PREVIEW
Puckeridge and Essex Hunts at Horseheath on Sunday February 16th
By Graham Bishop
The third and final meeting to be held at Horseheath,, this season, takes place on Sunday with the action commencing with two pony races, from 11am, to start the day and after their presentations, the six scheduled steeplechases will commence at 12 midday
The first of six point-to-point races is a Level 2 Conditions race in which All Is True and Aramax are entered, both seeking trebles around this course this season. All Is True won a Level 3 Conditions race on New Year’s Eve, with Paper Mill close behind in third and then won a Level 2 Conditions race at the end of January with Mount Pleasant behind in second. Aramax’s wins were in the PPORA Club Members Conditions’ race for Novice Riders at both fixtures. Either side of Paper Mill’s third place he has finished runner-up to Duc de Bourbon in two Conditions races at Larkhill. Imnottalkingtoyou, formerly trained by Tom Ellis, won around this course three years ago and finished in the first three in all his seven starts. Last season he was running in Irish points, finishing second in February but failed to complete the course on four other outings.
The entries for the Maiden race have varied backgrounds, three of which might not be competing in this contest had they not been denied in tight finishes. Last season Atlantic Fleet was caught on the line when finishing second at High Easter and Jasmin des Bordes suffered a similar fate at Dingley. Taghadoe was caught by Jullou de Grissay around this course on New Year’s Eve having led from flagfall. The winner has won again since but Taghadoe’s subsequent run at Charing was disappointing. Jasmin des Bordes has run this season, finishing second once again, but a long way behind Barrington John, with Del Amitir further behind in third place. Rounditoff finished a distant third on his first start this season having previously been placed in Irish points. Kirsch de Cotte ran a much better race on his second start of this season when finishing fifth at Revesby Park. Carrickfergus finished runner-up in an Irish point last season, but has not shown anything in three outings this side of the Irish Sea. Eoin’s Charm has yet to run this season, having previously been running in Irish NH Flat races and hurdle races, finishing runner-up in one. The entries also include the unraced 4 year old Give Me More who will be in receipt of a 21lb allowance.
All bar one of the entries for both the Ladies and Men’s Open races have ratings over 100. The Ladies Open race includes Learntalot who travelled to Friars Haugh to succeed in the 3 ½ mile Mixed Open race last month. Bardenstown Lad, who is entered in the Men’s Open race too, won at the fourth time of asking this season at Askham Bryan College in the Ladies Open race. Precious Bounty won a “Grassroots Riders” race at Badbury Rings and then finished second (only two finished) to Shentri at Cocklebarrow. Captain Biggles has had one outing, finishing second to Music Drive at Revesby Park and the winner supplemented that success when victorious again at Brocklesby Park. On last season’s form Captain Biggles holds the call over seasonal debutant Tullys Touch, finishing three lengths ahead of him when they met at Ampton in January 2024 with Precious Bounty another ½ length away in 3rd place..
The Men’s Open race includes the aforementioned Bardenstown Lad and Paper Mill. The 2023 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner Premier Magic is entered for this contest and has the impressive career record of eleven point wins and three hunter ‘chase successes. He has run once this season, finishing second at Chaddesley Corbett at the end of December behind Jeux D’Eau. Last seasons “Horse and Hound Cup” winner What A Glance is also entered and his sole run this season was around this course on New Year’s Eve when he finished runner-up to Allmankind, a winner at Higham last weekend. Trevada, who has yet to run this year, finished in the first three on all six starts last season, culminating with a win in a three-runner hunter ‘chase at Fakenham.
The Intermediate race has the making of an interesting race with the Restricted race winners from the two earlier Horseheath fixtures amongst the entries. Premier Fantasy won the Restricted race on New Year’s Eve, whilst Clashhill won a similar race at the end of January. Both Capparattin and Kilfilum Woods are from the yard of Francesca Poste. Of the two, Kilfilum Woods has shown the better form this season, winning his Maiden and Restricted before being denied, by 1½ lengths, in an Intermediate race at Revesby Park. For One Night Only won a Restricted race at Friars Haugh in January before finishing down the field in a Bangor hunter ‘chase last week. Padjoes Legacy, without a run this year, progressed throughout last season, finishing third in the “Intermediate Final” at Cheltenham and then being denied by a head in the “Restricted Final” at Stratford behind Learntalot. Touch Tight who ran in this race last season finishing second to All The Ammunition and has been runner-up in five races together with two victories from eight career outings.
The final race of the day is a PPORA Club Members Conditions Race for novice riders. Several of these hold entries in earlier races, including Aramax and Mount Pleasant with the only exceptions being Due Reward and Young Rich. Due Reward has yet to run this season, whereas Young Rich has run twice, finishing fourth at Chaddesley Corbett and then finishing third, here at Horseheath, behind Aramax at the end of January.
Wonderful panoramic views of the racing with Trade stands ~ Food outlets ~ Bar (cash)
Come and browse before, during and after racing. Gates open 9am
Early bird tickets available until midnight Saturday 15th February
https://horseheathp2p.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/
Gate Admission: Adults £15 ( cash only ). Children 15 and under free. Dogs welcome (on short leads)
FORWARD PARKING
A limited reserve parking area is available at £50 per car (not including entrance fee)
For further information email russellmanagement@outlook.com
HORSEHEATH RACECOURSE IS SITUATED 4 MILES WEST OF HAVERHILL ON THE A1307. EXITS 9 or 10 off the M11 ( SatNav CB21 4QP )
