Preview of the High Easter Racing Club meeting at High Easter on Sunday March 17th
By Graham Bishop
High Easter racecourse, near Chelmsford, stage the first of their two seasonal meetings on Sunday with the High Easter Racing Club fixture.The arrival of rain has boosted the number of entries for this meeting which are spread over an interesting mix of races.
The action commences with a novice riders’ race and includes the winners of several races this year, including Just Cause, Mahlers Spirit, One Fine Morning, Summer Sounds, Vivaldi Collonges and Zeroeshadesofgrey and would make for a competitive race if they all went to post.
The Restricted race will be run over 2 ½ miles, and includes Higham maiden winner Bullsempire who may benefit from the drop in trip and Blackwood Rover who was not beaten far in two early season restricted races, whilst the remainder are either having their first run of the season or have to step up on this season’s form.
The 3 ¾ mile Men’s Open race includes three times course winner Excitable Island, who will relish this trip having won the 4 mile hunter ‘chase at Cheltenham last season. He showed his well-being by winning a conditions race at Godstone, two weeks ago, having finished 4th in a 2 ½ mile hunter ‘chase at Lingfield in which Conkies Lad finished 2nd. Mr Maclennane finished a close 2nd in a conditions race, over course and distance, last season whilst Follow The Paint won a four runner Men’s Open over 3 miles around this track last year but has, so far, not threatened to win, this season.
The Ladies Open race could be a cracking race in which Excitable Island also holds an entry should connections prefer the shorter trip. Degooch, ran three times last season, winning two ladies opens over 3 miles but was beaten into 3rd over 2 ½ miles around this track in another. The ever consistent Start Royal and Top Smart have been the winners of ladies open races at Higham this season, whilst Teeton Power was leading when slipping on her seasonal reappearance at Thorpe Lodge.
The fifth race is for 9-year-olds and upwards, several of whom hold engagements in earlier races. Burtredgipandgump and Poyle Thomas who had a ding-dong battle at Higham earlier this season could re-oppose each other, although connections of Burtredgipandgump could rely on In A Blue Dust. Daniel Cherriman has had two wins from two rides this season and could be in search of a third winner in consecutive weeks on board Kashmir Peak, having won on him at Godstone two weeks ago. Silvergrove has not been seen on the track since winning his only four races in 2017, having started the sequence at this corresponding meeting and would be a welcome sight in this race.
The concluding Maiden race includes several who were knocking on the door in their most recent races. How To Get Away, Josh The Plod, Occupied, Racing Eagle and Un Huit Huit have all finished 2nd in their most recent outings this season and will be hoping to go one better.
High Easter racecourse is situated eight miles west of Chelmsford and set in a picturesque location, to the south of the village of High Easter. ( Sat Nav CM1 4QL )
First of six races is at 1pm. Admission: Adults £12 (Children under 16 Free )
Retraining of racehorses parade after the 2nd race.
