12.00 Hunt Members – 8 entries
Prospects look good and we kick off with an interesting Hunt Members race. Connections of Always Roses must be keen to get on the track again after an impressive win in the Intermediate race at Thorpe Lodge last month, which was also the fastest time of the day. The Bealby yard is also represented by The Luder, a one paced third in the Novice Rider’s race at the same meeting and definitely their second string.  Mister Tibus ran encouragingly when 2 lengths second to Foulstons Ruler at Higham but the going may just have gone against this likeable horse. The only other entrant worth considering is Duke of Stradone. Like Always Roses this one is multi entered so connections must be keen to run but he has been off the track for over two years so it would be a wonderful training feat if he were to win although has won over course and distance.

Selection: Always Roses                    Alternative: Duke of Stradone

12.35 Intermediate – 21 entries
No one who went to the Dunston Harriers meeting at Ampton last month could not have failed to be impressed with Restricted winner Nobby Kivambo who maintained a blistering pace from start to finish.  The time was only 1 second slower than the fastest race of the day and for this virtual novice this was an exceptional performance.  Cottenham is a different track but a good showing is still expected.  Wat Jimmy Call It is from the powerful Crow yard and whilst their will be no RB aboard to galvanize the best out of the 7 year old under the likely guidance of Tom David a strong showing is expected and though first time out this should not cause concern as he ran very well first time out last season when going under by only ½ length at Ampton to Vote for Doodle.  The Crow’s also have another attractive entrant in Walcot Lathyrus.  Comfortable winner of the first division if the Restricted at Thorpe Lodge the going will be in his favour and with one run under his belt fitness is pretty much guaranteed.  Fairymount came up against Always Roses at Thorpe, he will have come on for the race and the Hamer yard is performing very well this season so bound to be in the mix Ringa Bay is something of an enigma but if Phil York catches him on the right day he is a very good horse. His runner up berth behind Cedrus Libani at Chaddesley last term was impressive and if running to his best may well take some catching but a worrying P/U first time out this season, when favourite, is concerning.  Stress won well at Higham but this is a hot race and this may not be his day.  The lightly raced Law Court ran very promisingly back at the beginning of December when going under by less than a length in a competitive Intermediate Race at Barbary.  Has had a good rest and runs well fresh so may well surprise.  This is a competitive race and there are a number in with a chance but Walcot Lathyrus gets the vote with a much improved performance from Ringa Bay expected.

Selection: Walcot Lathyrus                               Reserve: Ringa Bay

1.10 Mens Open – 24 entries
The abundance of opportunities this week following the freeze is likely to draw many entrants elsewhere, and it is not expected that the likes of Chapoturgeon and My Flora will appear.  Border Fusion won this race last year from Caulkin, and returned to the course in November when he finished alone after both his opponents gave their riders horrendous falls.  The ex Paul Nicholls horse Earth Dream was the easy winner of the Men’s Open around this course on New Year’s Eve beating the previously successful Ravethebrave.  Divine Intavention has won two opens this season, at Black Forest Lodge and more recently a tenacious victory over Ballyeightra Cross.  In between these two wins he finished 2nd at Tweseldown to Lorikarad, where She Is A Cracker finished fifteen lengths behind in 4th.  She Is A Cracker has also won around this course back in November in a Club Members Conditions race.  Sheriff Hutton finished a close 2nd on his first start this season at Alnwick.  Previously he was running under rules for Tim Walford, for whom he won six races.  Dream Garden finished 2nd on his seasonal debut at North Carlton.  Last year his season culminated with a win in an open at Garthorpe and followed this with victory in a Hunter Chase at Southwell.  Another to finish 2nd in an open this year is L’Oudon, who was just touched off by Star Double at Higham.  Frankie Anson and Rupin have both moved stables.  Frankie Anson is the winner of a novice hurdle and beginner’s chase, whilst Rupin easily won both a maiden hurdle and a novice chase for Howard Johnson and are interesting recruits to the point-to-point scene.

Selection: Earth Dream                      Alternative: Border Fusion 

1.45 Ladies Open – 24 entries
Two ex-Paul Nicholls horses Gwanako and Qozak top the entry.  Smart chaser Gwanako (officially rated 140)won the Topham Chase in 2008 but fell twice over fences last season and was switched back to hurdles to rebuild confidence.  He finished a decent 2nd behind Description on his pointing debut at Larkhill and should be able to build on that.  Qozak’s six UK wins have all been at Taunton. He was 3rd behind Mount Sandel on his pointing debut at Tweseldown and will need to improve on that to beat his ex-stablemate (also OR 140).  Or Bleu (ex-Philip Hobbs, OR129) has performed best over shorter trips (up to 2m 5f) and prefers softer going.  He was well behind when falling on his pointing debut at Barbury.  Swift Counsel was a versatile 2-3m performer for John O’Callaghan in Ireland (OR 122).  He won at Overton last weekend and we’d be surprised to see him out again so soon.  Tzora was a fair 2-2m 4f hurdler for Philip Hobbs but hasn’t been seen since September 2010.

Session Or Ression won five of his eight starts in Irish points including two competitive Opens last season.  He clearly has plenty of ability and it would be no surprise to see him go close.  Mister Socks also put in some decent performances in Irish points but hasn’t been seen since May 2010.  Now with John Ferguson and any market support should be noted.  Champtho missed most of last season after a bad fall at Horseheath.  He bounced back to win a poor three-runner 2m 5f Hunter Chase at Folkestone and is clearly a promising sort though it’s difficult to assess his true ability on the basis of those runs.  L'Oudon ran well to finish a neck behind Star Double at Higham and should come on for that run though this will be more competitive.  Mountain Emperor, Old Si, Pass The Parsel, Roaringwater and Scotmail Too have place chances.

Selections: Gwanako                          Alternative: Qozak

2.20 Restricted – 19 entries
A respectable 19 horse entry at a meeting where the ground should be good but with 8 entered the following day in the Higham Restricted – so who will run where?  Macklin may go off favourite following his 2L Maiden Div. 1 win at Higham in January but will possibly go back to the same track as could It was me who won Div. 2. Dinnie O also comes from a comfortable 8L Maiden win at Chipley Park in January and could well progress. Woodview Prince also has an opportunity following an easy 6l win over Roiofthetigers in the Club Members Maiden at Chaddesley Corbett in December.  From the Hobson yard comes Can’t Touch This - 5L 2nd to Mirage Prince in the firm ground Higham Restricted in May 2011 following a win in a 2 runner Maiden at Hackwood Park in April and a 2nd to Sud Nivernais.  Another possible Higham runner is Mambo Ruler 8L 3rd to Doctor Kingsley in the May Dingley Restricted who ran 2L 2nd to Stress in the January Higham Restricted with Festival Bound 1L back in 3rd Captain Marshall will proably run at Higham as he favours a left hand track.  From the Cantillon stable comes Hightown  an easy 4L Maiden Div. 2 winner at North Charlton in January and  Dancing Jack an easy 10L Maiden winner of Div. 2 (which will run or both ?)  Argentato has firm ground form when 2L 2nd to Finnish Melody in the March 2011 Cottenham Restricted in a fast sub 6 min. time – winning a Maiden at Marks Tey in early March 2011 on soft ground beating Katepost and Inspired Forever both who went onto win Maidens in April at Marks Tey and Catsfield respectively, but p.u. at the 10th on his run in the May Dingley Restricted and again a weakening p.u. in the December Cottenham restricted under Bridget Andrews.  Katepast will have come on from his p.u. at Charing in January but will struggle in this company.

Selection: Hightown / Dancing Jack                Alternative: Dinnie O

2.55 Open Maiden – 33 entries
A double-header locally and rearranged meetings elsewhere, makes it hard to work out running plans.

For that reason I shall concentrate on the locals first.  Horses with a Higham entry will have an (H) after their name.  Elvis The King and Filibuster (H) both filled the runners-up berth at the last Higham meeting. The division that Elvis The King ran in was much the quicker, but Filibuster (H) has plenty of scope for improvement. Baile Phadraig (H), John’s Delight (H), Macdougal and Turtle Boys are all well held by the previously mentioned pair.  However Wave Breaker was an early casualty in his race, and this twice placed ex-Irish pointer is definitely one to consider.  Johnstown Castle (H) was also placed in Irish points, and made a satisfactory start to his pointing on this side of the Irish Sea, when runner-up at North Carlton.  On The Arthur (H) was placed in 2 Irish points (both on soft ground), including when 21/2 lengths 3rd to Simonsig (highly rated Nicky Henderson novice hurdler).  He was subsequently disappointing, but a repetition of anything like that, will make a maiden win a formality.  Oxiana (H) and Tiradia both have form in bumpers, and are now East Anglian based.  The former has been absent since April 2010, but is well related (mainly Flat winners).  Henry’s Theatre departed after a mile when starting favourite on his debut. He showed that the optimism wasn’t misplaced when a good 4th at Whitfield (just ahead of Guilty As Charged).  The yard also have Native Knock entered.  He had every chance when departing at the last in a maiden at Kinsale last season.  Already having sent out winners here, this season, they will deserve full respect if deserting their local meetings to travel here.

One Wish was runner-up in a Whitfield maiden before Christmas, that was only his third start (placed in an Irish maiden).  He is one for the short-list.  Charlotte’s Ball is from a yard who do well with this type, but looked short of stamina for the full trip, when running under rules.  Mr Trump and James Wyatt are in good yards, and are worth a check of the market.

Selection: On The Arthur                   Alternative: Elvis The King

3.30 Open Maiden (2m4f) – 25 entries
This race has attracted 25 entries and with a safety factor of 16 there is a chance it may divide on the day. Colonel Iain hails from John Ferguson's stable; he was placed 2nd on his only run over the course and distance on New Year’s Eve when beaten by Access All Areas.  He is one for the shortlist.  Aconitum was 2nd at Heythrop last month beaten by Rock And Ska in a 3 mile maiden.  The shorter trip may be to his advantage.  Johnstown Castle finished 2nd at North Carlton last month beaten by Dancing Jack.  Wave Breaker got no further than the 2nd fence three weeks ago at Higham but previously had been 3rd in Ireland in December 2011 when beaten by Kris Cross at Lingstown.  Must Be The Music fell when still in with a chance of victory at Whitfield in December and could figure here if that experience hasn't left a mark.  The Fish Pot is owned by Champion NH trainer Paul Nicholls.  He was 3rd on his only outing so far at Chaddesley Corbett in late December beaten by Woodview Prince.  He's certainly an interesting runner if turning up here.  The Ferguson stable also have Dr Harry Who in this contest. He was 3rd here over the course and distance to Midnight King on New Year’s Eve, the horse that finished 2nd was It Was Me who scored comfortably at Higham recently.  Jimsun comes from the Antonia Bealby yard and was 6th in a Huntingdon bumper but fell on his pointing debut at Barbury Castle in December.  Bit Of AClown was placed 3rd once under rules at Leicester in a novice hurdle in January 2011, but hasn't shown anything in two pointing runs this season.  Cherry's Bay was placed on her final 3 appearances last season.  On her final run she was 2nd at Garthorpe in May 2011 to Quantum Theory.  On The Arthur has been placed 4 times from 8 starts in Irish points including two 2nd placings.  On his final run he was 5th at Toomebridge to Young Jim, he's from Nick Wright's yard who does well with the small number of horses he has.  The unraced Fare Justice is a half brother to winning Irish hurdler According To Him.  Tergal has strong connections and the market would be the best guide to his chance. The same comment applies to George Cooper's Prospect's Spirit.  This race should go to the John Ferguson trained Colonel Iain and we'll go with On The Arthur for our next best as we don't expect The Fish Pot to turn up.

Selection: Colonel Iain                                       Alternative: On The Arthur