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12.00 Open Maiden - 22 entries

With an entry of 22 and a safety factor of 15, there is an outside chance that this race could be divided. There isn't a horse that stands out, only a few have had a run this season so fitness has to be taken into consideration.

Lord Brownlow was 5th at Cottenham in December, finishing 32 lengths behind Start Royal. Porto Vechio came in 55 lengths behind Gentleman Anshan at Cottenham in November; he has placed form in the French provinces. Delgany Run finished 48 lengths behind the impressive Quotica De Poyans at Cottenham in November and was 2 lengths in front of Salveo, who won a 2m 4f Maiden at the December meeting. Ardeotis pulled up at Dunthrop in December - another to pull up was Impress who did so at Detling last Sunday after becoming tailed off. Patrick Millington has two in this race; Mirage Prince and Foreland Sands . Mirage Prince was placed here twice last season and was leading until blundering at the last in March. He could reward "the each way thieves" and be placed again. Foreland Sands has been placed four times on the flat but has yet to race over obstacles, or at a distance longer than 9 furlongs. Monashee Grey has been placed 5 times in his career including a 2nd in a 3m Hurdle at Cartmel last May. Captain Marshall was an expensive purchase for Charlie Swann and finished mid division in two bumpers before being sold. He pulled up on his only run last season at this course but hails from the Kemp yard that always seem to prosper here. Say Grace has yet to place after 6 runs under Rules but is now trained by Nick Pearce whose yard had a winner at Detling last Sunday. She could show some improvement on her Rules form and be involved in the shake up. Oswie, formerly trained by Howard Johnson, was well beaten in 4 starts under Rules and a win seems unlikely judged on that form. Kayf Diamond has been well beaten on three starts for Alan King but could improve for the switch to pointing. He will run in the colours of the Tolhurst family so would be an appropriate winner at a venue where the late Wilf did so much stewarding. Sharp Action was placed in a Bumper but well beaten in a Huntingdon Hurdle and hasn't run since February 2007. Love The Truth finished 3rd - beaten by 10 lengths - on his debut in an Irish point in April but then pulled up on his next outing. Not Another Barney was placed once from three starts in Irish points but was well beaten in two Hurdles early last year. Indian Rising from the Gilman yard is making his debut under all codes and the market is probably the best guide to his chances. Another making his debut is Man from Moscow, we know little about his breeding, so again watch the betting for any clues. Doctor Kingsley has yet to get round in four attempts; however, he is a half brother to four winners and could show some improvement as he strengthens up. The yard did win a Maiden at this course last season.

Selection: Captain Marshall (Say Grace)

12.35 Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) - 16 entries

In terms of quality this is a poor race but victory to any of the novice jockeys will be as important to them as Kauto's Gold Cup!
Master Rex, in the capable hands of John Bailey, has already troubled the judge this season when third to Grenfell in a similar race at Cottenham. The combination was only 3½ lengths behind Tribal Venture in second place which subsequently won at the Dunston Harriers meeting last week. Based on the premise that most horses come on for their first run Master Rex should certainly be in the mix. Liverpool Echo, a fair third in a Wincanton Handicap Chase as recently as October last year, acquitted himself adequately when finishing last of four in the Dunston Open race. This race is a drop in class for him, but there will be the challenge of a new jockey with which to contend. So much depends on who takes the ride, but if it's a good novice this one could also make the frame. William Hickman on Native Performance is one to watch; his mount in the race is definitely past his sell by date but in the hands of young Hickman he might be in with a squeak of a chance. Winapenny is a quirky sort who could win the race if he wanted but he seems to take a long time to put his best foot forward. It is probably still too early in the season for him to get in the frame.
What of the rest? Saafend Rocket struggles to stay the distance. Rare Gold had bits and pieces of form when under rules in the capable hands of Andrew Thornton, however a three mile Novice Riders point is somewhat different - again the rider is the key. Finally watch out for Columba, which ran well first time out this season when in the capable hands of John Bailey. This horse has some Irish form but may find 3 miles a bit on the far side.

Selection: Master Rex/Columba (Liverpool Echo)

13.10 Open Maiden 8yrs & over - 13 entries

As is the case with Maidens, even with the more mature horses, past form between the flags is minimal and any form under Rules can be misleading. This race is no exception. Given the unpredictability of such races, two entries are worthy of some attention; Mountain Emperor and My Diva. Mountain Emperor was placed three times last season in Maidens at Garthorpe (3rd), Fakenham (2nd) and Higham (2nd), all under Georgina Andrews and each with a competitive field. Georgina also came fourth on Mountain Emperor in the Novice Chase at Folkestone in May 2008. On the other hand, My Diva only has form between the flags in the 2008 season, with a 2nd and a 3rd at Garthorpe and Kingston Blunt respectively. Nevertheless, it was at the Maiden race at Garthorpe last year where My Diva came in six lengths clear of Mountain Emperor and could repeat the performance this weekend. Other entries include Sealed Orders, who raced in this race at Higham last year and came in ten lengths behind 5-4 favourite Very Presentable. Back in 2005, Sealed Orders managed a third in a Restricted at Higham and a second in the Maiden at Cottenham. Fenny Lane now qualifies for the 8yo+ Maiden after having a second in the 4, 5, 6 & 7yo Maiden at Garthorpe last year and the same result in the Maiden at Cottenham the previous season. Viceroy Close has recorded three places in Maidens between the flags in the west; 2nd at Pentreclwydau being the best of these. Thelaughingmagpie has had six runs under Rules, including a 4th in a Maiden Hurdle at Wexford in 2006. However, he has failed to be placed in a Point-to-Point since mid 2007. Astral Presence had several runs in between the flags in Ireland during 2007 and ended up with a couple of thirds. Irish horse Shaamit The Vaamit is the entry with the most National Hunt starts under its belt, with fourteen runs and three places in Novice Hurdles between 2004 and 2008. Past form indicates a preference for softer ground but the horse has not been placed in a Point-to-Point or run in a race greater then 2m 4.5f. Rakaman has no pointing form but has had two runs in Novice Hurdles at Plumpton and Lingfield in 2007, pulling up and coming 10 of 12 respectively. Clande Boy has had nine starts under Rules but has only finished four, never placed. Best Deal has had eight runs under Rules without a place and seems to struggle with distance.

Selection: My Diva (Mountain Emperor)

13.45 Intermediate - 19 entries

There are 19 entries; however Mai Cure, Siam de Baune and The Noble Roman may be out as they ran last weekend. Ballybough Billy is making his return following an injury at Cottenham early in the 2008 season. Bobbies Ryde was beaten by a length by Harapour in her last race of 2008 at Dingley in May but had previously won 2 races in March 2008. Mysaynoway was very busy under rules (9 Hurdles + 3 Chases) in 2008 but pulled up in all three Chases, so stamina may be an issue. Peppershot came 4th to Mr Tee Pee in a 2008 Folkestone Hunter Chase in good / good to soft ground, but can be error prone - he unseated his rider when 8 lengths in the lead at this meeting in 2008. Stroom Bank was 2nd to Chorizo in a Feb. 2008 Restricted, beating The Camerengo (2009 Ampton Intermediate 2nd) by 8 lengths. Sovereign Quest unseated his rider first time out and then finished 2nd in five consecutive races -he is usually mounted on the course and is possibly short on stamina. Pouilly ran in three Irish Points as a 4 y.o. - winning a Bumper in '07 - but has since shown little form in Novice Hurdles.
The Kemp yard's Took My Eye was a 20 length 2nd to Silver Dollars in his last run at Folkestone in a 2m 5f Hunter Chase following a Pointing double at Fakenham and a Restricted on this course in 2008.

Selection: Took My Eye (Bobbies Ryde)

14.20 Mens Open - 22 entries

Once again Chilling Place appears amongst the entries for a Men's Open at Higham. A prominent showing from Chilling Place should be expected, although he has not run for over 16 months. If he has retained any of the ability he showed when winning races under the care of Philip Hobbs, beating the likes of Racing Demon, he would be a very popular choice.
Many of the horses entered have transferred from running under rules. Coat of Honour, a multiple winner on the flat, over hurdles and twice over fences, last won in December '06. He was, however, pulled up on his last two runs - the only times he ran over 3 miles or more. Basic Fact, formerly trained by Jonjo O'Neill, won a 2 mile 5 furlong Chase in December '07; he has worn a variety of headgear and has often been involved in close finishes, but his last two runs were poor. Foxspur was a winning hurdler in December '07; first time blinkered for his only run over fences in October when he was beaten into 6th place. He's The Biz has won races at Worcester or Newton Abbot, the last coming in August '06. Distances in excess of 3 miles are needed for him to be seen at his best. King Du Berlais has yet to run in the UK; he has won Chases in France, but has not shown much form for the last 12 months. Letterman won a Chase in 2006 and has been placed three times since. Lord on The Run last won for P. Haslam in May last year, but this was followed by five poor runs. Tyssac won six times in France but has shown nothing since transferring to the UK in 2007. Wicked Nice Fella was a very promising horse back in 2004. He last won a race in 2005, but did have two placed efforts in 2007.
Of those with point form Another Dude has the best. A winner at Higham last year, he should have made it two wins but fell at the last when leading a Men's Open at High Easter. Quid Pro Quo has also won around Higham, but his only win last year was at Brafield, in a Novice Rider's race. Valance ran three times and was placed in two points last season, his best effort being a 4 length 2nd to Left To Himself at Kingston Blount. In Ireland, Its All About Luck has won a Maiden and been placed several times.
Of those that have run, Bonne Noel's got rid of his rider at the 3rd fence at the opening meeting at Cottenham, whilst Polar Scout and Duke of Stradone ran in both Mens' Opens at Cottenham this season without threatening, but both had improved since their first outings. The trainer of Polar Scout, Jenny Pidgeon, often does well with her runners at Higham.

Selection: Chilling Place (Polar Scout)

14.55 Ladies Open - 16 entries

A field of well-established pointers spiced up by new recruits from NH - Bonne Noel's, Scotland Yard, Silver Jack and Wicked Nice Fella.
Bonne Noel's was a fair hurdler in Ireland - winning three races - but his performance over fences has not been so good failing to score in eight attempts. As mentioned in the Waveney Harriers preview, after a couple of wins on the flat, Scotland Yard moved to David Pipe's yard where he established himself as a fair hurdler and subsequently graduated to chases in 2008 winning a 3-finisher Beginners' Chase at Stratford. Now with Fleur Hawes, he's still pretty much a novice over fences. Time is on his side and it would be good to see him succeed. Silver Jack was a useful handicapper for the Todhunter yard winning three chases and earning an RPR high of 130. Racing highlights include a 12 length 4th behind Ballycassidy and Scots Grey at Kelso in May 07 and a run in the Becher Chase at Aintree in November 2007, in which he unfortunately unseated his rider. Wicked Nice Fella was once fairly promising as a novice chaser for Chris Bealby but his form tailed off and, although he has been placed a couple of times in Hurdles in the last two years he hasn't completed a Chase since December 2006.
Of the established pointers, Home By Midnight scored twice last year and Hannah Watson will make sure of a good showing. Tallow Bridge is normally ridden by Stuart Morris who frequently pushes him into a place. Darn Good finished last season with a strong 3rd behind Free and Vingis Park at Dingley but can be unpredictable. Full Irish often places but the Turner's horses are rarely at their best this early in the season. Itsallupintheair won three times in 2007 but failed to score last season. Master Rex ran well to finish 3rd in the CA Club Members' at Cottenham in December and should appreciate carrying 19lbs less. Barton Star hasn't yet shown the ability of her sister Home By Midnight. Cosmic Sky once showed a lot of promise but disappointed last season. Mark's Medico has failed to finish in all his five races over the last two seasons but we are sure somebody loves him!
Find Me Another and Mai Cure both ran at Ampton last weekend and are, we presume, unlikely to appear here. Barton Star, Darn Good, Home By Midnight and Silver Jack all have entries at Thorpe Lodge.

Selection: Scotland Yard (Home By Midnight)

15.30 Countryside Alliance Members Conditions Race-26 entries

Armaturk was with Paul Nicholls and formally owned by Trevor Hemmings. He has won over £300k in prize money but has not won since Dec 05; now with the Turners, may need a run or two to be really fit. Bob Justice won a Conditions race on this course last April at the Granta Harriers; however he was subsequently beaten into 4th at Fakenham by Star Double. Duke of Stradone, like at least ten others in this race, is entered in other races so selecting a winner could be very difficult. Duke of Stradone has only won one race, under rules at Perth in July 06. Itsallupintheair ran in Ladies Opens last year being placed twice, was 3rd in this race last year to High Rank. Master Rex has been mentioned in the Novice Riders race and would stand a better chance in that company as he was 3rd in that class of race at Cottenham in December last year. New Street Express unseated a rider at Detling last week but has shown a modicum of form in previous seasons. Peppershot was well clear until unseating a rider at the last in the corresponding race last season, the horse is lacking in fluency but is still good enough to win this. Quid Pro Quo is a course winner, a Confined race in 07 and also won a Novice Riders race at the Oakley last season. Took My Eye had a successful season last year; he went from winning his Maiden to winning a Restricted here and through to being runner up in a Hunter Chase may also need an easy 3 miles. Valance has won under AP McCoy, Frankie Dettori and Johnnie Murtagh but has yet to win a ptp, did finish 2nd twice last year.

Selection: Peppershot (Armaturk)

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