NORTH NORFOLK HARRIERS HUNT MEETING - HIGHAM 8^th JANUARY 2006

Advanced Going: Good to Firm

Key:

Red - first choice selection.

Green - selection if first choice doesn't run.

Only 82 horses have been entered at this meeting for the seven race card, however, only 92 were entered last year and the first race had 14 runners. The competition is at Tweseldown where 114 have been entered but there is only a five race card there. It will of course be difficult to have a day like last Monday but as we've said on many occasions you don't always have the best racing with big fields. The weather forecast for the weekend looks pretty encouraging with a low risk of a hard frost but warm clothing looks a necessity.

12.00noon.Open Maiden 5,6 & 7yr - 17 entries

This should be quite a decent Maiden race with several interesting entries. Ashgrove was fortunate to be placed in Irish maidens in 2004 and had two quiet runs last season; he should improve but will probably need the run. Captain Jack had three runs in Irish points in 2004 being placed 2^nd, beaten two lengths on one occasion, he looks to have missed 2005 but if fit is one for the shortlist. Henry's Luck Penny ran five times under rules last spring for Heather Dalton, the latest being a three length 2^nd in a Ludlow selling hurdle on fast ground, conditions here should suit and he could get involved in the finish here. Marino Mou was placed once in six efforts on the flat in 2004 when beaten four lengths into 3^rd over 15 furlongs at Folkstone. Munster Best is another ex Irish pointer whose best effort was an eight length 3^rd in a Confined Maiden at Kinsale on fast ground and he could go close in this. Special Benefit was beaten twelve lengths in his only start to date, although well beaten he finished a long way clear of the other three finishers who have all won since and the winner has gone on to win two novice chases. Owned by Mrs ( Upham Lord) Wilson, expectations will be high and the will be the likely favourite if lining up. Three Times a Lady has a little placed form under rules but would need to improve to be involved in the finish.

Selection: Special Benefit (Munster's Best)

12.30am. Open Maiden 8yr + - 9 entries

This is truly a dreadful race with none of the entries making any appeal whatsoever. Epop has managed a couple of 2nds and this appears the best pointing form. Johnny Ross was runner up in a Members to Endeavour in 2004 but the race was run at a crawl and hasn't run since. Atlantic Drift, 2^nd in two Maidens in the West Country in 2003 has only managed two outings since, showing absolutely nothing. Memsahib Ki Behan was 2^nd in a bad Mares Maiden at Cottenham last year, must have a chance in this company. Padamul is very well bred but generally struggles to stay but did have a pipe opener last week. Red Return has shown a little ability under rules, best effort 3^rd out of four at Plumpton.

Selection: Red Return (Memsahib Ki Behan)

1.00pm. Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members (Nov Riders) - 9 entries

Let's hope that this is a better spectacle than the corresponding race last week. Demasta had managed to get to the front but looked to be tiring when falling at the 4^th last. Step Quick won this race last year and scored twice more for his novice rider, he is at his best on fast ground. Nokimover lived up to his name when winning at Northaw; he's been a useful performer but has now changed hands and is not the most straight forward of rides. Only Once, an Irish point winner and also winner of two Novice Chases would be a popular victor but all of his better form has been on soft ground. Second Thoughts has managed two wins over the years but is generally easy to beat and a place looks the best she can hope for.

Selection: Step Quick (Nokimover)

1.30 pm. Mens Open - 12 entries

This whole contest revolves around Placid Man (Ladies also alternative). Only seen twice last year but his 3^rd in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham will make him long odds on for this race. Star Glow won a Huntingdon Hunter Chase but was disappointing on his two other starts, has won over the course and the York's had a winner last week at Cottenham. Another Dude was a decent hurdler for Howard Johnson with a real liking for Musselburgh, however he fell in his only two chases. Howard Johnson made the comment that he didn't take to fences. Keltic Heritage has won over hurdles and fences but his main claim to fame is when 2^nd and badly hampered on the run in at Exeter, he failed to get the race in the steward's room much to everyone's disbelief. Newick Park has been a successful chaser under rules, now returning to points, punters may remember his dam Quilpee Mai running in Ladies Opens for David Claydon and ridden by Jackie Hodge (doesn't time fly). Galway Breeze, a good 3^rd on Monday at Cottenham may find this race coming rather too soon. Silent Native a three-time winner in Ireland but all at two miles.

Selection: Placid Man (Star Glow)

2.00 pm. Ladies Open - 12 entries

Hopefully the presence of Placid Man in the entries will not put off the other Ladies as this could be an exciting race, the Turner's representative will more than likely benefit from the run. Little Brown Bear would have an excellent chance if turning up but he is also entered at Tweseldown. Lucky Bay now with Heather Kemp ( nee Irving ) was a former Henrietta Knight inmate who attained a rating of 137 even though he has only ever won twice he has been placed in good company, should find pointing easier and is sure to be in the shake up. Make Haste Slowly won two races when with Henry Daly, he made mistakes over the bigger obstacles and his last three runs were disappointing but could well be rejuvenated by the new yard and then switch to pointing. Minino showed improved form by his switch to a new yard and to Ladies races, he may find some of these too good and the course too tight. Placid Man was an excellent 3^rd in the Cheltenham Foxhunters he will take all the beating here but will be no value and it may pay to oppose him.

Selection: Lucky Bay (Placid Man)

2.30 pm. CA Club Members - 10 entries

Cloudy Bay Boy has managed one win in each of the last three seasons; this lightly raced sort is ideally suited by an easy three miles. Heaven is Above, a Hunter Chase winner in Ireland has not reproduced his best form here but must stand a good chance in this race. The Noble Roman won two last season including a very easy win in a fast time on this course. Polish Cloud, a three times winner under rules when trained by Tom George, should be suited by this easy course. Militaire an Open winner in 2004 showed nothing last year. Newick Park, Only Once and Silent Native all mentioned in earlier races.

Selection: Heaven is Above (Noble Roman)

3.00pm.Restricted - 13 entries

This Restricted does appear to be a competitive race with plenty of the entries worthy of consideration. Cashari finally got his head in front when winning at Ashorne and the stable had a close 2^nd at Cottenham last Monday. Ballykilthy got no further than the first at Cottenham but this consistent performer has a good chance here if none the worse for his fall. Joves Shadow is now trained by Alex Embiricos, was a fortunate winner here last season. Nibby Bloom has the choice of Mon Esprit and Montenegro. Mon Esprit won a bad Maiden at Marks Tey and ran poorly in a restricted after, Montenegro won a Fakenham Maiden in 2004 but missed last season. The Turners have Rakatia and Saffronto entered, the former won over the course and ran well in this company after. Saffronto was an Irish point winner but was brought down at the first on Monday. The Stickler is another course winner but disappointed when beaten at Marks Tey next time out. Second Thoughts, mentioned earlier, this looks a much easier race. Airmark a winner of a point in Ireland last season has some decent form but has yet to run on fast ground

Selection: Ballkilthy(Airmark)

Talking earlier of Placid Man's 3^rd in the Foxhunter's at Cheltenham. The pub team would like to point out that Hugh Hodge also finished 3^rd in this race on his owner/trained and ridden Kings Rose (Puckeridge qualified) in 1953 behind the dead heaters Dunboy 11 and Merry when the race was run over 4 miles, was beaten by five lengths.

Yours pompously,

The Pub Team

Have a good days racing!