PREVIEW OF THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK MEETING BEING HELD AT HIGHAM RACECOURSE ON GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 18th
By Mike Ashby
The now traditional Good Friday fixture at Higham brings the curtain down on the 2024/25 East Anglian season in which nine out of the ten scheduled meetings took place on their original dates with only the Dunston Harriers fixture at Ampton succumbing to frozen conditions, in January.
The current dry conditions have presented a real challenge to all course officials in their preparation for meetings being scheduled over the Easter period. The Good Friday fixture at Higham, has been the subject of a definite plan to achieve the best possible racing ground with all the bends moved on to fresh ground, all divots being filled and rolled and the course also benefits from a good covering of grass. Watering commenced a week prior to the fixture date and the course has subsequently been slit to encourage penetration of the ongoing watering and any natural rainfall and the Clerk of the Course will constantly be monitoring the ground. The aim is to accomplish ‘Good to Firm’ going on the majority of the course with the provision of safe jumping ground.
The Essex and Suffolk secretary is indebted to all owners and trainers who have submitted their entries and the reward for all the effort by those involved in the course preparation will ensure another large attendance at the popular racecourse, situated on the Suffolk/ Essex border.
The organisers have arranged a variety of attractions to appeal to all members of the family. An avenue of retail trade stands, including various catering outlets, beer tent, ice cream vendor and funfair attractions for the children will all be available together with two dog shows for both fun and working dog classes, taking place during the afternoon’s proceedings. On course activities start at 12.30pm with a children’s lead rein race followed by a pony race before the six point-to-point steeplechases get underway at 2.10pm.
The opening Hunt Members race looks to have been targeted by trainer Alan Hill for local owner Richard Cranfield and of their three entries there is every possibility of Back Bar following up his success in the corresponding race in 2023. The 13-y-o ran very creditably behind Red Maple at Fakenham four weeks ago so has every chance if being saddled in this contest as opposed to the PPORA Mixed Open for Grass Roots Riders, later on the card. Coolagh Park and Machu Picchu are the other two possible Hill/Cranfield representatives. Shanes Passion is a previous Higham course winner having been successful in the Maiden race at last season’s Essex & Suffolk fixture. Trained by Andrew Pennock, Shanes Passion has failed to complete the course on three subsequent outings including being pulled up twice this season. Driveondonn has been busy this season with four runs to-date but could give his owner/ rider Charlie Buckle a farewell winner as this is reported to be Charlie’s final season.
The Conditions (Level 3) contest Ragnar Lodbrok could return to winning ways having showed much improved form a fortnight ago at High Easter when racing over and extended distance. This 3½ mile contest could be ideal for this ten-time points winner who failed to complete the course on three occasions, earlier in the season, the only time he has failed to make the placing in 18 outings. Designer Destiny has been very consistent for the Tim Vaughan and his son Ed and last time out, easily won a Restricted contest at Howick in early March by 21 lengths and has appeared at Higham once before when narrowly beaten by ½ length by Prohus Yank in a maiden race in February 2024. Inchidaly Robin is currently unbeaten in two starts in points for owner / trainer Luke Price winning at Edgcote last weekend over 2 ½ miles and was also successful, in a match race, at Larkhill at the end of last month. His form suggests he prefers the current firmer ground conditions as his Irish form was fairly indifferent on softer surfaces.
The main contest of the day is the Mixed Open with a total of £ 1250 in prize money on offer with £600 going to the winner. I K Brunel was successful in the corresponding race last season and no doubt the owners would like to claim substantial prize and trophy, again, this year. Alan Hill’s 11-y-o is a very consistent performer and his win at Kingston Blount two weeks ago when he drew clear of his rivals to win by 9 lengths puts him in fine fettle for a repeat victory, in this race. His main challenge is likely to come from The Big Lense who was impressive at Fakenham recently when winning for new owners the Stearn Family. Both the runner-up Aramax, the 3rd placed horse, Caryto Des Brosses and Tullys Touch who finished 5th have all won since and with previous winning form at Higham, The Big Lense will be a formidable opponent to I K Brunel.
The PPORA Mixed Open for Grass Roots Riders could see Drakes Well and Tom Hutsby on a retrieving mission at Higham after they were unluckily hampered and Tom was unseated when Saint Calvados refused at the final fence, in a competitive Mixed Open at the February meeting at the course. The partnership has had two runs since, pulling up at Guilsborough having led to three out and then winning at Shelfield Park last weekend when making all in a 4-runner Novice Riders race. Precious Bounty ran a stormer in the Ladies Open at High Easter a fortnight ago with Marina Bealby having a wonderful ride, out in front, before giving way to two top performers in Tullys Touch and Fairly Famous. Beaten in the end by just over 5 lengths, a repeat performance here will give the pairing an excellent chance but there is a strong possibility Tullys Touch will be saddled in an attempt to win his fourth race of the season. With Ellie Holder still eligible to ride in this type of race the pairing will look to maintain their unbeaten record together which now totals four wins from as many races.
There are three likely contenders to take the prize for the Conditions (Level 2) contest, namely Due Reward, Getting Closer and The Yellow Mini. The latter won here at the February meeting and the level Higham track suits her running. The same could apply to Due Reward who also prefers easier trips and won a match race at Tabley, two weeks ago. Getting Closer has only been unplaced on two occasions from seventeen outings in points. Alan Hill’s 11-y-o has returned to racing after missing all of last season and won on his return at Charing in February. Failed to complete at High Easter, subsequently, but has enough ability to be in the mix here.
The concluding Maiden race, Oka Tsuki and The Orchard Boy finished virtually together but 10 lengths behind the winner Graveside Lad here at Higham in February. Eile Tara will represent the Vaughans and would look to build on her debut run over 2 ½ miles at Cothelstone in mid-March when finishing 7th of 11 runners beaten 17 lengths after making headway four fences out before her effort petered out in the closing stages. If Charlie Buckle hasn’t ridden a winner earlier on the card, he could go out on a high if Sports Magic takes his chance in this race. Having been beaten a neck on seasonal debut at Revesby Park in January he just failed, finishing 3rd, in another tight finish at Ampton in early March. Probably his next outing which came only a week later came too soon and he finished 5th beaten 17 lengths behind the Hopping Mad Wife at High Easter.
With so much taking place the best bet of the day is to arrive early and the gates will open at 10am. Admission is £15 for adults ( cash only) and children 16 and under are free. Dogs on short leads please.
Adult discounted tickets priced at £13 available till midnight on Thursday 17th April on www.highamraces.co.uk
Higham racecourse is situated midway between Ipswich and Colchester, fully signposted from the A12. ( Sat Nav CO7 6NG )
