17 March 2009 Preview: Crawley & Horsham - Parham
Things will seem a little different to horses, riders and spectators at this Saturday's Parham Races: the course is now being run left-handed.
The tents, paddock, bookies and trade stands will now be on the outside of the course adjoining the hill, which incidentally has been cleared of brambles etc to provide an excellent viewing point.
Nearly 90 horses have been entered and race of the day promises to be the Mixed Open. With prolific winner Bee An Bee taking a week off following his barnstorming win in the Kent Grand National at Detling last Saturday, the door is opened for a few of his rivals, including Stuart Robinson's Lord Atterbury, Noakarad De Verzee (second and third to Bee An Bee earlier this year), Theatre Knight and Heather Kemp's Harrycone Lewis, who has been enjoying a spell of dressage as rehabilitation.
Marcus Gorman has Sironi and Cape Stormer primed for the Hunt Members and will run The Tailor Carey in the Restricted where he will meet Heather Kemp's Frontier Lad, making his UK Point-to-Point debut.
Star Gift embarks on his third attempt to break his maiden, having been beaten at odds-on at Godstone and Detling. Clearly a horse with ability, this could be his day although Caged Tiger and Midleton Madness will be amongst those with other ideas.
The Confined has 22 entries and will see Simion Tindall's Jacks Present bidding for a three-timer after wins at Godstone and Detling this year. Amongst his opponents are the Folkestone winner Delgany Gale, Independent Trader, Magnus Veritas and Whereareyounow.
Admission is £25 and £35 per car including occupants. The programme starts with pony racing at 12.15 and the first horse race is at 1.45. Parham racecourse is one mile west of Storrington, West Sussex, off the A283.
The code for sat-navs is RH20 2ER.
