04 April 2008 'Pub Team' Preview - Essex Farmers & Union at Marks Tey
It's amazing how conditions change within a few days. I'm guessing at the going but the wind and sun of the last few days will have changed the going from what has been on the soft side to the firmer side. Some good entries for Saturday with 23 entered in the Ladies and 21 in the Confined. Interesting when looking through the entries at other meetings to see how many Mixed Opens there are, can't remember when we last had a Mixed Open race in this area, probably a good reason for it. Forecast for the weekend is a return to colder weather, Marks Tey can be a pretty cold spot, be prepared.
2.00 p.m. Hunt Members - 6 entries
Difficult for Marks Tey to have a Hunt Club Members race but with only six entries, and three from George Cooper's stable this looks a pretty tame affair. However, as we have said before it only takes two to make a decent race so lets hope for an exciting finish. Lady Ann Lewis finished 3rd here in a Maiden at the last meeting, did have some form last year. Kings Linen is a difficult sort and rarely runs, finished 2nd last in a four runner race at Penshurst. Crooked Brook finished 3rd in a Maiden race at Higham two weeks ago. Selection: Lady Ann Lewis (Crooked Brook)
2.35 p.m. Confined - 21 entries
Many horses in this race have similar ratings and have often raced against each other this year. Alittlemorereaction has been placed this recent, last run was 5th at Marks Tey when starting as favourite; previous to that won the Higham Hunts Club Race. Also in that race was Bunratty's Sole who won, Good Vintage 2nd, Dr Julian was 3rd. In the next race that day, the PPORA Novice Riders Race, was Dunmanus Bay who finished 2nd, Baron Bernard 3rd and Kings Plato who was pulled three out. Forget the Ref, who leads the East Anglian Mares Championship, has won her last two races; last time out won the Intermediate on that bitterly cold day at High Easter and before that won a Restricted at Higham. Lightningconductor finished quite strongly last week at Horseheath to come 2nd, may at last be getting fit. Rockville has won his last two outings; last win was the Members at High Easter. Sunyblaze was the only finisher in the Restricted at High Easter on that cold day. Serpentine Rock was with Phillip Hobbs when running under rules and has won over Hurdles and a Chase. Winnapenny was 2nd to Forget the Ref at High Easter Selection: Forget the Ref (Winnapenny)
3.10 p.m. Ladies Open - 21 entries
Bedtime Boys had last week's easy winner Frosty Run behind when winning at High Easter and looks sure to be favourite here. Course winner Fauntleroy disappointed next time on soft ground but drying conditions this week will aid his cause. Find Me Another has landed a couple of weakish Ladies recently (one on this course). Dead Mans Dante has a bit to find with Bedtime Boys but is capable if on his game. Limerick Leader may prefer to go to Guilsborough. Millenium Way has suffered from a case of seconditis but this prolific winner has come up against some fair sorts and maybe age is catching up with him. Rugtah has been disappointing recently. Scare Lotte was below her best last week but would make them all go if back to her useful best. Selection: Bedtime Boys (Millenium Way)
3.45 p.m. Mens Open - 7 entries
A very disappointing entry in this race.Mens Open races have been pretty uncompetitive in East Anglia for some years and in spite of The Open Horse championship in previous years, there has been little interest. I think I'm right when I say that Rydal Park, Caveman, Round the Isle and Thoutmosis are the only East Anglian horses to win a Mens Open this season (please feel free to tell me I'm wrong on the message board). Highest rated here is Honourable Spider from Mike Robert's yard and if winning would again take the spoils out of the area; was 2nd in a recent Folkstone Hunter Chase, also this year finished 2nd in an Open at Aldington and won both at Parham and Detling, will certainly be odds on. Paul Rackham's Round the Isles has been steadily improving, was favourite last time out at this course and did win the Mens Open, didn't beat much. Black Forest was 2nd in that race; jockey has improved considerably since. Caveman has won three this season, last time was rather fortunate when Another Dude fell at the last at High Easter; did win a Mens Open at Cottenham and prior to that a Confined at Ampton. Thoutmosis was 4th in the Confined won by Bunratty's Sole (see Confined) but before that won the Open at Ampton, only three ran. Dunmanus Bay and Rockville have been mentioned in the Confined. Selection: Honourable Spider (Caveman)
4.20 p.m. Restricted - 16 entries
Lunch Was My Idea clocked a slightly quicker time than Nomadic Blaze when both won over the course earlier in the season. The former probably has more room for improvement and may come out on top of the pair. Onyx d'Ace was behind Lunch Was My Idea but has since won at Ampton and again is lightly raced so ought to be capable of better. Minehill Lad was an easy winner at High Easter and looks well able to upgrade if his jumping holds up. Sideline Critic is one paced but looks sure to have plenty of supporters. Mid Div And Creep had every chance when taking a tumble at High Easter and is another to consider. The free running Kaboobi may find this course too long. Selection: Mid Div And Creep (Minehill Lad)
4.55 p.m. Open Maiden 5yo+ - 24 entries
Holly Campbell has enjoyed success on her forays into East Anglia this year and recent course runner up Silver Tenor and Souk Al Jabba give her a strong hand to continue that run. Olympe de Farge showed enough last year to give every hope of a win; but the one that catches the eye here is the newcomer Clash; from a yard that rarely leave money in the bookies satchels and out of the very useful mare Alpine Gale. Gavz Boy's completion at High Easter said much about the stickability of Andrew Braithwaite as the horse blundered his way round. Jerry'n See More is only modest but did run his best race last weekend. Loose Morals has been regressive since her Cottenham debut. Lismore Legend is lightly raced but showed that he may find a poor race when plugging on into 3rd at High Easter. Selection: Clash (Jerry'n See More)
