PREVIEW: Dunston Harriers at Ampton – Sunday 14th January
By Graham Bishop
Racing returns to Ampton racecourse, near Bury St. Edmunds, on Sunday, exactly a year after the last meeting was hosted, at the venue. Extreme, dry conditions caused the abandonment of the second scheduled meeting, due to take place last March.
80 entries (nearly 30% up on last year) have been made across the six-race card for this Dunston Harriers fixture, with the first race at midday, and we look forward to some competitive racing, throughout the afternoon.
There are numerous previous course winners amongst the overall entry including Tullys Touch (five course wins), Precious Bounty (two), Blazing Tom (two) whilst Monkey Puzzle, Myplaceatmidnight, Buachaill Dana, Hawkhurst, Chapelier, Castle Trump and Knight Bachelor have all enjoyed visits to the winners’ enclosure, at the Suffolk venue.
Some of the entries have been made from stables far and wide, notably the six horses emanating from the South Wales yard of Tim Vaughan for his son Edward to ride. Edward, who is leading the novice rider’s championship could have a ride in each of the five races in which he can partake, and they must all be considered with a chance, all of which have had the benefit of at least one run this season. They comprise of Poli Roi in the opening Conditions race for 9 year-olds and over, Getaway Cory or Imaginaire in the Maiden race, Halo des Obeaux in the Men’s Open contest, State Of Fame in the Restricted race and Siberian Star in the concluding Novice Riders’ event.
The Conditions race for 10 year-olds and over, which has a total of 19 entries, has horses from a variety of backgrounds. Pileon was runner-up in the 2020 Martin Pipe hurdle race at the Cheltenham Festival and is now in the care of Sam Loxton, Koyote won four points last year, whilst Blazing Tom could return, having been off the course since May 2022, having won a hunter ‘chase and four points that season, one of which was the Ladies Open race on this card. Prolific, Ampton scorer Tullys Touch has an entry in this race as well as both Open contests.
The Maiden race has an intriguing look to it, with both the Tim Vaughan-trained horses having been placed this season. Christopher Barber travelled up to East Anglia in 2022 with one runner and went home victorious following the victory of Mr Vango. Jingle du Gouet is his sole entry to maintain this winning record, and has had the benefit of the run, finishing 2nd to the Tim Vaughan trained Mary’s Fortune in a 2 ½ mile Maiden at Great Trethew in November.
Andrew Pennock’s Maidens ran well at Horseheath and is represented by Merrymahler and The Pier Field. Other stables with recent winners include that of Michael Kehoe who won with Mitchouka at Horseheath and has entered Court Cian and Lucky Punch, Tom Ellis has the ex-Irish pointer Creapapy who has some placed form. The Nick Wright trained Arkle Rua also has placed form in Ireland whilst the unraced Mahbury hails from the yard of Philip Rowley.
The overall quality of the two Open races is encouraging. Of the ten entries in the Ladies Open race eight have a rating over 100, whilst there are 11 rated over 100 in the Men’s Open race.
The Ladies Open race could see last year’s race winner Precious Bounty have his first outing of the season and was ultra consistent, last season, finishing in the first four on all outings including in three hunter ‘chases. Captain Biggles progressed through the ranks ending up with a victory in the “Restricted” final at Stratford but may need to improve again to beat the Alan Hill trained I K Brunel, who was aimed at the “big two” Foxhunter ‘chases last season, after winning an early season point and hunter ‘chase.
The Men’s Open race looks like a competitive affair featuring Hung Jury who won a Mixed Open at Chaddesley Corbett in early December, whilst Halo des Obeaux won a Conditions race and has then finished runner-up in an Open at Wadebridge. Go Go Geronimo failed to finish on his last two starts last season, but otherwise has been a model of consistency, never finishing outside of the first three in all starts. Forest Chimes ran up a sequence following an initial outing last season and arrives here having had his first run of this campaign.
The Restricted race entry is showing the benefit of the change of conditions that now apply, with five entrants set to carry the 5lb penalty for having previously won a Restricted contest.
State Of Fame won his Restricted this season, whilst the other four, Harbour Queen, Padjoes Legacy, Paper Mill and Urban Grit won theirs last season. Above and Beyond and Foxylee should both strip fit, both having won their Maiden races this season.
The concluding race for novice riders has several existing partnerships which can be a help. Monkey Puzzle, Craigmor and Jonjoela have all won a race under their intended rider, the latter two having the benefit of an outing this season.
FIRST RACE 12 midday. Admission: Adults £15 ( cash only) Children under 16 free Racecards £3
Dogs ( on short lead ) very welcome. Tradestands, catering outlets and public bar.
AMPTON racecourse is situated 4 miles North of Bury St. Edmunds on the A134 Thetford Road, through the village of Ingham (IP31 1NS )
