THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK – HIGHAM
FRIDAY APRIL 18th 2025
2.10 Hunt Members – 8 entries
An excellent 8 entries with 3 rated over 100 so a competitive race in prospect. Veteran Back Bar one of 3 from the Hill yard with great form over many years and 2nd on his last 2 outings and winning this race 2yrs ago – definite place prospects. 11yr Coolagh Park another from the Hill yard won the recent Fakenham Conditions staying on well to beat Good Source by 3L at level weights. 5th run of the season for 6yr Driveondonn from the Cundy yard well back weakening in 4th at Kingston Blount in Feb. and pu when well behind at the recent Fakenham meeting – a distant 4th at High Easter in March and again 4th in the recent High Easter Int. so may struggle in this company. Getting Closer the last of the 3 Hill entries with a win in the 3 runner Feb Charing Conditions but pu in his recent High Easter Conditions run – ground an issue? 8th run of the season for 10yr. Jacks Touch from the Rose yard has been placed in 2 but a 36l 4th here in Feb indicates a feature in the shake up is unlikely but fantastic to get in so many runs. 6yr Machu Picchu from the Hill pu on his 3 runs to date this season and ran at Edgcote on 13th April. 8yr Shanes Passion from the Pennock yard made all to win the Maiden on this track last season followed by pu’s in 2 Restricted runs, including 1 on this track in Feb so many find this company too strong. Sopran Thor from the Whyte yard pu on his only run this season in a Fakenham Hunter Chase.
Selection: An Alan Hill runner Alternative: Driveondonn
2.45 Conditions (Level 3) 3m 4f – 7 entries
Ragnar Lodbrok has got to be the starting point here. This 10 time point winner since crossing the Irish sea has struggled since a perfectly respectable seasonal debut when 3rd behind stable companion Allmankind and What A Glance at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve. Pulled up on his next 3 starts, he ran much better over a marathon trip at High Easter last time, with the headgear left off. Also very much on the plus side he is a proven stayer at this trip. Designer Destiny had a subsequent winner behind when winning easily at Howick in March, but hasn’t appeared since. She’s admirably consistent, and will be receiving plenty of weight from Ragnar Lodbrok if opting to make the long journey from Glamorgan. Mourzouk, bred by the Aga Khan, is also owned by Tim Vaughan. He landed a hat-trick over hurdles back in the spring of 2022, also has placed form over fences. He last ran under rules in mid March (pulled up), but hasn’t ever really suggested a marathon trip like this would suit. Mister Splash finished 5 lengths and one place ahead of Touch Tight when they filled the places behind the very easy winner L’Aventara at Ampton last month. Both have more than a little to find on the formbook with Ragnar Lodbrok. Soldier At War hasn’t won since October 2020 (Kilbeggan chase 2m3f). He’s run well here in the past, but is still looking for a first point win after 12 attempts, and has stamina to prove as well. Inchidaly Robin, like the Tim Vaughan trained pair could also make the long journey from Wales. He cut little ice running under rules in Ireland after winning his maiden point at Tattersalls in 2022. He’s landed a pair of Restricted races, most recently last Sunday at Edgecote, since joining Luke Price. Ragnar Lodbrok is not risk free but is the clear stand out on form.
Selection: Ragnar Lodbrok Alternative: Designer Destiny
3.20 Mixed Open – 6 entries
Amongst the entries for this year’s renewal of the Mixed Open race is I K Brunel, who has been a regular visitor to Higham for the past two seasons, having participated in all three Mixed Open races that have been held. I K Brunel won the corresponding race last season, whilst at both last years and this year’s Waveney Harriers fixture he finished second. Last year The Big Lense got the better of him by one length, whilst this year he could not get close to Allmankind who won by thirty lengths. After that defeat to Allmankind, I K Brunel finished a close second to Dalamoi at Didmarton in early March, and followed that with victory over 2 miles 5 furlong at Kingston Blount two weeks ago, defeating Loughan by nine lengths. The Big Lense followed last season’s victory over I K Brunel with two runs in Hunter Chases, in the second of these he fell at “The Chair” at Aintree whilst Hardline, who completed, finished seventh. Four outings under rules during the summer yielded a win over hurdles at Southwell. His reappearance this season was in the Mixed Open race at Fakenham, resulting in a victory over his stable companion Aramax, with Hardline a distant fourth. Precious Bounty, who also holds an entry in the Mixed Open race “Grassroots Rider’s” and at three other fixtures, was the winner of the “Grassroots Rider’s race at this fixture last year. This season Precious Bounty has won a “Grassroots Rider’s Conditions race at Badbury Rings and most recently ran well in defeat behind Tullys Touch and Fairly Famous at High Easter.
Selection: The Big Lense Alternative: I K Brunel
Mixed Open (Grass Roots Riders) – 9 entries
This could see Drakes Well and Tom Hutsby on a retrieving mission at Higham after they were unluckily hampered and Tom was unseated when Saint Calvados refused at the final fence, in a competitive Mixed Open at the February meeting at the course. The partnership has had two runs since, pulling up at Guilsborough having led to three out and then winning at Shelfield Park last weekend when making all in a 4-runner Novice Riders race. Precious Bounty ran a stormer in the Ladies Open at High Easter a fortnight ago with Marina Bealby having a wonderful ride, out in front, before giving way to two top performers in Tullys Touch and Fairly Famous. Beaten in the end by just over 5 lengths, a repeat performance here will give the pairing an excellent chance but there is a strong possibility Tullys Touch will be saddled in an attempt to win his fourth race of the season. With Ellie Holder still eligible to ride in this type of race, the pairing will look to maintain their unbeaten record together which now totals four wins from as many races.
Selection: Tullys Touch Alternative: Drakes Well
4.30 Conditions (Level 2) – 8 entries
An entry of 8 for this level 2 conditions race. However, with the exception of The Yellow Mini, all the other runners hold alternative entries on the card, or engagements at other courses over the Easter holidays. The Yellow Mini won at this venue in early February when beating a possible rival today, Soldier At War by 6 L. On her latest run at Fakenham last month, she was 3rd beaten 9 L by Coolagh Park. Top rated Getting Closer pulled up on his latest start but that was over 3 miles 6 furlongs at High Easter earlier this month and this 3 mile trip is more to his liking. He won at Charing in February when beating Count Simon 2 ½ L in a similar grade to this. Take To Heart represents the Turner stable. He pulled up at Fakenham last month on his latest outing. Previously he was 3rd at High Easter last month, beaten 12 L by I’m Spellbound. Due Reward beat The Credon Rogue by 12 L in a match at Tabley earlier this month. Eritage is due to have the assistance in the saddle from James King, but he hasn’t run since May last year and may just need this outing. On that occasion he was 5th beaten just over 9 L by Enchanted Magic at Cothelstone. Soldier At War was 3rd at Parham in late March beaten 8 L by Premier d’Troice in a novice riders contest. Joe Kidd finished 2nd on his latest start but was 23 L adrift of the winner Bobbarelli in a restricted race at Shelfield Park last Saturday and may not turn out here so soon. Sopran Thor has failed to finish on his last 3 starts and is best watched if running here. Getting Closer, now back over 3 miles is our selection in this. Take To Heart is our alternative ahead of Soldier At War.
Selection: Getting Closer Alternative: Take To Heart
5.05 Maiden – 8 entries
Eile Tara has raced three times under Rules in Hurdle races without being placed. She was well beaten in her first start in Point to Points over 2m4f. There is stamina in her pedigree so she might be able to find improvement stepping up to 3 miles for the first time. Gallant Geronimo is a 9-year-old Maiden and on recent form cannot be recommended. Machu Picchu has disappointed and has pulled up in his last three starts, best watched on this occasion. Miss Ghillie has more letters than numbers in her form. She started at a short price on her last two starts so presumably better things have been expected. She does look to hold the stronger chance of the Tim Vaughan duo. Oka Tsuki and The Orchard Boy contested a 4 runner Maiden race here earlier this season finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively but both were well beaten. The Orchard Boy has scope for more improvement and should be able to uphold the form from that race. Secret Plan has pulled up on his first two starts in Point to Points. He led on his last start before weakening quickly but cannot be discounted as the Turner family have had a magnificent season so far, wouldn’t be a surprise to see an improved effort. Sports Magic has had three starts for current connections and looked to be a horse to follow, his first start when going down by a neck. He hasn’t run to that level in his next two starts finishing 3rd when favourite and then ran a week later and again disappointed. Maybe that race came too quick for him. If you put a line through that race, he looks the horse to beat.
Selection: Sports Magic Alternative: Miss Ghillie
Overview
Race 1: An Alan Hill runner / Driveondonn
Race 2: Ragnar Lodbrok / Designer Destiny
Race 3: The Big Lense / I K Brunel
Race 4: Tullys Touch / Drakes Well
Race 5: Getting Closer / Take To Heart
Race 6: Sports Magic / Miss Ghillie
