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SWEET CITIZEN: is tipped to take the Ladies Open

The East Anglian "Pub Team" are back with their best bets for the Thurlow meeting at Horseheath this Sunday.

1.00 p.m. Horseheath Hunt Club Members - 10 entries
Six of the 10 entries competed against one another at the previous Horseheath meeting with Mid Div and Creep comfortably coming out on top in the very capable hands of former champion jockey James Tudor. Whilst the Kemp yard seems in top form with a double at Cottenham last week, there is little to suggest that his likely mount, Where's My Baby, runner up in the previous race, will reverse the placings. Dellover last ran in March 2007 when he comfortably won a poor Maiden at High Easter; it will be a superb training feat if he comes straight back to winning ways but he has ability and should not be completely discounted. He's The Biz has winning form under Rules, coming 4th of 17 in a 3 mile Chase at Hereford as recently as April 2008. He ran promisingly in an Open at Higham last month pulling up three out; if he has progressed from that outing he could surprise. Monty's Tag is the veteran of the field but certainly not the least enthusiastic; a wonderful servant for the Andrews family who, as is often said, owes them nothing. If he's ready to run he is bound to put up a prominent display, but he's now in his racing dotage and there are others who appeal more.

Selection: He's The Biz (Mid Div and Creep)

1.30 p.m. Intermediate - 18 entries
An average entry and no one horse stands out. Change the Plan has no H.C. form since '04 and was 4th when unseated at Tweseldown in Jan. Copper Grove is quoted as fragile and was last seen winning a Restricted at Alpraham in March '07 in holding ground. Halcyon Times, nothing spectacular but possibly progressive with a comfortable win at Catsfield in '08 and beating Cosi Celeste when 2nd on this track with Jazz Attack who ran a sound 2nd to Pouilly at an Intermediate at Higham in Jan. pulled up. Marble Leader pulled up on his last 2 runs in '08 and quoted as one paced, but a Restricted winner by a distance at this track a few weeks ago - one to watch. Pennytino's flag to post Restricted win at Thorpe Lodge in ‘09 by 8 lengths in soft to sticky, sets her up well for an Intermediate success, but was 7sec. slower than the Intermediate that day. Sovereign Quest unseated his rider first time out and then finished 2nd in five consecutive races including a 2nd to Harapour - usually mounted on the course and possibly short on stamina. Sweden was driven out to win an Ampton Restricted in Jan, in a slow time with 3 fences omitted but did win an Irish Maiden in heavy ground as a 4 y.o. Thatmakestwoofus beat Mid Div and Creep (recent Horseheath winner) by a short head in a High Easter Restricted - a 1st time winner for the promising Ben Rivett, followed by a 28 length 5th in a Huntingdon 3 ml. Hunter Chase behind Rydal Park with Winapenny who won 2 races last season pulling up. The Pipers Son was 5th and struggling in a Garthorpe Intermediate in May '08 with Sovereign Quest 2nd and was 3rd behind Jazz Attack in an Intermediate at High Easter in good ground. Walter Laddie disappointing progress in '08 and 3 times beaten favourite, fell at Garthorpe on his last and not at all fluent run but saying that he beat Marble Leader 12 lengths in the soft at Guilsborough!

The Kemp stables' Young Lord was 4th at High Easter to Ballyowen on his last run at High Easter in '08 beating Winapenny and Top Boots. Winapenny won 2 races last season, a Confined at Ampton and at Northaw, he was also 2nd to Forget The Ref at High Easter and Teeton Dazzler at Horseheath, but behind Took My Eye at Folkestone - a moody character but does have ability and can go close.

Selection: Marble Leader (Halcyon Times)

2.05 p.m. Ladies Open- 18 entries
This should be a very competitive race as the entries include the first four horses home in the Ladies at the last meeting here: Sweet Citizen, Brer Bear, Petit Lord and Denvale who finished in that order with only 10 lengths between them. There are no penalties to be carried this time so Petit Lord and Denvale are both 7lb better off, which should, in theory, make for an even closer finish. Bravery Scotch was highly progressive last season winning a Maiden, Restricted and Intermediate in quick succession before disappointing in a Hunter Chase, he also won a Confined in heavy going at Bangor-on-Dee his only outing this year. Full Irish needed a couple of runs to get fit last season and was well-beaten when pulled up last time out at Higham. Frosty Run has finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in his 3 starts this season; he is well-suited to Horseheath and won here last season finishing well ahead of Madge Carroll who also seems to love the course finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in her last three appearances here.

It's difficult to predict how NH recruits will perform when they move to pointing. Petit Lord has clearly taken to it straight away whilst the other new boys here still have something to prove: Claridge (OR87) - primarily a 3m Hurdler who hasn't won since 2005 and pulled up last time out at Dunthrop; Delightful Cliché (OR99) - bred and trained by Pam Sly, a 3 time winner over hurdles who placed 3rd in his last race, a 3m Handicap Chase at Huntingdon in May and is now in Simon Andrews' yard; Forest Miller (OR94) a winning chaser who finished a respectable 2nd to Snoopy Loopy at Chepstow back in 2007 and placed 2nd in his last race, a Novice Handicap Chase at Stratford last March; and Assassino who won two chases in France but pulled up in his only P2P start.

Of the others, Cosmic Sky pulled up in his last run last season and hasn't been out since. Darn Good ran well at Dingley at the end of last season but also hasn't run since. Mai Cure finished 2nd in the Ladies' at Higham after others pulled up. Major Blue ran well here last season and wasn't far behind Unmistakably but hasn't impressed since. Master Rex won a Novice Riders' in lesser company at Higham last time out. Teeton Dazzler promised a lot at the beginning of last season winning a Restricted and Intermediate in quick succession but disappointed after that; he should appreciate carrying a stone less this time. His full brother Teeton Prince has showed less promise.

Selections: Sweet Citizen (Petit Lord)

2.40 p.m. Mens Open - 22 entries
Nine of the entries ran at the last Horseheath meeting. My Best Buddy, the only horse of these not to run in the Open, won the Novice Riders race from Ronan The Warrior, who went on to win the Intermediate at Cottenham last Sunday; on this course last year he was beaten by Rydal Park. The eight who contested the Open were overwhelmed by Cappa Bleu, who has since won the Open at Chaddesley Corbett and is now in the top five in the betting for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. Honourable Spider showed he was getting back to his best finishing 2nd, but holds an entry in a Hunter Chase at Fontwell on Sunday. Rydal Park followed home in 3rd ahead of Nykel in 5th, Teeton Bollinger in 6th and Northall Lad in 7th; most of these should improve for the run. Rydal Park's overall form was given a boost last Saturday when Murphy's Cardinal, the horse he beat in a Hunter Chase at Towcester, easily won the Hunter Chase at Haydock. Nykel is expected to run in the Hunter Chase at Huntingdon on Thursday. Both Teeton Bollinger and Northall Lad need to show considerable improvement to beat those ahead of them. Chilling Place has appeared amongst the entries at several meetings over the last two weeks; this week he holds an alternative entry in Devon. His win at Higham, although easily achieved, was not a strong race, but is the class horse in the race on all his NH form; he is looking for another Open win to gain the qualification for the Cheltenham Foxhunters. Both Noakarad de Verzee and James Pine hold several alternative engagements. Noakarad de Verzee was beaten by Honourable Spider at Detling on his second run last year; he followed his run at Detling by winning an Open at Godstone, but did not progress as might have been expected following a very promising season in 2007. James Pine ended last season winning a competitive Hunter Chase at Cheltenham's evening meeting; it has to be seen if this improved effort can be sustained - he had previously only had a win in a Northaw Maiden to his name and was beaten into 3rd place in the Restricted at this meeting last year. Caveman gained his second win of the year in the Open at Cottenham last Sunday, but this was a hard fought affair and it would be surprising if he reappeared so quickly.

Selection: Chilling Place (Rydal Park)

3.10 p.m. Restricted - 17 entries
Despite being light on entries, there is one entry which is certain to be a clear favourite and could win the race with ease. On the other hand, that entry may run in the Members' race and if so, the race could go in any direction. Dellover has only one Maiden 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. After a couple of point to points in Ireland (with one third place), Minehill Lad is another entry who won his Maiden at High Easter last year but managed to complete the task a whole nine seconds slower than Dellover on similar ground. Irish mare French Bey seems to have had some luck recently with a 2nd place in the Restricted at Dingley last year after the favourite The Fast Frog fell and being the only horse left to cross the line in the Maiden at Guilsborough in the April of the same season. Gleenson shows promise having moved up a step after wining the Maiden at Horseheath in January and although untested in the Restricted, could be one to watch to watch. Gunner Be Quick has been placed twice at Restricted level; 2nd at Bangor-On-Dee this season and 3rd at Brampton Bryan last season. Of all the entries, the grey Instant Appeal has the most success and experience in Restricted races with a 2nd and a 3rd place at Horseheath and a 3rd at Higham; he definitely has the ability to perform as all were close finishes, on the down side, he has not raced between the flags since the 2007 season, which may show on the day. Despite having raced between the flags, Killeengh Lodge hasn't finished since 2007 when he was last seen placed 2nd in the Restricted at Ampton a distance behind winner but one length ahead of Supreme Sir. Magicastle finally broke a run of 2nd places with a win in the Maiden last season at Garthorpe beating both My Diva and Mountain Emporer by half and six lengths. Ex French chaser Siam de Baune is a young horse who won an easy Maiden last year at Higham by ten lengths; has been out a couple of times in Restricted races this year which have so far come to nothing and may need more time to improve. Smugglers' Run's only place was 1st in the first division of the Open Maiden at Guilborough in April 07, beating the 11-10 favourite Walter's Laddie and after a long break, pulled up in this season. Well Corned was 3rd in the Restricted this season at Ampton, not far behind a battle between Sweden and Sideline Critic; having subsequently missed out on the top three since, may have the ability to get a place this weekend. After being selected by the team for the last outing at Horseheath, Where's My Baby declared and raced in the Members' race, finishing an impressive 2nd just four lengths behind Mid Div and Creep; despite being entered in the Members' race again, he knows the course well and is quite clearly a class above the other entries and could do well if running.

Selection: Where's My Baby (Gleeson)

3.45 p.m. Open Maiden - 29 entries
Only a modest entry of 29 for this race, but with a safety factor of 18 there is a slight possibility of the race being divided on the day. The best form seen this season is by Dakota Boy, he was 2nd at Barbury Castle last month beaten 2 lengths behind Mymysteryman; prior to that, he finished 2nd in a 2m 5f Hurdle at Southwell last May when trained by Alex Hales. He comes from Mike Tuckey's yard in Oxfordshire which houses the useful Chilling Place and they do well with the few horses they have; he's got to have a strong chance in this contest. Morning Moment had one run last season and pulled up at Guilsborough, but stepped up on that effort at North Carlton when he finished 2nd beaten 7 lengths behind The Snurglar; he's trained by Gerald Bailey who has a good strike rate here. Toe To Hand was 4th in that North Carlton contest but was a distance behind the runner up, he had been well held in 3rd place when he unseated at the last fence at Ampton in a Maiden won by Grey Shark, that race was run in a slow time and he needs to step up considerably to take a hand here. Doctor Kingsley finally completed a race at his 5th attempt when he finished 2nd, but 40 lengths behind Not Another Barney at Higham; he could improve but whether this longer trip suits remains to be seen. Caught In Time was 3rd at Stratford in August last year under Tony McCoy in a 2m 6f Novice Chase beaten 23 lengths; he was promoted from 4th as the winner, Mr Parson, was subsequently disqualified for a banned substance. He has been 2nd at Lingfield in a Hurdle beaten 4 lengths behind Herecomesstanley and been placed on two other occasions when trained by Jonjo O'Neill. Caught In Time pulled up at Dunthrop last month on his pointing debut when sent off favourite. Free From Magee was placed 3rd and 4th in two Holnicote Maidens last season beaten 8 lengths and 11½ lengths respectively; he pulled up at Cottenham last week in the older horses Maiden. Inchadoney Boy was 2nd on his last two runs last season including being beaten ½ a length at Northaw, and was going well at Marks Tey when falling at the second last in March last year; he finished a well beaten 5th here at the previous meeting beaten around 18 lengths behind Single Player. Lucky Mojo would have been 2nd in a Great Trethew Maiden in February last year but for a serious blunder at the final fence and finished 5th beaten 19 lengths; he fell at the 12th fence here in the race won by Gleeson whilst still leading and clearly needs to polish up his fencing. Mill Five Acre has finished 4th three times in Irish points last year from 4 outings, beaten a minimum of 12 lengths, but he unseated two fences out in Gleeson's race here when tailed off. Quick Boy Hugaux was pulled up on his only start in a Hurdle at Lyon Parilly in March 2007, he was pulled up in the Club Members in the previous meeting here after going a circuit but may improve, the betting market could define his chance. Maddie's Dream is an enigma; he was placed 4 times last season including 2nd twice, pulled up on 4 occasions early season and ran out 3 times including with Dave Mansell, one of the strongest jockeys riding; he would be a major player if he consented to get round. Abbey St Bathans is well related and represents Bill Warner's stable; she was 3rd on her debut last season at Guilsborough, she disappointed next time at Dingley though, when the market leader. Owned by Judy Wilson of Sheer Jest fame, she will be ridden by Stuart Morris, a big plus around this track and is one to look at in the betting. Jolt is eight but has only had 2 runs in his career, he was 3rd at Sandon last season in a 2m 5f Maiden beaten 6 lengths and may improve on that. Karshaan was 4th on both outings last season and was beaten about 14 lengths at Bredwardine behind What Of It on his final run. Cavanquarter was placed 2nd in an Irish Maiden last season at Belclare but was a distance behind the winner; he pulled up on his next appearance. Croftburn has been placed 5 times in Irish points but has had 27 attempts to break his Maiden duck. Travel Agent was placed 2nd on his debut for Phillip Hobbs in a Bangor Novice Hurdle but hasn't run since March 2007 and clearly is difficult to train as he's only had 3 outings in 3 years. Of the unraced horses Countess Cathcart's Battlefield Bob may merit a look as he's trained by Nibby Bloom and the market may be the guide to his chance today. We'll side with Dakota Boy who should go well and with doubts about Maddie's Dream; we'll choose Morning Moment to improve on his North Carlton run for our second choice.

Selection: Dakota Boy (Morning Moment)

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