HORSEHEATH SUNDAY JANUARY 26th

REPORT OF THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE MEETING AT HORSEHEATH

ON SUNDAY JANUARY 26th  

By MIKE ASHBY

A Gina Andrews riding and training treble was the highlight of a cold, blustery and rainy day at Horseheath. Andrews winners were Fairly Famous (Mixed Open), All Is True (Conditions ) and Always Groovin (Maiden Conditions).

The latter is owned by a group of former East Anglian jockeys who would have been accustomed to riding in the miserable conditions during their careers but are all finding watching their horse run, from the sidelines, is far more nerve-racking than actually being in the saddle.

The quintet of William Wales, Tim Moore, Nigel Bloom, Simon Cowell and Perry Harding-Jones all carry injuries from their riding days with the latter recuperating from a second hip replacement undertaken just 2 ½  weeks ago. However, there was definite spring in all their steps as they proudly collected the winners’ trophy at the post-race presentation. Always Groovin winning distance was 3½ lengths having overcome Avichi In The Park and the form looks reasonable, for subsequent races.

Fairly Famous completed a third course win, for the Signy and Marriage Families, after a combative duel, with Law Of Gold on the run-in with just a length separating them at the finish. Gina explained afterwards that Fairly Famous “ had hardly had a race at the December meeting but this was more of a test and will bring him on”. Fairly Famous will now go straight to the Foxhunter’s Hunter ‘Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, in March, and will not run again till that date where ‘Good to Soft’ ground conditions would enhance his chances.

All Is True went one better to complete his fourth win over the undulating Horseheath course and came with a typical perfectly-timed challenge by Gina, jumping clear at the last. This was only the second time Gina had ridden the 8yo, as her brother Jack normally takes the ride for the owners Oak Partnership, but Jack was competing at Alnwick. The partnership had 3 lengths to spare over trainer Nick Wright’s Mount Pleasant.

Wright had earlier saddled the winner of the Restricted race with his new acquisition Clashhill who according to winning jockey, Alex Chadwick, showed decent potential for the future. The Irish form  of the 7yo was not too special after having won his Maiden on his debut. Wright explained the Irish yard had suffered a virus and he was able to acquire the horse for a reasonable price and has given him extensive schooling. Chadwick confirmed his jumping had improved markedly and was even better today and it was a pleasure to ride him.

Barrington John was an impressive all-the-way winner for trainer/rider Bradley Gibbs in the Open Maiden contest and could easily progress through the ranks. Gibbs explained he had intended to go to Chipley Park which would have been a 4 ½ hour journey, The Horseheath journey is considerably less and of course the decision was vindicated with the Somerset meeting being cancelled, prior to the first race.

 Aramax and Cian Murphy supplemented their success at the December 31st meeting when taking the opening PPORA Conditions race for novice riders. Employing different tactics to their previous success when they arrived on the scene late, Murphy took up the running from Young Rich and Myth Buster approaching three out and went on to score a comfortable victory by a 7 length margin. This young man, Murphy, has a very impressive strike-rate of 38% with 7 wins from 18 mounts and hopes to partner Aramax once again at Higham, in a fortnight’s time, before obtaining his conditional licence during late February.

A difficult day for racegoers but some interesting contests to make up for the abysmal weather.

GOING UPDATE: (Saturday 25th January)

GOOD.

There was another 2mm of rain overnight but after a drying day, the ground should be good all around tomorrow.

Courtesy of Mike Ashby

PUB TEAM PREVIEW OF THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE at HORSEHEATH on Sunday January 26th.

12.00 PPORA Conditions (Novice Riders) – 11 entries

An entry of 11 for this opening contest. Aramaxwon here on New Year’s Eve under Cian Murphy when landing a similar contest by 2 ¼L from Drop Him In with a possible rival today, Master Malcolm a further 5L adrift in 3rd. Aramaxwould have to give Master Malcolm 3lbs if meeting today. Myth Buster won a ladies open at Larkhill early last month when beating I K Brunel by 2 ½L under Lily Bradstock. He’s due to be partnered today by Lexie New who boasts an excellent strike rate, but he has to give weight to all his rivals. Precious Bounty won a novice rider’s race at Badbury Rings in November by a distance to give Marina Bealby, her first and so far only career win. He’s another who would be giving weight to all his rivals bar Myth Buster. Young Rich hails from the Gina Andrews stable and was 4thon her latest run at Chaddesley Corbett last month going down by just over 18L to Llandinabo Lad. He’s due to be partnered by Molly Legg who has yet to ride a winner from 17 attempts. Dragon D’Estruval ran here on New Year’s Eve in the conditions race won by All Is True but finished 7th and last that day and others make more appeal. Red Maple would be making his seasonal reappearance today. He won a novice rider’s race at Ampton last season on his seasonal debut and horses from the Nick Wright yard are usually well primed for their reappearances. Monkey Puzzle is a consistent sort in these contests but usually needs his first run to gain full fitness and is now into the veteran stage. Also he goes better at Ampton. A trappy race to call but we will go with Aramax to follow up his win here earlier in the season. Myth Buster despite his big weight is our alternative.

Selection: Aramax Alternative: Myth Buster

12.35 Restricted – 12 entries

Another respectable 12 entries with 3 rated over 100. 10yr Ask Carla from the Pennock yard placed twice and won the March Ampton Maiden in his 4 runs last season and with no penalties could run to a place. 5yr. Call me Early from the Andrews yard will have come on from his comfortable Maiden win on this track in Dec now up a grade but is another with place prospects. Chabichou Dupoitou from the Waley-Cohen yard with four 2nds in Restricteds last season and a close 2nd to Premier Fantasy on this track in Dec plus a 7lb allowance should see him in the winner’s enclosure. 6yr. Citizen Jane took the Chaddesley Corbett Mares Maiden in May 2023 then off for multiple hurdle races without any meaningful success so back to PtP but even with a 7lb. allowance probably best watched. Clashhill from the Wright yard yet to run in UK but with rather indifferent Irish PtP form so a watching brief. Aptly named and rated 107 is 6yr. Designed to Win from the Kemp yard with a 6l short Maiden win at Garthorpe over Premier Fantasy and then a High Easter Restricted winner in March should be up there even with a 5lb penalty. Highway Hero may well struggle in this company after only 1 short Maiden win in 2023 from 16 runs. 6yr Jersey Fromentin one of 2 Pennock entries was driven out to take the Fakenham Maiden last season at 25/1! Kostantina has struggled in Restricted company since his Dingley Maiden win in 2022 and may do again here. Main Stage from the Andrews yard has been placed in his 2 Restricted runs since his Maiden run here last season and could well be placed again. Tiger Tobin from the Gibbs yard off the track since his driven out 10l Garthorpe Maiden win in Feb. and could run to a place. Twice a course and distance winner Trojan Du Berlais the 3rd entry from the local Pennock yard was a convincing Maiden and Restricted winner on this track in Dec. 2024 and should be in the places but 5lb worse off this time.

Selection: Designed to Win Alternative: Trojan Du Berlais

1.10 Mixed Open – 9 entries

Although only 9 entries have been made for the Mixed Open race, four of their number are amongst the top 25 horses in the country. Allmankind, ran in three hurdle races during the Autumn, won the Men’s Open around this course on New Year’s eve beating What A Glance, he will need to improve his jumping of these larger obstacles. Fairly Famous had a nice return to action, easily accounting for 2 opponents in the Ladies Open race. He was seen to good effect at the back-end of last season, winning a hunter chase at Cheltenham, defeating Premier Magic and then finishing 3rd at Stratford with both Law Of Gold and Premier Magic behind. Premier Magic did not attain the same level of form last season that he had achieved a year earlier, when he was unbeaten in four outings, one of which was the prize everyone seeks, that of the Cheltenham Festival Foxhunter in which he beat Its On The Line. A return to action this season saw him finish runner-up to Jeux D’Eau at Chaddesley Corbett. Law Of Gold, a former winner of the Stratford Champion Hunter Chase, has not yet had an outing. History shows he will be competitive but he has only once made a winning reappearance.

Selection: Fairly Famous Alternative: Allmankind

1.45 Maiden – 7 entries

Barrington John has course and distance form to his name having finished third at the first Horseheath meeting last year. He was far from disgraced, leading to the final fence and just weakening in the last one hundred yards. With normal improvement and fitness assured he holds a strong chance. Del Amitir is another with course and distance form, she ran the same day as Barrington John and her was race was eight seconds quicker. Graveside Lad pulled up in five consecutive races before finishing second in a Fakenham Maiden Point to Point. He then pulled up again on his next start. On this occasion he is best watched and will improve for the run. Jasmin des Bordes is an 11-year-old Maiden, he finished second in his last race which was a Maiden race. The four times before that he was running in Open races, the highest grade. Dropped back into calmer waters again he could surprise with his inexperienced owner-rider. Jina has pulled up in her two Point to Points and does not look like she will fare any better in this race. Kalipso HIs has his first start over jumps. He was tailed off in a Bumper under rules on his first start. He is best watched on this occasion. Pillar Rock has his first start for Gina Andrews and previously ran under rules. He has shown glimpses of ability but jumped horrendously on his first start over fences. Stepping up in trip his breeding suggests this will be a tough test we think best watched on this occasion.

Selection: Barrington John Alternative: Jasmin des Bordes

2.20 Maiden Conditions – 9 entries

Always Groovin’s narrow defeat by two heads, at the previous Horseheath meeting gives the mare an outstanding chance of success. Del Amitir finished 5th in the same race having been outpaced by the leaders. Avichi In The Park represents the powerful Bradley Gibbs stable and is likely to race prominently with Always Groovin, who will partnered by Gina Andrews. Avichi In The Park made a couple of mistakes before weakening and finishing 5th in his 2 ½ mile debut at Chaddesley Corbett, at the end of December. The other entries look booked for places, at best, with Jump Tiep finishing 5th, beaten 15 lengths in a 2 ½ mile Larkhill Maiden in mid- December whilst both Rounditoff and Windseeker Lad make their GB point debuts after initial outings in Ireland. Rounditoff did finish runner-up in April 2024 at Borris House, finishing the race strongly and could be suited by Horseheath’s uphill finish whilst Windseeker Lad, trained by Andrew Pennock is a half-brother to Ask Carla, a winner from Pennock’s yard.

Selection: Always Groovin Alternative: Avichi In The Park

2.55 Conditions (level 2) –10 entries

Quite a few of these have crossed paths in the past, and although the field won't be large it's looks likely to be competitive and informative. All Is True will be looking to gain a fourth win here, and confirm the form of his win at the Thurlow meeting with runner up Champagne Glory (1 length between them) on the same terms. That was a return to form for Champagne Glory who had Mount Pleasant behind in 2nd when winning a Restricted at Dingley in 2023. Mount Pleasant won four times last season, but this will be a tougher assignment. His usual rider Alex Chadwick also the option of the David Kemp trained Back It Up. He's won 4 of his 6 points on this side of the Irish sea, and had All Is True 2 lengths back in 3rd when winning over 3 and a half miles at Higham last Good Friday, he will be 3lbs worse off with that rival today. He had a very tough task on his final start at Kingston Blount when giving weight to All Is True's useful stablemate I'm Spellbound. The Jenny Owen trained Aramax could also be a possible mount for Alex Chadwick, but he looks to have a better opening in the novice riders race earlier on the card. Good Source was in the Ellis yard last season, now with Ed Turner. He won a Members at Higham on Good Friday last season, and is 3lb better off with Back It Up for a 1 and a half length defeat to that rival at the Fakenham point to point in his following run. Jacks Touch is a three time chase winner under rules, consequently has to lump a hefty penalty, and was tailed off at Revesby last Saturday. Another with a penalty for a win over hurdles this time is Royale Dance, although she ran well on her English pointing debut at Chaddesley Corbett back in late December. Citizen Jane has been 0/12 over hurdles since taking a Maiden at Chaddesley Corbett back in May 2023. As long as the forecast rain doesn't make conditions too testing All Is True could well land a fourth Horseheath win in what looks like being a decent event at this level.

Selection: All Is True Alternative: Champagne Glory

Overview:

Race 1: Aramax / Myth Buster

Race 2: Designed to Win / Trojan Du Berlais

Race 3: Fairly Famous / Allmankind

Race 4: Barrington John / Jasmin des Bordes

Race 5: Always Groovin / Avichi In The Park

Race 6: All Is True / Champagne Glory

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE

HORSEHEATH –

SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY

GOING UPDATE: GOOD.(Wed 22nd Jan)

There has been an official going inspection at the track and the going is confirmed as GOOD. The track has been harrowed and rolled and the bends have been moved out, since the last meeting. .

PLEASE NOTE: NOW THREE PONY RACES FIRST AT 10.45am

SIX STEEPLECHASES FROM 12 midday

The Mixed Open has the potential for a very good race.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE at HORSEHEATH

THIS SUNDAY JANUARY 26th 

Entries for the above meeting have now been released as follows:-

12pm PPORA Club Members Conditions

              ( Level 2) ( novice riders )  11 entries

12.35pm Restricted 12 entries

1.10pm Mixed Open 9 entries

1.45pm Maiden  7 entries

2.20pm Maiden Conditions  9 entries

2.55pm Conditions (Level 2) 10 entries

Total entry of 58 comprising of 55 individual horses.   

Final declarations are made on the day.

Amongst the entries are FIVE of the winners from the opening meeting at Horsehaeth on December 31st, namely Aramax, Call Me Early, Allmankind, Fairly Famous and All Is True.

Apart from those listed, looking to supplement their recent victories, both Champagne Glory and Chabichou Dupoitou finished close runners-up in their respective races at the New Year’s Eve fixture, so some more exciting racing and close finishes are in prospect.

PLEASE NOTE : There are now THREE pony races to start proceedings and the start time for these has been brought forward to 10.45am with the steeplechases getting underway at 12 midday.

Admission: Adults £15 (cash only), Children under 16 free, Racecards £3

Dogs welcome (on short leads )

Other attractions include:-   Fun dog show and have-a-go dog agility, variety of tradestands, catering outlets, public bar (cash only)

HORSEHEATH RACECOURSE IS SITUATED 4 MILES WEST OF HAVERHILL ON THE A1307. EXITS 9 or 10 off the M11 ( SatNav CB21 4QP )

I will be posting the results from Horseheath in the "Members Private Chit Chat" That's after I have put up the "Pointing Pointers" Banners in the parade ring 😉

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE HORSEHEATH SUNDAY JANUARY 26th

PONY RACING FROM 11am FIRST STEEPLECHASE at 12 MIDDAY

GOING UPDATE: (as at Sunday 19th Jan).

The clerk of the course, John Sharp has walked the track today and the going is GOOD all around. With the majority of forecasts showing rain from Wednesday, he is hopeful it will remain GOOD up until race day. The track has been harrowed and rolled and the bends have been moved out, since the last meeting.