behind Olympe De Farges and again filled the runner's up berth at Dingley in April 09 over 2½ miles when again beaten 3 lengths by Delgany Gunner; he finished with a bad cut that day but we expect him to run well here.   Jolly Rock finished 2nd on his only run last season when beaten 6 lengths by Dhu Loch at Eyton On Severn in May 09; he is another who should run well.   Witness This was 3rd at Cottenham on 28th December 09 when he was beaten 10 lengths behind Crack At Dawn; he has the same connections as Jolly Rock so it's doubtful the yard will run two in the same race.   Kandelin finished 2nd on first run last season at North Carlton when beaten 2½ lengths by Father Owen; his form then rather tailed off, but he is trained by Gerald Bailey and the yard sent out an impressive winner last weekend at Higham so the market could be the best guide to his chances.   Gerald Bailey owns the unraced Hardwick Wood and again his chances maybe decided by the betting market.   Sherry At Six is by a very good mare and although she achieved little last season, she hinted at some ability on her debut and is trained by Sheila Crow.   Ringa Bay finished 2nd in his only start in an Irish point when beaten 15 lengths by Embracing Change at Dromahane in April last year.   Good Return has been placed twice from three starts in Irish points, his final placing being a 2nd, beaten 2 lengths by Kircassock at Taylorstown in April 09.   Salsero was placed three times under Rules when trained by Lucy Wadham including a 2nd at Plumpton in December 08 beaten  2¾ lengths behind Lutin Collonges, but was well beaten on his final appearance under Rules in March last year at Fontwell.   Dan Kahtan was placed on his final two outings over Hurdles in Ireland and was 3rd at Cork in April 08 when beaten 17½ lengths by Model Athlete.   Teeton Grand Slam pulled up in all his three outings last season but does come from Joan Tice's yard who have a very good record at this venue and could possibly run well at a big price.   A difficult race to call but we'll give another chance to Orient Legend who has been placed in all his outings and Good Return has run well in Irish points.

Selection: Orient Legend (Good Return)

1.05 p.m. PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) – 20 entries

Last season at Horseheath Rock Charlie and rider Tom Jonason got up in the closing stages to beat Minehill Lad; the same team are due to compete again and if fit could trouble the judge.   Dante Citizen was described in the 2008 “bible” as perfect for Novice Riders events but last ran in September 2007 in an Amateur Race at Newbury where he came home in midfield; this one has some class and if fit could feature in the finish.   Another classy creature with five PtP wins under his belt, including two Opens, is Court Adjourn but like Dante Citizen he missed last season and only ran once the year before so could well need the race.   Jewel Song performed creditably in 2009 when ridden by Adam Wedge who is now out of Novice Rider status; it remains to be seen who will get the ride but in the right hands this one could perform well enough to win.   Although having winning form under Irish Rules Sigma Digital’s last race resulted in a fall in the hands of Barry Geraghty – this does not augur well for a Novice Rider!   Joan Tice rarely leaves Horseheath empty handed and has two entered for the race: Teeton Prince ran moderately in Ladies races throughout last season whilst Teeton Dazzler, when ridden by Johnny Bailey, managed one win last season in a Novice Rider’s event.   Liz Harris, who rode both these two without success, should have learnt a lot from her exposure to race riding and if she has improved the Dazzler could go close.   As is always the case with this type of race watch for the connections – trainers sons and daughters often have a distinct advantage but now we should also look out for pony race winners who are starting to come through the ranks.   Finally look at the horse in the parade ring, particularly the two selections, both may need the race.

Selection: Dante Citizen (Court Adjourn)

1.40 p.m. Mens Open – 22 entries

It is highly unlikely that this year we will see the winner of the Cheltenham Fox Hunters in this race, although there are some useful performers amongst the entries.  The owners’ of Cappa Bleu have entered Sweden for the race, and he has yet to win an Open; his two wins last year were a Restricted at Ampton and a Confined at Garnons.  Three of Cappa Bleus’ rivals from last year are once again entered for the race.   Rydal Park finished 3rd, Northall Lad 7th, whilst The Hookie Bookie pulled up.  Rydal Park followed this 3rd with a win in another Open at Horseheath, but never built on the success of the previous season.   Northall Lad only ran once after this, finishing 2nd at Higham.   The Hookie Bookie did not win all season, but did like finishing 2nd – on five occasions.   Border Fusion is a talented, but idiosyncratic individual; he won a Hunter Chase at Bangor (third year in succession) and then finished 5th in the season’s “Finale” at Stratford, with James Pine a long way in arrears.   Reach For The Top won an Open at Siddington, but then ran out at the last when upsides Irilut at Ashorne.  True Friday won an Open at Brocklesby Park last February but did not run thereafter.  Where’s My Baby has yet to finish outside the first two in points, and only just failed to peg back Start Royal at Cottenham when conceding weight.   Va Vavoom, off the course for almost two years, hails from the in-form yard of Fleur Hawes.   Present Glory switches to pointing, having won two Novice Chases last year at the age of ten.   Big Rob, a fair performer under Rules when trained by B. Powell, often is let down by his jumping.  Five year old Art Trend has previously been in the care of top trainers P. Chapple-Hyam (won a 1½ mile Maiden) and P. Nicholls (won 2 mile 1 furlong Maiden Hurdle).

Selection: Present Glory (Border Fusion)

 2.15 p.m.  Ladies Open– 13 entries

Only 2 of the 13 horses entered have run this season and this may well become a test of fitness rather than ability.  Several horses hold entries elsewhere and the race may well cut up.   Mad Victor is possibly the most talented horse entered but he ran only twice last season and was pulled up on his last run after losing his action; he will probably go off favourite and must have an excellent chance.   Petit Lord will certainly be fit having twice finished 2nd to Big Moment at Cottenham but he disappointed here last season for no obvious reason. Promising stable-mate Sweden was lightly raced last season winning a Restricted and Confined before coming close in an Intermediate at Tabley; he’s only 6 and should improve.   Assassino and King Du Berlais both showed good form last season but the Turner’s horses rarely run well early in the season.   Mid Div and Creep loves Horseheath winning here 3 times last season (two Members + Intermediate) and collecting some notable scalps including that of Where’s My Baby; she also beat Assassino at High Easter, it would be no surprise to see her in the frame.   Villochely won a 2 mile 4 furlong Selling Hurdle at Uttoxeter in March; she races prominently and it will be interesting to see how she goes here.   Conicavel won a 2 mile Hurdle in France but hasn’t been seen since 2008; only five, it’s impossible to assess her ability so she’s best watched.   Jilted Lover ran well here for Alex Embiricos in 2008 but missed last season.   Several notable ‘veterans’ are entered including: A Few Bob Back, 14; Bedtime Boys, 13; and Millennium Way, 16(!) but it would be surprising if any of them still has the ability to win this.

Selection: Mad Victor (Mid Div And Creep)

2.50 p.m.  Restricted - 22 entries

A decent entry for the Restricted, none of which have been placed between the flags this season.   From an unimpressive 2008 season, Captain Marshall started to improve in 2009 under the training of David Kemp. After winning the Open Maiden on the second attempt at Cottenham, he progressed to Restricted level, where he came up against the slightly more experienced Minehill Lad (Ire) at High Easter.   Both finished three lengths behind 12-1 winner Ski Dazzle with Captain Marshall just three quarters of a length ahead of Minehill Lad; no doubt there should be an interesting rerun of this event.  The favourite of the race, 5-4 Jack Ford (Ire) failed to finish the race, despite an excellent performance at Marks Tey the same month finishing 2nd to Ballynonty by five lengths.    Several others who also have experience on the course include: Blue Rebel (Ire) finished a neck behind Lucky Mojo in the Restricted at Horseheath last February. Last season the eight year old grey managed a 3rd place in the Restricted at Kingston Blount, losing 2nd place to Port Talbot by two lengths, albeit some distance behind leader.   Toe To Hand (Ire) had a good finish to the Maiden at Horseheath last year with just two lengths dividing 1st and 3rd; with lots of experience between the flags, the eight year old gelding has not had the most successful career to date, nevertheless, at the end of the 2009 season showed signs of improvement and he could be one to watch. Another not to be overlooked is Gleeson, who won the Maiden at Horseheath this time last year; only ever having competed between the flags, the chestnut gelding has course experience and has completed the course in a quicker time than any other entry under similar conditions; however, past performance is mixed, he pulled up in the Restricted at Garthorpe but managed a 3rd place at Guilsborough in April 2009.   Lunch Was My Idea (Ire) returns this season; with seventeen starts under Rules and three between the flags, which includes winning a Maiden, and 2nd in the Restricted at Northaw at end of 2008 season, maybe be worth a look.

Selection: Captain Marshall (Gleeson)

3.25. p.m.  Open Maiden 8yo+ – 10 entries

Why put on two Maidens and this excuse for a race as the last one???

Very unappetising fare for the diehards who will stay for this the last race of the day – with only 10 entries and the prospect of a very small field.   Go for Crosby from the respected Andrews stable and out of that well known mare Shedid - back after a year out following three very average Maiden runs in 2008 but perhaps with a wind problem sorted and the experience of jockey and trainer he will come good.   The rarely seen (5 times in 4 yrs) Touchdown Kid was 3rd in an Open Maiden by 15 lengths to Top Benefit in the soft at Dunthrop (Dec. ’08) and then weakened under pressure at Ampton in a Jan.’09 Maiden.   Court Arise really error prone; Find the Way rated 32 at Horseheath (say no more) and a really weak finisher; Silver Missile ran and pulled up at Higham so is unlikely to run.   Please stay and watch if only to avoid the rush to get out but it might be difficult to get a bet on as the Bookies will probably have legged it with the rest of the crowd!

Selection: Crosby (Touchdown Kid)

                                             Best tip of the day is to wear plenty of warm clothing

Enjoy some great racing