News

Once again, the Pub Team have kindly provided us with their idea of the best bets at this weekend's East Anglia meeting.

12 noon. Club Members - 9 entries
A number of those entered for the race ran on Sunday at Cottenham so their appearance at Higham is uncertain. If all 9 runners turn up for the race then David Kemp's Caulkin should take the prize; a respectable 2nd place behind the highly rated Border Fusion puts this one way ahead of the rest of the field but many owners and trainers like to give their horses more than a week off between outings so it remains to be seen if this one turns up. Of the rest Mountain Emperor had a hard race on Sunday, just failing to take the spoils in the Restricted from Vote for Doodle. Henry's Pride ran disappointingly last season but this is a drop in class and with one run under his belt might just surprise. Finally, of those for closer consideration, Laharna could spring a surprise. Winning form under Rules, a short course such as Higham might just bring the best out of this one and fast ground could also help.
Selection: Caulkin (Henry's Pride)

12.30 p.m. PPORA Club Members - 18 entries
With the biggest field of the day this is probably the most difficult race from which to select a winner. A number of those entered are closely matched and there is nothing that stands out as an obvious choice, but there are a few pointers that might just help us find the winner. Joe Turner has two entered for the race: Garundi, who ran encouragingly at Cottenham on Sunday and Art Trend, who is bred for success but who has largely disappointed up to now. The Nuns Legacy has already scored at Higham this season comfortably accounting for the well thought of Pocket Park; repetition of that form will see this one go close. It is almost two years since the exciting Viceroy Close last ran, the Kemp yard is going well and if this one is race fit it is sure to go close, but it has been off the course for two years. The yard's other entry is Took my Eye, no slouch but there are others who make more appeal.

One of those is Coat of Honour which has not been seen since April last year. Excellent form under Rules, unfortunately, up to now, this has not been fully transferred to pointing but if running up to best NH form this one should be in the mix up. Celestial Dragon is an interesting raider from the North Cotswold; well handled last season by Rachel King and has won at this level before. Finally Maranach which, last season, ran when based with the powerful Julie Houldey yard, now owned by David Gibbon, who has been known to spring the odd surprise. It will be interesting to see how the ring reacts to this East Anglian newcomer. So what to select? There are question marks over a number of the fancied horses but Garundi improved leaps and bounds from his first outing at Higham and if the Turner yard have unmasked his best side he could take the bacon, but the nod goes to The Nuns Legacy who hopefully will repeat his triumph at the last Higham meeting.
Selection: The Nuns Legacy (Garundi)

1.00 p.m. Mens Open -12 entries
This race provides the ideal opportunity for Start Royal to get back into the winners enclosure. A bloodless victory in his first run this season, Start Royal was then beaten into 2nd by Posh Dude when an odds on favourite at Cottenham. He ran much better last time, when beaten into 2nd place behind Cork All Star in the Mens Open at Higham; Cork All Star has since franked the form by winning a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon. Took My Eye finished 20 lengths behind in 3rd, whilst Basic Fact got no further than the second fence, and Another Dude pulled up. Took My Eye and Parrain are closely matched on last year's form, Parrain being victorious on both occasions, but only by small margins. Mister Kay Bee has found some form this year, winning a Club Members Conditions Race at Chaddesley Corbett, before following up in a Novice Riders race at the last Higham meeting.

Foulstons Ruler performed with credit on his initial outing of the season, his first in open company, when finishing 3rd in the Mens Open at Ampton, behind Kornati Kid; he should be a horse to follow this season. Coat of Honour failed to find the winner's enclosure last season, his best effort of his three runs was behind Start Royal at Cottenham, however, if he were to re-capture his form of old he would pose a threat. Celestrial Dragon was well travelled last season; he won an Intermediate at Tweseldown and followed this with a win in a Club Members race at Holnicote but then failed to perform in a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon. Rocklandslad had the assistance of AP McCoy on his last appearance on a racecourse back in October; he failed to shine over Hurdles in 2010, but in 2009 he was the winner of a Maiden and Restricted
Selection: Start Royal (Mister Kay Bee)

1.35 p.m. Ladies Open - 8 entries
Double Mead was a fairly useful performer under Rules winning two Chases and a Hurdle whilst with Kim Bailey. She finished 6 lengths 2nd behind the highly-rated Sericina at Wadebridge in mid-December but hasn't been seen since; she's likely to go off favourite if appearing in this. It usually takes a run or two to get Delightful Cliche fully fit and that seems to be the case again this year based on his below-par run at Whitfield two weeks ago; an admirably consistent sort, he will probably have come on enough to take this. Rocklandslad had a spell under Rules through last summer and autumn but failed to make an impact even though he was twice ridden by the Champion jockey; on a form line through Big Moment, who he beat at Woodford last season, he certainly has a chance.

Milton Des Bieffes put in some decent performances under Rules for David Evans last season including a win and 2 places in Chases at Ludlow; he was unlucky to come up against some very good horses including Picaroon on his only pointing start but should come on for that run. Beet De Bob finished a well beaten 3rd behind Scotland Yard at the last meeting here and at 13 is likely to find others too good. Of Joe Turner's two horses, the talented Assassino usually needs a couple of runs before reaching peak form; and Leatherback who is now 13 and folded tamely at Horseheath is unlikely to be a threat. Checked Shirt won a Maiden and a Restricted two seasons ago and was then tried under Rules where he failed to shine; he hasn't run since July 2009. Assuming Double Mead doesn't run:
Selection: Delightful Cliche (Rocklandslad)

2.10 p.m. Open Maiden - 17 entries
A pretty poor entry of only 17 for a mid season Maiden, but with a safety factor of 15 there is still the remote possibility of a division on the day. Katepast has pulled up on his two appearances this season but it's too early to write this half brother to the useful Katarino off and most runners from his yard need a couple of runs to reach fitness. He was in the process of running a good race here last year on Easter Saturday until capsizing 3 out and was 3rd at Garthorpe on his final run last season in a close finish behind Kingsmere. Mister Tibus was 2nd here at the previous meeting to Pingpong beaten 8 lengths when ridden by Johnny Bailey. That was a big improvement on what he'd achieved before and it would be interesting if that rider is retained here. Don't Think Twice from the in form Caroline Fryer yard was 4th in this race 13 lengths behind Mister Tibus, this ex Michael Hourigan trained horse has plenty of experience and was 2nd in a Maiden Hurdle at Listowel in June 2010 beaten 3½ lengths by Coole Avenue; we expect him to come on for the run.

Lord Francois, twice placed in French Chases, was 3rd at Horseheath beaten 8½ lengths by Bavard Court. Argentato was 5th a further 17 lengths behind Lord Francois and there's no reason to see him reverse placings as Lord Francois may well appreciate this easier track. Fort Severn was placed 4 times under rules from Brendan Powell's yard, the last of them when 3rd at Huntingdon in April last year beaten 15½ lengths by Lord Gunnislake in a Chase. Minella was placed 4 times from 6 starts in Irish points including a 2nd at Lingstown in April last year beaten 15 lengths by Big Rock Candy, but has done nothing in 3 runs under Rules since crossing the Irish Sea. Sud Nivernais, another from the Turner yard, was placed twice from 4 starts in France, both at Fontainebleau when Francois Doumen trained. He was 2nd to Riri Mag beaten 2 lengths in a chase in March 2010 and looks an interesting recruit but like most from the yard, may need a run or two before coming to hand. Of the unraced horses any support for Midnight Rebel maybe a clue as to her chances. Despite the modest entry it's still quite a hard race to call but we'll side with Katepast as our number one choice and opt for Don't Think Twice from Caroline Fryer's yard as our second choice to step up from his run here earlier in the year.
Selection: Katepast (Don't Think Twice)

2.45 p.m. Intermediate -7 entries
The lowest race entries of the day, a very disappointing seven - which does not bode well for this race. From the South East comes the rather unreliable 7 y.o. Little Legend, who ran out at Godstone last season, fnished 30 length 3rd to Damman in a Club Members Conditions race at Larkhill in early January followed by an unseated rider at the fourteenth while leading at Cottenham last week. The mare Latenightdip was always prominent and won the Restricted at the last Higham meeting beating Saddlers Melody by 8 lengths - not a great finisher in 2010 but has obviously improved this season and goes well on this track. From the Turner stable comes Native Bob - yet to run this season but in 2010 was leading by 20 lengths in a Huntingdon Chase when falling at the last, but then a pulled up at Folkestone having lost his action - he may need this opening run but one for the frame. Pingpong led to the tenth but then faded rapidly in last week's Cottenham Restricted following a Div. 2 Maiden win at the last Higham meeting - he may find this step up in class too much at this point in the season. Fraudster, with a Bumper win in Ireland in 2009, ran as favourite in last weeks' Cottenham Intermediate and u.r. at the 9th while lying 5th.
Selection: Latenightdip (Little Legend - if the jockey can stay on)

3.20 p.m. Restricted - 15 entries
A friend of mine, who I rate a good judge, has a golden rule in Restricted races which is to always oppose horses looking to immediately follow up their Maiden success. I have no statistics to hand, but it's something I've always got in the back of my mind. However, this race looks to be dominated by the three recent Maiden winners, namely Bavard Court, Firmount Beech and Viel Gluck. Bavard Court won at Horseheath and previously boasted form under Rules. First time out winners are fairly rare for his yard now, and he could be useful. That comment would (the useful bit) also apply to Firmount Beech who was an impressive winner over this course and distance at the North Norfolk meeting. Viel Gluck was awarded a Cottenham Maiden in the steward's room; the horse who passed the post in front has confirmed the form since. He had modest form under Rules, but if you are still not aware that any of Alan Hill's runners require the utmost respect, you must have been on a different planet in the last few seasons.

Shannina overcame being hampered at halfway to win a weak race last week (Members), and will need to improve to cope with the 3 aforementioned entries. Crosby looked like the winner when departing two out at North Carlton (won there last year); that was a fairly modest contest, but he should find a Restricted this season. Nothingtoloose won a short Maiden at Cottenham last year, when taking full advantage of a massive weight allowance; she then changed hands and was a non finisher in her next two starts - it's too early to write her off just yet. Tara Gale is out of the top class mare, Grimley Gale. She won her Maiden in 2007, but has shown little since including a spell under Rules (also entered at North Carlton). Pingpong (stable mate of Firmount Beech) won on the same card as his stablemate, but the time was slower and he ran poorly at Cottenham last week. Whistle Blowing won a weak older horses Maiden at Horseheath last season and ran creditably for a long way in a Hunter Chase at Sandown. He was probably flattered by that and is generally easy to beat. Timmies Gone won an Irish Maiden at Kinsale, but is more likely to head to Godstone on Sunday. Mountain Emperor is likely to try and go one better than his 2nd at Cottenham last week in the Club Members race that opens today's card.
Selection: Viel Gluck (Bavard Court)

Back to Top