NORTH NORFOLK HARRIERS MEETING –Higham
SUNDAY January 29th 2012
Advanced Going – Good
 

12.00pm Open Maiden  – 24 entries

This race has attracted an entry of 24 but it really looks to concern two horses, Macklin and It Was Me.

Macklinwould have most likely won at Cottenham on New Year's Eve but for hanging wildly left off the last bend and despite jockey James Owen's best efforts must have forfeited about 20 lengths and then when straightened up, ran on to go down by 7 lengths to Oscar The Myth.  Oscar The Myth ran a creditable race at Ampton when 2nd, beaten a length by the progressive Nobby Kivambo in the restricted so boosting Macklin's form.  It Was Me was 2nd at Cottenham in a 2 1/2 mile maiden on New Years Eve to Midnight King, going down by 1/2 a length.  John's Delight was 3rd at Ampton earlier this month beaten 19 lengths by Roi De Garde, he maybe better on a stiffer track though.  The Ferguson stable, who have Macklin entered also have Elvis The King in this race.  He fell on his first appearance this season when in 4th place at Whitfield in December, previously he was 3rd at Higham in January 2011 when beaten 16 lengths behind Pingpong.  Baltic Blue was 5th at Cottenham in a youngster's maiden on New Years Eve beaten 28 lengths by Access All Areas, but did run on very well late and if ridden more prominently could  get placed.  Dockbridge was 2nd on his only start last season but was also the only other finisher when beaten 8 lengths by Wilkinson at Llanvapley in April 2011.  He has since changed hands.  Princess Yasmin was 3rd at Marks Tey on her final outing last season beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Katepast in April.  Red In Bed has filled the runner's up berth 5 times in her career including in a Huntingdon Hunter Chase, she only ran twice last season and was well beaten on both occasions.  Galbally King was placed 3rd on debut in an Irish point in May 2010 when beaten 20 lengths by Dontupsettherhythm at Donore.  However his form since has been moderate and he's been well beaten in 3 starts under rules in Ireland.  Native Knock fell on his only race in an Irish point at the final obstacle when holding every chance at Kinsale in June 2011.  Thehookybooky also fell at the last when still in contention on his final start in an Irish point at Ballysteen in  May 2011.  Caroline Fryer's Wymondham stable who did so well last season have an interesting recruit in Wave Breaker who's been placed 3rd twice in 2 Irish points.  On the last occasion, he was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Kris Cross at Lingstown in December.  This race looks to be between the John Ferguson trained Macklin and It Was Me, owned and trained by his friend Nick Wright.  We'll just side with Macklin as Oscar The Myth's performance at Ampton has given the form a boost.  Any moves in the betting market for Wave Breaker should be noted, however.

Selection: Macklin                                    Alternative: It Was Me

12.30pm PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) – 14 entries

A good class entry for this type of race, but I must say it is beyond my comprehension that three adjacent areas Midlands at Thorpe, South-East at Charing and East Anglia at Higham, have all programmed identical novice rider races.

Ravethebrave looks the obvious starting point.  He gave his young rider the perfect start at Black Forest Lodge, and lost little in defeat when runner-up in an Open race at Cottenham (fastest time of the day).  Va Vavoom is lightly raced, but has been a decent performer locally for Fleur Hawes.  He only managed 2 outings last season. He failed to land a punt when 2nd to one of the top local Ladies horses (King Du Berlais) at Marks Tey on his 2nd start in 2011. This easier track will suit, but riding arrangements will need close scrutiny, as he can be keen, and can take a chance with the fences.  Basic Fact has 3 course wins to his name, but tends to pick up modest races towards the end of the season, and as well as finding this too competitive, he will probably need the run.  Defying Gravity was a useful Irish hunter chase winner in 2010, and was a close 4th to the useful Simonsberg at Down Royal in another hunter chase run on fast ground.  But he has been way below that level since, and had in fact pulled up on his last 3 starts in Ireland.  He ran a reasonable enough race when 3rd to Timeshift at Cottenham in December, on his English pointing debut.  Also placed on that card was Tumbling Dice, in a novice riders contest. He is however on a lengthy losing streak, and he looks each-way material again.  Van Ness is a model of consistency and jumped round in the Aintree Foxhunters last year (for the 2nd time), but has now changed hands.  He’ll give John Morrey a plenty of fun, but lacks a turn of foot.  Ya I Know was a close 3rd at Ampton this month, and this thorough stayer is unlikely to be suited by this more speed oriented track.  Duke Of Stradone was a game winner of a Members race at Cottenham in 2010, but has been on the sidelines since.

Selection: Ravethebrave                Alternative: Va Vavoom

1.00pm CA Club Members Conditions – 23 entries

Little Legend was one of 11 runners in a Conditions Race at Larkhill earlier this month in which only two finished. Sadly Little Legend was not one of the finishers falling 4 from home when in the lead.  Has a bit of a reputation for making one serious error during on each outing and with the pace of this race likely to be fast and furious jumping could be called into question.  Trainer John Ibbott looks to have a strong hand in the race with both Mountain Emperor and Finnish Melody entered.  Both horses have won over course and distance and the selection is likely to be ridden by the stylish Gina Andrews.  Of the two Finnish Melody won first time out last season whereas Mountain Emperor took a couple of races to get into his stride so the former gets the vote on this occasion.  Timeshift’s record is, to say the least mercurial.  At this meeting last season he pulled up in a 5 runner Intermediate race when odds on favourite.  This season he pulled up first time out at Cottenham but went on to win over the same course and distance next time out.  The going is clearly critical as there was more give in the ground when he won.  Ya I Know ran creditably at Ampton a fortnight ago when a close third to the useful Kells Castle.  A stayer who, as expected, ran up the hill well at Ampton.  It remains to be seen if owner Humphreys will engage the services of Mickey Ennis again.  Stable Amateur to David Pipe, Higham is even further away from Pipe’s yard than Ampton.  Another who is building a reputation as a stayer is Foulstons Ruler but Higham would not be described as stayer’s track seemingly more ideal for the front running type.  Pouilly, however, loves the course and will, no doubt, be seeking to gain revenge for the defeat suffered in this race 12 months ago.  Last year’s race was not quite up to the standard that could be seen this year but a strong show is still expected.  Firmont Beech has won over course and distance but finished behind Finnish Melody last term and, if running, we see no reason why the placings should be reversed. Defying Gravity ran as though needing the outing when a weak third in the Club Members race at Cottenham behind Timeshift.  Trainer Caroline Fryer’s horses have all run this season without that magic sparkle that was so much in evidence last year.  It could well be that they will all come on for their opening runs so a much better performance is expected here from this former Irish Hunter Chase winner.  The final horse to consider is Law Court, who ran a close second at Barbary Castle in the opening Intermediate race. This one seems to run best when fresh but although well thought of has probably yet to fully realise his full potential.  There may be others in the race that will find him out.

This is a hard one to call but on balance the obvious class of Timeshift takes the vote with a strong showing from Finnish Melody expected.    

Selection: Timeshift                      Alternative: Finnish Melody

1.30pm Mens Open – 11 entries

The threat of firm ground at entry, and alternative fixtures has resulted in a disappointing number of entries for the men’s open, many of whom hold alternative engagements.

Four of them have already run this year.  Old Si finished third to Leac An Scail in the ladies open at Cottenham, and the form has been franked by the winner whom has subsequently won another Ladies Open.  Sarahs Gift, ran in a novice rider’s race at Chipley Park last week, also finishing 3rd.  Star Double has come the closest to scoring when finishing 2nd in the Club Members Race for 9 year olds and over at Ampton, behind Kells Castle.  Caulkin failed to stay 3 miles in points last season, and was switched to hunter chases over shorter distances.  He gained a facile victory at Fakenham over 2 miles 5 ½ furlongs, and ended the season running over 2 miles.  At the time of writing he is likely to run elsewhere.  L’Oudon, formerly trained in the north, won a men’s open at Mordon, and followed this with three second placings.  Basic Fact won two races around Higham towards the end of last season, but only beat five opponents, whilst father time might be catching up with the formerly useful Kadount who ran in two hunter chases at Fakenham but failed to beat a single rival.  The Ferbane Man, formerly with Tim Vaughan was the winner of three chases and a hurdle the most recent under the guidance of AP McCoy at Wincanton last April.  Duke of Stradone who holds entries in three other races at this meeting last ran in 2010, when successful in a member’s race at Cottenham.  He was also successful around this course in a novice rider’s race beating Basic Fact into second place back in 2009.

Selection: Old Si                        Alternative: L’Oudon

2.00pm Ladies Open – 19 entries

Qozak (OR140) is the class horse and will be difficult to beat if anywhere near his best.  That said, he only finished 3rd behind Mount Sandel and Armoury House on his pointing debut at Tweseldown.  He clearly has plenty of ability and should come on for that run. The ex-Philip Hobbs Or Bleu (OR129) also disappointed on his pointing debut and was well behind when falling at Barbury.  He should appreciate this easy trip.  Old Si has shown little in points finishing well behind Leac An Scail at Cottenham on his latest run. He was a decent performer for Dessie Hughes (OR125) and if regaining that form could be a threat. Osolomio won a chase for Jennie Candlish back in 2009 but has drifted down the ratings since. He could have place chances.  Of the established pointers, the lightly raced Rocklandslad won easily here last season and should go close.  Joe Turner’s two entries both have plenty of ability: Champtho missed most of last season following a fall at Horseheath when going well but bounced back to win a 3-runner 2m 5f Hunter Chase at Folkestone in May. He should enjoy this trip.  King Du Berlais performs significantly better on stayers’ tracks so this is not ideal for him. He’s also likely to need the run.  Finnish Melody progressed from Maiden to Open in her 4 starts last season but was surprisingly beaten here in a match with the veteran Leatherback.  L’Oudon won a weak Men’s Open and was placed in couple of Novice Hunter Chases last season but will likely need to improve on that form to take this.  Pouilly has a good record here putting in some very fast times. He was a little below par last season but Fleur Hawes’ horses always gets her horses fit first time out and he will have a good chance if the race cuts up.  Roaringwater clearly has ability but can’t be backed with confidence.  Jumbul Sale and Young Collier are both returning after long breaks and are best watched.

More than half the horses have alternative entries so the race could well cut-up.

Selection: Qozak (if he runs)              Alternative Rocklandslad (Pouilly)

2.30pm Restricted – 12 entries

A rather poor 12 horse entry at a meeting where the ground should be good.  Master Workman from the Kemp stable comes with a Maiden win in Ireland and ran an interesting race in the January Ampton Restricted where he led (with some rather wild jumping) the winner Nobby Kivambo to the 13th but was not suited running right handed so Higham should suit and he could figure in the frame.  Shaninna was 15L 4th in the same race and is unlikely to trouble the judge.  Arniecoo may struggle with the distance as weakening 30L + 7th in the December Cottenham Restricted as may Festival Bound who weakening 3 out then pu at the last but it was a fast time.  Stress the probable favouritewas 10L 2nd to the impressive Now then Charlie and will improve for the run.  Topthorn was prominent in the January Larkhill Restricted but weakened and pulled up 2 out following a narrow hd win from Macklin in the short Maiden at Barbury in early December – distance an issue?  Crosby from the Andrews stable can be somewhat erratic but was placed in 2 Restricted races in 2010. Chapmans Peak ran 16L 4th to Flowersoftherarest in the Novice Riders at Ampton with every chance 3 out but weakened – he will come on from this race and could figure.  Mambo Ruler 8L 3rd to Doctor Kingsley in the May Dingley Restricted is another who will benefit from a first run this season.  Lady Barack won a Guilsborough Maiden in April 2011 and 2nd at Garthorpe in March but pu in next 2 runs will need a run this season to assess form.

Selection: Master Workman                      Alternative: Stress      

Enjoy some great racing!