Pointingea

THE NORTH NORFOLK HARRIERS - HIGHAM

Sunday 3^{rd January 2010}

Advanced Going: - Good

12.00 noon. Open Maiden Div 1 – 18 entries

The organisers have divided this race on entry and of the two divisions this looks like the weaker one. Castleconner Lad was placed on all his six outings last season; a placing must be a certainty in this heat but can he just show that little bit extra? Shales Ay Jay was placed four times from five starts last season and hails from a good yard; appears to have stamina limitations, but along with Brafield this must be one of the least demanding courses in the country on that front. Broken Beau is now with Joe Turner but formerly trained by Henry Daly and was placed third in a Bangor Bumper early in his career and was 4th to Weird Al beaten 8½ lengths in a Warwick hurdle in November 08; the yard's runners usually need their first outing. Dusty Springheeled was placed 3rd on her debut in a Newbury Bumper for Lucy Wadham beaten 2½ lengths behind Strategic Approach but has been well beaten in two subsequent Bumpers. Medic has been placed five times from sixteen starts under rules for Tim Fitzgerald; he's probably the most experienced runner here but hasn't run since June 08. Honky Tonk Angel was third on her final appearance last season beaten 12 lengths behind Barry The Cracker at Overton; she has since changed stables and pulled up at Cottenham on Monday. Deadly Dude was placed once from 2 starts in Irish points when 3rd at Lismore beaten 7 lengths behind Stylos Ace; he then pulled up on his subsequent start in Ireland. He was sent off favourite on the opening day of the season at Black Forest Lodge but pulled up once again; may have some ability but yet to show it. A tricky contest to call but we'll take a chance that Shales Ay Jay's stamina will hold out at this venue and Castleconner Lad should again place at the very least.

Yet again we have an interesting field to contest the Novice Riders race and after Jack Quinlan’s success last week, special praise must go to all those beavering away behind the Pony Races who have seen the progression of winning pony riders into the world of pointing. Quinlan’s mount The Railway Man is entered for this race but as his legs are apparently very fragile it seems likely he will require more than a week to recover from his latest outing so his involvement must be in doubt. The same must also be said of Leaseback who seemed to have gone wrong in the closing moments of his latest outing at Cottenham. Aztec Warrior ran well in the Men’s Open at Cottenham and it will be interesting to see if trainer Antonia Bealby enters this one or sticks with The Luder who tipped up in the Novice Riders race at Cottenham. Court Adjourn had a wonderful season in 2007/2008 ending up with third place in the Hiscox final at Cheltenham; only one run the following season and no show last year due to leg trouble but if he has been nursed back to full health and has a good pilot, he might prove hard to beat. Liberty Ben a two time winner under Rules when in the Alner yard provides the horsepower for the next one of the Andrews production line. Following in Georgina’s footsteps this race is destined to bring about the baptism of younger sister Bridget. Like Court Adjourn, Why Connie is another who has had good pointing form in the past but has been off due to injury; if back to his old self and with the right rider on board this one could also feature in the mix up. SaddlersMelody won a point in Ireland back in April but has fallen a couple of times in his short career. With the benefit of a race under his belt Aztec Warrior gets the nod but Liberty Ben is sure to be there or thereabouts.

Nine of those entered, ran at Cottenham on Monday and are unlikely to run. Henry’s Pride won a Hunter Chase at Wetherby and a Men’s Open at Dalton Park last season when trained in Yorkshire. Just Talking progressed throughout last season, winning four races, commencing with a Maiden win at Chaddesley Corbett in February through to an easy win in an Intermediate at Maisemore Park at the end of March. James Pine failed to win last season, although he had a chance to repeat his success at Cheltenham’s Hunter Chase meeting, only to unseat his rider when leading at the second last; he did finish 2nd in a Hunter Chase at Uttoxeter behind Noakarad de Verzee. Bonne Noel’s won a Ladies Open at Higham, a Men’s Open at Brafield and then a Hunter Chase at Fakenham. He then finished one and a half lengths in front of James Pine when they finished 4th & 5th respectively in a Hunter Chase at Southwell in April. Buckby Lane also ran in Hunter Chases last season, his best performance was finishing 3rd to Ofarel D’Airy, but at 14 he may find it difficult to find the form that allowed him to beat Amicelli two seasons ago. Jumbul Sale won at the corresponding meeting two years ago but has not run since, and another who returning from a layoff is Why Connie, who ran once at the beginning of last season; he had previously won a Hunter Chase at Stratford in 2008. Star Double finished 3rd in a Hunter Chase at Huntingdon last year; this was preceded with a 2nd to Caveman in a men’s open at Ampton. Andrew Nick won a Claiming Chase for N. Twiston-Davies at Ayr in April, whilst Victree won a Novice Handicap chase at Plumpton in May for L. Wells and Launde won a 2 mile Handicap Chase at Wincanton in April for C. Gordon.

A reasonable number and quality of entries but several of the better horses including Big Moment, Cathedral Rock, Petit Lord, Rajam and Takotna ran on Monday and we would be surprised to see them out again so soon. That leaves Honest Endeavour and Scotland Yard as the main contenders with the former being rated slightly higher having completed a four-timer last season against strong opposition. However, Scotland Yard was unbeaten in the points that he completed last season and is our selection if partnered again by Clare Allen. King du Berlais has plenty of talent having won under rules in France and at Horseheath last season, however he’s a tricky ride and the Turner’s horses tend to run better later in the season. Pouilly is from the same stable as Scotland Yard and won an Intermediate here last season; he has a chance if the main contenders don’t run. Liberty Ben is a new recruit from NH racing - see Novice Riders. Roaringwater won a Ladies’ at Detling a year ago beating Big Moment in the process but hasn’t been seen since. Badger won a 3 runner Novice Chase at Fakenham last season but rates well below the best here. River Pirate was 2nd here in a Ladies’ last season but the competition looks stronger this time. Smart Boy Prince has shown nothing in his two runs this season. The Bandit ran disappointingly at Chaddesley on Monday. Top Ram was a fair hurdler for Jim Old (best over 2-2.5 miles) and last won at Chepstow in April; he’s never raced over fences and it will be interesting to see how he goes here.

Despite the season being barely underway, two entries have already achieved second places in Restricted races this season, both in contrasting circumstances. Hiho Silver Lining took second in the very lightly contested race last week and may struggle to make the same position this time round. Conversely, Lotta Presents (Ire), lost out by just a neck to 16-1 Posh Dude, in a dramatic finish earlier on in the month and may do well again. During the race in which Lotta Presents came second, the 10-3 favourite Oscar D’Angron (Fr)was pulled up by jockey Richard Burton who, incidentally, also has managed a second place in a Restricted race - just two lengths behind favourite Wantage Road at Garthorpe in May 2009. The battle between these horses that have been so close to winning through in this class should provide some excellent racing. Two Maiden winners to keep an eye on are Fred Hutsbytrained Mister Teddy after winning the divided two and a half mile Maiden by two lengths at Black Forest Lodge in December and Delgany Gunner whowon the same class of race at Dingley in April 2000; both horses look as though they could be useful in the future. Another promising young horse is the Don Cantillon owned and trained Inner Steel (Ire), who steps up to the Restricted level after winning his first race between the flags in the first division of the two and a half mile Maiden at Cottenham in December, going off as 4-6 favourite, but may need some time to mature. Several entries, Baraka de Baune (Fr), Clifford T Ward and Silver Ace all have many years of experience between the flags, but have struggled to win their respective Maidens and are unlikely to get a place.

Enjoy some great racing