NORTH NORFOLK HARRIERS, HIGHAM, SUNDAY JANUARY 26th 2020
By Mike Ashby
East Anglian point-to-point action continues on Sunday with the North Norfolk Harriers meeting, being held at Higham, on the Suffolk/Essex border. First of six races is at 12 noon with a total of 63 entries having been received for the fixture.
The course is in excellent shape and with the advanced, reported ‘good’ going some of the top-rated horses should be able to run true, to their best form. The Mens Open could result in a tussle between Thetalkinghorse and Just Cause. The former has won thirteen points and one hunter’chase during his career but in his only run at Higham, four years ago, he unseated Tom McClorey when prominent. Just Cause recorded a comfortable success at Ampton a fortnight ago and could supplement that victory here for the Stearn family.
The Novice Rider’s race could see Workbench take on previous course winners, The Gunner Brady and One Fine Morning. The latter is a bonny 14yo chestnut and has recorded three Higham wins with his, more than capable, jockey and owner Charlie Clover. Provided their fitness levels are up to standard they could go close again.The Gunner Brady won here last Easter and would give Henrietta Cranfield some compensation for her unfortunate disqualification at Ampton, two weeks ago.
The opening Maiden race could see some promising horses with the potential to make their mark on the point-to-point scene. Bold Gesture finished 3rd to a useful recruit at Cottenham, a month ago, and is likely to improve on that performance. Hop ‘N Skip represents the powerful Alan Hill stable and was 2nd on his debut and only run to-date last season, whilst Doncesar De Pretot is trained by Anabel Murphy and the horse last ran in a Southwell maiden hurdle race, in March 2019, when trained by her son Olly.
Other highlights of the competitive looking card would see Taboo have every chance with his front-running tactics, in the Restricted race. Trainer Nick Wright enters a newcomer to his yard, namely The Alchemyst, in this race. Nick, with his son Archie in the saddle, have a commendable record of success at Higham and their entries are always ones to be noted if running, on the day.
Oh Toodles and Immy Robinson could be the ones to follow for the Ladies Open event, even though he is only slightly younger than two real veterans, entered in the race and Higham course winners, namely 14yo Top Smart and 15yo Brackloon High.
The day concludes with the Countryside Alliance Club Members’ Conditions race and with 15 entered, could provide the biggest field of the day. Undisputed, if travelling from Shropshire for the favourable ground conditions, would have strong claims after winning at Cottenham in November but Laser Beam, already a course winner would be a popular choice, especially after his Cottenham success at the end of December.
Higham is just to the west of the A12 between Ipswich and Colchester using the B1068 turn-off towards Stoke-by-Nayland, post code CO7 6NG.
Under 17’s are admitted free while advance tickets for adults, priced at £13 per head, are available until midnight 25th January from www.highamraces.com – a £2 saving compared with what you will pay on the gate on the day.
