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SWEET CITIZEN: was impressive when winning earleir in the month at Horseheath is entered in the Ladies Open

Once again, we can bring you all of the best bets for this weekend's East Anglian Point-to-Point fixture, courtesy of the ‘Pub Team'.

1.30 p.m. Higham Hunt Club Members - 18 entries
This has a decent entry of 18 runners. Astral Presence ran a couple of decent races when third twice in Ireland back in 07. Bosco's Tune won a Maiden back in 07 here at the Granta Harriers Meeting. Duke of Stradone was beaten a long way in the Club Members Conditions race when behind Bob Justice. Feathered Storm won a Mens Open at Erw Won and is a decent animal in this class. Hibernian is an interesting runner having won for Oliver Sherwood at Fakenham back in 07 when sent off 11/8 favourite for £7500 Novice Chase. Itsallupitheair is a smashing individual but is somewhat error prone. Luke Lively has been disappointing of late when tried in Hunter Chases. Magic to Do ran well when second in the Club Members at High Easter but may find this a bit too hot. Master Rex put in a decent performance when winning the Novice Riders race here when Nokimover was runner-up but it was not the greatest of races and has more to do here. Pouilly put in an excellent performance when winning the Intermediate here and that performance puts him in contention here. Viceroy Cross was incredibly impressive when winning the Restricted at Cottenham by 25 lengths. Viciana won a Novice Chase back in 06 but has not shown that level of form since.
Selection: Pouilly (Viceroy Cross)

2.00 p.m. Mens Open - 19 entries
The effects of the bad weather earlier in February are still having an impact on the fields, as owners have entered their horses around the country. Chilling Place has been entered at various meetings and finally took up an engagement in Devon last week, scraping home by a length. Whether he turns out again so soon is debatable, but if he did he would take all the beating. Another horse that ran last week was Another Dude, who finished a distant third at Charing to Bee an Bee. He was in contention until the third last, when the first two quickened clear; prior to this he finished 10 lengths behind Chilling Place at Higham's previous meeting. Another Dude ran at all Highams' meetings last year, winning one, and finishing second in two, to two of his possible opponents. On the first occasion he was 2nd to Kjetil, and the second occasion to Kadount. Kjetil's win at Higham in the Men's Open by 3 lengths preceded a 5 length beating of Glenelly Gale at Market Rasen in February, he has not run since. Kadount's beating of Another Dude provided him with his first win of last season, on his fourth outing, after this win, he won two weak Hunter Chases, beating five rivals in each race at very short odds. Bob Justice and Master Rex both won at the last Higham meeting. Bob Justice, now 13, won the CA Club Members race by 25 lengths; he was also successful on this course last year, and this is probably the limit of his stamina. Master Rex is one year older at 14, won a close fought Novice Riders race. Teeton Bollinger and Northall Lad ran in the Men's Open at Horseheath behind Cappa Bleu; neither threatened to make an impact in that race, but an improved showing could be expected. Twelve year old Northall Lad improved throughout last year but may have reached his limits, whilst Teeton Bollinger, an eight year old could still be improving. One final runner to consider is Hatsnall; last season was a bit of a disappointment when compared with the progress he made in 2007, with only one win to his name in a Mens Open at Northaw, it has to be seen whether he can be rejuvenated. The stable had several runners at Charing last week without threatening and a watching brief is advisable.
Selection: Teeton Bollinger (Kjetil)

2.50 p.m. Restricted- 17 entries
A reasonable number of entries, most of whom have been seen in action this season. After a fall in the previous race, Alf's Spinney picked himself up to win the Open Maiden last season at Chaddesley Corbett. Delgany Run has raced and won this year at Higham where he came head to head with Captain Marshall in the first division of the Open Maiden; he managed to cross the line a whole twenty five lengths ahead of him. A stroke of the pen caused Not Another Barney to be entered into the second division of the aforementioned Maiden, with Georgina Andrews bringing him in first albeit in a slower time then the first division. After the defeat at Higham, Captain Marshall went on to win the Open Maiden at Cottenham in February, under the guidance of David Kemp again. Another Higham Maiden winner is Parakeet, who won in 2008, but seems to be struggling this season. Carvilla has yet to win a Maiden between the flags and appears inconsistent after managing a third place in the Restricted at Charing in 2006 after which went back to Maidens, as a result is likely to struggle. Dellover has only one Maiden run to date, where it finished three lengths clear of Lady Ann Lewis at High Easter in 2007 and hasn't raced between the flags since. Lightly raced French horse Start Royal won 2½ mile Maiden at Cottenham and may be worth watching. Of the horses which have experience at this level, the most recent runner is Lord Of The Knar who made a gallant effort chasing the much faster Where's My Baby at Horseheath last weekend and as a result is unlikely to run. More Trouble looked promising after the Maiden win at Cottenham this season under the direction of James Tudor; the following month he came back to the same course for the Restricted and went off favourite but could only manage fifth place. In the same race, Irish horse Ski Dazzle came third behind Gentleman Anshan and Upton Springs; he also had a second in the Restricted last year at Dingley and does show promise, however, only managed sixth in the last outing. Nomadic Blaze won a Restricted last season; he was outclassed when beaten by a distance Behind The Pipers Son but incidentally beat Lord of The Knar by eleven lengths in an Open Maiden earlier on in the season. Ballybough Billy has had some success at the Restricted level after finishing at Cottenham early on last season just three lengths behind Mr Tee Pee and another second at Kingston Blount the previous season; although he's been out for most of the season, he could do well this weekend. Another with Restricted experience is Lyric Maestro, who was last seen back 2007 when he came in second at Higham just two lengths behind Memsahib Ki Behan after winning the Maiden at High Easter ten lengths clear of Absolutely Barking earlier on in the season. The Tailor Carey was second in a Restricted at Tweseldown last year but does not seem to be having much luck this season; although inconsistent, has the ability to perform well.
Selections: Ballybough Billy (Not Another Barney)

3.25 p.m. Ladies Open - 24 entries
Scotland Yard (OR117) cruised to victory under Claire Allen at Cottenham two weeks ago and should go off favourite here. Hopefully, Fleur Hawes will have recovered sufficiently from her bout of food poisoning to take the ride. The next obvious contender is Sweet Citizen who won impressively at Horseheath early in February beating Brer Bear, Petit Lord and Denvale. Higham favours speed over stamina and Scotland Yard showed a good turn of foot at Cottenham and is preferred. Roaringwater didn't show much as a Chaser under Rules but caused an upset when beating favourite Big Moment, albeit in a slowish time, at Detling. In contrast, Rodalko had a good record under Rules, scoring 4 wins in a series of 5 runs in Chases and achieving a best RPR of 142 which comfortably exceeds that of any other horse in this race, he also ran in a Scottish Grand National; however, all this was some time ago - he hasn't raced since June 2006 and hasn't won since 2004 so is best watched here. Unfortunately, Fantastic Champion hasn't really lived up to his name and, whilst undoubtedly of above average ability, is too unpredictable to be a sensible betting proposition. Full Irish often wins or places but needed a couple of runs to get fit last season; he was well beaten when pulled up at Higham last time out. Iberus showed much improved form when completing for the first time in a point at Cottenham two weeks ago and Higham should suit him. Itsallupintheair was a bit disappointing last year after a good season in 2007 when he picked up three wins, so he has something to prove. Point won two 3m Hurdles races at Hexham so he should stay the distance, however his Chase form under Rules wasn't so good and he hasn't raced since July 2007 so he's probably best watched. Red Echo has an official Chase rating of 114 and if running near that mark could be close to Scotland Yard, however he's another who hasn't raced since 2007. Scare Lotte was beaten when unseating at Cottenham back in December and hasn't really shown her best form since she was runner-up behind Carryonharry at Godstone back in March, 2008. Sirius Storm was an above-average Hurdler in Ireland winning 3 races and running in the Pierse hurdle back in 2006, Ruby Walsh rode him as recently as September 2008; his Chase form wasn't so good but he looked very well at Cottenham where he gave Alex Embiricos a good work-out whilst winning the Members. That race was run in a slow time so it's difficult to gauge how good he really is over 3 miles, it would not be a surprise to see him place here. Trevira wasn't far behind High Gear at Dingley late last season but hasn't run since. Scotland Yard, Roaringwater, Rodalko and Scare Lotte all have entries elsewhere so we've taken the liberty of listing four selections in order of preference in case some of the leading contenders don't run here with Sirius Storm as an each-way bet.
Selection: Scotland Yard (Sweet Citizen, Roaringwater) Sirius Storm (EW)

4.00 p.m. Countryside Alliance Club Members- 27 entries
A fascinating race with a number of potential winners. Highest rated is Deckie but it is almost two years since this one last raced and now 14 years old, it would be unlikely if connections could rekindle winning form after such a long lay off. Coat of Honour, a useful ex Chaser, proved he had lost none of his enthusiasm when going down by a neck to Caveman in the Men's Open at Cottenham earlier this month; if he came out of the race in good order he will certainly be in with a shout although some horses run their best races first time out and can quickly go off the boil, so a good look in the paddock is recommended. Based on his National Hunt form Armaturk was made favourite in the Club Members race at Higham back in January; whilst running prominently when the race quickened he was left behind and eventually pulled up. The race went to another who is entered on Sunday, Bob Justice, we expect the placings to be reversed this time out as Armaturk should have come on for his race and has plenty of scope to do well between the flags. After missing last season the promising Needs Time unseated Tim Lane in a trappy little race at Higham last month; this one has scope and whilst others appeal more, he may be one to look out for if the price is right. Finally, Sweet Citizen was a comfortable winner at Horseheath, should feature at the finish, if he runs.
Selection: Coat of Honour (Armaturk)

4.35 p.m. Open Maiden 5yo+ - 42 entries
Another mammoth entry of 42 and with the safety factor being 15 there's every chance we will have a split in this race. The bookies must love Bridgham, he's been sent off favourite three times, and on each occasion the wads of cash have remained at the bottom of their capacious satchels. He finished third at Horseheath last month behind Gleeson, beaten 15 lengths; his jumping isn't fluent yet but he should feature in this; prior to that he was second at Ampton behind Grey Shark beaten 2 lengths in a slowly run race. Mister Worthington was third in this race, 8 lengths behind Bridgham; previously he pulled up in a selling Hurdle at Uttoxeter on his sole outing under Rules, he hails from the Connell yard who do well with their runners here and is one for the short list. Morning Moment had one run last season and pulled up at Guilsborough, but stepped up on that effort at North Carlton when he finished runner-up beaten 7 lengths behind The Snurglar and should go well here - trained by Gerald Bailey so expect him to progress from his seasonal debut. Podium Pete has been placed twice this season, he was third at Cottenham beaten 40 lengths behind the useful Gentleman Anshan; he then improved on that effort to finish 8 lengths behind Nessa at Detling in January. Monashee Grey has been placed five times in his career under Rules including second in a Cartmel 3 mile Hurdle last May, and has been placed in two pointing runs this season. First time out he was well beaten by 90 lengths behind Not Another Barney here in January; then he finished 35 lengths behind Captain Marshall in a short Maiden at Cottenham last month. Porto Vechio was second in this race, 10 lengths ahead of Monashee Grey; he had been fourth on two starts prior to this and does boast placed form in the French provinces. Executive Mist was third at Cottenham last month behind Our Whiz but beaten a distance, he could step up on that effort. Ten Horse Power was fourth in this race beaten two lengths by Executive Mist, had previously pulled up in a Sandown Hunter Chase won by Royal Auclair; has had one placing in an Irish Maiden from four starts and could go well with his sights set lower here. Rockfield was third at Cottenham in a short Maiden last month beaten 40 lengths behind Hemington; his form under Rules in Ireland though is moderate. Silver Twist was fourth in this race, 1½ lengths behind Rockfield. Silver Twist only completed once in four starts for Caroline Bailey under Rules. Mountain Emperor was placed 6 times from 7 starts last season; was brought down by a loose horse at the previous meeting here when in mid division and could run into a place if he's not been unsettled by that experience. Si Anthony was placed twice last season from 3 runs but pulled up in an Intermediate here in January; has place prospects on last season's runs. Astral Presence was third in two runs in Ireland in 2007 but pulled up on his English debut at this course in January. Mirage Prince was placed here twice last season and was leading until blundering at the final obstacle last March, however he pulled up here on his seasonal debut in January, may run into a place if stripping fitter. Round And Round has been placed 6 times in Irish points but finished a well beaten last at Charing last week on his UK debut. Foulstons Ruler finished third last season at High Easter beaten just over 6 lengths, he could step up this season and the market may be the best guide to his chance. Taken On Trust finished second beaten 8 lengths behind The Fast Frog but that was in May 2007 and he's not run since. Royal Tender was placed second in a Bangor Hurdle in September 07 and fourth in a Fontwell Hurdle a month later and has been placed twice on the flat, could be an interesting runner given connections and the betting market may define his chance.
Selection: Morning Moment (Bridgham).

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