CAMBRIDGESHIRE with ENFIELD CHACE HUNT MEETING –Northaw
MONDAY 3rd May 2010
Advanced Going: Firm
2.15 p.m. EAAC Club Members Conditions – 24 entries
Northaw
has a habit of throwing up some odd results and with 24 entered for the opening
race, many of whom will be travelling from well outside the area, a freak
result would not be a surprise. Gun Smith’s last
run was in a Hunter Chase at Fakenham when
falling at the last comfortably holding second place but not threatening the
eventual winner; an ex Jonjo O’Neill horse, like so many from that yard, has
performed at his very best when AP was in the saddle, sadly now on the slide
but cannot be dismissed lightly amongst some fairly moderate competition. Pass the Class ran well last time out at
Guilsborough when a close 3rd in a fairly hot Confined; from the
strong Hutchinson yard, if running, this one is sure to be in the mix up. Tommy Thunder had an easy win in the Restricted at
High Easter last time out but this is a step up in class and he may just find
the standard too hot on this occasion.
Others who won last time out include Keel Road, who won the Restricted at Kimble a few
weeks ago, New
Time a Conditions Race winner at Andoversford and Balableu a
20/1 winner of a Restricted at Catsfield. All three will be stepping up in class if this is a big field and
none of them inspire any confidence as they all have question marks of some
sort or another hanging over them. Sorry Al is
an interesting entry, has good form under Rules in Ireland and his 3rd
at Ampton was the first glimmer of a return to his best; has been allowed a
good rest between races and may well surprise at a fair price particularly as
jockey Rupert Stearn is vying for the East Anglian rider’s championship.
Selection: Sorry Al (Pass the Class)
2.50 p.m. Confined – 16 entries
16
entries for what seems a rather moderate race. Another Dude possibly
passed his best and will have to improve following a pulled up in the Essex CA
Club Members at High Easter and 4 lengths 3rd to Took my Eye
in the Mens open at Higham in March. The
lightly raced Inishturk looks the one to
watch with a win in the PPORA Club Members at High Easter with Bridget Andrews
up beating Thoutmosis by an easy 10
lengths following a win in a similar race at Horseheath in January. Romper Stomper could make the frame with a 10
length 5th to Thatmakestwoofus in the March Marks Tey
Confined following an easy 25 length win in the Horseheath Club Members in
February. Ski Dazzle was 10 lengths 3rd to Foulstons Ruler in
the Essex Intermediate at High Easter but is quoted as ‘moody’, disqualified
from 2nd to Sigma Digital in the March Ampton Confined and 11
lengths 3rd to Jazz Attack in the April Marks Tey
Intermediate but was a disappointing run-in 4th to Mid Div and Creep
in the Ladies at Marks Tey in March. Garundi who has never really delivered but is from the in form
Turner stable and could surprise, with a 20 length 3rd to Mr Tee
Pee in the Club Members at Penshurst last Saturday following a string of 3
pulled ups. The Accordion Man is
unlikely to run, so a very open race.
Selection: Inishturk (Romper
Stomper)
3.25 p.m. Mens Open – 20 entries
The
consistent mare Mid
Div and Creep holds an entry here and also in the Ladies Open, this
season she has only run in Ladies Opens, winning four and finishing 2nd in
the other two; on her last run she was beaten by the in-form Assassino; if she were to take part,
this would be the first occasion in which she would compete in a Men’s Open,
thus avoiding the penalties incurred for either winning two or more such races
or a race under Rules since 2007. Last year’s winner, Go North appears amongst the
entries; winning this race gave him the title of the leading young horse of
East Anglia, but so far this season he has not fulfilled that promise. Itsallupintheair
finished 2nd to Go North last year; a lucky winner on his first
run, he has been placed consistently and his best run was last time in the 3
miles 6 furlongs race at High Easter when he finished 3rd, only three
and a half lengths behind the winner, Caveman,
with Henry’s
Pride behind in 5th, whilst Another Dude pulled up. Euro Bleu
also tried an extended trip last time in the 4mile 2 furlong race at Kingston
Blount, but appeared not to stay and was pulled up; this was a big jump in
distance since he had previously run in a 2 mile ½ furlong Hunter Chase at
Towcester, again he was pulled up but the ground was unsuitably heavy; last
season he beat both Go North and Where’s My Baby in a Hunter Chase at Folkestone. Where’s My Baby
ran in the Men’s Open at Fakenham last week, but was pulled up on the final
circuit; a winner of a Men’s Open at High Easter, he too has not fulfilled the
promise of last season. Gun Smith, fell when favourite for a Hunter Chase
at Towcester last time; he also fell in a Hunter Chase at Fakenham, but before
that had won a race for Novice Riders at Brocklesby Park; on last season’s form
he would be held by both Where’s My Baby and Go North since he finished behind
both at Fakenham. He’s on His Way has won his last two races; both
for Novice Riders and on each occasion beat Myson into 2nd
place. Ashstorm, now 14, won a race for
Veteran Riders at Kingston Blount, where the combined age of the horse and
jockey must be 50 or more.
Selection: Mid Div and Creep (Euro Bleu)
4.00 p.m. Ladies Open – 16 entries
At
the time of writing there were uncertainties about the going with heavy rain
forecast for the weekend. At the end
of the season with a lot of heavily raced horses this could have a major impact
on the outcome. Assassino should take this if the
ground remains fast but he idled in front at Fakenham last weekend and may be
vulnerable if the ground softens or another horse is fresher. Delightful Cliche stayed on well behind Assassino
at Fakenham and seems less affected by differences in going. Mid Div and Creep has had a long, successful
season but was well beaten by Assassino at High Easter and we doubt she will
take part in this. If the ground
softens, Joe Turner may decide to run King Du Berlais rather than Assassino; he would have a good
chance but looked one-paced when 2nd to Badger at Penshurst last weekend and may be feeling the effects of
a long hard season. Fantastic Champion
was a well-beaten 3rd in the same race. Limerick
Leader is a tough staying type who won easily at Thorpe in early
April but was well held by Inaro at
Guilsborough last time out. Xila Fontenailles has
also appeared one-paced recently but is usually not too far away. Of the others, Balableu
won a Restricted at Catsfield in a decent time; Bobbies Ryde didn’t jump well at
Brafield and was tailed off in the Novice Riders at Kingston Blount two weeks
ago; Free
is no longer the force he was though he would have a place chance; Leatherback
won this race last year but has not shown the same form since; Toe To Hand
will likely find the pace too fast; debutant That’s An Idea was previously with
Jonjo O’Neill but hasn’t run for a year.
Selection: Assassino (Delightful Cliche)
4.35 p.m. Restricted – 23 entries
After
a close second at Horseheath, Joe Turner’s Broken Beau (Ire) finished two and a half lengths
behind Belavard in the Restricted
last month at Marks Tey and looks to improve on that position. Isle Of Skye steps down from the Intermediate
class after finishing 3rd, twenty seven and a half lengths behind
the winner at Tweseldown. Master Brew returns
having not placed between the flags since 2008, the twelve year old having had
several placings in Restricted races at Larkhill and Charing a few years ago. Mountain Emperor (Ire) put in an impressive
performance last week at Fakenham finishing 2nd (albeit 35 lengths)
behind an excellent performance from Peadar,
however may not race this week. Sebber Bridge (Ire) has enjoyed reasonable success this season in the
Restricted class with a 3rd at
Horseheath and 2nd at Godstone, in which the nine year old mare
finished just two lengths behind The
Humbel Monk. Several promising
Maiden winners step up to the Restricted class, including Simon Andrews trained
ten year old Coleraine
(Ire), the 12-1 Winner of the Open Maiden at Marks Tey whilst ridden
by Gina Andrews. Henry Hill owned and
trained Greek
Star, another outsider who won Open Maiden at High Easter, a head
ahead of Gina Andrews on 7-4 favourite Benbay
Star. Also promising is six year
old Winnie Wood,
after a comfortable win with twenty lengths in the Open Maiden at Parham in
March could be one to keep an eye on.
Selection: Broken Beau (Sebber Bridge)
5.10. p.m. Open Maiden (Div 1) – 17 entries
This
race was divided on entry leaving two divisions, one of 17 and the other with
16 runners. This is very much the
Last Chance Saloon for many of these.
Jonlahy has been consistent all
season and deserves to reward connections with a victory, he has a good chance
here as he stands out in a weak contest; on his last run he was 3rd
at High Easter, beaten just over a length behind Greek Star and he
has been runner up on his previous four starts this season. Sizzling Shizzy
pulled up in that High Easter race but was making her belated
seasonal debut and is entitled to come on for the run; last season she only
completed once from four outings, but was placed 2nd at Eyton On
Severn beaten a length by Rich Nomad on that sole completion. San Jose pulled up
at Higham on Easter Saturday in the race won by Lord Prunus; previously
he had been 2nd at Detling beaten a length by Dr Sparrow and
if recapturing that form should go close here. Particular Man has been placed
in all three starts this season; on his last run he was 3rd at
Catsfield beaten 3¾ lengths by Tostig.
Creadon Boy's form seems to be
regressing after his 3 lengths 2nd to Law Court at Higham in
March; he has pulled up on his two subsequent outings. Johnny Buck
is another who is regressing and has failed to complete on all outings this
season and pulled up early at Fakenham last week, but he is well related and
may improve with time. Victor Grumps was 3rd on his last run
at Clifton On Dunsmore beaten 10 lengths by Namur with Mirage Prince 10 lengths adrift in 5th,
he may get placed again. Bit Of A Barney was 3rd at Kimble on
Easter Saturday beaten 7 lengths behind Astrop Road. Argentato
has been picking up place money in Ladies races but now running at a more
suitable level could go well here and will be ridden by Kelly Smith following
Emma Bell's retirement. Jonlahy's consistency marks him out in this and
we'll take Sizzling Shizzy to come on for
her recent return at High Easter.
Selection: Jonlahy (Sizzling Shizzy)
5.45 p.m. Open Maiden (Div 2) - 16entries
Just
like division one, one horse stands out in this race which looks the weaker of
the two contests. Benbaystar has been
placed 2nd on both his starts in British points but he doesn't look
the most resolute of battlers and expect to see the tail swishing if Bridget
Andrew's applies the persuader; however he is far ahead on official ratings; on
his previous run he was beaten a head at High Easter by Greek Star and
prior to this was 2nd at Marks Tey beaten 3 lengths by Mill Five
Acre. Twilight
Eagle was placed 3rd at Whitfield in March beaten 21
lengths by Dan Maguire; on
his most recent run he was 5th at Brafield, but beaten 39 lengths
behind Uncle Albert, check jockey bookings before having a bet. Slyne Head was
5th at Eyton-on-Severn in early March but was beaten 47 lengths
behind Lord Bellamy. Aryshvic has been placed once from six starts this
season when 3rd at Cottenham beaten 7 lengths by Mambo Ruler in
March. Royal Gesture has been placed
three times from five starts this season but was well beaten in 6th
on his previous start in the High Easter race won by Greek Star and it is
difficult seeing him reverse the form with Benbaystar. Simon Stearn' s Wymondham yard were
responsible for the 25/1 winner Regal Ovation at Fakenham last weekend
and they have Kuriyama entered in this;
it's hard seeing him winning here on the balance of what he's shown so far this
season but every dog has his day.
The betting market may provide the best guide to his chances. Benbaystar
stands out a mile in this weak contest, the difficult part is finding our next
best but Twilight Eagle maybe the one to
chase him home.
Selection: Banbaystar (Twilight Eagle)
And so the East Anglian season comes to an end. We
hope you've found the previews of some interest, maybe we've found the odd
winner but as you are aware it's difficult. It has not been an easy season so
let us know your views by posting any comments you have on the notice board.
Enjoy some great racing