27 January 2009 Preview: Cambridgeshire With Enfield Chace - Horseheath
The reappearance of Rydal Park, the best young horse in East Anglia last season, promises to be the highlight of the Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace meeting at Horseheath on Saturday (January 31st).
A total of 140 entries have been received for a seven-race card which begins at noon with a ten-entry Hunts Club Members and runs through until 3.25pm, when there are 16 possibles for an older horse Maiden. Divisions on the day are unlikely, with the youngsters Maiden (23 entered, maximum field size 18) and the Restricted (27 engaged, no more than 20 allowed to run) the only possible splits.
Rydal Park, who began 2008 a maiden yet progressed to a pair of hunter chase triumphs, has 20 potential opponents in a high class Mens Open. These include James Pine, a shock winner at Cheltenham in May; long-distance traveller Chabrimal Minster, from Richard Ford's Cheshire yard; and The Hookie Bookie, who won this race last year before chasing home Rydal Park at the following Horseheath fixture. Throw in ten-time winner Honourable Spider and the former useful Alan King chaser Nykel into the mix and you have a mouth-watering race in prospect.
Chabrimal Minster has an alternative target in the shape of the 21-entry Ladies Open, where trainer Diana Williams has both Madge Carroll and Sweet Citizen engaged but the standout horse is Petit Lord, who made a winning start to his pointing career when beating Madge Carroll at Ampton two weeks ago.
Bob Ar Aghaidh and Good Vintage, first and second in the Hunts Club Members here 12 months ago, could renew rivalry in the same event, while course winner Denvale looks the one to beat among 22 entries for a Dodson & Horrell PPORA Novice Riders Race.
Horseheath is four miles west of Haverhill with easy access directly from the A1307. Admission will be charged at £10 per head with under 17s free and £2 for a racecard.
