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The East Anglian Pub team have gone through the Horseheath card with a fine toothcomb to bring us the best bets for Saturday's meeting.

 12 noon. Horseheath Hunts Club Members - 8 entries
Only 8 entries for the Club Members that kicks us off at 12 noon. Where's My Baby started last season in superb form but was disappointing later in the season, might be one to catch fresh. The Rodeo Clown is not in the best of form at the moment and the same applies to Saddlers Mount and Silver Lily when last seen. Portavo had been off for a while before returning last year and ran well when 3rd behind Art Trend in a Confined at Northaw in May. Irish Rebel won this last year but is prone to make some bad mistakes, but clearly has ability. Evening Echo won a Restricted at Marks Tey in May by a neck and has a chance and a run this season under his belt. Bluegun was a Hurdling winner for Philip Hobbs, who struggled to place him when he rose too high in the handicap and should have enough ability to win this and perhaps look to run in the Foxhunters later in the year.
Selection: Bluegun (Wheres My Baby)

12.30 p.m. Open Maiden 4, 5, 6 & 7yr old - 26 entries
A very interesting maiden race in prospect here and with 26 entries and a safety factor of 18 there's still a chance of a split on the day. Oojar has already "won" a race at Brocklesby Park last March when beating Teeton Coral by 15 lengths, but was subsequently disqualified later for testing positive to a banned substance. He finished 2nd in an Intermediate in April 2010 when beaten 5 lengths by My Flora at Whittington; he later pulled up in a Perth Hunter Chase with the rider explaining the horse was unsuited by the good to firm going. On his seasonal debut he was 4th at North Carlton last month beaten 19 lengths by Battlefield Bob. Argentato finished 3 lengths in front of Oojar that day and will probably be suited by this course, he finished 2nd at Cottenham early last month beaten 4 lengths by Blue Dark. Private Brooks was 4th at Ampton last month beaten 6½ lengths by Vote For Doodle, prior to this run he was 2nd at Chaddesley Corbett on January 3rd beaten 12 lengths behind Rumbavu but changed stables after that run. Le Comte was 3rd on his final run last season at Lockinge in April beaten 15 lengths behind Silver Moon Lite, he was sold at Ascot Sales in August 2010 from the late John Manners' stable.

Karentino is a half sister to the useful Pennytino and was 3rd on her debut at Thorpe last season when beaten 16½ lengths by Elite Beneficial, she disappointed on her next start when pulled up at Garthorpe. Gunmoney had only one run last season when pulled up at Whitfield but hails from Gerald Bailey's yard and may be capable of showing improvement, the market may define his chances today. Road To Recovery was 2nd at Flete Park in May 2009 beaten a head by Crazy Music, as he's related to a couple of 6 furlong sprinters stamina must be an issue. Teeton Grand Slam achieved very little in 2009 but Joan Tice's yard have a good record here and any market support should be noticed. Thats Ben was disqualified when he finished 2nd at Liscarrol in March last year when the rider failed to weigh in; he was beaten 2 lengths by Kilcrea Jim on that occasion. Redbridge Perk was 2nd on his final start in an Irish point when going down by ½ a length to Corlican Boy at Lingstown last October. Packenham is a half brother to Springfield Raki and was placed 4th on his final start in Irish points when beaten 32 lengths behind Screenscraper at Ballingarry in June 2009.

Joe Turner's stable have two entered, Bavard Court and Sud Nivernais. The ex Tim Vaughan inmate Bavard Court has been placed 4 times from 8 starts and was 2nd in a Sligo Hurdle beaten 2½ lengths in August last year; on his last Rules run he was 4th at Wetherby, beaten 9 ¼ lengths by Icy Colt in October 2010. Sud Nivernais was placed 2nd at Fontainebleau in March 2009 in a 3 runner Hurdle when trained by Francois Doumen, beaten 5 lengths by Saint Karad. Lord Francois was placed twice in Chases in France but has been well beaten in this country. Two horses with form in Ireland stand out here and given his connections we'll side with Thats Ben for our main selection and although Argentato should appreciate this course and we expect Private Brooks to improve for his Ampton run for the Lauren Braithwaite yard, Redbridge Perk is our next choice.
Selection: Thats Ben (Redbridge Perk)

1.05 p.m. PPORA Club Members (Novice Riders) - 24 entries
This is an interesting race but as is always the case there are only a handful of runners that stand out for consideration. Early Wings ran encouragingly for his Novice rider Lucy Saunders and the partnership are sure to have come on from that introduction to pointing. The rider, probably more than the horse, will have learnt from her debut so improvement is expected. Jack's Present gave Bridget Andrews a comfortable win in a Novice Riders event at Detling; this was the horse's first outing since May 2009 so is sure to have come on from the run. Viceroy Close had a 100% strike rate in 2009 with four wins ending up with victory in the Intermediate at Brocklesby Park; unfortunately injury meant missing last season, however, if last week's show at Higham is anything to go by Kemp's horses are on fire and a good showing is likely. Exceptional, who ran 4th in last year's Grimthorpe, was below par first time out this season when pulling up at Ampton but will have come on for the race; it will be interesting to see who comes in for the ride and a watching brief is recommended. Victory in the race went to Ballygalley Bob, ridden by Rupert Stearn; this was an impressive performance but again who's in the plate will be significant. Based on partnerships another to look out for is Carapuce; ridden by Dale Peters this pairing were only ¾ of a length behind Early Wings, mentioned earlier, and another good showing seems likely. There could be others hidden away but based on the above Jack's Present would seem the most likely to continuing her winning ways with Early Wings following her home.
Selection: Jacks Present (Early Wings)

1.40 p.m. Mens Open - 25 entries
In 2009, a relatively unknown seven year old turned up for this race, his first run in U.K., he turned the race into a procession, and two runs later did exactly the same thing to the opposition in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Two years on, Cappa Bleu appears amongst the entries once again, only this time on mission to re-establish himself, having disappointed under rules last season. A fall in the Hennessey Gold Cup was followed by a switch to the smaller obstacles, and although he finished 2nd at Taunton, he then was pulled up in the 3 mile Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Kornati Kid ran in the same Hennessey as Cappa Bleu finishing 6th, but he too failed to achieve anything last season; a winning debut in the Men's Open at Ampton started his season well and Horseheath should suit this stayer. Foulstons Ruler showed vastly improved form to finish 3rd, and would have finished closer if he had not blundered at the last. On the same day at Ampton, Ballygalley Bob won the Members Conditions race for 10 year olds and over; previously trained by Oliver Sherwood under Rules he is the winner of four Chases, and he too should be suited by Horseheath. Offshore Account, the selection for the Ampton Men's Open, travelled to Black Forest Lodge instead and won the Men's Open there by half a length from Nenuphar Collonges; it's unlikely that he will appear since he is due to run in a Hunter Chase at Wetherby.

Chapel Flowers has winning form under Rules, the latest being a two mile Handicap Chase at Ffos Las in March last year, he could be an interesting recruit to the pointing field. Coolefind has been the most consistent of horses in recent times, last season winning a Men's Open and two Hunter Chases. Denvale, the winner of this race last year is a prolific winner although Coolefind has been his nemesis on more than one occasion. My Flora has been entered several times but has yet to re-appear this season, whilst Horsham Lad was very progressive last season, which culminated with a win in a Hunter Chase at Bangor. He is in the same ownership as Cappa Bleu and holds alternative engagements over the weekend. Sigma Digital enjoyed a successful but brief introduction to pointing last season winning both his runs in Confined races, but was sidelined following his win at Ampton; a useful performer under rules for Noel Meade (he beat Tranquil Sea over hurdles) he could be one to keep an eye on for the future.
Selection: Kornati Kid (Offshore Account if he does appear) (Cappa Bleu)

2.15 p.m. Ladies Open - 20 entries
Potentially a fascinating encounter between course specialist Mid Div And Creep and several recent high-class recruits from NH. Top billing is shared between Hoo La Baloo and Kicks For Free who were both stars of Paul Nicholls' yard winning £300k and £100k respectively. Their NH form is similar and both have Official Ratings of 139; Hoo La Baloo performs better when the emphasis is on speed but acts on any ground and stays well, Kicks For Free is much more lightly raced, prefers easier ground and also gets 3m. Hoo La Baloo has not raced for 9 months but given connections this shouldn't be an issue; Kicks For Free should be fit from his recent Pointing runs. Description competed at a lower level under Rules but impressed on his pointing debut beating Theatre Diva at Larkhill. Silver Jaro won the County Hurdle in 2008 but didn't seem to get the trip on his Pointing debut at Chaddesley. Mid Div And Creep will probably provide the strongest challenge to the recent NH recruits; she has a great record at Horseheath, impressed at Ampton three weeks ago and with Gina Andrews on-board could spring a surprise.

Other horses to note include: King Du Berlais who looked as if he needed the run at Higham; but usually goes well at Horseheath; Kilcascan thrives on soft going; The Hookie Bookie has a reputation for being unreliable and rarely runs to his full potential; Ungaro finished 2nd to Big Fella Thanks in the Skybet Chase two years ago but disappointed last season; Va Vavoom has been unlucky with injuries and is lightly raced for a 13 year-old but will likely find others too good; Stratford Stroller was a moderate performer for Jonjo O'Neill and hasn't been tried over further than 2m 6f; Alrafid had a long career with Gary Moore winning seven on the flat and over jumps but is on the downgrade.
Selection: Hoo La Baloo if he runs, otherwise Kicks For Free (Mid Div And Creep)

2.50 p.m. Restricted - 28 entries
With 28 entries there is an outside chance of a split. Ringa Bay, a Maiden winner at Detling in Jan beating Moscow Tiger, has prospects. One for the frame is 6 year old Elite Beneficial who kept on to a 1 length 2nd to Jolly Dancer in the January Ampton Restricted, beating a number of entries here - Hall Kelly (4 lengths), Arbour Hill (11 lengths), Cameroon (u.r at the first), Harty's Quay (12 lengths), Louisthenineteenth (pu), O'Gara (pu) & The Rodeo Clown (pu). Particular Man won a Club Members Maiden at Charing 6 days ago and may not run. Up and Away took Div. 2 of the Ampton Open Maiden in January but was ten seconds slower than Div 1. Which will run? - at £48,000 R. Waley Cohen's Ashtown Boy has something to prove but only managed a one paced 2nd to Over the Phone in the Restricted at Chaddesley Corbett; this followed a win and 2nd in Ireland as a 4y.o. - or the 5 y.o. Rumbavu (£40,000 paid by the same owner) who is possibly favoured by slow ground; also entered in the Open, and at Whitfield, he comes with an April 2010 1 length 2nd in a 4y.o. 3ml.Irish Maiden, this was on soft to yielding ground in a stated time of 5minutes 56seconds followed by a win in the January 3rd Club Members Non-rules Maiden on dead ground at Chaddesley Corbett in a relatively slow 6m 33s., shown with a weight of 11st 7lb. but as a 5y.o. was probably carrying 12st. Following a year out The Legal Limit will come on for the run but may struggle with the distance. Receiving 7lb. Mr Melodious won a Div. of the Jan. Larkhill Maiden by an easy 12 lengths from Gallant Lad and could well trouble the judge. The Turners Broken Beau's form tailed off at the end of last season with a p.u. at Northaw and 4th at High Easter, but began with a Maiden win at Marks Tey and Restricted 2nds at Horseheath (to Horsham Lad) and Marks Tey - may be best fresh.
Selection: Elite Beneficial (Ashtown Boy / Rumbavu)

3.25 p.m. Open Maiden 8yrs & over - 19 entries
An interesting entry of 19 for the 8 year old and over Maiden. Shernahall was 3rd at Higham last week behind the impressive Firmount Beech and will surely have a good chance if being turned out again this week. He seemed to be slightly outpaced four out so a stronger test of stamina at Horseheath should be beneficial. Salsero was 5th in the same Maiden at Higham and is showing some very consistent form after being placed 3rd and 4th at Cottenham in December in a Maiden and Ladies Open respectively. Salsero has the option of the Novice Riders race at Horseheath. Polirock D'Aron could be an interesting newcomer from the Gerald Bailey yard and would be worth a look in the paddock and with the bookmakers. Batalov was 3rd at Ampton, only beaten 3 lengths by Vote For Doodle, who has subsequently been placed 2nd in a restricted at Charing; if coming on for the run at Ampton he could run well again. Verbury Star missed 2010 and fell on his reappearance at Higham at the 14th when chasing the leaders; hopefully he will show no ill effects from the fall. He had shown some form when placed twice in 2009 when 2nd at Trebudannon and 3rd at Cothelstone. Hoola has shown some form in Ireland and could be an interesting prospect. Be Back In Time and Doodle Eile have run in sub-3 mile races and may struggle to stay 3 miles so may be best watched.
Selection: Shernahall (Polirock D'Aron)

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