THE PUCKERIDGE HUNT MEETING – Horseheath
Saturday March 31st 2012
Advance Going – Good To Firm

2.00pm Horseheath  Hunts Club Members  – 10  entries

Evening Echo comes here in good heart having won a hotly contested Confined race at Marks Tey back in February.   He was 3rdtwice in Club Members races here last season but seems to have come on significantly from last year’s running so could well come out on top on this occasion.  Can’t Touch This performed most creditably in James Owen’s hands last week when a 5 lengths second to Caveman in the 4 mile Men’s Open.  If running to that form again he would go very close but that was a hard race and connections might not have him ready to run again so soon although, he was a course and distance winner earlier this season.  Ya I Know ran creditably first time out when third behind Kells Castle and Star Double at Ampton in February.  He performed less well next time out on the short Higham track so it may be that Horseheath may be more suitable.  Will not be inconvenienced by the going and jockey booking will be important. Saddlers Melody is an interesting entrant; only ran once last season when a well beaten second to Latenightdip. He had a number of useful horses behind him that day and whilst he has not set the world on fire this season if running into his best form he could spring a surprise. Elvis the King from the all-conquering Ferguson yard has progressed well this season but more will be required to feature in the mix up. Made favourite last time out his defeat at the hands of Gallbally King was far from a disgrace as this is probably the best horse to come out of Andrew Pennock’s highly successful yard. Bach to the Wall ran last weekend but only raced for about half a mile after a disagreement with Richard Collinson.  More will be expected today but this is a big step up in class. In fairness most of the entrants have a squeak but as ever much will depend who turns up on the day. If running we expect Evening Echo to take the spoils in a close finish from Elvis the King.

Selection: Evening Echo                                   
Alternative: Elvis the  King



2.35pm Open Maiden –  12 entries

With the dry spell set to continue, it could well be that the members of the Pub team will put on a performance of the Desert Song. Only 12 entered for this contest, possibly the lowest number we can remember for a Maiden at this course.  One Wish pulled up on his last appearance at Charing in February when not jumping well.  He was sent off favourite that day on the back of a decent previous run at Whitfield when a 3 length 2nd to Rich Live in December. If bouncing back from the poor run last time, he is very much a contender here.  Flo The Machine had failed to complete in three previous outings until finishing 3rd at Cottenham two weeks ago beaten 4 lengths behind Milled, however that was over 2 1/2 miles and there's no guarantee she'll stay this longer trip.  Mr Bed Bugs finished 5th in this contest a further 11 1/2 lengths behind Flo The Machine.  Must Be The Music has the same connections as One Wish and he was 3rd on his last outing beaten 27 lengths at Charing  in February by Mr Maybe. Hondalia was 3rd at Cottenham two weeks ago in a 3mile contest but beaten a distance behind Sa Kaldoun with Free From Mageea further distance behind in 4th. Rock Alliance unseated his rider last week at Marks Tey and it's difficult seeing him winning this.  Oxiana had been placed 4th twice in 5 starts under rules, on his final run under rules in April 2010 he was 11th at Perth beaten 60 lengths behind Solway Sam in a 2 mile 1 furlong maiden hurdle but jumped badly on his pointing debut at Marks Tey in February before being pulled up and is probably best watched here. The Kemp yard, responsible for Oxiana also has Kings Performance in this. He pulled up on his sole start last year at Marks Tey and is very lightly raced for a 7 year old.  Having run twice under rules and finishing a remote 4th in a Fontwell bumper back in April 2009.  Thehookybooky fell on his final start in Irish points when holding every chance of winning at the  final fence; however he has failed to complete in all 3 starts in English points. Fourth In Line pulled up in a restricted at Marks Tey on his  pointing debut, but had been placed 4th on his first run in an Irish bumper beaten 3 1/4 lengths by The Grey Express at Killarney in July 2010.  He was well beaten however on his last 2 rules starts including a Huntingdon novices hurdle in January last year. One Wish should land this if turning up and you ignore his last run. Tentatively we'll make him our selection but the connections do have Must Be The Music as well entered and we'll side with Flo The Machine as our alternative choice but it's not a race for big stakes to be placed. 

Selection: One Wish                                           
Alternative: Flo The Machine 


3.10pm AGA Ladies  Open – 14 entries
 
The entry is a bit disappointing for an AGA Ladies’ qualifier but if the main protagonists take part it should be a decent enough race. Session Or Ression and Assassino head the ratings and have put in strong performances in the past but there are doubts about both of them here. Session Or Ression has a strong record in Irish points having won five from eight starts but he threw away his chances on his Hunter Chase debut at Folkestone last month by jumping violently left at several fences and eventually dumped his jockey. A return to pointing should help his jumping and if given a strong ride he should take this. Assassino hasn’t been since winning a Hunter Chase at Fakenham easily last May. He seems better over easy trips and normally takes a couple of runs to get fully fit so he’s likely to be vulnerable in this.  Bavard Court was very progressive last season and looks a classy horse. He finished a long way behind Rainbow Tree at Marks Tey last month but should come on for that run. We commented in the last preview that it’s difficult to assess Defying Gravity’s form. He’s won three of his last four races but those wins included a mediocre Ladies at the last meeting here and a walk-over last Sunday at Marks Tey. Given the doubts about the others he could well take this. Star Double and Maranach are probably the best of the rest.

Selections in order of preference: Session Or Ression/Defying Gravity/Bavard Court/Star Double


3.45pm Mens Open –  13 entries

The Rodeo Clown tries to follow-up his course win at the previous meeting, when he won the Men’s Open from Arnold Layne and Frankie Anson. The form of the race was given a boost when Arnold Layne won a Men’s Open at Brocklesby Park and 6th placed Ballgalley Bob winning the Novice Rider’s race at Marks Tey last week. The win was in stark contrast to his previous outing at Higham where he appeared to go off too fast and eventually pulled up. Frankie Anson’s run was an improved effort as well. Previously he had finished 4thin a Men’s Open at Cottenham in February on his first run for his new stable.  Just ahead of him at Cottenham in 3rd place was Sarahs Gift, a similar finishing position to his first run of the season in a Novice Rider’s race at Chipley Park. Coat of Honour was given an enterprising front running ride to win the Men’s Open at Ampton three weeks ago, his first form for a long while, and however similar tactics around Horseheath may not produce the same rewards. Star Double is another who front runs, and has won this season at Higham in a close finish with L’Oudon, but he then was easily outpointed in three runner Hunter Chase at Fakenham. Kornati Kid has become an enigma. Although twice successful last season, once at Ampton, some of his other runs were disappointing. His seasonal debut in a Hunter Chase at Warwick back in January did not give any encouragement, but having missed two months of the season it may transpire that something may have been ailing him. The ex Ferdy Murphy owned and trained New Alco ran for new connections at Marks Tey last week.  Unfortunately the horse ran out at the seventh fence in the Novice Rider’s race. Prior to this he won two Ladies Open races at Alnwick in Northumberland in the capable hands of top northern point-to-point jockey Catherine Walton. Corporate Account and Cheyanwelocked horns at Marks Tey last month. An uncontrollable Corporate Account carried out Cheyanwe when his tack failed. Cheyanwe had previously opened her account for the season in an Intermediate race at Ampton in January where she gained an easy win over two others.  Corporate Account’s stable companion Sorry Al ran a solid race only just being touched off by Native Bob in the Member’s race at Ampton, but this is tougher.

Selection: The Rodeo Clown                            
Alternative: Frankie Anson


 4.20pm Intermediate – 14 entries

Many of these have other options, not only in different races on this card, but also at other meetings over the weekend. We’ve been lucky to see some decent looking youngsters in the region this season, and It Was Me would be right up near the top of that list. He recorded the fastest time of the day when winning here at the Thurlow meeting. Castleconnor Lad (tailed off in 3rd place) and Irish Rebel (both course winners) were well held that day.  The latter showed his ability when placed at Higham, and ran better than his final placing last time at Cottenham.  Stablemate Can’t Touch This and the Turners’ Broken Beau (on his seasonal debut) both ran in the Cottenham race, and pulled up. But Irish Rebel has 16 lengths to find on the runner-up that day, Desertmore Valley. This was a reversal of there previous run at Higham when they filled 3rd and 4th places behind Little Legend. Mister Tibus loves the quick ground, he also ran in the Cottenham race, and finished behind Desertmore Valley and Irish Rebel, but a mistake 5 out cost him dear that day, and he is likely to finish nearer, at least this time. Can’t Touch This caused a surprise when upsetting a hot-pot at the Thurlow meeting, but the time was much slower than the one recorded by It Was Me. He bettered that effort when runner-up to Caveman over 4 miles at Marks Tey last week. This inconsistent performer may need a break this weekend.  Duke Of Kentford can hardly be accused of inconsistency, having finished 2ndin his last 3 starts (one this season), he’s not the most straightforward however, and will need a couple to come out if he's to win here. Orient Legend is a huge horse, and another who rarely runs a bad race, but is hard to win with. His shrewd connections have plenty of other options over the weekend for him. Of the Turner pair, Broken Beau and Native Bob, the latter looks the pick, but he was far from impressive when landing the odds in a slowly run Members at Ampton. He did finish in front of Evening Echo when they filled the placings at High Easter last year. However Evening Echo looks an improved performer this year, and followed up a good 3rd in an Open at North Carlton, by making most to score at Marks Tey. He picks up a penalty for that win.  Blarney Highwayman is from a yard who have produced countless winners over the years, and he showed improvement on his debut run to score in testing conditions at Garthorpe. This could be really competitive, with 9 or 10 of the entries being potential winners. I’ll go the improving youngster, but it will be a good test. 
 
Selection: It Was Me                                         
Alternative: Desertmore Valley

 
4.55pm Restricted – 10 entries

Chapmans Peak under Rupert Stearn was outpaced by 8L to Eileensbirthday at Mark Tey last week so may not run but Bach To The Wallwas ur at the 5th so may well run but with only a weakening 18L 4th in the previous Marks Tey Restricted, could well struggle again. Winner in a relatively slow Cottenham Maiden earlier in March Sa Kaldoun from the Turner stable could well run into a place, but he may choose to run the weaker of his 2 entries - Sud Nivernais beaten on his last run 21L into 4th by Argentato at Ampton earlier in the month. At the same meeting the progressive Elvis the King from the inform Ferguson stable ran a 4L 2nd to Galbally King and should improve to a win here, but he may choose the Members. Alan Hill’s Fly Direct with James Tudor piloting should provide a real challenge for what could be a very competitive race albeit with probably not many runners. Shuilegoric has yet to show any form and his last run at this track was a weakening 18L 3rd to Can’t Touch This.

Selection:  Elvis The King (if he runs)/Fly Direct                          
Alternative: Sa Kaldoun

Enjoy some great racing