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BIG MOMENT: Leading player in the Ladies

The 'Pub Team' return with another East Anglian preview ahead of the Cambridge University Draghounds meeting.

12.00 noon. Hunts Members - 10 entries
Castledockrell won the Maiden at Horseheath last week, but that was only a two runner race; Duke of Stradone tends to run his best races at Higham. Keepthedreamalive has been running under Rules and then ran out in the Mens Open race here in December but has not shown anything recently. Liberty Ben won at Huntingdon in 2008, but has run poorly under Rules last two runs. Macs Flamingo could be very interesting if retaining his old ability; Maree Hall has been disappointing under Rules recently. Sirius Storm ran well when second here in the Club Members race in December and would have a chance. Tuesday Club was beaten a long way when third in a four-runner Restricted race here at the end of December.
Selection: Sirius Storm (Macs Flamingo)

12.35 p.m. Intermediate- 15 entries
Fresh Fruit and Irish Rebel can probably be discounted, having run and won at Horseheath last Saturday. Ballynonty, suited by fast ground beat Lord of the Knar by two lengths and ran a creditable second to Start Royal at Higham on 24th January; although a Hunter Chase second to Took my Eye at Huntingdon in April should be perhaps discounted due to the probable ground but could be in contention if the rain holds off.

If from a still mainly unraced (this season) entry list, six-year-old Sweden from the well known Rucker stable makes the trip he will be worth watching, but may want the run before progressing; his two wins last year were a Restricted at Ampton and a Confined at Garnons. Last season at Horseheath Rock Charlie and rider Tom Jonason got up in the closing stages to beat Minehill Lad; the same team are due to compete again and if fit could trouble the judge. Lotta Presents may have come on for his Restricted win at Higham on 24th January. Maire de Beaulieu has the speed and was second in a Conditions race at this track last season but never went further. With the weather over the past month we are going for the horses that have run this season.
Selection: Lotta Presents (Ballynonty)

1.10 p.m. Mens Open - 29 entries
Neither Balladeer nor Penny Park have run since September '07, but ten months prior to that, Balladeer beat Penny Park in a Novices Chase. At a different level Mr Tee Pee and Merry Vic met at Cottenham in December '07 in a Restricted, with Mr Tee Pee coming out on top. Both had highly successful seasons in ‘07/'08, each winning four races. Mr Tee Pee has since competed unsuccessfully under Rules, whilst Merry Vic has been absent.

More recently, Coat of Honour and Moscow Court met in the corresponding race last year, when Coat of Honour was just edged out by Caveman; Coat of Honour went on to win a Hunter Chase at Fakenham and finish second in another. Last season All Things Equal won a Confined at Chaddesley Corbett having led all the way; Reach For The Top made all to win a Mixed Open at Siddington, but then ran out at the last when upsides Irilut at Ashorne. Those to have run this year include Blue Hills who beat The Accordion Man in a Club Members race at Higham. On 8lbs better terms and with a run under his belt, The Accordion Man could be expected to gain revenge, whilst Lotta Presents won the Restricted at Higham. Where's My Baby was just denied by Start Royal at the last Cottenham meeting; Start Royal has since franked the form winning at Higham.

Two ex-National Hunt horses that, at some time in their careers, have raced for Paul Nicholls are Saintsaire and Roby De Cimbre. Saintsaire has not won since December '07, whereas Roby De Cimbre won four Chases between May '08 and April '09; on his penultimate start for Paul Nicholls he was sent off favourite for the Galway Plate in July, but finished well behind.
Selection: Roby De Cimbre (Reach For The Top)

1.45 p.m. Ladies Open - 22 entries
This race should see the return of Scotland Yard, the top Ladies pointer in EA last season; Fleur Hawes' horses are in great form and it would be no surprise if he won this.

Big Moment and Skyhawk are probably the main threats. Big Moment has had a terrific start to the season with 3 wins from 3 starts, however, he only beat Scotland Yard's stablemate Pouilly by a neck at Higham and that horse has never shown anything near Scotland Yard's ability. Skyhawk impressed when winning at Bratton Down late last season and should be in the frame. Petit Lord has twice finished second to Big Moment but will have to be ridden more positively to have a chance of reversing that form.

Inaro fell on his only Point-to-Point start but on Hunter Chase form he has the ability to go close, though the yard lost a lot of time due to bad weather and he may need the run. Olival has been placed in five of his six Point-to-Point runs. Winning Irish pointer Tragic Realm had good form over 2m5f Hurdles for Evan Williams but was well-beaten when tried over regulation fences; a switch to Pointing may suit him better. Of the others, Ballybough Jack and Cathedral Rock have both disappointed this season; Bell Rock has a great record here but was below par last season; Caramia has been placed second twice in three Point-to-Point starts with a Novice Rider on board, then put in some decent performances under Rules and may improve back between the flags. Leatherback will probably need the run; Shareef won twice last season but will find this tougher; Roaringwater has not run since beating Big Moment in January 2009 and the rest are best watched.
Selection: Scotland Yard (Big Moment)

2.20 p.m. Restricted - 15 entries
A relatively small entry, with many of the non-runners from last week entered this week, much of the previous preview still holds true. The selection for last week, Captain Marshall, began to improve in 2009 under the training of David Kemp after an unimpressive 2008 season; after winning the Open Maiden at Cottenham he progressed to Restricted level. Having the added advantage of running and winning on the course, he remains the selection this week.

Gleeson, only ever having competed between the flags, lacks course experience here but as stated last week, does have speed on his side, although past performances are mixed; he pulled up in the Restricted at Garthorpe but managed a third at Guilsborough in April 2009.

Fourth and 7-4 favourite in that Restricted race was Pass the Parsel, one of the more experienced horse in the entry, with no fewer than five places in the Restricted class to date; after winning the 2m4f Maiden at Welbeck in March 2008 he has struggled to improve from the Restricted level, despite being close on a couple of occasions, notably finishing a head behind Prince Car at Cottenham in March last year.

Despite having never won a Maiden, six-year-old Getyouracttogether (Ire) looks promising, having gained a first and second from two starts this season. Another promising entry is Peter Hall trained Goscar Rock who returns to Cottenham after comfortably winning the seven-year-olds and over Maiden here last month by thirty lengths ahead of evens favourite Bynack Mhor. As mentioned last week, Lunch Was My Idea returns this season; with seventeen starts under Rules and three between the flags, including when winning a Maiden and finishing second in the Restricted at Northaw at end of 2008.
Selection: Captain Marshall (Gleeson)

2.55 p.m. Open Maiden 8yo+ - 22 entries
Of the ones who have potential and may have suffered training setbacks in the past, Foulstons Ruler stands out. Only eight, with very little mileage on the clock, this one should certainly be there or thereabouts having so far been placed in two of his three completions, with three winners behind him in his last placing.

Castleconner Lad gives his best but his enthusiastic pilot might get the result the horse deserved if he offered the ride to an Owen or Braithwaite. Creadon Boy was an expensive young horse who has failed to deliver and possibly has little scope for further progress. Jonlahy ran encouragingly at Horseheath last week but is unlikely to be ready to run again so soon.

Mad Jack Duncan was brought down at Higham a fortnight ago having previously just been touched off at Cottenham in a young horse Maiden; now running against older horses, which in many cases are probably less capable than those he ran against at Cottenham, this could be a golden opportunity.

RedskyatNight has ability but is unreliable and will find this difficult, particularly if there are plenty of runners. Uncle Albert has form under Rules and the flat and was second on his only run between the flags last season, but is still a Maiden and may not quite have what it takes to stick his head in front. War Hawk has some useful Irish Point-to-Point form but has been off since 2008; worth a look in the paddock to see how he looks, if fit this one could go close. For some who are ex-Rules, the change of formula could conjure success so it is never surprising to see a complete outsider bolt up. On balance however we have selected those with tried and tested Pointing form.
Selection: Foulstons Ruler (Mad Jack Duncan)

3.30. p.m. Open Maiden 456&7 yo - 31 entries
Quite a small entry of 31 for this race but there is a possibility of a split on the day. Knightsbridgelives was second here on December 6th, four lengths behind Inner Steel. Just Judy was third in this race, five lengths behind Knightsbridgelives and could show considerable improvement on that run. Grand Silence was fourth here on December 28th beaten just over six lengths behind Mr Johnson.

Pollen Jock, from Antonia Bealby's Lincolnshire yard, was travelling well when falling two out in this race and if suffering no ill effects from that experience could go well at a decent price. Law Court was third on his debut in a Huntingdon Bumper when beaten 11 lengths behind Topsham Belle, but disappointed on his next outing at Stratford; he unseated here in Grand Silence's race on his pointing debut, but has been extensively schooled and could be one for the each way value.
Jamesdoubleyou was second on the opening day of the season at Black Forest Lodge, beaten 12 lengths behind See You Jack giving the winner 12lbs. Pocket Park only ran once last season, finishing a promising third at this course behind Nothingtolose; he fell on his reappearance here on 6th December when in fourth, but any market moves should be noted.

Kandelin finished second on his first run last season, beaten 2½ lengths by Father Owen; his form then rather tailed off, but he may be a horse to catch fresh; any runners from Gerald Bailey's yard usually merit serious consideration. Naturally Inspired has been placed four times under Rules from 10 outings; on his final appearance at Sedgefield in April 09 he was second over this distance. Divine Intavention was second on his final start under Rules in a Towcester bumper in April 09.

Salsero was placed three times under Rules when trained by Lucy Wadham, but was well beaten on his final appearance in March last year. Dan Kahtan was placed on his final two outings over hurdles in Ireland and was third at Cork in April 08 when beaten 17½ lengths by Model Athlete; he is now in the care of David Kemp so expect a bold showing.

Rebel Prince was second once over 10 furlongs on the flat when trained by Mick Quinlan; he could go close if his stamina holds out, but he is only a 4 year old so gets weight from a lot of these.

A difficult race to call; we'll side with Knightsbridgelives to confirm the promise of his earlier run here and Naturally Inspired has got decent Rules form over this trip.
Selection: Knightsbridgelives (Naturally Inspired)

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