EASTON HARRIERS HUNT MEETING – HIGH EASTER

SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 2010

Advanced Going: Good to firm -Good in places

1.00 p.m. Open Maiden – 22 entries

A modest entry of 22 horses for this contest and a division is a possibility with the safety factor being 15. Caged Tiger has been placed no worse than 3^rd in 3 outings this season and was 2^nd last Sunday at Hackwood Park, beaten 3 lengths behind Jolly Dancer; another placing at least is a strong possibility, but he does not seem to be the most resolute of performers. Buster's Ruler represents George Cooper's yard that are having a good spell at present and made a pleasing debut when 2^nd at Marks Tey last Sunday in the Members beaten 12 lengths by Lady Ann Lewis; it's unlikely he may turn out again so quickly though. Another yard going well is that of trainer-rider Andrew Pennock and he has Royal Gesture in this; on his previous run he was 4^th behind Native Bob at Ampton beaten 12 lengths; prior to this he was 3^rd at Godstone beaten 14 lengths behind Florence Mary. Would I Lie To You pulled up last week at Hackwood in a short Maiden, prior to this was 4^th at Cottenham in another short Maiden beaten 11 lengths by Mambo Ruler; we are not sure this extended trip will suit this son of Bahamian Bounty. Doodle Eile was 3^rd at North Carlton to Pirate Depp beaten 19 lengths in February, but this was run was sandwiched between two pulled ups. Mirage Prince pulled up at Kingston Blount earlier this month on his seasonal return, but was placed twice here last season and on his first run here last season had three subsequent winners behind him. Course owner Simon Marriage loves to have a winner here and is represented by Quel Ferbet, however, on the balance of his known form it's unlikely to come in this race. Johnny Buck is a half brother to top novice chaser Weird Al and is probably capable of stepping up on his debut run at Higham where he pulled up early this month in the race won by Law Court. Caged Tiger has been consistent this season and just get's the nod in a weak looking contest and we'll side with Royal Gesture as our second choice just because it's unlikely Buster's Ruler will make a quick reappearance. To be really honest, take a good pin!!

Selection: Caged Tiger (Royal Gesture)

1.30 p.m. Mens Open – 9 entries

Forget The Ref finished a close 3^rd behind Caveman and Rydal Park on her latest run at Ampton, where Feathered Storm finished a further fifteen lengths back in 5^th; the form was confirmed as Rydal Park and Caveman once again fought out a close finish at Marks Tey last Sunday. Having won first time out this season, beating Sirius Storm in a PPORA Club Members race, Forget The Ref then finished 2^nd to Cedrus Libani in a Men’s Open; she also finished a staying on 2^nd to Sigma Digital at Marks Tey in February. Also in action at Ampton were Sorry Al, Garundi and Rockville who all ran in the Confined, whilst Go North ran in the Ladies Open. Sorry Al performed the best, finishing 3^rd (promoted to second) behind Sigma Digital; this was his first run for his connections, having previously been trained in Ireland by Charlie Swan, for whom he last won in September 2007. Garundi was promoted to 4^th a couple of lengths further back, whilst Rockville ran out at the fourth fence. Garundi and Rockville have since been pulled up when running last week in the Confined at Marks Tey. Go North hardly had a race in the Ladies Open, he was badly impeded at the third fence, prior to falling at the next, it is hoped that this fall will not have a lasting effect; prior to this he finished a distant 6^th to Unowatimeen at Horseheath and was pulled up on his first run at Detling in February; he has yet to show the same level of form that he achieved last season. Go North’s adversary from last year, Where’s My Baby, had a very promising first run of the season at Cottenham at the end of December, where he just failed to peg back Start Royal at Cottenham when conceding weight; his next run, some nine weeks later, saw him fail to finish either first or second in a point to point for the first time - he finished a distant 3^rd to Pass The Parsel and Kadount at Higham. Considering he looked very well in the parade ring prior to the race, this was a disappointing effort. The two remaining entries Basic Fact and Ballyowen have yet to run this season, and are best watched if making their seasonal debuts.

Selection: Forget The Ref (Where’s My Baby)

2.05 p.m. Ladies Open – 10 entries

A disappointingly small entry though several of the region’s top Ladies’ pointers are included, so the race should be competitive. Inaro showed considerable improvement to finish ½ length behind Mid Div And Creep at Marks Tey last weekend with King Du Berlais a length further back in 3^rd. The race was run at a strong pace (9 seconds faster than the Men’s) and either of these would have an excellent chance if recovered from last weekend’s exertions. Delightful Cliche won fairly easily at Ampton three weeks ago and has proved remarkably consistent over various courses and types of going; we expect a good run from him and also from Assassino who is a half-brother to Champion Hurdle winner Binocular. He disappointed at Higham last time out but was a classy performer last season and has had the advantage of a 3 week break. Forget The Ref finished a close 3^rd behind Caveman and Rydal Park at Ampton and also has a chance particularly if there’s some cut in the ground, though we think it more likely that she will run in the Men’s. Villochely is relatively unexposed over fences having previously been a 2-2½ mile Hurdler with D. McCain; she’s had two runs in points finishing 28 lengths 3^rd behind Mid Div And Creep at Horseheath and then 2^nd behind the veteran Step And Run at Eyton, she has a chance if the field cuts up. Inishturk won the Novice Riders’ at the first Horseheath meeting and holds an entry in the equivalent race here which connections may prefer. A Few Bob Back was outpaced in the Ladies’ at Whitfield last weekend whilst Badger placed 2^nd behind Roaringwater at Detling; we doubt whether either will appear here. Argentato is a Maiden under all codes.

Selection: Assassino (Inaro)

2.40 p.m. Restricted – 16 entries

French horse Lorikarad was 2^nd in the Restricted at Garnons earlier this month, finishing just a head behind 6-4 favourite Shernally; this was an improvement on the 3^rd place in the Restricted at Whitwick Manor the previous month and completes three places from five starts for the six year old. Following a Maiden win at Horseheath, David Kemp’s Lucky Mojo (Ire) finished 2^nd in the Restricted at Ampton last year, ten lengths behind Thenford Ryde, despite starting at 2-1 favourite. Joe Turner owned and trained Native Bob (Ire) looks promising after winning the Open Maiden at Ampton this month as 6-4 favourite with a six length lead. Henry Hill trained Tuesday Club was 3^rd in the Restricted race at the aforementioned Ampton meet, finishing six lengths behind the winner; last season the eleven year old won the Maiden at Fakenham seven lengths ahead of Castledockrell. Ballyshambles, trained by Simon Andrews, won the divided younger horses Maiden at North Carlton last month with Bridget Andrews on board after the 6-4 favourite fell. Following many attempts in the class, including eight places over the past two seasons, Castleconner Lad (Ire) won the Maiden at Cottenham a few weeks ago making nine places from ten starts between the flags. Two horses that have raced this season, but have not been truly tested are: Castledockrell after winning the two horse Maiden at Horseheath earlier this season and David Kemp trained Dan Kahtan (Ire) after winning the two horse Hunt Members race at Marks Tey last month.

Selection: Lorikarad (Tuesday Club)

3. 15 p.m. EA Club Members Conditions– 14 entries

This looks a pretty decent race with 10 of the horses having shown some form this season. Foulstons Ruler has won a Maiden and a Restricted in succession and then came 3^rd to Lotta Presents in an Intermediate at the last Cottenham. Jazz Attack won the Hunt Members at Parham two weeks ago and before that was 5^th at Horseheath in an Intermediate; he has also finished 2^nd this season at Godstone in a Club Members race. Toe To Hand was 3^rd last Saturday at Marks Tey to Thatmakestwoofus; his previous race was at Ampton when he won the Restricted – with his regular pilot Gina Andrews in such fine form, connections will no doubt be hoping to see further improvement. Parkinson has shown a modicum of form and with Ed Turner getting more experience it is possible that he will at least be in the frame. Others with perhaps an outside chance include: Man From Moscow, Ski Dazzle and Lord of the Knar who has been a good servant to Alex Vaughan Jones

Selection: Foulstons Ruler (Toe To Hand)

3.50. p.m. PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) – 9 entries

Anyone who was at Marks Tey on Sunday could not fail to have been impressed with the ease with which Thatmakestwoofus won the Confined and if he came out of the race in good nick it might pay for a quick return. Sadly this is a lightly raced horse and connections will probably give this a miss relying on Ballynonty to steal the show. If conditions dry up then Ballynonty could almost be the banker of the day BUT there is one newcomer to pointing in the race – Villochely, a 7 year old hurdler out of the Donald McCain yard; by no means a world beater, he won a modest Hurdle back in 2009 so clearly has talent but will he is up to a three mile point? (See other comments in the Ladies race). Of the remainder Toe to Hand has been running well this season in the capable hands of Bridget Andrews and without either of the Hayter pair in the race this one could well take the spoils. Inishturk seems to have had his moment this season when winning at Horseheath back in January but if turning up and with the benefit of a reasonable break he could run a big race. On balance if running Thatmakestwoofus would seem the likely winner but if absent Ballynonty should enter the winner’s enclosure.

Selection: Thatmakestwoofus (Ballynonty)

Enjoy some great racing