Preview of The Enfield Chace with Cambridgeshire at Northaw.
By Graham Bishop
The final action of the East Anglia point to point season takes place at Northaw on Bank Holiday Monday, with six races commencing at 2pm. Prior to the six scheduled races it will be an important day for the pony racing contestants as there are three pony events, two of which are Championship Finals. First pony race is at 1pm..
The opening contest, a Conditions race, has 17 entries which includes recent scorers, Amigo, Bardista and Orchard Hill all of whom won their respective races on Easter Monday. Amigo and Orchard Hill both won races at Aldington, whilst Bardista’s victory was secured at Thorpe Lodge.
Orchard Hill also holds an entry in the second race on the card, an Intermediate race, in which he is joined by his stable companion Platinum Ben, who had victories at both Penshurst meeting before meeting defeat at Parham last week. Spring Cover won what turned out to be a match race at Dingley on Easter Saturday, whilst the latest “win” against Bullsempire was the result of a walkover at Higham on the same day. Haut Bages has been knocking at the door in his last two outings, whilst Legal Ok finished 2nd last week at his first outing at this level having won a restricted on his previous outing.
The Conditions race for novice riders has attracted 15 entries, headed by Steeles Terrace. Although Steeles Terrace only had two opponents in the Mixed Open at Higham, he readily saw off Kriss William to return to winning ways for the first time this season, having come up against Caryto des Brosses at Fakenham the week before. Net d’Ecosse has yet to deliver in the pointing field, having finished runner-up in three points, the most recent of which was last week at Parham in a Ladies open. Done A Runner and Follow The Paint both won their Members’ races in the last two weeks, against one and two opponents respectively.
The lightly raced, but useful Top Smart holds an entry in the Ladies Open race although he would have to carry an 8lb penalty for Open wins, having won at Higham and Penshurst this year. He could be taken on by Sa Kaldoun, whom he beat at Higham in February, but will find a tougher opponent this time. Sa Kaldoun show a lot of tenacity to beat Tullys Touch at Fakenham, but will have to carry a 4lb penalty for that win.
Streets of London has been racking up the wins this season, starting off with a Maiden win at Barbury in February, he has another five wins to his name, albeit one was a walkover. Venturing into Open company for the first time, he will be seeking a new partner since he has previously ridden by Phil York on all his starts.
The final two races have somewhat depleted entries, with only four in the Restricted race, which will be reduced by one since Rupert Stearn is the regular rider of both Fakenham Maiden winner Broadwater and Aldington Maiden winner September Fields.
The final contest of the season will be the Maiden race in which the Andrew Pennock trained Champagne Vintage could be the answer having run well on his first outing for connections behind Broadwater at Fakenham. The Alan Hill trained Celestino has had just one run in points, finishing 3rd of three at Dingley last season, but it is interesting to note that he is entered for the 2 mile hunter chase at Cheltenham. One other interesting entry is Willcollins who has been running in points in Ireland, and was sent off favourite on it’s second start.
Northaw racecourse is situated on the B156 Potters Bar to Cuffley Road
( Sat Nav EN6 4NT ). Nearest junctions off M25 either 24 at Potters Bar or 25 at Enfield.
First pony race at 1pm followed by steeplechasing at 2pm.
Admission: Adults £15 including racecard. Children under 14 free
Shopping and trade stands, hot and cold refreshments, licenced bar, bring your own picnic or BBQ, Dogs welcome ( under control )
