THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE – HORSEHEATH
Saturday January 24th 2026
12.00 Conditions (Novice Riders) – 10 entries
Nick Wright from Badlingham near Newmarket would appear to have the nap hand with both his entries being top rated. However, both his runners would have to give weight to some of their rivals, and they also hold entries in other races on the card. Clashhill would appear have the best chance, giving just 5lbs or more to his rivals. He was 5th in a Cheltenham Hunter Chase in May, beaten 24L behind Crawter. Prior to this, he ran up a 4-timer including two wins at this course. Red Maple would be giving 10lbs or more to some of his rivals if turning out in this. He PU on his final start last season in a 4-mile Hunter Chase at Cheltenham. Previously he had won a 3-mile 6f contest at High Easter in April when beating Ragnar Lodbrok by 9L. The very capable Cian Murphy is jocked up and he was in the saddle for the High Easter win. Spirit Of Legend could make the long journey from Tim Vaughan’s stable in South Wales. He PU on his pointing debut at Lower Machen in November. He only has one victory under rules. That came at Navan under Rachel Blackmore when he was trained by Henry De Bromhead in a 2-mile 4f maiden hurdle in November 2022 when he beat Kilbree Warrior by 1¼ L. Master Malcolm was 2nd here on New Year’s Eve when going down by 2 ½ L to Hubrisko. He could again run into a place. Another Mystery representing local trainer Sarah Humphrey was 3rd here on New Year’s Eve when going down by 16¾ L to Glancing Hill in a conditions race. In Our Dreams representing Fran Poste’s Warwickshire stable was well beaten on his seasonal debut at Chaddesley Corbett in late December. He’s entitled to come on for that run. Grange Island was 3rd at Charing in a men’s open when going by 16L to Empire De Maulde in December. Jenny Owen’s Newmarket yard is represented by recent Irish import Toss Again. He’s a 4-time winner under rules but has pulled up on 4 of his most recent 5 outings and is probably best watched today. Young Rich has been placed in the first two on his last four runs. Trained by Gina Andrews, he won’t lack for fitness on his seasonal debut and goes well for today’s rider Molly Legg.
Selection: Nick Wright’s runner Alternative: Grange Island
12.35 Restricted – 9 entries
9 entries with 2 over 100 and with a stiff track, weight carried could have an impact. Ask Elli from the Gibbs yard was a distant 2nd to Call Me Early from the Andrews yard in the recent Ampton Restricted. She won a Maiden at Kingston Blount in Feb and followed up with a weakening pu in the Restricted at the same track in April – a 7lb allowance will help and he should come on for the run. Atlantic Fleet from the Turner yard won his Maiden on this track last season but struggled in subsequent Restricteds and was a distance behind Cash or Card on his last run at Dingley in May so a real challenge here but track experience can tell. 3rd run this season for Baunmore Jet from the Croft yard, but no real form so probably best watched this time. Cash or Card from the Peters yard won his Maiden and Restricted in 2024 and placed in all 5 runs since including an Intermediate 3rd behind Mumbo Jumbo on firmish ground at High Easter last season so place prospects. 8yr Diamond Jetaway has his first run for the Wright yard in a UK PtP and won a 16 runner Irish Maiden in 2023 but has not run since so another to probably watch here. 8yr. Havock from the Morris yard took the short Maiden at Garthorpe in Feb but struggled in the grade up to Restricteds and may do here. 9yr. Imnottalkingtoyou from the Cantillon yard was 13l 3rd in the recent Ampton Novice Riders Conditions and 2nd in the March Conditions race at this track on firm ground. His Restricted win was 4 yrs ago at High Easter and with a 5lb penalty he might find the ground and company a challenge. 6yr Kirsch De Cotte from the Poste yard took 7 runs to win a very competitive 13 runner Maiden on this track in Dec and was 7l. 2nd to Atlantic Fleet on this track in Feb. so has track form but now up in grade. Nice To See You dead heated in the 9 runner Garthorpe Maiden on what will be similar ground, and he will have come on for the run.
Selection: Cash Or Card Alternative: Ask Elli
1.10 Mixed Open – 11 entries
Following an early exit from the Mixed Open race at Hexham in November, Givega got back to winning ways with victory in the Men’s Open race here on New Year’s Eve. Givega led throughout to gain a comfortable success, beating I’m Spellbound by 5 lengths. Aramax stayed on to finish 3rd, with Dalamoi behind in 5th. Myth Buster started the season once again in the Ladies Open race around Larkhill at the end of November and for the second year running duly won the contest beating dead heaters I K Brunel and Jony Max by 7 lengths. Neither of the David Kemp trained Designed To Win and Rebel Dawn Rising have run this season. Designed To Win who is stepping up into “Open” company, has only run three times since arriving from Ireland. Winning a Maiden and Restricted in his first season, followed by an Intermediate success on his sole start last year. Stable companion Rebel Dawn Rising would be running in his first point since winning at Garthorpe in March 2023. Since then he has run in nine Hunter Chases, winning five of them, three of which were last season, at Newbury, Cheltenham and Stratford. Another yet to run is Good Source who finished last season with victory in a Hunter Chase at Fakenham. However it did take a couple of starts to find any form.
Selection: Givega Alternative: Aramax
1.45 Maiden – 7 entries
This appears a competitive and well-matched affair, with several runners bringing credible form lines and differing profiles into the race. Harpers Creek, however, needs to find significant improvement on all known form and, on what he has shown to date, looks up against it in this deeper company. Jasmin Des Blins was sent off favourite last time and, although ultimately beaten, he stuck to his task well in the closing stages, suggesting there was no lack of effort. The step up in trip combined with a more galloping track should suit his running style, and if he settles into a rhythm early, he sets a solid standard and could prove difficult to pass. Master Potter was well held on his seasonal reappearance and would need to improve dramatically to feature, though his connections are adept at placing their horses and the return to better ground could see him take a step forward; that said, he still has plenty to prove at this level. No Case To Answer ran well below expectations last time out, but that effort is best forgiven if the shorter trip was indeed against him. A return to three miles, which saw him finish a respectable second previously, looks far more suitable and brings him back into calculations if able to reproduce that form. Reel Much Fun is an interesting contender, having run a race full of promise on his first start of the season over course and distance. Finishing third, he shaped as though he would improve significantly for the outing, travelling well for a long way before fitness told late on. With that run under his belt and natural progression expected, he looks poised to play a major role. Rounditoff, by contrast, is in need of a revival, having failed to fire on his last few starts, and until showing tangible signs of a return to form, he is difficult to recommend. Seek Him There arguably arrives with the strongest recent form credentials after finishing second on each of his last two outings; however, there remains a notable question mark regarding his stamina for this more searching test, as his best performances have come on flatter tracks over slightly shorter trips. Whether he has improved for his two runs this season and can see out the demands of this contest remains to be seen, but if he does, he could yet emerge as a key player.
Selection: Reel Much Fun Alternative: Seek Him There
2.20 Maiden Conditions – 9 entries
Four of the nine entries are doubly entered in the Open Maiden contest, namely Jasmin Des, Reel Much Fun, Rounditoff and Seek Him There, so assessing which horses might be declared for this Maiden Conditions race, could be tricky. Equally some of those entered have been running over the shorter distance of 2½ miles, so the demanding, uphill Horseheath finish will test their staying potential over this longer traditional trip. Best form shown so far surrounds See Him There, who finished runner-up on both his initial outings at Chaddesley Corbett during last month. This is his first season pointing after a winless, hurdling career under rules, for current owner/trainer Ben Case. He came up against Entity Of Substanz on his pointing debut and was beaten 2½ lengths, with that winner impressively winning again, the Restricted contest, at the December, Horseheath fixture. Reel Much Fun has been tested on this course and distance when going down by only 3 lengths to Kirsch De Cotte at the previous Horseheath meeting. Francesca Poste trains Jasmin Des Blins who finished strongly when suffering a narrow defeat on debut, when beaten by 2 lengths at Charing in mid-December, over the shorter distance, however, the winner has pulled up in a subsequent race. Kow Boy Sivola and Kalipso His both ran at Badbury Rings in mid-November and both experienced interference at the second last fence. The former did finish 3rd but could not recover after being hampered whilst Kalipso His unseated Lily Bradstock because of the interference.
Selection: Seek Him There Alternative: Reel Much Fun
2.55 Conditions (level 2) –12 entries
Nick Wright has two entries in this, Clashhill and Red Maple, both have alternatives in the Opener on today’s card. Clashhill was four from four in Points last season, including two wins here at Horseheath, his only defeat came in a Hunter-Chase at Cheltenham, when he patently failed to stay. Red Maple was a dual winner last season, the latter over an extended trip at High Easter. He’s consistent, but the 10lb penalty is a big worry. Trainer David Kemp boasts a very impressive strike rate and looks poised to have his first runners of the season, like Nick Wright he has a couple of entries in this race, and both are also entered in the opener. All the Ammunition hasn’t been seen on the course since winning over an extended trip at High Easter in 2024. He has a course win also on his cv and will be very much on the short list if anywhere near his old form after this long absence. Designed to Win is undefeated in three starts since crossing the Irish sea. He failed to reappear after winning an Intermediate at Garthorpe almost a year ago. Both stablemates are lightly raced and incur no penalties here. Coolagh Park is another entry with winning form here at Horseheath. He races prominently, and is consistent in points, but the 5lb penalty makes his task tough. Champagne Glory was outstayed by Glancing Hill here on New Years Eve. He is one paced and looks booked for minor honours again. The veteran Myth Buster likes to dominate and made all to win a Ladies Open at Larkhill in November. That win means he must carry a 10lb penalty, and that will prove tough. Poli Roi was a multiple winner in 2023/24 (one walkover) but has been well beaten in both starts on his return this season under a change of ownership. In Our Dreams was a dual winner in 2023/24. Another runner who likes to force the pace, he will come on for his recent run at Chaddesley after missing last season. He will appreciate any softening in the ground. East Street was runner up at Ampton earlier this month, but he has a bit to find with Clashhill on a line through Mumbo Jumbo who won that Ampton race.
Selection: Clashhill Alternative: Designed to Win
Overview:
Race 1: Nick Wright’s runner / Grange Island
Race 2: Cash Or Card / Ask Elli
Race 3: Givega /Aramax
Race 4: Reel Much Fun / Seek Him There
Race 5: Seek Him There / Reel Much Fun
Race 6: Clashhill / Designed to Win
