Preview of the Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace at Horseheath on Saturday 29th February 2020.
By GRAHAM BISHOP
The Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace fixture at Horseheath on Saturday has attracted 108 entries across the six race card with the first scheduled for 1pm. Prior to the main steeplechasing there will be two pony races from 12 noon.
The point to point action commences with a competitive Intermediate race which has previous Horseheath winners Fumet d’Oudairies and Getting Closer amongst those entered. Fumet d’Oudairies, winning for the third time this season, defeated Harmoney Row by 2 ¾ lengths but must now carry a 5lb penalty and contend with a race fit opponent. Getting Closer won the Restricted race beating Rebel Dawn Rising in a close fought finish, whilst his stablemate Normofthenorth had an easier task when winning a Restricted race at Higham in January. Last season Hadmeathello won a Maiden and Restricted, beating Law Of Gold in the latter, but was then beaten by Tullys Touch on his third and final outing of the season.
The PPORA Club Members Novice Riders Conditions race could see Summer Sounds return to Horseheath, the scene of his most recent and winning outing. In that race with victory seemingly beyond his reach, Summer Sounds was galvanised by Luke Scott and despite a slipping saddle caught Back Bar, at the last, to gain an unlikely victory, with Amigo, who helped to force the pace, 7 ½ lengths back in third. Both Mister Dick and Trojan Star have won similar races this season, whilst Ballykan has been beaten into second by Call Me Vic on both starts. With Susquehanna River and Gingilli, both regular victors in this type of race last season and Mahlers Star, who could appreciate this stiffer track, another competitive race should ensue.
Summer Sounds and Luke Scott on their way to victory at Horseheath on February 1st
Proximo, the winner of the Ladies Open race at this meeting last season could attempt to repeat that victory, which was also achieved on his seasonal reappearance, but he may prefer a quicker surface. Newsworthy, now in the care of Dale Peters this season, won at Revesby Park defeating Multimedia. A guide to the possible outcome could come in the opener in which Multimedia may run. Wick Green won a Conditions race at Larkhill in early January, defeating Captain Buck’s by a head, with Marten a long way behind in third. Having just turned seven, Wick Green showed improved form to win this contest and is on an upward trajectory.
Gina Andrews has a strong hand in the Ladies Open race in which she could ride either Latenightpass or Haymount. In the Ladies Open at the earlier Horseheath fixture Latenightpass, with the benefit of a run, defeated Changeofluck by three lengths in a slowly run race. Her other possible ride is on Haymount who was last seen finishing a distant second to Shantou Flyer in a hunter chase run at Fakenham, having previously been runner-up to The Dellercheckout at Sheriff Hutton. 
Latenightpass and Gina Andrews winning at the last Horseheath meeting
The Restricted race has one of the best entries for this type of race in East Anglia, for a long while. The Tom Ellis yard has Bawnmore, winner of the young horse Maiden at the earlier Horseheath fixture and Alnwick Maiden winner Black Jasper entered, whilst Stuart Morris has entered recent Thorpe Lodge winner Minella Wizard. Huntsman Jog, an easy winner of the Open Maiden at Ampton for Don Cantillon, Panic And Run who scored by the length of the run-in at Cocklebarrow for William Twiston-Davies are joined by Goldenbrave for Philip Rowley and Big Dawg, the older horse Maiden winner at Horseheath for Pam Tetley, all of whom have victories to their name on their last start. Add the likes of Chief Sittingbull, Fab Vinnie and Voie Dans Voie to the mix and we should be in for a treat.
The Open Maiden race to conclude proceedings also has some intriguing entries either from those that have shown promise on previous outings or those that are running for the first time. Of those to lookout for are recent Horseheath runners-up Catwalk Frank and Go Go Geronimo, Close Friend and Make A Deal for Gearoid Costelloe, Glen Mooar and Shells And Shingle for Francesca Nimmo, Mammoth and Man Of Means for Tom Ellis, My Bobby Dazzler and Tikitov for Philip Rowley, Saquon for Tom Weston, Niftyfifty for Alan Hill and San Agustin for Sophie Lacey.
Whilst the Open races may be lacking in depth, the supporting card could see some of the best up and coming talent seen this season.
Horseheath racecourse is situated 5 miles west of Haverhill, adjacent to the A1307. ( Sat Nav CB21 4QF )
Six scheduled steeplechase races, the first of which is at 1pm. These races will be preceded by children’s pony flat races, which are always exciting to watch purely for the enthusiasm of the competitors. Pony races from 12 noon.
Numerous tradestands, catering outlets and beer tent.
Admission £12 adults with children under 16 free. £8 entry fee for Students and Young Farmers on production of their 2019/20 Members card, at the main entry gate.
