THE THURLOW HUNT – HORSEHEATH
December 31st 2024
11.00 Conditions (Level 3) – 13 entries
If the long range weather forecast proves correct we are in for a dry and mild week on the lead up to this opening meeting of the East Anglian season. This would suit the Gina Ellis trained dual course winner All Is True, who didn’t handle the soft ground when pulling up at Garthorpe last season. He was runner up in this corresponding race last season when coming up against a vastly more experienced and formerly useful ex Irish trained chaser. The aforementioned Garthorpe race was won by fellow entry Paper Mill. He’s already had two runs this season, landing the odds on the opening weekend at Dunsmore, and then running second behind a useful horse at Larkhill. Never out of the placings in points (5 wins) he’s consistent, and wouldn’t be troubled if things turned wet underfoot. Dual hurdle winner Ocean Drifter has been lightly raced in recent seasons, but did win on his only start last season at Holnicote. He’s with different connections now, but clearly goes well fresh. Mountain Assault also appeared only once last season, and like the previously mentioned entry he was victorious when defying a penalty to win a Dingley Restricted. Empire de Maulde is a ten time winner under rules. His yard have a tremendous strike rate and also do well on their raids at this course. Boss Man Fred was a very useful recruit for the Skelton yard back in the day, and landed a point at Larkhill after a good second here on his first two starts last season. However he pulled up on his final start after a 3 month absence, and has the novice rider race option to consider. Ballyadam Destiny was a dual winning hurdler in Ireland and will come on for his seasonal debut at Knightwick. Stable companion All Loved Up will find this easier than the race he contested on seasonal debut at Larkhill, he’s consistent but both have the novice rider race option.
Selection: All Is True Alternative: Paper Mill
11.35 Maiden – 16 entries
Not too much form to go on here, but it will surely be significant if Celtic Harmony, who was very much in contention when brought down at the third last in a large field maiden at Larkhill at the beginning of the month, makes the long journey up from the west country. Others worthy of mention include Wiseman Said, who cost £25,000 at Doncaster in May having finished third on his only Irish pointing start a month earlier. Now housed in Andrew Pennock’s yard, he is unlikely to want for fitness and is set to sport the familiar light blue and white Keith Loads silks. Arguably the entry with the best English form is the Chris Barber-trained King Roque, who was beaten by only a length when last seen in May, finishing third at Upcott Cross. The powerful Gina Andrews stable is represented by the Court Cave mare, Always Groovin, who was runner-up on her only start between the flags in Ireland, while anything from the Fran Poste yard is always worth a second look, so keep an eye out for the Joshua Tree gelding Japon de Carjac. Other interesting candidates are the Kingston Blount runner-up Jullou de Grissay and a pair from the Stuart Morris stable, Right Lets Go, who showed promise in both of his Irish pointing starts, and Red Letter Day, who did not progress as connections would have hoped after finishing second at this venue 11 months ago.
Selection: Celtic Harmony Alternative: Wiseman Said
12.10 Conditions (Novice Riders) – 16 entries
This novice rider’s contest has garnered 16 entries. Three of these have had a run already this season. Fan Club Aulmes was 2nd at Knightwick last month going down by 2¾ L to Killer Clown with a possible rival today, Ballyadam Destiny 41L behind in 4th this day. All Loved Up was 7th at Larkhill earlier this month going down by just under 29L to Givega. Imperial Esprit won this race last year when ridden by the late Keagan Kirkby. Seb Mead is the man in the saddle now. Imperial Esprit has to give weight to all his rivals if he’s to follow up today. On his final start last season Imperial Esprit was 2nd in a Stratford ladies hunter chase, going down by 3L to Famous Clermont. Drop Him In was 2nd on his final start last season when going down by 6L to Grace A Vous Enki in a mixed open at Mollington in May when Gina Andrews was in the plate. He’s due to be ridden by Tom Hutsby, one of the more experienced riders in this contest. Boss Man Fred beat Imperial Esprit at Larkhill last February by 6L, receiving 8lbs from the runner up. He’s receiving 6lbs if they meet here. Boss Man Fred PU on his final outing last season in a Flete Park 4 mile ladies open. Steady The Ship was 3rd on his final start last season when going down by 3 ¾ L in a Tabley 2 ½ mile mixed open to Willewonga and has changed yards since. Now running for Philip Rowley’s Shropshire stable. Port Of Mars won on his final start last season at Dingley in May when beating Beyond Redemption by 5L to give rider Ethan Dawes his first and so far only winner. Aramax is a 6-time winner under rules and hails from the Jenny Owen yard in Newmarket. Formerly owned by JP McManus and trained by Ben Haslam. His final rules win was at Uttoxeter in a 3 mile hurdle when beating Polish by 2L under Richie McLernon in July 2023. However he’s been well beaten on his 3 most recent starts under rules. As usual with these contests it’s difficult to predict a winner. Given the benefit of a run this season we will side with Fan Club Aulmes as our selection. Boss Man Fred is our alternative.
Selection: Fan Club Aulmes Alternative: Boss Man Fred
12.45 Ladies Open – 12 entries
Gina Andrews holds the key to this contest which could well be a milestone winner as Gina needs two more victories to complete 400 successes in points, prior to the Chaddesley Corbett and Horseheath meetings. Gina has Fairly Famous and Master Templar entered and both are capable of success. Fairly Famous, since winning on his pointing debut at the corresponding meeting in 2022, has gone on to win two hunter ‘chases at Cheltenham and finished last season a close 3rd in a Stratford H/C, at the end of May. Master Templar has finished out of the placings only once in 15 points, winning 10 of them, but this would be the gelding’s earliest seasonal debut. Go Go Geronimo is another ultra-consistent performer, being unplaced once in 19 points which includes 6 victories. A new, but competent, partner in Meisha Micklewright, who has ridden 8 winners and Go Go Geronimo’s trainer, Kelly Morgan’s yard, is in excellent form with a double registered at Alnwick recently. Myth Buster and Lily Bradstock offer a potent challenge to anyone whilst the ex-Skelton Allmankind could possibly side-step this contest and go in the Mens Open.
Selection: Fairly Famous Alternative: Go Go Geronimo
1.20 Mens Open – 11 entries
A high class renewal is on the cards for the men’s open race with the first two home in the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunter Chase at the end of last season. What A Glance and Lift Me Up both hold entries. For What A Glance, this victory followed a win at Cheltenham whilst Lift Me Up ran much better than he had at Cheltenham reversing the form with Fairly Famous. Ragnar Lodbrok, the winner of a mixed open on this card last year, won five open races last season. He is a resolute stayer who performs best when it’s soft. Stable companion Allmankind had returned to action over hurdles in the autumn following a twenty month layoff. Primarily running over 2 and 2 ½ mile races under rules this would only be the second time running over 3 miles, but he had the class to run in a Triumph hurdle and an Arkle Novices chase early in his career.
Bardenstown Lad, who also holds an entry in the Ladies Open race, ran at Alnwick in mid December, finishing third to Wild Romance on his first run for new connections. Previously trained under rules in Ireland by Gavin Cromwell he won a 3 mile hurdle and a 3 mile 1 ½ furlong chase at Kilbeggan in the summer before being pulled up at Galway.Larry, formerly with Gary Moore, was last seen on a racetrack in April where he was pulled up. He too performs best when there is “soft” in the going description and was last seen winning at Plumpton in January when defeating Jacamar.
Selection: What A Glance Alternative: Lift Me Up
1.55 Restricted – 12 entries
A very respectable 12 entries compared to previous years and all but 1 rated over 89 and 3 over 100 (all 3 with a 5lb. penalty) so a competitive race in prospect. All Star Boy from the Barber yard looks a useful type with a Maiden and Restricted win in May but a 5lb. penalty in this company will not help. 9yr Capparattin from the Poste yard pu when well behind on his only run at Alnwick this season but beat s.h. Chabichou Dupoitou in the May Edgcote Restricted. Chabichou Dupoitou from the Waley-Cohen yard with four 2nds in Restricteds last season and a 7lb. allowance with James King up is place material. 5yr. Cheytac from the Ellis yard won an Irish Maiden in October and is another for a possible place. 3rd run in Restricteds this season for 6yr. Finding Freedom from the Luca Morgan yard distantly placed on his last run so this company and track may find him out. 6yr. Foxylee from the Kelly Morgan yard had her last run in Jan. a 9l 3rd at Alnwick and may struggle in this company. Another which has not run since Jan. when winning the young horse Maiden in heavy ground at Wadebridge by 16l. is 5yr. Jongleur D’Ainay from the Hill yard and should be in contention. 6yr L’Aventara from the Gibbs yard stayed on well to win (16l.) the May Kinston Blount Maiden and benefits from a 5lb. allowance so respect. 5yr. Premier Fantasy another Gibbs runner with 2 wins and 2 places last season rated 105 and should feature even with a 5lb. penalty. 6yr. Rocky Creed from the Coward yard pu. when well behind in the recent Larkhill Restricted but will have come on for the run. Twice a course and distance winner 5yr. Trojan Du Berlais from the local Pennock yard was a convincing Maiden and Restricted winner on this track in Dec. 2024 and should be in the places but 5lb. worse off this time.
Selection: Trojan Du Berlais Alternative: L’Aventara / Premier Fantasy
2.30 Maiden Conditions – 19 entries
A competitive Maiden Conditions race with half the field coming from the Irish point to point scene and they look to be the horses to concentrate on. There is one ex National Hunt horse with strong form.
My Jetta Plane trained by Andrew Pennock is sure to be fit and ready to roll. She has raced three times in Irish point to points and has steadily improved. She shapes as she needs a galloping track, stayed on strong to the line last time out. Highway Skyline has his first run for Dale Peters and comes with risks attached as he has failed to finish in his last two races. Prior to that, when holding every chance, he fell when ten lengths clear. He brings strong form into the race and if he can put in a clear round he holds a strong chance. Call Me Early has his first start for Gina Andrews and has raced twice in Irish point to points. He did not improve from his first start to his second but nevertheless must be feared from his new connections. Ideal Du Tabert brings solid under rules form and has an official rating of 112 over fences. He has raced over a variety of trips and ground conditions and could be too streetwise for his rivals. He is coming back from 10 months off the track and still has a few questions to answer but if he can run to the level he has done under rules, he could be tough to beat.
Selection: Ideal Du Tabert Alternative: Highway Skyline
OVERVIEW
Race 1: All Is True / Paper Mill
Race 2: Celtic Harmony / Wiseman Said
Race 3: Fan Club Aulmes / Boss Man Fred
Race 4: Fairly Famous / Go Go Geronimo
Race 5: What A Glance / Lift Me Up
Race 6: Trojan Du Berlais / L’Aventara or Premier Fantasy
Race 7: Ideal Du Tabert / Highway Skyline
