THE PUCKERIDGE HUNT – HORSEHEATH
Saturday March 30th 2019
1.30 Conditions – 13 entries
A reasonable entry of 13 for this conditions race. Silvergrove missed last season but was unbeaten in four starts in 2017. He made a satisfactory come back when 2nd in a Fakenham hunter chase when beaten 30L by Sir Jack Yeats two weeks ago, a repeat of that should see him go close in this contest. Neumond was a three-time scorer at this venue in 2017 but appears to have lost his way a bit now. He won last season at Mollington when beating Velvet Cognac by 8L but was well beaten in two runs either side of that victory. He pulled up on his seasonal return at Brafield On The Green a fortnight ago. Some Kinda Lama finished 2nd here at the previous meeting when going down by 8L to Proximo in the ladies open but he unseated last weekend at Garthorpe. Pair Of Jacks hails from Gerald Baileys yard but his form at present is pretty uninspiring with him having pulled up in four of his most recent five starts and doesn’t appear to be a betting prospect if running here. The Andrew Pennock stable field This Breac in this race. He won last time out at Ampton when he beat Drumshambo by 12L earlier this month. Amigo holds other entries on the card, he was 3rd on his most recent outing at High Easter when beaten 11L behind Back Bar two weeks ago. He can again run into a place. Brave Encounter is a previous course winner back in 2016. He won twice under rules before returning to pointing this season but has failed to complete in his three outings so far. Silvergrove should be good enough to win this so he is our selection. Neumond is only 8 so there is hope he can bounce back to the form his showed in 2017 here but we will side with Some Kinda Lama as our alternative following a decent run here at the previous meeting.
Selection: Silvergrove Alternative: Some Kinda Lama
2.05 Open Maiden – 8 entries
With one run under his belt when a distant third to Farran Dancer at Ampton earlier this month, Quietly could be the one they all have to beat. Having performed with some credit under rules this former Sue Smith inmate, when owned by Trevor Hemmings, could set the Turner Yard back amongst the winners. Of the rest, if showing, Whistling Dolly could give our selection the most to think about with some reasonable form between the flags in Ireland. Likewise you could not dismiss the former Lawney Hill trained Judge Judy now in the hands of Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews. Unfortunately a 24 length 4th place in a Maiden at Kingston Blount earlier this month might indicate this is no world beater. Finally it may pay to give Eau de Nile the once over in the paddock. Formerly trained by Henry Daly connections held on to this horse for three seasons including giving Champion Jockey Richard Johnson a crack on him last time out. All to no avail and now it is up to Martin Ward to see if a change of scenery might light the fuse to enable this one to realise its true potential.
This is a weak race but we feel that Quietly might just have found his metier in running between the flags and we will take Judge Judy to be our reserve horse.
2.40 Ladies Open – 6 entries
Alan Hill has, as expected, has re-kindled the winning form of Laurium who has been unbeaten in two starts since joining his yard. Proximo was in fine fettle, for his first run of the season, when winning here and enjoys some weight advantage over Laurium. Kalabaloo receives an even bigger weight concession and has over a stone advantage over the Alan Hill charge and has won three races this season. Sa Kaldoun looks to have it all to do against any of the above-mentioned whilst the other two entrants are I’m afraid outclassed. Some Kinda Lama did finish 2nd here to Proximo but then unseated Antonia Peck at the second fence at Garthorpe, last week. If all three main protagonists take their chance an epic race could be witnessed.
Selection: Laurium Alternative: Proximo
3.15 Mens Open – 10 entries
Only ten entries have been made for the men’s open, and several of these are double entered. Just Cause will not meet the calibre of opposition that he found himself against, when turning out at Cheltenham in the Foxhunter two weeks ago, in which he eventually was pulled up. Prior to this Just Cause finished 2nd to Asockastar in a novices hunter chase at Leicester, having won a men’s open prior to that at Cottenham at the end of December. Both Local Show and Proximo have won races around this course this season. Local Show won a novice rider’s race at the first fixture beating recent High Easter winner Back Bar, with Amigo behind in third. Since then Local Show has travelled to Northumberland, only to finish 2nd to Scarlet Fire in a men’s open and then last week got back to winning ways when beating Cloudy Bob in another open in Kent. Proximo one of two entries for Judy Wilson won the ladies open with the minimum of fuss at the beginning of March whilst her other entry Neumond disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Brafield. Vivaldi Collonges has struck form with a vengeance on his last two appearances, quickening between the last two fences to beat William Money by 7 lengths at Didmarton and then leading throughout at Parham to win in a hack canter over his toiling rivals. Steeles Terrace pulled up with a circuit to travel when last seen at Higham, and has something to prove.
Selection: Proximo Alternative: Vivaldi Collonges
3.50 Intermediate – 12 entries
Allie Beag from the Hill yard placed in 2 Intermediates this season but only 3 runners so probably not one for the short list, the same for Dream Doc. Bardista a weakening Restricted 2nd on this track earlier in March up a grade here and not likely to trouble the judge. 9 yr Black Jewel from the Nimmo yard looks progressive in points, won easily but was disq. on his latest run at Larkhill and took the Restricted here by 10L in early March and should take on 6yr. progressive Latenightpass from the inform Ellis/Andrews yard 5L 2nd to Timmie Roe in the recent Kingston Blount Int. Another progressive 6yr Rob The Getaway from the Sheila Crow Shropshire yard fell at the last when 2nd on his latest run following a weakening 2nd at Thorpe Lodge so may struggle at this distance in this company. Somme Boy not really challenged in 2/3 runner races this season and another to find this grade tough. Distance traveller 5yr Summervieu comes with consecutive Maiden and Restricted wins and a 4lb allowance should make the frame. Thomas Shelby from the Bailey yard, 2nd at this track in the Feb Restricted on similar ground so watch the market.
Selection: Black Jewel Alternative: Latenightpass
4.25 PPORA Club Members Conditions (Novice Riders) – 11 entries
If only all those entered in this race all ran it would be a fantastic race. Four however are entered in other races so we can only hope that the highest rated run here to complete the days racing. Abbey Lane has had five races this season and been 2nd on two occasions in this class but last time out was 3rd to Broken Eagle at Ampton. Amigo last won a race at High Easter in 2017, has been on the racecourse nine times since and been placed seven times. Last time was 3rd to Back Bar again at High Easter two weeks ago. Just Cause is entered in the Men’s Open and could run there. His last race was in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham and at half way was 6th, faded from then and was eventually pulled up three out. Previously to that ran in a Hunter Chase at Leicester where started as favourite but was defeated into 2nd. So far has won four points and been 2nd three times from nine runs. Kashmir Peak last ran at High Easter earlier this month and although starting as favourite was beaten by a neck to Burtredgipandgump. Ran nine times in 2018 winning four times and winning again this season at Godstone. Summer Sounds has had two remarkable seasons so far. In the 2018 season won four races from eight outings and has followed up by achieving a hat trick of races so far this year Won last week at Brafield-on-the-Green, previously at Chaddesley Crbett and here at Horseheath at the Thurlow meeting in February. Vivaldi Collonges has given young Ben Bromley an exciting start to point to pointing and both have progressed swiftly. Starting in December in a Men’s Open when finishing 5th. Since then has been racing in this class of race and has won on the last two outings. Was a very impressive winner at Didmartin in a race of nineteen and again last week at Parham when left the rest standing.
Selection: Vivaldi Collenges Alternative: Summer Sounds
