THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK – HIGHAM
FRIDAY MARCH 29th 2024
2.10 Hunt Members – 8 entries
A very competitive Hunt race with 4 of the field rated over 100. Ask Carla from the local in-form Pennock yard was all out to win the Ampton Maiden earlier this month and was a close 2nd to Paul Manate in the Dec. Horseheath Maiden – may struggle in this company but a place is possible. 4th run of the season for veteran Back Bar from the Hill yard has been running in Open company and with a win in a Ladies Cond. Level 2 at Charing this month although outpaced in a similar race at Charing in Feb. could be another for a place. 6th run in 2024 for another veteran is Chapelier from the Whyte yard and has already run twice in March with only place success at Ampton and 30l. back so is best watched here. Highest rated in the race Good Source from the now Gina Ellis yard has strong claims after an 8L outpaced 2nd to Knight in Dubai in the Feb. Horseheath Conditions race. 10yr. Josh The Plod from the Cundy yard was outpaced to be 4th behind Shentri on this track in Feb. but has run a number of times here so knows the track well but will need to be on top form to score this time. A serious veteran at 14yr. Knight Bachelor from the Hill yard with 5 wins from 29 runs has struggled on his 2 runs this season and the company may again be too strong. Veteran plus is 15yr. Lord Park Star from the Pomfret yard ran 2nd 30l back behind Wagner on this track in the Waveney Harriers Mixed Open last season and although 6th in a Restricted here back in 2018 he has won or been placed on 4 subsequent races here but this company might just be too strong.
Selection: Good Source Alternative: Ask Carla
2.45 Conditions (level 3) 3m 4f – 11 entries
Go Go Geronimo is a five time winning pointer, and has also finished runner up on ten occasions, including twice in Hunter Chases. Those figures give the game away, he’s a strong galloper who lacks a change of gear. Three miles around here hardly plays to his strengths, but will his proven ability see him through? All is True is a winner of three of his five starts in Points. He needs to bounce back after pulling up last time out at Garthorpe when going off as the favourite. That can be attributed to the ground, and he ought to relish a return to much better ground on Friday, but he does have alternatives over the weekend. Back it Up won his Maiden at this meeting last year and followed up next time in a Restricted at Mollington. He pulled up in the same Garthorpe race that All is True also contested on his seasonal debut, he will also appreciate a return to better ground. Mr Snuffles is now trained by Max Comley who is absolutely flying this season. This five time winning Pointer boasts some useful form in the past. His form went downhill after winning at Brocklesby Park last season, but a return to form wouldn’t be a huge surprise under the guidance of his new trainer. Sir Shelby landed a Maiden and Restricted last season, but certainly had good fortune on his side when winning his Restricted at Eyton on Severn. A form line involving Marton Abbey suggests Back it Up has his beating. Happy Larry is consistent, and has been placed around here, but he needs to step up on his form to trouble the best here. Kilbrew Boy landed a two finisher contest on quick ground last season at Horseheath. He is another who will welcome a respite from testing ground. The Yellow Mini was a close 2nd at the meeting here in February, she followed up with another solid effort at Charing.
Selection: All is True Alternative: Go Go Geronimo
3.20 Mixed Open – 13 entries
The Mixed Open race may only have 13 entries, but on paper it looks a very competitive contest. Last year the race was won by Peacocks Secret who scored by 6 lengths from Commanche Red, with General Arrow ½ length back in third and Red Maple a further 3 lengths behind in fourth. Peacocks Secret returned to action this season at Garthorpe in February, but failed to finish in the soft ground. Red Maple started this season winning a novice riders race at Ampton, but has found one too good on each of his next three starts, at Charing behind Raleagh Flora, at Ampton behind Tullys Touch, and at High Easter behind Pym. I K Brunel ran well around this course in February finishing a close second to The Big Lense, and Definite Dilemma finished second to Kaproyale on his second start of this year. Slievegar, the winner of an Intermediate race around this course last season, has finished fourth on both outings this season, at Larkhill behind Grace A Vous Enki and at Horseheath behind Tigerbythetail. Both of Precious Bounty’s starts this season have been at Ampton finishing third on both occasions. At the first meeting Precious Bounty was beaten 3 ½ lengths by Captain Biggles but at the second fixture he got tired very quickly in the soft ground after jumping the third last fence at the bottom of the hill, when beaten over 30 lengths by Champagne Noir.
Selection: Peacocks Secret Alternative: Slievegar
3.55 Mixed Open (Grass Roots Riders) – 13 entries
An entry of 13 for this race that is for “Grassroots Riders” ie riders who have ridden 20 winners or less under various codes. We have a right mixture with some experienced riders and one or two riders who haven’t ridden in public before. Precious Bounty has one of the more experienced jockeys aboard in Ellie Callwood. Precious Bounty has been placed 3rd on his two runs this season. Latterly he was last of 3 at Ampton, beaten almost 31l behind Champagne Noir in a ladies open but this less demanding course will suit. Red Maple won a novice riders contest at Ampton in January and has been placed 2nd on 3 subsequent runs since. He finished ¾l behind Pym at High Easter two weeks ago when ridden by Alex Chadwick. Shentri is a stablemate of Precious Bounty and is a course winner this season when landing a conditions race by 25l from Kilbrew Boy with Josh The Plod just over ½l adrift in 4th. Shentri PU however on his next start in a Fakenham hunter chase two weeks ago. Kilbrew Boy was 3rd at Charing on his latest start going down by 13l to Kaproyale in a men’s open. Due Reward is due to be ridden by Marina Bealby who appears to be making her pointing debut here today. Due Reward won on his final pointing start last season when beating Give Us A Swig by a Hd under Gina Andrews at Mollington in May. Take To Heart won at Kingston Blount on his final start last season beating Southfield Theatre by ¾l in a mixed open. Like most runners from the Turner yard he will come on for his first start of the season when PU at Horseheath in January. Sum It Up won a novice riders contest here in February when beating Killinkere by 4 ½l under Josh Parker. However he’s due to be ridden here by his owner Dr Belinda Rose and is probably best watched. Lords Park Star is well into the veteran stage but he’s a previous course winner. That win came in November 2021 when beating The Cashel Man 4l in a match. Kelly Morgan has a strong hand with both Precious Bounty and Shentri in this so whichever runs will be our selection. Red Maple has posted solid runs in defeat so he’s our alternative.
Selection: Precious Bounty/Shentri Alternative: Red Maple
4.30 Conditions (Level 2) – 16 entries
Silver Sheen won at the Higham February meeting to give trainer Lee Moulson his first success. Has not raced since but likely to give another good account. Ultimate Getaway has won 5 races, under rules, for Fergal O’Brien who still retains ownership. Last run was October ’23. Romain De Senam has been in some top professional yards and has 10 victories to his name but fell heavily, when beaten, in a recent Catterick hunter ‘chase. How To Get Away won at this meeting last season whilst Mount Pleasant is in fine form this season with wins here at Higham and at Ampton. All Is True won 3 times last season but pulled up on his latest outing after finishing a close runner-up to Mitchouka at Horseheath in December. Shentri impressed when winning at Higham in February but has since pulled up when making a hunter ‘chase debut at Fakenham.
Selection: Mount Pleasant Alternative: How To Get Away
5.05 Maiden – 17 entries
A very competitive and open looking race. Machu Picchu made a solid start to his career when finishing a close second on his debut, just weakening in the last hundred yards to a more experienced horse. He has his first start for Alan Hill and holds a strong chance. Bless The Moon has to put a disappointing performance behind her last time out. Her first two runs this season were full of promise finishing a close fourth on her debut then holding every chance before she fell. She has the leading jockey of East Anglia on her back in Alex Chadwick who rides the track of Higham ever so well. Papillondelumiere had three starts in Irish point to points before his British debut. He finished third beaten thirteen lengths, he looked one paced in the finished so we are not sure that the quick nature of the track will suit. Premier Fancy finished second in a strong race on his first start for Bradley Gibbs, the winner that day is held in the highest regard and has followed up in a higher grade. He did look the winner turning into the home straight but looked one paced in the finish. We think the step up in trip looks sure to suit and with more improvement he will be hard to beat.
Selection: Premier Fantasy Alternative: Bless The Moon
Overview
Race 1: Good Source / Ask Carla
Race 2: All is True / Go Go Geronimo
Race 3: Peacocks Secret / Slievegar
Race 4: Precious Bounty or Shentri / Red Maple
Race 5: Mount Pleasant / How To Get Away
Race 6: Premier Fantasy / Bless The Moon
