THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK – HIGHAM
FRIDAY APRIL 3rd 2026
2.10 Hunt Members – 7 entries
The meeting kicks off with a competitive 7 entry Hunt race and 4 rated over 100. Atlantic Fleet from the Turner yard won a Hunt race at Ampton in 2024 but struggled in subsequent Restricteds and was a distance behind Cash or Card on his last run at Dingley in May and again was a distant 3rdin the Jan. Horseheath Restricted but came good in the Restricted at Ampton when left in the lead at the last but disappointed in the recent Garthorpe Restricted when 15L 3rdto Sports Magic. Veteran 14yr. Back Bar from the Hill yard has run in every PtP division in an illustrious career but maybe age is catching up but a 14l. 2nd to Cheytac in the recent Fakenham Conditions race indicates there is still something there. 6yr. Call me
Early from the Andrews team is moving through the grades but had to be pushed out to win the March Ampton Intermediate – this will not be a ‘gimme’ as 9yr. Toss Again from the Owen yard was ridden out well to score back to back wins at both Horseheath and High Easter in his 2 runs this season. First run this season for another 14yr veteran Chapelier from the Whyte yard is probably best watched in this company. Another Hill entry is 6yr Reel Much Fun progressive in his last 2 runs with a comfortable 20L. Maiden win on this track in Feb. and stayed on well to take the March High Easter Restricted. Winner last year of Class 4 Chase and hurdle races under rules for 8yr. My Gift To You from the Owen yard has something to prove in the PtP world and 4l. 4th in Fakenham Conditions race was probably a warm up with more to come.
Please note that many of the above have entries in subsequent races.
Selection: Call Me Early Alternative: Toss Again / My Gift To You
2.45 Conditions (Level 2) 3m 4f – 6 entries
Running plans are never easy to gauge over the busy Easter weekend, but this race has a entry high on quality. Mister Splash took this event last year, so ground and trip are not a worry. He won his most recent race at the West and North Norfolk meeting at Fakenham just under a fortnight ago, so is fit and well. Police Academy was a close 2nd in that aforementioned race. She won on her Irish pointing debut in March 2022, but her 3 wins under rules (all hurdle races) have been over trips short of 3 miles, I have reservations over her stamina for this longer trip. My Gift To You finished 4th in the aforementioned contest, and would have finished closer but for being hampered when short of room on the run in. This winner of 5 chases, and 3 hurdle races under rules will relish the extra distance. Jenny Owen not only has My Gift To You entered, but also the 2 from 2 this season Toss Again. He was useful and rated up to around 130 in Ireland, but had lost his form latterly. He ended a long losing run when giving rider Boris Ball his first career winner at Horseheath in a competitive novice riders race in January. He backed that up with a win on the stayers course at High Easter. Although his wins in Ireland were below 3 miles I think he has more than a good chance of getting this extended trip on an easy track like Higham, infact I’d be more concerned with his ability to handle quickish ground. Alan Hill is a regular and successful raider at Higham, and he trains the other two entrants. The Dancing Tree has landed his last 3 (form franked from both), and is very progressive. This is another step up the ladder, class wise and distance, but he would have to be very much on the short list. However my hunch is he’ll head closer to home and go to Kimble on Saturday. Take note if connections do bring him here. Coolagh Park is locally owned, but this 5 time winning pointer has been below his best so far this season.
Selection: Jenny Owen’s runner Alternative: Mister Splash
3.20 Mixed Open – 7 entries
The previous two winners of this race feature amongst the entries for this year’s renewal. In 2024 I K Brunel defeated Peacocks Secret to win the race, whilst last year the race was won by The Big Lense who defeated his sole rival Hardline. This season I K Brunel has “won” a two runner Men’s Open race at Ampton in January, his sole opponent having departed the contest at the second fence. Since then he has finished 13 lengths behind Fier Jaguen around this course in February and then finished 24 lengths behind Beacon Edge at Didmarton. The Big Lense has run once this season, finishing a distant 2nd to Aramax in a three runner contest at Fakenham two weeks ago. Senior Citizen, a stable companion of I K Brunel won the 3 ½ mile Conditions race around this course in February, but was well beaten by No Risk Des Flos in a Veteran Horse Conditions race, also at Fakenham. Another to run at Fakenham was Police Academy who ran well on her first start for her connections when finishing ¾ length runner-up to Mister Splash in a Level 3 Conditions race. Tullys Touch, who won the Mixed Open for Grassroots riders at this fixture last year has finished runner-up on all three starts this season, twice to Shentri in Ladies Open Races at Ampton and once to Fairly Famous at Horseheath. Janika started his season at this course in February, finishing a close 2nd to Jimmy The Digger. He next appeared in a Hunter Chase at Fakenham, where he looked the likely winner but seemed to be spooked at the 2nd last fence and unseated his rider.
Selection: Police Academy Alternative: The Big Lense
3.55 Mixed Open (Novice Riders) – 6 entries
This could turn out to be a close affair as The Big Lense, Shentri and the chosen representative from Ed Turner’s two entrants, namely Good Source and Janika, all have winning potential. The Big Lense will have the assistance of the capable Boris Ball and they were recently partnered together when runner-up to stable companion Aramax at Fakenham. The Big Lense won the Mixed Open race at the corresponding meeting last season and has an alternative entry in the same race. Shentri and Poppy Shaw have had a mixed journey together but their recent 2nd placing behind Young Rich at Garthorpe and Shentri’s previous Higham course success puts them in with a good chance of taking the prize. Janika form is more consistent than Good Source and they both hold alternative entries on the card. If Janika is declared here then Charlotte Butler could be rewarded for her unfortunate unseat in a Fakenham Hunter Chase, last month. Good Source has a course victory to his name back in 2024 but has failed to really sparkle in four outings this season. Jacks Touch has been running under rules since November and barely gets three miles. so the short Higham track would be a benefit. Dear old Chapelier is entered in this and the opening race and it would be a wonderful surprise if he had a say in the outcome.
Selection: The Big Lense Alternative: Shentri
4.30 0-110 Rated Series – 7 entries
This race has garnered seven entries and is a new initiative this season from the Point to Point Authority. The winner is qualified for a Hunter Chase final to be held at Warwick on 9th May. This series is for horses who have never held an official GB or IRE handicap jump rating higher than 110. The Luke Price trained Inchidaly Robin could make the long journey from South Wales a winning one. He’s won 8 times from 9 starts. On his latest run he was 2ndat Howick, beaten 18L behind Karaktere d’Infer in a Hunt Members race three weeks ago. Ed Turner has two entered in this contest. Good Source would appear to be his best chance. He PU on his most recent outing at Fakenham two weeks ago in a Mixed Open won by Aramax. Prior to this he was 3rdat High Easter, 23L adrift of the useful winner I’m Spellbound. The other Turner entry is Atlantic Fleet. He was 3rdat Garthorpe, beaten just over 15L behind Sports Magic. Previously he won at Ampton in early March when beating French Symphony by 3L. His cause being helped by the leader running out at the last fence. Garde La Peche won on her latest start at Larkhill last weekend when landing a 3 runner Novice Riders race by 12L from Farnoge. Luca Morgan could send Jewel Of Windsor here. She’s had one run in a English pointto point and that was a winning one when landing a Maiden under James King at Ston Easton 2 weeks ago by 18L from Standanddeliver. However, she’s had 10 runs under rules and didn’t show much for Emmet Mullins and Neil Mulholland. Alan Hill has Tellmesomethingood in this. He’s a two-time pointing winner. He was 5th on his latest start at Siddington beaten 17 ½L behind Bluescape. The Yellow Mini is a previous course winner. That win coming in February 2025 when ridden by Alex Chadwick and finishing 6L in front of Soldier At War. However, her recent form is not inspiring and she was 5th, beaten 34L here in February behind Hubrisko on her latest start.
Selection: Inchidaly Robin Alternative: Good Source
5.05 Maiden – 6 entries
Incitatus showed clear ability when starting favourite in two Irish point-to-points, suggesting there is a solid level of talent to work with, and if he can rediscover that early promise he could represent value in the market, especially if overlooked; there are also reasons to believe conditions may suit, as his dam produced her best form on quicker ground in Germany, which hints that similar underfoot conditions could be key to unlocking improvement. Indie Rocknroll is another who looks capable of better than he has shown recently, having shaped with promise on his first start for current connections before disappointing twice since, but as a lightly framed individual he may not have been suited by softer conditions and a return to quicker ground could spark a revival. Kranky Kelly is an intriguing contender, having missed last season but previously showing a fair level of ability in Irish point-to-points, particularly on his second outing, and while fitness has to be taken on trust he could be a major player if fully tuned up. No Hard Feelings, on the other hand, looks more opposable as a maiden after seven starts, and switching yards it is hard to see where the necessary progress will come from, so he may struggle in this company and is perhaps best watched. Rhythm of Life is well bred but faces a stiff task on her first start over fences in what looks a competitive race, and while she may improve with experience she currently looks one for the future rather than an immediate threat Rounditoff is exposed and vunerable to less exposed rivals with greater scope, though he is consistent enough to run his race and could pick up the pieces if the contest unfolds in his favour, even if others make stronger appeal from a win perspective.
Selection: Indie Rocknroll Alternative: Kranky Kelly
Overview
Race 1: Call Me Early / Toss Again / My Gift To You
Race 2: Jenny Owen’s runner / Mister Splash
Race 3: Police Academy / The Big Lense
Race 4: The Big Lense / Shentri
Race 5: Inchidaly Robin / GoodSource
Race 6: Indie Rocknroll / Kranky Kelly
