THE PUCKRIDGE & ESSEX HUNTS – HORSEHEATH
Sunday February 16th 2025
12.00 Conditions – 8 entries
All Is True has only met defeat once in 5 starts over the course and will be attempting to land the Horseheath hat-trick this season. He had Paper Mill back in 3rd when winning at the Thurlow meeting, a 3lb turnaround in the weights will give the latter a fair chance of gaining revenge this afternoon. All Is True had Mount Pleasant back in 2nd when scoring at the Cambs with Enfield Chace meeting, again a 3lb turn around in the weights will make things closer, but the manner of victory suggests the form will be confirmed. Paper Mill has gone on to finish runner up to a useful performer at Larkhill since that run on New Year’s Eve here, he has other options here and elsewhere this week, but will be a major player if showing up.
Mount Pleasant is from the Nick Wright yard who are in red hot form, a four time winner he also has other options here but still looks held by All Is True despite the weight advantage. Aramax, a useful performer under rules (rated up to 140), has regained the winning thread now he’s turned to pointing. He has scored in both novice rider events at the previous 2 meetings here this season under Cian Murphy, and he has the option of going for that race on the card in preference to what looks a tougher task in this opener. Imnottalkingtoyou landed his maiden here in 2022 when with Tom Ellis, and followed up in a restricted at High Easter. His most recent runs have been in Irish points, and his best effort was when runner up in an Open at Lisronagh last season. Now back on this side of the Irish sea his owner/trainer is also a very successful greyhound trainer.
Selection: All Is True Alternative: Paper Mill
12.35 Maiden – 11 entries
Atlantic Fleet has four run times in English Point to Points. He finished 2nd in his first two starts and looked an exciting horse to follow, although he disappointed connections on his next two starts. After a nice summer’s break and the yard in form hopefully he will return to the form he showed in his first two starts. Jasmin des Bordes and Del Amitir bring course form to the table finishing 2nd and 3rd in the Maiden race at the last Horseheath meeting. We cannot find a reason for a turn around and we expect Jasmin Des Bordes to uphold that form. Eoin’s Charm is an interesting contender, he had strong Hurdling form in Ireland. This is his first start over fences and has proved he has ability and could be a strong contender. Taghadoe has run six times in Point to Points and been placed twice. He is frustrating as he runs a solid race and then disappoints on his next start, only just beaten first time out this year at Horseheath. He started a short price favourite next time out but was beaten when unseating the rider. He could be dangerous if running to his Horseheath form, but he is not one to trust.
Selection: Eoin’s Charm Alternative: Atlantic Fleet
1.10 Ladies Open – 8 entries
Three of those entered namely Captain Biggles, Tullys Touch and Precious Bounty met at Ampton in mid-January 2024. The outcome was a close encounter with the abovenamed three finishing in the order as listed above. Captain Biggles hasn’t been able to get his head in front, where it matters, since but competed in some high grade races including two hunter ‘chases during last season’s campaign. He‘s never raced at Horseheath but his 2nd place behind Music Drive at Revesby Park last month should be in his favour as the winner won again last weekend an is now unbeaten in two outings. Learntalot sprang a surprise when winning the Restricted Final at Stratford last May and won on his seasonal debut at Friars Haugh last month, so definitely an improving sort for the Hills. Bardenstown Lad holds multiple entries each week but was successful at Askham Bryan in Ladies Open with Emily Costello at the beginning of this month after previously being outpaced before staying at the end of a Warwick hunter ‘chase in January. Take To Heart won a novice rider’s contest at Fakenham last April and It’s been a couple of years since he has lined up in a Ladies Open and could instead be declared for his alternative entry, the Men’s equivalent.
Selection: Learntalot Alternative: Captain Biggles
1.45 Mens Open – 8 entries
The Men’s Open race could see a clash between the 2023 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner, Premier Magic, and last season’s winner of the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunter Chase for the “Horse and Hound Cup”, What A Glance. They did meet in last year’s “Horse and Hound Cup”, Premier Magic finishing down the field. They have both run once this season, Premier Magic finishing second to Jeux D’Eau at Chaddesley Corbett at the end of December, whilst What A Glance finished second to Allmankind around Horseheath on New Year’s Eve, with Ragnar Lodbrok behind in third. Trevada, who has yet to run this year, won two restricted races last season, and then ended the season with a win in a three runner hunter chase at Fakenham. Both Bardenstown Lad and Paper Mill hold alternative engagements, Bardenstown Lad having won a Ladies Open race at Askham Bryan College at the beginning of the month is entered in the Ladies Open, whilst Paper Mill who has yet to run in “Open” company and finished second on his latest start at Larkhill in January is entered in the Conditions Race.
Selection: What A Glance Alternative: Premier Magic
2.20 Intermediate – 8 entries
With 5 entries rated over 100 and course winers included a competitive race is in prospect. 10yr Capparattin from the Case yard came good at the end of last season with back to back Maiden and Restricted wins but a pu at Alnwick in Dec. followed by a 30l 4th behind Premier Fantasy in the late Dec. Restricted on this track indicates he has some ground to make up. 7yr. Clashhill from the Wright yard was ridden out well, on his first UK run, by Alex Chadwick and took the Restricted at the last meeting here in appalling conditions but his previous Irish PtP form does not impress. For One Night Only from the Timmis yard rallied to take the Friars Haugh Restricted in Jan. but came unstuck in the recent Hunterchase on soft ground at Bangor and may struggle in this company. Kilfilum Woods from the Poste yard has his 4th run of the season – with back to back Maiden and Restricted wins followed by an Intermediate 2nd at Revesby Park in Jan. deserves respect and it the same race 8yr. Meetuatnine from the Morris yard pu but won the 2 runner Intermediate on firm ground at this meeting in 2023. First run this season for 9yr Padjoes Legasy from the Padfield yard – last season ran 3rd but hampered at the last when in contention in the Cheltenham Int. final followed by being just touched off by Learntalot in the Stratford Restricted final – strong form in good company but first time out this season and only place form on this track. 6yr Premier Fantasy from the Gibbs yard just held on to win the Restricted with a 5lb penalty on this track in Dec. so with that track form a place or better is probable. 13yr Touch Tight from the York yard placed in 3 races last season but then indifferent rules form should come on from his first run but may struggle in this company.
Selection: Premier Fantasy Alternative: Padjoes Legacy
2.55 PPORA Club Members Conditions (Novice Riders) – 8 entries
Aramax is going for a hat trick of novice rider’s races at this venue. However, he also holds an entry in the opening conditions race. Aramax would have to give weight to all his rivals if running but he will have the assistance of Cian Murphy who’s won on him twice this season and will be turning conditional later this month with Paul Nicholls. On his previous start last month, Aramax beat Red Maple by 6l with a possible rival Young Rich adrift in 3rd. Young Rich will be getting 6lbs from Aramax but that shouldn’t be enough to reverse placings, but Young Rich should make the frame again under his enthusiastic rider Molly Legg. Mount Pleasant hails from the Nick Wright yard, no jockey was booked but it’s quite possible Cian Murphy could ride if Aramax is engaged in the earlier contest as he has ridden for the yard before. Mount Pleasant finished 2nd on his latest start under Cian Murphy when beaten by All His True late last month in a conditions race here. Monkey Puzzle was 2nd at Charing on his seasonal reappearance earlier this month but was 55l behind the winner, Southfield Lily. At 13 he’s well into the veteran stage now and seems to run better at Ampton. Jack’s Touch ran last week at Higham and was 4th, 36l behind the winner Kayf Hernando so may not run here today. Due Reward was 3rd at Tabley on his final run last season going down by 9l to Eeze A Saint in May. Imnottalkingtoyou is a 2 time winner in Irish points and could make his UK debut today. On his penultimate start he was 2nd to The West’s Awake at Lisronagh beaten 1½ l in a mixed open in February 2024. Despite having to give weight to all his rivals Aramax is our choice here. Mount Pleasant is our alternative.
Selection: Aramax Alternative: Mount Pleasant
Overview:
Race 1: All Is True / Paper Mill
Race 2: Eoin’s Charm / Atlantic Fleet
Race 3: Learntalot / Captain Biggles
Race 4: What A Glance / Premier Magic
Race 5: Premier Fantasy / Padjoes Legacy
Race 6: Aramax / Mount Pleasant
