THE PUCKERIDGE & ESSEX HUNTS – HIGH EASTER
Saturday April 11th 2026
1.45 Restricted – 10 entries
A respectable 10 entries for what should be a competitive race but on firmish ground. Only the 2nd run of the season for 7yr. Fayrely Fruitful from the Crow yard who is coming a fair distance and with a Restricted win in the March Dalton Park so carrying a 5lb. penalty but with a mares allowance of 7lb. and all her runs to date have been on softish ground so this may be an issue but a win and place in 2 bumpers indicate speed. 6yr. Fortuneville from the Padfield yard won his 4 runner Maiden on this track in March with Gina Andrews in the plate but on soft ground and rather moderate competition so the grade up and on faster ground will be a challenge. From the Turner yard 9 yr Graveside Lad pu in the Jan Higham Restricted but was 2nd in 3 Restricted runs following a Maiden win at Higham last season and another 8l 2nd on this track in March but disappointed at in the Fakenham Restricted recently when a distant 4th to Il Padrino and in the same race 6yr. Ice Prowler another from the Padfield yard finished 12l. back 3rd following a Maiden win in the March Ampton Maiden and may again struggle in this company and another from that race is Steppingstone from the Wright yard 1st or 2nd on 3 completed runs last season but fell when lying 4th and is one with a 5lb. penalty and may need this run. Main Stage from the Andrews yard weakened to finish a distant 4th in the recent Garthorpe Restricted and will need to improve to score here. Owner Nigel Padfield has a third entry 8yr. Penniless – now with Sophie Davies and first run this season previous form suggests he will need the run and is best watched. A comfortable win for 6 yr. Reel Much Fun from the Hill yard in the Feb. Higham 10 runner Maiden followed up by staying on well to take the Restricted on this track in March beating Graveside Lad. But even with faster ground and a penalty a place is probable. 7yr. The Orchard Boy from the Pennock yard has 2 pu so far this season and is best watched here. A 4th entry in the Padfield ownership 8yr. Validation seems to have weakened in the closing stages of his 3 Restricted runs and may struggle again in this company.
Selection: Reel Much Fun Alternative: Fayrely Fruitful
2.20 Conditions (3m 6f Level 2) – 6 entries
Entity of Stubstanz’s winning sequence ended abruptly at Fakenham last time. He found the track too tight there and this longer trip and more galloping course will be much more suitable. He would take all the beating but is a doubtful runner. Red Maple won the corresponding race last season so no stamina doubts. However, he has been below his best in both starts this season and is lumbered with a hefty penalty. Soldier Unknown was runner up over 4 miles at Kingston Blount behind a prolific winning stayer last time out and looks progressive at these longer trips. Island Run won a couple of Hurdle races when with Phillip Hobbs. He finished 3rd of three on Pointing debut at Parham, and having been placed at 3m2f ought to get the trip. Grand Spirit is a winning hurdler, but strictly on a form line through Commander Of Ten has a little to find with Ireland Run. Dusart is a half-brother to the very useful Simonsig and won off lofty marks under rules when trained by Nicky Henderson. A winner at Guilsborough last season, he is entitled to benefit from his seasonal debut when third at the same course last month.
Selection: Soldier Unknown Alternative: Dusart
2.55 Ladies Open – 9 entries
Connections of Police Academy could well strike while the iron is hot as the 9yo mare is in fine fettle having followed up her 2nd to Mister Splash at Fakenham, who has won again since, and then cruised to victory in the valuable Mixed Open at Higham on Good Friday. Ellie Callwood has learnt a lot this season about how to ride her and they have an excellent chance of winning the Warwick Vase off 10st10lbs. Padjoes Legacy is unbeaten in both his races this season and will there or thereabouts at the finish. Good Source and Janika are trainer Ed Turner’s entries and both ran up to expectations at Higham recently and either could be strong challengers whilst Aramax is ultra-consistent but would have to concede 9lbs to Police Academy. I’m Spellbound has an alternative entry in the Mixed Open but has credentials to win this prize and Spyglass Hill will race prominently but at 13 years of age might have to give way to younger opponents, at the business end of the contest.
Selection: Police Academy Alternative: Aramax
2.45 Mixed Open – 7 entries
The Mixed Open race, being run over 2 ¾ miles, has seven entries, five of whom hold an entry in the Ladies Open race. With Fairly Famous running at Aintree on Thursday, I’m Spellbound would be an able deputy for their owners should they decide to run in this race rather than the Ladies Open race. I’m Spellbound has four victories to his name around this course, which includes his most recent race around this track in March, defeating Slipway by 3 lengths, who has since boosted the form with a victory at Siddington. Police Academy and Janika met in the Mixed Open race at Higham last week, where Police Academy took the lead between the last two fences and went on to win by 4 lengths. The Big Lense also won at Higham last week, where he easily took the spoils, defeating Shentri by 10 lengths, clearly having benefited from his run at Fakenham on his previous start. No Risk des Flos, in the same ownership as The Big Lense won the Veteran Horse Conditions race at Fakenham, leading throughout the contest, which followed a 2nd place to Commander Of Ten in a similar race around this course.
Selection: I’m Spellbound Alternative: The Big Lense
4.25 Conditions (Level 2) – 8 entries
This race has attracted an entry of eight. Entity Of Substanz had run up a 4 timer before his latest start at Fakenham last month when he finished a disappointing 5th and last. It’s very possible he was unsuited by the tight confines of the Norfolk track and will be much better suited to the galloping nature of this course. Senior Citizen is living up to his name at 13 years old. He’s still capable of good form however. On his latest start he was 3rd at Fakenham, beaten 24L behind No Risk Des Flos. Previously he won a level 3 Conditions contest at Higham in February by ¾ L from Ted’s Friend. Go Go Geronimo had been in the doldrums prior to winning at Paxford on Monday with three non completions on his record. He beat Lavorante by a neck in a Veteran Horses Conditions race. It’s debateable if he’ll turnout here so soon afterwards. Also he would have to give 10 lbs to most of his rivals. Petite Mike won at Parham a fortnight ago when beating a possible rival today, Carrolls Cottage by 10L in a Novice Riders’ race. It’s hard to see the runner up reversing the placings. Fame And Concrete represents the Nick Wright yard but they have yet to record a winner this season. He was 2nd in a match on his latest start at Guilsborough when going down by 1 ½ L to Boley Bob. Cash Or Card has won his two latest starts and steps up in grade today. On his latest start at Dingley on Saturday, he won the Members race beating Bothwell Bridge by 20L. We will side with Entity Of Substanz to put a poor run at Fakenham behind him and he’s our selection. If turning out again quickly, Our alternative is Petite Mike ahead of the hat trick seeking Cash Or Card.
Selection: Entity Of Substanz Alternative: Petite Mike
5.00 Open Maiden – 9 entries
Affinaka shaped with clear promise when finishing second in an Irish point on good ground and, provided he arrives fit and well, he looks a particularly interesting contender, especially given the notably strong strike rate when his connections and jockey combine. Diamond des Flos has been running to a consistent level throughout the season, but his refusal to race last time raises a significant red flag, and he could prove vulnerable to less exposed, progressive rivals if there are any repeat issues at the start. Emmet Square, by contrast, has yet to show enough this season to suggest he can play a major role, and he appears one to watch until demonstrating tangible improvement on the track. Fear The Deere is a longstanding maiden after 16 runs, but his switch to the point-to-point sphere in England could spark improvement; he has shown glimpses of ability when placed over hurdles and seems well suited by good ground, so a fluent round of jumping could see him firmly in the mix. Harpers Creek has posted similar efforts this season and did manage to hit the frame last time, though being tailed off tempers enthusiasm, and he looks susceptible to any rival capable of taking a step forward. Keystone has the ability to be competitive if rediscovering the level of form he showed in Irish points, but recent efforts leave him with something to prove, making him a risky but not dismissible proposition. Rounditoff is another who has been holding a steady but unspectacular level of form and, once again, looks exposed and vulnerable to anything with greater upside. In contrast, Spartan Brave appeals as a potential improver; now representing new connections and with solid Irish point form in the book, he could easily take a step forward on debut for the yard if fully tuned up, making him an intriguing contender. Wait At The Gate, the third runner from trainer David Phelan, showed encouragement last time out after a sequence of three non-completions, and if building on that effort with a clean round, he could well sneak into the placings. Overall, this does not appear the strongest or deepest of contests, which may present an ideal opportunity for a progressive type to emerge and take control.
Selection: Spartan Brave Alternative: Affinaka
Overview
Race 1: Reel Much Fun / Fayrely Fruitful
Race 2: Soldier Unknown /Dusart
Race 3: Police Academy / Aramax
Race 4: I’m Spellbound / The Big Lense
Race 5: Entity Of Substanz / Petite Mike
Race 6: Spartan Brave /Affinaka
