PUCKERIDGE and ESSEX HUNTS AT HORSEHEATH ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17th
By Graham Bishop
The third and final meeting to be held at Horseheath,, this season, takes place on Saturday 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.
Following on from four highly successful fixtures in East Anglia, the entries that have been made for this fixture suggests it will continue in this vein although the recent wet weather has necessitated connections to make multiple entries, for their horses, across the country.
The steeplechase action commences with a Conditions race for which 15 entries have been made. Previous Horseheath winners from this season Knight In Dubai and Mitchouka from the stables of Jennifer Owen and Micheal Kehoe have been entered along with recent Larkhill winner Ryan’s Fancy from the yard of Max Comley. Stable companions Blazing Tom and Go Go Geronimo have a choice of entries and with Clondaw Westie, Chabichou Dupoitou and Thunderstruck, all are likely to improve from their previous runs. Perfect Pirate won at High Easter in the spring of 2020, the last fixture before Covid lockdown. A run under rules over hurdles in November that year was the last time he was seen on the track, a gap of 1180 days. After such a long absence it will be fascinating to see how he runs.
The Maiden race consists of 21 entries. Apart from the unraced Shalliorsharnti all the entrants have shown glimpses of form whether it be in points in the UK or Ireland, or under rules. Those that raced at the last meeting at Horseheath include Bless The Moon who was with the leaders when falling at the fourth last fence, where Red Letter Day and Newcastle Succes went on to finish 2nd and 3rd. On the same day, The Borobudur finished 2nd in the Maiden Conditions race with Lockdown Ludo behind in 3rd. Court Cian unseated his rider that day and has yet to finish in points, whilst Ildefeel du Livet ran out at the fourth fence but redeemed himself with a clear round of jumping at Garthorpe, recently, when finishing second.
The Ladies Open race has entries for the first three home in the Dunston Harriers Ladies Open race at Ampton in January, namely Captain Biggles, Tullys Touch and Precious Bounty. Neither Captain Biggles nor Precious Bounty have run since, but Tullys Touch finished down the field in the Mixed Open race around this course last month. The recent winner of the “Jumping for Fun” sponsored Ludlow Hunter Chase Captain Tommy holds an entry in both this race and the Mens Open race. Bawnmore who won his Maiden race around this track in 2020 rarely runs a bad race, finishing in the first four on all completions. Without an unseat on his first run of the season, whilst in contention, that sequence was likely to have continued.
The Mixed Open race at the last Horseheath meeting was hailed as one of the best in recent years. With both the runner-up Law Of Gold and third placed horse Mitchouka from that race last month, and the likes of the revitalised Deise Aba, the aforementioned Captain Biggles, Captain Tommy and Go Go Geronimo, this Men’s Open race could be an equally, classy affair.
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th from the Restricted race at the last Horseheath fixture could all reoppose in this renewal in the Intermediate race. All The Ammunition, Coolagh Park, Padjoes Legacy, In Our Dreams and Tango Pete were the respective individuals. Also entered is Paul Manate who won the Maiden race at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve in the hands of Dale Peters, which may give him a dilemma as Dale is the usual rider of All The Ammunition.
The concluding PPORA Club Members Conditions race for Novice riders has some of the usual contenders for this class of race. Jonjoela won a similar race at the previous meeting, with A Toi Phil finishing 4th, but A Toi Phil then unseated his rider at Higham last week. Monkey Puzzle finished 3rd in the Ampton edition, where Port Of Mars, who has since changed stables, finished 4th. A mention must be made about Neumond who seems to have been around for years, but is still only 13. The winner at three consecutive Horseheath fixtures in 2017 he returned two years later to gain a 4th victory around this course. Although that was his last win, when the conditions are in his favour, he could grace the winner’s enclosure once again.
Wonderful panoramic views of the racing with Trade stands ~ Food outlets ~ Bar (cash)
Come and browse before, during and after racing. Gates open 9.30am
Admission: Adults £15 ( cash only ). Children under 16 free. Dogs welcome (on short leads)
HORSEHEATH RACECOURSE IS SITUATED 4 MILES WEST OF HAVERHILL ON THE A1307. EXITS 9 or 10 off the M11 ( SatNav CB21 4QP )
