THE HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB – HIGH EASTER
Sunday March 17th 2019
1.00 Conditions (Novice Riders) – 17 entries
A decent entry of 17 for this novice riders race but several hold alternative entries on this card and at other venues in the week or over the weekend. Vivaldi Collonges won last time out at Didmarton when beating William Money by 7 L but he’s more likely to run at Parham. Like Vivaldi Collonges/Just Cause is trained by James Owen, but he was due to run in Friday’s Cheltenham Foxhunters race so is unlikely to run here. Zeroeshadesofgrey was due to run in a hunter chase at Fakenham on Friday so is another who probably won’t turn out here. One Fine Morning is unbeaten in two pointing starts this term, both those wins coming at Higham when he beat the same horse Abbey Lane, on his most recent run he was a length winner with two possible rivals, Weather Warning and Kingston College behind that day. One Fine Morning is a previous course winner as well. Weather Warning has finished 3rd on all three starts this season and would have to step up to win today. Summer Sounds represents the Francesca Nimmo yard and is a good mount in novice rider’s contests. He won on his latest outing at Chaddesley Corbett by 30 L when defeating Bracho, he is due to be ridden by Luke Scott who looks a promising rider. Luke Scott is also jocked up on the Andrew Pennock trained Mahler’s Spirit, he won under this rider at Horseheath earlier this month when beating Abbey Lane by 30 L with Ballygrooby Bertie 10 L further back in 3rd. Back Bar finished 2nd on his most recent outing when going down by 3 L behind Local Show at Horseheath with Amigo 3rd, a further 6 L adrift and Mahler’s Spirit 10 L behind in 4th in February. Follow The Paint is a previous course winner but fell on her most recent outing last weekend. Adept Approach is another who fell on his most recent appearance at Godstone two weeks ago. Summer Sounds goes well for a novice rider so he is our selection today ahead of course winner One Fine Morning.
Selection: Summer Sounds Alternative: One Fine Morning
1.35 Restricted – 9 entries
9 entries and hopefully a competitive race. Almost There from the Wright yard was ridden out well to win the Open Maiden in Dec and with a 7lb allowance a frame finish is on the cards. Baxxos p.u. in this race last season and was not seen again. Blackwood Rover with 2 runs under his belt this season and a 4th at Cottenham in Dec, but nothing spectacular – could make the frame again as he is the highest rated in the field. One for the short list – Bullsempire from the in form Pennock yard won the 4 runner Maiden at Higham in Jan and was 32L 4th to Captiva Island at Higham in Feb but both runs on fast ground so may struggle here but should make a place. First run for Multimedia who won the Fakenham Maiden by 10L on firmish ground last season and could feature here but may need the run. Orchard Hill from the Padfield yard pu on his restricted run at Parham last year and another to need the run to prove himself But Jack Andrews up will help. Sandygate placed in Maidens only may struggle in this higher grade. Shamat has lost all form since 2nd behind Willflywontsink at this meeting last season and is unlikely to trouble the judge. Steel the China has no form from his 2 runs this season so probably best left alone.
Selection: Almost There Alternative: Bullsempire
2.10 Mens Open – 13 entries
This edition of the men’s open will be run over 3 ¾ miles and has 13 entries, headed by three times course winner Excitable Island. The winner at both meetings around this course last season went on to win the 4 mile hunter chase at Cheltenham and therefore this race would appear to be right up his street. On his seasonal reappearance in a 2 ½ mile hunter chase at Lingfield in February, Excitable Island finished 4th behind Full Trottle, whereas Conkies Lad finished ahead in 2nd. Since that run Excitable Island has run and won a conditions race at Godstone, beating Glint Of Steel, whereas Conkies Lad has yet to reappear. Mr Maclennane finished a close 2nd in a conditions race over course and distance last season, beaten by You Too Pet. His one run this season was at Horseheath in a conditions race, finishing 4th, 25 lengths behind Summer Sounds. His stable companion In A Blue Dust also holds an entry, and his reappearance at Garthorpe was more positive, finishing 3rd to Minella Friend. Follow The Paint was given a fine front running ride by Jack Andrews to win a four runner men’s open over 3 miles around this track last season but has not threatened to win so far this season. James Ridley has entered Big Georgie and Rigadin de Beauchene, both of whom have finished 2nd on their seasonal debuts. Big Georgie was 2nd to Caid du Berlais at Bishops Court (beaten 25 lengths) and relishes softer conditions, whilst the ex Venetia Williams trained 14 year-old Rigadin de Beauchene finished ¾ length behind Following Mama at Monmouth Showground.
Selection: Excitable Island Alternative: Big Georgie
2.45 Ladies Open – 13 entries
A baker’s dozen entered but definitely more than just bread and butter pointers amongst those nominated. Top Smart is lightly raced and comes here fresh from a victory at Higham. This is a different type of course and having never raced here before, could be a vital factor. As opposed to Excitable Island who has visited the High Easter winner’s enclosure on three occasions, admittedly two of these have come in Hunt races. His winning appearance at Godstone, two weeks ago, shows he is in good fettle. Degooch was 3rd in this race last year and won two ladies opens in Kent. Start Royal has run 47 times in points but never at High Easter, which could be a negative but can never be discounted, even at the age of fifteen. Teeton Power is a game little mare, owned by Mrs Tice, who was unlucky on her seasonal debut when slipping up on a bend, at Thorpe Lodge, when leading. Ran 2nd to Popaway at the Cheltenham Hunter ‘Chase meeting last May and with the expert assistance of Tabitha Worsley, in the saddle and a first attempt in a Ladies Open, will surely go close.
Selection: Teeton Power Alternative: Excitable Island
3.20 Conditions (9yo & up) – 19 entries
Of the nineteen entries in this race eight have been entered in previous races, five in the first race and three in the two Open races. They will have been previewed in those races so will not be mentioned here but of course it may be decided to run in this race. We have no idea of the owner’s preferences so please take note of the previous comments. Big Georgie had a tough race last Saturday at Chipley Park and it would be a surprise if it appeared here so soon after that race. Tough horse having raced in 24 points and had its first race at Barbury Racecourse in 2011. Last win was at Hereford in April 2018 in a brilliant three runner race. Burtredgipandgump was 2nd last time out to Samarnni, beaten by 4 lengths at Garthorpe. Previously beat Poyle Thomas at Higham by a neck earlier this year. Consistent type in that out of sixteen races has won four and been placed six times. Kashmir Peak has in recent times been racing mainly in Novice rider’s races. Last time out won the Vet & Nov Riders Conditons race at Godstone two weeks ago. A tough sort as usually runs virtually every two weeks. Poyle Thomas has raced three times this season and has progressed from 3rd to 2nd to winning last time out at Higham where it beat Dandan by 8 lengths and could well follow up here with more success. Silvergrove won four races on the trot in 2017 but missed 2018, very experienced horse and from the James Owen yard. Letbeso won a Maiden in 2011, beat Silvergrove at Ffos Las in a Handicap Chase in 2015. Since returning to Pointing has had fifteen outings without winning. If Summer Sound does run in this race it’s the probable winner.
Selection: Summer Sounds Alternative: Poyle Thomas
3.55 Open Maiden – 13 entries
Broadwater disappointed after an encouraging run in a P to P Bumper. Shoddy jumping was his downfall and unless this improves he is unlikely to trouble the judge. The Kemp yard is just starting to buzz and, the first time performance of How to Get Away, augurs well for the future. Upsides with the winner in a modest three runner Maiden at Charing in February a last fence error cost him the race but providing he is fully recovered he should be there or thereabouts. The yard’s other entrant Rivercourt Guy was pulled up in a Maiden at Kingston Blount last month. This was the first run sporting the colours of successful owner John Ridge – there should be improvement in this one but success might take a little longer. Josh the Plod and Racing Eagle seem to have become permanent bridesmaids with seven second placings between them. They both clearly have ability but it remains to be seen if they can go one better today. One of interest is the Golan 6 year old – Occupied, runner up in an Irish maiden last month. This one has a very mixed bag of performances since the start of the 2018 season including a third place in an Irish Bumper. It will be interesting to see if new handlers can find the key to get the best out of this Irish import. Another new recruit of interest is the former Henry Daly trained Eau de Nile. Last time out, in the hands of Richard Johnson, it finished down the field in a Ludlow Class 4 hurdle. Overall its form doesn’t account for much but handler Martin Ward may well find something to work on for the future. Pennock and Collinson are walking on water after their four timer at Ampton last week. Un Huit Huit ran encouragingly first time out this season at Horseheath after a lack lustre career between the flags in Ireland. Ignore this one at your peril. This is an interesting little race but we fancy the Kemp yard to take the honours with How To get Away followed home by Un Huit Huit.
Selection: How To Get Away Alternative: Un Huit Huit
