POINT-TO-POINT PREVIEW

HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB MEETING AT HIGH EASTER,

SUNDAY MARCH 15th 2020

By Mike Ashby

Set in its delightful location, High Easter racecourse hosts the first of two meetings held at the Essex course during the season. The High Easter Racing Club meeting, on Sunday, is now becoming established within the East Anglia region fixtures and has been rewarded with an entry of 122, which pleasingly shows a 45% increase from last years numbers. First of six scheduled races is at 1pm.

Owner and Clerk of the Course, Simon Marriage has invested in three new fences for the 2020 season and with his loyal team of  helpers will have the course in the best possible condition, not only for this fixture but also for the forthcoming April 4th meeting.

The opening PPORA Novice Riders race, as with all these type of races, will be eagerly contested and Vivaldi Collonges offers the best credentials. Although not having been seen out since winning the Mens Open at Cottenham’s opening November meeting, he will arrive ‘fit for purpose’ and Ben Bromley, son of owner Anthony, rides out the 11yo, regularly at Philip Rowley’s yard and the partnership have secured three wins, together, to-date Alan Hill has entered Supreme Danehill who has shown good stamina qualities in the past which will be useful in the current conditions. The Tom Ellis-trained, Earlshill and Lucy Burton won a recent Conditions race at Charing with race-reading comments” led 2 out and stayed on well “…..perfect tactics for High Easter.

The Restricted race is run over the shorter distance of 2 ½ miles and presents an ideal opportunity for Fiddler Of Dooney to recapture winning form. He looked a possible winner, on his latest outing, when challenging for the lead two fences out but possibly found the Horseheath finishing hill too testing. So a drop back in distance could pay dividends. Rivercourt Guy showed improved form at Cottenham and The Triple Pillar will surely run better than his Higham performance. The lightly raced mare, Tiger’s Song, would be in with a shout and would be fully prepared to add to Gina’s season’s tally.

Dale Peters has two entered in the Mixed Open, namely Benefit of Luck and Rocklander and either would be worthy winners if they took their chance. Gerald Bailey’s Early Retirement was a faller at Higham after winning his pointing debut at Thorpe Lodge. Championship chasing, Jack Andrews, could be the answer to this tricky contest with a possible choice of King Of Clothe or the top-rated Volnay De Thaix, for owner Judy Wilson.

Rocklander could side-step the Mixed Open and run in what appears the easier option in the Jockey Club & Retraining of Racehorses Veteran conditions race, which has attracted the biggest entry of the day in 28. His main rivals could be previous course winner Blackwood Rover, Thetalkinghorse and the James Owen-trained Silvergrove.

The CA Club Members Conditions race will be run over the extended distance of 3 ¾ miles and any horse with previous potential of ‘staying on’ in softish conditions must come into the reckoning. Looking through the entrants Distime, Man Of Steel and Perfect Pirate all fall into this category, for this race which will be a real test of stamina.

The Open Maiden has it’s fair share of exciting youngsters to conclude the day’s racing and notable contenders, to carry off the prize, include Andrew Pennock’s Luscious Lilly, David Kemp’s By Appointmentonly  and Stuart Morris’ Classic Ruler Local trainer Nigel Padfield has entered two in Aztec Cosmos and Howitsdone and the latter will race prominently, if chosen to carry the stable’s winning aspiration.

The most interesting contender could be the Trevor Hemmings owned and Francesca Nimmo trained, Glen Mooar, who fell on his pointing debut, at Larkhill, after being made favourite.

Once again the East Anglian enthusiasts are in for a potentially exciting afternoon’s racing at one of the most enchanting courses in the country.

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 ). There will be tradestands, catering outlets, bar and bookmakers. Dogs on lead welcome.

 

CURRENT ADVANCE GOING:  GOOD TO SOFT / SOFT IN PLACES