24 February 2009 Preview: Granta Harriers - Higham
CHILLING PLACE: may not have it all his own way in the Mens Open
Six races are carded for Sunday's Granta Harriers fixture at Higham, which gets under way at 1.30pm with a Hunts Club Members Race. But 42 of the meeting's 147 entries are in the closing Open Maiden, scheduled to go off at 4.35pm, so, with the maximum field size just 15, a division on the day and a seventh race is almost inevitable.
Clerk Of The Course Auriol Wilson does a fine job managing the turf despite limited resources and a cold and wet spell following the January 25th fixture here made her task even more difficult. But the ground in now reported to be perfectly level again and the going may even be on the fast side given the quick-draining nature of the soil.
Chilling Place, smooth winner of the Mens Open at that recent fixture, could bid for a repeat in the corresponding race although last year's winner, Another Dude, is among his 18 potential rivals. Another Dude was ten lengths adrift of Chilling Place last time but should strip fitter now.
The 24 entries in the Ladies Open include Scotland Yard, who was so impressive when breaking his Pointing duck in similar company at Cottenham a fortnight ago.
David Kemp is in brilliant form at present having partnered a total of five winners during the last two East Anglian fixtures. His best chance of another triumph should come in the Club Members via the course winner, Viceroy Close, although Viciana, who had some decent form under rules for Lucy Wadham, could provide stiff opposition.
Delgany Run and Not Another Barney won the two divisions of the Maiden here last month, with Delgany Run clocking a much faster time. They could clash in the 17-entry Restricted, where Kemp may be aboard the wayward but speedy Captain Marshall.
Coat Of Honour, narrowly beaten on his pointing debut, could go one better in the Countryside Alliance Club Members although Needs Time, who would have won but for unseating two out here last time, catches the eye among 26 possible rivals.
Higham is well signposted eight miles north east of Colchester and is best accessed by using the A12 and the B1068. Admission will be charged at £10 per head with under 17s free and there is disabled parking between fences two and three.
