PREVIEW:
Suffolk Hunt at Ampton – Sunday 1st March
Author Graham Bishop
The point to point action in East Anglia re-commences at Ampton on Sunday following a three weekbreak with another full day of entertainment in prospect at this popular, good viewing course. There is always a country show feel to this particular meeting.

The first race is a Level 2 Veteran Horse Conditions race for which 10 entries have been made and it provides the opportunity for one to get its head in front this season as none of those entered have so far achieved this feat. Highstakesplayer has come closest to winning, when finishing a close 2nd at Larkhill,
and Paint The Dream filled the same position in a “Hands and Heels” Conditions race at Higham. Who’s In The Box finished 3rd in the 3 ¾ mile Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup race at Cocklebarrow and Carrolls Cottage has a 3rd place finish at Horseheath sandwiched between two pulled up efforts at Charing.
Coolagh Park, who won this race two years ago was pulled up on his only outing so far this season, whilst Dusart and Padjoes Legacy who both won races last season have yet to run.

The 6 entries for the Intermediate race includes Call Me Early who won the Restricted race around this course in January and has subsequently finished runner-up in a Conditions race at Charing together with the winner of the Restricted race at Higham, Practice Run. Our Brother John, who missed all last season finished 3rd in a Restricted race at Garthorpe in November. Commander of Ten won on all three starts last season but has yet to achieve that level of form this season and locally trained Mister Splash will be trying to go one better around this course having been runner-up in the equivalent race at this fixture, for
the last two years.The three horses that contested the Ladies Open race around this course in January could meet once again in this meeting’s staging of the Ladies Open. On that occasion Shentri took the spoils ahead of
Tullys Touch, whilst Loughan, who had led for most of the contest, fell at the last fence. Since then Shentri has had his own misfortune, unseating his rider for the second time this year. Camino Rocio has been travelling the country for his three points this season, the most recent of which was a 3rd placed
effort in a Ladies Open race at Friars Haugh in early February.

There are 7 entries for the Men’s Open race, but only I K Brunel and Fier Jaguen have this race as their sole entry. They have already met this season in the Men’s Open race at Higham. On that occasion Fier Jaguen came out on top, finishing 1st, 13 lengths ahead of I K Brunel who finished 4th.
The Restricted race has attracted 11 entries, most of whom have run and shown glimpses of form. French Symphony and Jorah have both won their Maiden race this season, whilst Easy Rider has won both a Maiden and a Restricted contest. French Symphony and Easy Rider have then run well latterly in
Restricted races, as have Atlantic Fleet, Batsman Jack, Jasmin des Bordes, Time To Upgrade, Validation and What’s Up Harry. Count Frollo, the only entry that has not run this season, has yet to cross the line first in a competitive race. Unfortunately securing a “walkover” victory in a Maiden race directs you to
Restricted company, but at least his 3rd place in a previous effort in a Maiden event showed promise.

The final race on the card is the Maiden race and 7 entries have been received. Ice Prowler, IndieRocknroll, Maxfly d’Agrostis and Rounditoff have all been placed this season and One Man Party was placed under rules last season. Andrew Pennock, who trains his horses adjacent to the Ampton course
and will have reasonable expectations that Indie Rocknroll will provide him with his first winner of the season. The 6 year old jumped superbly, in the lead, at the January fixture at this course, finally finishing 3rd behind Jorah. So if the latter turns in another good performance in the previous Restricted race then
this form line could be an important factor.

Admission: Adults £15 cash or card. Children under 16 free. Dogs welcome on short leads.

Racecards purchased at this meeting will allow free entry to Huntingdon racecourse for the NH meeting at the Cambridgeshire course on Wednesday March 11th
.
Ampton racecourse is situated 4miles North of Bury St Edmunds on the A134 Thetford Road, through the village of Ingham. ( SatNav IP31 1NS)