HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB at HIGH EASTER on SATURDAY MARCH 8th

REPORT OF THE HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB MEETING HELD AT HIGH EASTER RACECOURSE ON SATURDAY MARCH 8th 

By Mike Ashby

Leading  jockey Gina Andrews was in sparkling form at this High Easter meeting which bodes well for her live chances of further success at this week’s Cheltenham National Hunt Festival. A treble at the Essex course brought her season’s tally to eighteen and now has a useful lead over her nearest rival in her bid to land her eleventh national championship title.

This was the third time in her career where she has achieved a High Easter treble and Andrews moves on to Cheltenham to partner Latenightpass in the Cross Country contest on Wednesday and then takes the ride on Fairly Famous in Friday’s Foxhunters. The colours that she will wear in Friday’s race belong to the Signy and Marriage Families and they were carried to success on two of Gina’s winners, at High Easter, namely Call Me Early and I’m Spellbound.

The former was an impressive winner of an above average Restricted field which saw the favourite Barrington John and the mare Salacia’s Storm set a blistering pace, from the off. This probably, ultimately caused their downfall as both failed to complete the course having to be pulled up. The field of six were separated by no more than 3 lengths when entering the meadow part of the course for the final time and it was here that Andrews made significant ground on Call Me Early, to press on for home and they never surrendered the lead from that point. Atlantic Fleet made a valiant effort to challenge two out but a shuddering blunder, which Izzie Hill remarkably survived, and it was left to Petite Mike to follow the winner home, some 5½ lengths adrift. Gina explained, after the race, that Call Me Early had been beaten by a better horse on his previous outing at the end of January, over a stiffer course, at Alnwick. Here, the course and the way the race materialised, definitely suited the winning partnership.

I’m Spellbound’s victory in the Ladies Conditions race was a fairly straightforward affair in defeating two other rivals. There was only a slight error three fences out which Gina felt “he made light of it “ before the pairing made sure of the favoured inside berth round the final bend to fend off any serious challenge from Shentri and Ellie Callwood which resulted in a 2½ length winning margin.

Gina’s treble was completed on Padjoes Legacy in the 8-y-o and over Conditions race to give owner/trainer Nigel Padfield another winner at his ‘local’ course as he is based at Abridge, approximately twenty miles from High Easter. In this three-runner contest, all the entrants’ cards were still to be played after two miles of the race and when Mountain Assault and Dale Peters front-running tactics started to fade, Mylestown Upper with Ellie Holder aboard took advantage and led going to the second last obstacle. However, here a jumping error followed by recovery, caused the pairing to drift wide around the final bend, allowing Gina to again take the inside line and jump clear at the last, to land a 2½ length winning margin.

Andrews, who has responsibilities for the training of Call Me Early and I’m Spellbound had a treble initiated in this sphere when Young Rich won the PPORA Novice Riders race for the second successive year. The success was a first-ever triumph for Molly Legg, on her 22nd ride and the winning partnership came home alone after their two opponents suffered misfortunes during the race. Belinda Rose pulled up her horse Jacks Touch, on the first circuit, after detecting the mare had possibly gone lame whilst Tom Hutsby, on the odds-on favourite Kilfilum Woods, tried to challenge with Young Rich on the inside of the fence four out, but there appeared to be insufficient room and as a consequence the favourite unfortunately ran out to leave Molly Legg and Young Rich to score a bloodless victory. Molly, originally from Devon, has been working at Gina’s yard for last two seasons and post-race she felt ”privileged to ride such a good jumper” and her thoughts were when left solo was “ just to get home and not fall off “. Well done Molly, there sure to more to come after this initial success.

Another jockey with booked Cheltenham rides at the Festival, Alex Chadwick, completed a double to take his winning number of rides for the season to 10. Firstly, Chadwick partnered the pony-size Aramax to victory in the Mixed Open and the Jenny Owen-trained 9-y-o was winning for the fourth consecutive time this season and is currently unbeaten in points. This was a match race with the only other runner the three-times course winner, Law Of Gold. David Kemp’s 12-y-o is an out-and-out stayer whilst Aramax has shown a smart turn of foot in his races. Law Of Gold was sent off favourite and with normal partner Dale Peters, predictably made the running and throughout there was never more than 1 to 1½ lengths between them until the leader made a slight mistake three fences out. Round the final bend Peters still had his mount on the inside with Aramax having to challenge on the wider outside line but Chadwick’s horse had the speed to overcome any ground given and jumped clear at the last to record a 2 ¾ length victory and send his merry band of owners, The Whiskey and Water Partnership, into some very happy celebrations, seeing their horse win at a higher grade.

Chadwick completed his double when partnering trainer David Kemp’s impressive winner of the concluding Open Maiden race, Hopping Mad Wife, who carried the colours of David’s father., Malcolm.  Nine went to post for this race which boosted the number of runners for the day to twenty seven and it was Nigel Padfield’s Validation with Gina Andrews that took the field along in the early stages. They still led two fences out but the patiently ridden Hopping Mad Wife, who was in the rear for the majority of the race, emerged as the chief danger to the leader. A startling turn of foot took Chadwick’s mount past Validation and they soared over the final fence and put 5 lengths between them and the runner-up when the winning post was reached. A second season pointer, Hopping Mad Wife, ran 2nd to Premier Fantasy on his first run at Kimble in March 2024 and the Bradley Gibbs’ winner has won two Restricteds since, so the form was there in the record books. It was good to see Malcolm Kemp’s colours carried to victory again and on further inspection they were definitely a brand new set, straight out of the packaging, as it was pointed out that the trainer had ‘mislaid’ the originals. The Kemps’ horse is definitely one to monitor his progress through the ranks.

Another interesting day’s racing hosted at the delightful High Easter course, all in glorious sunshine.

RESULTS :High Easter Racing Club held at High Easter.

The official going was Good, Good to firm in places.

PPORA Novice Riders

1st Young Rich Molly Legg 2/1

also Jacks Touch 9/2 (PU),  Kilfillum Woods 2/5fav (RO)

Time 6-32           Dists: Finished Alone                    3 ran

Trainer Gina Andrews

Owner  Gina Andrews

Restricted

1st Call Me Early            Gina Andrews 5/4

2nd Petite Mike    Kathryn Featherstone 8/1

3rd Atlantic Fleet             Izzie Hill              6/1

also  Driveondonn 10/1 (4th), Barrington John Evens fav (PU),

Salacia’s Storm 4/1 (PU)

Time 6-30                    Dists: 5 ½L,  7L         6 ran

Trainer Gina Andrews

Owners The Signy & Marriage Families

Mixed Open

1st Aramax Alex Chadwick Evens

2nd Law Of Gold Dale Peters 4/6fav

Time 6-48                      Dists: 2 ¾L                2 ran

Trainer Jennifer Owen

Owners The Whiskey & Water Partnership

Ladies Conditions

1st I’m Spellbound Gina Andrews 2/5fav

2nd Shentri               Ellie Callwood 2/1

3rd Take To Heart   Izzie Hill 5/1

Time 6-48           Dists: 2 ½L,  5 ½L              3 ran

Trainer Gina Andrews

Owners The Signy & Marriage Families

8-Y-O and Over Conditions

1st Padjoes Legacy        Gina Andrews 1/2fav

2nd Mylestown Upper     Ellie Holder      11/4

3rd Mountain Assault      Dale Peters         2/1

Time 6-46      Dists: 2 ½L, 7L                           3 ran

Trainer Nigel Padfield

Owner   Nigel Padfield

Open Maiden

1st Hopping Mad Wife    Alex Chadwick  7/4 fav

2nd Validation                     Gina Andrews      2/1     

3rd Crookbarrow                Seb Mead             14/1

Also. Kirsch De Cotte 4/1 (4th), Sports Magic 3/1 (5th),

Del Amitir 14/1 (6th), Cuddly Duddly 5/1 (pu),

MyNeighbour 14/1 (pu), Oka Tsuki 16/1 (pu)

Time 6-34              Dists: 5L,  4L                         9 ran

Trainer David Kemp

Owner  Malcolm Kemp

A riding treble for Gina Andrews who also had a training treble. Also a double for jockey Alex Chadwick and congratulations to Molly Legg who rode her first winner when taking the novice rider's contest.

The live results from High Easter will posted on a separate thread that I will start tomorrow on the course

GOING UPDATE

GOOD/GOOD to FIRM around fences 3 & 4 (open ditch )

( Friday 7th March )

Come racing at HIGH EASTER TOMORROW (Saturday March 8th)

GLORIOUS WEATHER FORECAST

FIRST RACE at 1pm

Final chance to buy reduced price tickets today

 Advanced reduced price adult tickets ( £13 ) available via the following link, until midnight Friday March 7th and will be still available on raceday, via the link at £15.    https://higheasterraces.ticketsrv.co.uk/events/ 

Gate Admission: Adults £15 cash only.

Children under 16 Free and there will be a funfair in attendance.

Dogs welcome on short leads

New catering outlets together with a variety of retail tradestands.

Public Bar

High Easter racecourse is situated eight miles west of Chelmsford and set in a picturesque location, to the south of the village of High Easter. ( Sat Nav CM1 4QL )

Here is the Pub Team's preview for High Easter

THE HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB – HIGH EASTER

Saturday March 8th 2025

1.00 Conditions (Novice Riders) - 9 entries

This opening Novice Rider’s race has attracted an entry of 9 and features jockeys with a wide scale of experience. Kilfillum Woods is a two-time winner already this season. Those wins at Knightwick and Larkhill were under the vastly experienced Zac Baker. On his most recent outing at Larkhill last month, he was 4th beaten 26 L by Crawter when sent off the odds on favourite. He’s due to be ridden here by Tom Hutsby who’s one of the most experienced riders in the race with 11 wins from 72 rides. Monkey Puzzle is very consistent in these races. He won a Ladies Open at Charing last month when beating Back Bar by 3 L. Jockey Mary Ashby is another experienced rider in this grade with 5 wins from 46 rides. Young Rich hails from the Gina Andrews yard and has been ridden this season by Molly Legg who is yet to record a win from 21 rides. Young Rich was 3rd at Horseheath in January, 14 L behind Aramax. He pulled up on his next start at Kingston Blount last month on unsuitable going. Jacks Touch was 3rd at Horseheath last month in a Ladies Open going down by just over 15 L to last week’s Ampton winner Tully’s Touch but has been well beaten in all other outings this season. Chapelier got no further than halfway at Ampton last Sunday before unseating his rider. Seb Mead his rider today is another with experience boasting 6 wins. Alkopop was a 3 time winner under rules when trained by Toby Lawes but his last win came in February 2022 and he’s been well beaten since then including in points. Intricate Pillar won a 7f race at Kempton in December 2022 and there must be stamina concerns.  Kilfillum Woods is receiving 10lbs from Monkey Puzzle today so is our selection. Young Rich is receiving 7lbs from Monkey Puzzle so is our alternative.     

Selection: Kilfillum Woods                                          Alternative: Young Rich  

1.35 Restricted – 12 entries

With 9 entries rated over 90 and 3 over 100 a really competitive race in prospect. 9yr. Access Granted from the Johnston yard was t.o. and pu in the Feb Larkhill Restricted and may struggle in this company. Atlantic Fleet from the Turner yard ran on well to take the 10 runner Feb Horseheath Maiden and will have come on for the run - place prospects. Another Horseheath Maiden winner earlier this season Barrington John from the Gibbs yard was unchallenged and with a deal in hand.  6yr. Bride Rovers Abu from the Morgan yard rallied to take the Dec Alnwick Restricted and unfortunately fell at the 15th when leading the Feb Brocklesby Park Restricted so definite claims but a 5lb. penalty won’t help. 5yr. Call Me Early from the Andrews yard was placed in the short Restricted at Alnwick in Jan. but was one paced to the finish a 4lb allowance and Jack Andrews in the plate will help. Another with Restricted experience is 6yr. Driveondonn from the Cundy yard but well back weakening in 4th at Kingston Blount in Feb Track experience when winning the 12 runner Maiden in April last season in a relatively quick time. 9yr. Fame and Concrete from the Wright yard comes from hurdling under rules with best results at shorter distances and won the short Feb. Charing Restricted in fine form on his pointing debut and will have come on for the run but 3m. and a 5lb penalty may be an issue. Graveside Lad from the Turner yard came out with all guns firing to take the Feb Higham Maiden by a comfortable 10l following last season’s succession of pu’s and a place at Kingston Blount so another to come on from a successful run. 6yr Pax from the Henderson (not Nicky) yard has little form hurdle racing under rules at short distances and kept on to 2nd in the short Feb Garthorpe Maiden – distance an issue?  7yr. Petite Mike from the Featherstone yard 5l. 2nd to Fame and Concrete in the Feb Charing Restricted and then a distant 3rd in the Restricted at the next Charing meeting. 8yr Salacia’s Storm from the in form Wright yard’s 2nd run this season and made all to win the Feb Brocklesby Maiden and could progress here and the 7lb mare’s allowance will help. Do not discount lowly rated 5yr Star of Honour from the Hill yard with a win in the soft ground  Feb Chipley Park Maiden by 5l. and a 7lb allowance!

Selection: Salacia’s Storm                             Alternative: Star of Honour / Barrington John

2.10 Mixed Open – 8 entries

Three of the entries in the Mixed Open race were victorious on their most recent starts.  Mylestown Upper, who does hold alternative engagements, won a 3 ¾ miles Conditions race at Garthorpe, defeating Mountain Assault and Red Maple on what was his third appearance of this season.  All Is True and Aramax are both seeking to follow-up their successes at Horseheath.  Both are stepping up into “Open” company, All Is True having won three Conditions races at Horseheath, two of which were over Mount Pleasant.  Aramax’s three wins were all in Novice Riders Conditions races, the latest a two horse affair in which he defeated Monkey Puzzle, who has subsequently defeated Back Bar at Charing. The David Kemp trained trio of Our Jet, Clara Sorrento and Law Of Gold have something to prove.  Clara Sorrento, who also holds an entry in the 8 year-olds and over Conditions race has yet to run this season having by-passed several engagements.  Our Jet finished a distant second to Fier Jaguen at Garthorpe on his first start for the stable, whilst Law Of Gold failed to fire at Brocklesby Park and was pulled up. A longer gap since his last run may help.  Ragnar Lodbrok is another who has been disappointing so far this season having pulled up on his two most recent starts.  Shentri who has an entry in the Ladies Conditions race won first time out this year in a three runner Ladies Open race at Cocklebarrow.  A second victory was surely on the cards at Higham, having taken the lead in the “Novice Riders’ race”, but they over jumped the second last and fell.  Most recently a run at Garthorpe saw him finish second to Janika over the shorter trip of 2 ½ miles.

Selection: Law Of Gold                                  Alternative: All Is True

2.45 Ladies Conditions (level 2) – 8 entries

I’m Spellbound would be a popular winner for the owners the Signy and Marriage Families and holds strong credentials having won 7 times from 12 outings including two wins this season, both in Conditions (Level 2) contests and both with Gina Andrews aboard. Mylestown Upper landed a 20/1 shock win at Garthorpe two weeks ago, over an extended  3 ¾ mile, staying on strongly at the finish. The High Easter course would suit a similar finish and Ellie Holder would use his stamina to good effect. Shentri would come into calculations if able to see out the trip having won over 2½ miles at the same Garthorpe meeting and would have won over the flatter track at Higham but for falling two out. Being set to give weight away to both the aforementioned rivals would make his task that much more difficult. Of the others Monkey Puzzle could be declared in the opener and his last two races have been match affairs where he was just beaten at Horseheath but took the prize at Charing.

Selection:  I’m Spellbound                                     Alternative: Mylestown Upper

3.20 Conditions (level 2) – 9 entries

This is a real puzzle for punters, not least trying to guess who will contest this race, as many of the entrants have options not only here, but at other meetings over the weekend as well.  Mylestown Upper has only had 8 career starts despite turning 9 on New Years Day. He won a chase and a hurdle race in Ireland (2m5f max). Having changed hands, and crossing the Irish sea his new connections hit the target on his third start for them when winning a 3m6f conditions contest at Garthorpe (good to soft) last month.  Mountain Assault and Red Maple filled 2nd and 3rd places on that occasion, a 3lb penalty for the winner gives that pair the opportunity to reverse placings, but I feel Mylestown Upper has scope to improve, and despite the drop back to 3 miles and  very likely encountering a  quicker surface than at Garthorpe I feel he can confirm the form.  Mountain Assault made much of the running on that occasion, but couldn't match the finish of the winner. A 4 time winning pointer (up to Restricted level) he is consistent but lacks a finishing kick.  Red Maple is a 2 time winner from 11 starts in Hunter Chases and points, is admirably consistent, but 7 placings in addition to those victories show that he lacks a turn of foot. He was beaten by a useful ex NH performer in this race last season, when sent off at odd on.  Ecco was a close third on that occasion, but his form regressed after that.  Benefaktor has won 5 of his 16 starts in points and finished in front of Mountain Assault when they were 2nd and 4th at Revesby Park in January. He bypassed an opportunity at Ampton last weekend, but  needs serious consideration  here.

Clara Sorrento is another who bypassed Ampton last weekend. He's been a tremendous servant for the Stearns, and won this race in 2023. He won a Mixed Open on the last of what was only two appearances last season, and this is a drop in level.  Drop Him In has landed a couple of confidence boosting wins since finishing runner-up on seasonal debut at Horseheath on New Years Eve. He was placed behind some useful performers last season, and is very much on the short list here.  Padjoes Legacy has a C&D win on his CV (2 runner Members). His best form has been when being placed in Hunter Chases at Cheltenham and Stratford at the end of last season. He needed another 10 yards to get his head in front on seasonal debut at Horseheath last month, this out and out stayer needs plenty of driving, and juice in the ground suits him.  A wide open affair with veteran Clara Sorrento needing serious consideration if anywhere near the level of form he showed on his two starts last season.  Padjoes Legacy and Drop Him In are right at the top of the potential candidates list, and Mylestown Upper is very lightly raced for his age, and looks progressive.

Selection: Mylestown Upper                          Alternative: Clara Sorrento 

3.55 Open Maiden – 17 entries 

This looks a competitive Maiden race. Hopping Mad Wife has had two starts in Point to Points. On his debut he ran a race full of promise staying on strongly to finish a close second. In his second race he started as favourite but disappointed and weakened into a well beaten 5th place. May be best watched on this occasion as he has fitness to prove on his first start of the season. Kirsch de Cotte cannot be discounted as he is improving and finished 2nd last time out. He will enjoy the staying nature of the track and the forecast quicker ground. Lewins Gully is another who is improving finishing 2nd last time out and holds a good chance. Sports Magic finished 3rd just a week ago. If he appears after a short break he should not be discounted as he holds some of the strongest form on offer. Pax ran a huge race on debut finishing 2nd in a strong looking Maiden just weakening after the last, beaten a couple of lengths. With that experience under his belt and fitness assured he could prove tough to beat.

Selection: Kirsch De Cotte                             Alternative: Pax

Overview

Race 1: Kilfillum Woods / Young Rich       

Race 2: Salacia’s Storm / Star of Honour / Barrington John

Race 3: Law Of Gold / All Is True

Race 4: I’m Spellbound / Mylestown Upper

Race 5: Mylestown Upper / Clara Sorrento 

Race 6: Kirsch De Cotte / Pax

GOING UPDATE

as at 10am WED 5th March

After walking the course the BHA inspector has given the going as GOOD throughout.

PREVIEW : High Easter Racing Club at High Easter - Saturday March 8th 

By Graham Bishop

To whet your appetite for next week’s “Cheltenham Festival”, at which there will be several horses of local interest, we rendezvous at High Easter this Saturday.

Set in its delightful location, the racecourse hosts the first of two meetings being held at the Essex course, the other fixture is on the 5th April.  This Saturday’s  High Easter Racing Club meeting has become firmly established within the East Anglia region fixtures and the first of the six scheduled races is at 1pm.

The PPORA Club Members Conditions Race for Novice Riders commences the proceedings, with last year’s winner Young Rich amongst the entries. This time around Young Rich has something to prove as he was pulled up on his most recent start. Those with the best form are Kilfilum Woods, who has won a Maiden and Restricted race this season and finished close to Wallace Ollinger in an Intermediate contest. Monkey Puzzle who finished close behind Aramax at Horseheath and then won at Charing beating Back Bar.

Another strong looking Restricted race which has twelve entries of which eight have already tasted victory this season. These eight are Atlantic Fleet, Barrington John and Call Me Early and all won Maiden races around Horseheath, Graveside Lad won a Maiden race at Higham, Star Of Honour won a Chipley Park Maiden whilst Salacia’s Storm’s victory came in a mares Maiden race at Brocklesby Park. The other two that have won this season are Fame And Concrete who won a 2 ½ mile Restricted race at Charing and Bride Rovers Abu who won a similar event at Alnwick.

The entries for the Mixed Open race include All Is True and Aramax who are both stepping up in grade, as they seek to follow-up the three victories they have both achieved in Conditions races at Horseheath this season.  Mylestown Upper won a 3 ¾ mile conditions race at Garthorpe on his latest start whilst at that same fixture Shentri finished second to Janika in a 2 ½ mile Ladies Conditions race and Our Jet finished a distant second to Fier Jaguen.  Clara Sorrento has yet to run this season having by-passed several engagements, whilst Law Of Gold and Ragnar Lodbrok both were pulled up on their latest starts.

Of the eight entries made for the Ladies Conditions race, five of them hold alternative engagements on this card.They include Jacks Touch, Monkey Puzzle, Mylestown Upper, Russian Diamond and Shentri. Of these a mention for Russian Diamond who ran well on his seasonal reappearance when finishing third at Badbury Rings. The Signy and Marriage Families I’m Spellbound stands out as the leading contender having won on both starts this year and has previously won twice around this course.

The entries for the Conditions Race for 8 year-olds and over includes the aforementioned Russian Diamond, Mylestown Upper and Clara Sorrento.  The remaining entries include Drop Him In who has won his last two starts, the most recent of which was at Larkhill in February.  Benefaktor has run three times this season, the best of which was a second place at Revesby Park behind Go Go Geronimo in which Mountain Assault was behind. Mountain Assault has since finished second with Red Maple in third behind Mylestown Upper at Garthorpe and both are 3lbs better off at the weights.  Nigel Padfield will be hoping his luck changes following a couple of close calls this season.  All of his runners have finished either second or third, including Padjoes Legacy who was denied victory by a neck at Horseheath.

With seventeen entered for the concluding Maiden race it will be a competitive affair. Apart from the once-raced Iconic Jack, the remaining sixteen have all finished at one time in the first four places to varying degrees of competitiveness.  Runners-up this season includes Kirsch de Cotte, Lewins Gully and Pax, whilst Sports Magic who finished a close second on his first start of the season, finished third at Ampton on Sunday.  However, it would be foolhardy to ignore any without a close inspection of them in the parade ring.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Advanced reduced price adult tickets ( £13 ) available via the following link, until midnight Friday March 7th and will be still available on raceday, via the link at £15.    https://higheasterraces.ticketsrv.co.uk/events/ 

Gate Admission: Adults £15 cash only.

Children under 16 Free and there will be a funfair in attendance.

Dogs welcome on short leads

New catering outlets together with a variety of retail tradestands.

Public Bar

High Easter racecourse is situated eight miles west of Chelmsford and set in a picturesque location, to the south of the village of High Easter. ( Sat Nav CM1 4QL )

ENTRIES

PPORA CONDITIONS (Level 3 ) for NOVICE RIDERS - 9

RESTRICTED - 12

MIXED OPEN - 8

LADIES CONDITIONS ( Level 2 ) - 8

CONDITIONS ( Level 2 ) 8yo and upwards - 9

MAIDEN - 17

GOING UPDATE: GOOD TO SOFT / GOOD IN PLACES (Friday 28th Feb)