12.00 Owner-Trainer Conditions (Level 3) – 10 entries
Many of these have options on the card, but this still looks like being highly competitive for the grade. The Yellow Mini was runner up in this race last season, having Chapelier and Highway Hero in arrears that day. She has only been victorious in one of her 36 (2 mile hurdle at Fontwell) career outings under rules and in points, that’s off putting but she must go on the shortlist today. Chapelier has a course victory on his CV, but he hasn’t been near that level of form recently. Quickcharge has one victory to his name, a maiden at Chaddesley Corbett in May 23. He posted two decent pieces of form in his four starts last season, particularly when runner up at Eyton on Severn, and will come on for his seasonal debut third at Larkhill. His rider has yet to ride a winner, but today could well be the day (also entered in the Restricted). First Preference landed 3 small field points for Luke Price in 2022/23 season, but apart from one effort, when runner at Ystradowen last season was very disappointing, and in a different yard now. Due Reward landed a 2m4f contest at Mollington in 2023 under a most persuasive Gina Andrews ride, (Hyberry well held that day). He has placed form over the full trip but he generally struggles to get the trip. (also in novice riders). Jacks Touch is burdened with a hefty penalty for successes under rules when with Sarah Humphrey. She has been well beaten in both her recent starts in points, but this is a drop in grade (rider looking for first success in points and also in novice riders). Palladium is a dual winning hurdler and went off joint favourite for The Fred Winter at The Cheltenham Festival in 2020. He managed just one outing (a Yarmouth flat race) between that run and his 3 appearances in points last season, well held in both placings and has plenty to prove, not least stamina. Quick Charge would take plenty of beating if reproducing his best effort from last season, but he has the option of bypassing this and going for the Restricted, so in receipt of all the allowances and with Alex Chadwick on board this gives The Yellow Mini has good an opening as she’s ever had to double her winning total.
Selection: The Yellow Mini Alternative: Quick Charge
12.35 Conditions (Level 2) – 8 entries
Rhythm Is A Dancer makes most appeal after his 3rd placing at Revesby three weeks ago, behind two horses rated above him namely Go Go Geronimo and Benefactor. With Tom Hutsby again in the saddle this form looks capable of success to add to the four career point wins already achieved by trainer, Fred Hutsby’s runner. A likely, fitter Good Source, who was Ed Turner’s first runner of the season at Horseheath two weeks ago, holds previous course winning form when taking a Members’ race in March last year. Hardline could make his first appearance for new owners and trainer Andrew Pennock having previously competed in some high profile races for Gordon Elliot and amassing over £240K in prize money. Senior Citizen also has a new trainer in Alan Hill who has taken over responsibilities from Alan King for whom Senior Citizen won 5 races under rules. William Ewart, Jacks Touch and First Preference all have alternative entries across the card with the latter possessing some decent form back in 2023 when trained by Luke Price and is now owned and trained by Jade Tuckley. If some of those horses running for new connections, for the first time, can get their new association off to a competitive start then this race could be a very open affair.
Selection: Rhythm Is A Dancer Alternative: Hardline
1.10 Mixed Open – 10 entries
The Mixed Open race promises to be a fascinating contest with four of the entries all having won on their latest start. Allmankind won the Men’s Open race at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve, defeating What A Glance on which was his first run in a point, having most recently been running over hurdles. Saint Calvados, who in his heyday finished runner-up to Min in a Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has switched to pointing this term. Pulled up in bottomless ground at Chaddesley Corbett over the Christmas period, he then travelled up to Alnwick for a 2 ½ Men’s Open race which he duly won, defeating Jetaway Joey in the process. Shentri, a winner at this meeting last year won a three runner Ladies Open race two weeks ago at Cocklebarrow, whilst Bardenstown Lad won a Ladies Open race at Askam Bryan last week.
I K Brunel, another one to win around this course last year, finished second on his seasonal reappearance at Larkhill in December, when he was collared on the run-in by a rallying Myth Buster.
Selection: Saint Calvados Alternative: Allmankind
1.45 Conditions (Level 2) for Novice Riders – 9 entries
This race has attracted an entry of 9 runners but some of these hold engagements in other races here today. Shentri won a 3 runner race at Cocklebarrow two weeks ago when accounting for Precious Bounty by 15L. He’s due to be ridden today by Louis Hadfield who’s only had one previous ride. In contrast, Kayf Hernando is one of the rides available to Tom Hutsby who’s had 8 wins from 56 rides. Kayf Hernando won at Dunsmore in November when beating Longshanks by 6L. On his last run at Larkhill he was 5th, 23 ½L behind Givega. The other mount available to Tom is Rhythm Is A Dancer, trained by his father Fred. On his latest start he was 3rd at Revesby Park last month beaten 6L by Go Go Geronimo. Soldier At War unseated his rider early at Horseheath two weeks ago. On his final run last season at Dingley he was 2nd, 2L adrift of Thunderstruck. Jacks Touch has been well beaten in both starts this season and maybe best watched today. A watching brief is also advised for First Preference who has failed to finish on 3 of his last 4 starts. Due Reward was 3rd at Tabley on his final run last season going down by 9L to Eeze A Saint in May. Both of the entries due to be ridden by Tom Hutsby, Kayf Hernando and Rhythm Is A Dancer would have decent chances so we will choose whatever he rides. Shentri despite the rider’s inexperience is our alternative.
Selection: Tom Hutsby’s mount Alternative: Shentri
2.20 Open Maiden – 8 entries
Carry on Beauty is having her first start in England, she has raced nine times in Point to Points in Ireland. Her best form is on better ground so she should be suited by the quicker conditions around Higham. Graveside Lad pulled up in five consecutive races before finishing a close second at Fakenham on quick ground. He should be suited by quicker conditions here, maybe one for later in the season when back at Fakenham. Oka Tsuki is another running for the first time this year. He has had three runs in Point to Points, best form coming over 2m 4furlongs. He is from the Joe Hill’s yard who have a good record at Higham (previously in father Alan’s name). Salacia’s Storm is an interesting contender, she is an 8-year-old who has only run twice in her life. She finished second on her second start and is having her first run for 3 years. However, she should be considered as is from Nick Wright’s yard who cannot stop having winners, also has the services of champion amateur Alex Chadwick. Shikantsen Enki has raced twice this year and was second in a three-runner race first time out. He was out of contention when unseating on his latest start and is best watched on this occasion. Sureamsassy has raced three times this season and has yet to complete, falling on her latest start and pulling up in her two previous races, another best watched this time. The Orchard Boy did not run badly on his racecourse debut and has since had a couple of runs under rules but comes back to Pointing in a winnable race. Time To Upgrade has raced twice this season, showed promise on his first start around Horseheath but pulled up in his next start. Only ran seven days ago and is best watched.
Selection: Salacia’s Storm Alternative: The Orchard Boy
2.55 Restricted – 8 entries
A competitive race in prospect with 3 rated over 100 and 3 over 90. Barrington John from the Gibbs yard won the recent Horseheath Maiden making all and unchallenged but this is a grade up with stiffer opposition. 5yr. Great Valley from the Gittins yard has a 7lb advantage and was placed at Knightwick in Nov a 3l 4th in the Jan. Larkhill Restricted behind the progressive All Star Boy indicates a place possibly. Jullou De Grissay from the Wylie yard with back to back Maiden and Restricted wins at Horseheath (13 runnersand in a quick time) in Dec. and Cocklebarrow 2 weeks ago, the 5lb. penalty will not help but place prospects here. First run this season for 7yr. Largy Pearl from the Peters yard won the Horseheath Maiden in Feb. last season but struggled in Restricted company and may find the same here but should come on for the run. 6yr. Monrocco Moonlight from the Hill yard ran 2nd in a low level October Maiden in Ireland and has followed up in UK with a place at Friars Haugh in Jan. and winning all out at Charing last weekend so will he run again so soon? Quickcharge from the Anderson yard was 17l. back in 3rd in the Dec. Larkhill Restricted but will have come on from the run, a 103 rating and Gina Andrews up indicates potential. 7yr Shanes Passion from the Pennock yard won the March Maiden on this track beating Vango Vick 5l but then a weakening pu behind Largy Pearl 2nd at Fakenham in April.
Selection: Jullou De Grissay Alternative: Barrington John
Selections
Race 1: The Yellow Mini / Quick Charge
Race 2: Rhythm Is A Dancer / Hardline
Race 3: Saint Calvados / Allmankind
Race 4: Tom Hutsby’s mount / Shentri
Race 5: Salacia’s Storm / The Orchard Boy
Race 6: Jullou De Grissay / Barrington John
