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SIAM DE BAUNE: has an entry in the closing Restricted race

The famous East Anglian 'Pub Team' are back with a comprehensive preview of the Waveney Harriers at Higham,  rescheduled for Sunday 11th January with a new start time of 12pm. 

Noon. Club Members - Ten entries

The Club Members race has just ten entries. Supreme Sir has won this race for the last two years and beat Nokimover in the process last year. Comeonourfella was disappointing when sent off favourite for a Restricted at Northaw in May but faded to fourth. Hibernian is an interesting runner having won for Oliver Sherwood at Fakenham back in 07 when sent off 11/8 favourite for £7,500 Novice Chase. Hoh Viss is a useful ex Charlie Mann hurdler who won a valuable hurdle at Cheltenham in Jan 08. Itsallupintheair is somewhat error prone and was not at his best last year. Lisronagh Cross pulled up in an Irish Point to Point in 05 and is difficult to fancy. No Nay Never is likely to find this a little hot. Rockville completed a double for James Owen last season at Godstone and High Easter Club Members and has ability but is a quirky individual. Star Double won a Hurdle at Warwick back in 07 and battled on gamely when landing the West Norfolk Mens Open in April on good ground. Tuesdays Child ran disappointingly last year when pulling up on a number of occasions.

Selection: Star Double (Itsallupintheair)

12.30 p.m. PPORA Club Members Race - Twenty-three entries
With twenty-three entered for this race the selection of a likely winner will prove difficult particularly as there are a number of unknowns in terms of performance between the flags. Trainer and rider Nick Pearce has two lively contenders in Jacks Present who won first time out last season and Independent Trader, a former Irish Pointer last seen out at Taylorstown when winning a "Winners of One" race in May last year. Pearce seems to excel at this course and it will be interesting to see which one he chooses for his ride. Lord Atterbury came third in the 2004 Grand National but sadly recent outings have been less outstanding, he struggled to cut the mustard last season and it seems unlikely this decline can be reversed. If running, Haggie Twins comes to Higham fit and in form having won a Confined at Dunthrop last month. Likely rider is Josephine Banks who would still rank as a relative novice so with stiffer competition than at the Dunthrop meeting the combination might struggle to continue their winning ways. Liverpool Echo is an interesting recruit to Pointing. Still only ten this former Flat and National Hunt participant has accumulated over £113k in prize money and was last seen out in October last year when third in a relatively competitive race at Wincanton. Question marks are often asked as to why horses moves away from the professional field and often it is because they are over the top and it remains to be seen if this grand old servant retains his ability. David Kemp has a couple entered including the former hurdling winner Theocritus, however it may pay to get behind Valance. Over the years this horse has been ridden to victory by Johnny Murtagh, Frankie Dettori and Tony McCoy so who better to conjure more success out of the nine-year-old than Phillip York, currently one of the strongest riders between the flags. An intriguing race which could go in many different directions but I'm inclined towards Valance with Nick Pearce's choice as my second string.
Selection: Valence (Nick Pearce's choice)

1.00 p.m. Mens Open Race - Ten entries
Only Ten horses entered for this race, with Chilling Place and Reach For The Top both owned by M. Tuckey entered here and at Larkhill and Tweseldown, it could end up with a very small field. With Chilling Place in the entries, he could also frighten off the opposition. Formerly trained by Philip Hobbs for his current owner, Chilling Place is a very good horse at his best. In his early days in 2004 he beat the likes of Racing Demon and Va Vavoom in Novice Hurdles, but he has not run since September '07. Reach for the Top ran in just one Point last year, falling at the last when in fourth place at Larkhill. Previously, he was a winning chaser when trained by H. Knight, although he performed poorly on his last two runs. Possextown a four times winner for N. Richards over hurdles and fences has not shown any form since May '07. He is a frontrunner who prefers sound surfaces, so he could go well around Higham if he can recapture his best form. Big Al won two and was placed fourth in Handicap Chases twelve months ago and seems to prefer sound conditions. Beauchamp Oracle has competed solely in Hunter Chases for the last two seasons. His last win was at Cheltenham's evening meeting in '07. His best for last season was a second to Red Brook Lad at Ludlow. Valance ran three times and was placed in two Points last season, his best effort being a four length second to Left To Himself at Kingston Blount. Feathered Storm won a weak Men's Open in the mud at Erw Lon last year. Walking Sunday has shown only a glimmer of form in the last two years, finishing a fourteen length third to Sleep Bal at the Atherstone in '08 and a four length second to Arnold Layne at Higham in '07. Polar Scout has run in both Mens Opens at Cottenham this season without threatening to get involved in the finish but his last run was an improved effort.
Selection: Chilling Place (Possextown)

1.35 p.m. Ladies Open Race - Ten entries
Whilst the entries don't have the strength and depth of last week's race at Cottenham there are several closely rated horses so the race could be quite competitive. Charlie Mann once commented that Bering Gifts "can perform like a hairy goat". This however, was early on in his career and he has matured somewhat picking up two Opens last season; he still merits a squiggle though! Cedar Chief's greatest achievement was finishing thirteen lengths second to Hoo La Baloo in last year's Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown, however, his career as a Pointer has been disappointing and he only finished in one of three starts last season. Gregory Peckory had his best season in 2006-7 winning three races (two Opens) with Julian Pritchard on-board. He pulled up in his last three races in 2007-8 and 2008-9 and started in the same way when he was again pulled up at the first Cottenham meeting. He did finish in the Members' last weekend but was nearly thirty lengths adrift of the winner. Iberus's career earnings probably exceed those of all the rest of the entries put together. This was the result of a fine career on the flat in mainland Europe crowned by an excellent third in the Italian Derby. He was then bought by David Johnson and moved to Martin Pipe's yard running in Rooster Booster's Champion Hurdle. Unfortunately, his career then declined and he only went on to win a single hurdle race; a compact, good-looking horse he certainly has plenty of speed over the jumps but he needs to show he can stay over three miles. Madge Carroll runs consistently well and would have a good chance here if running to her best. She has recently found it more difficult to win than was previously the case. Mai Cure pulled up in the Restricted at Cottenham having found the pace too hot. Prior to that she last raced in this same meeting a year ago when she ran well to finish fifth. Parsifal is by Sadler's Wells and sold for £170k as a yearling. Unfortunately, he went on to win less than £3k during his entire career under Rules and when he appeared at the Sales last year was £2.8k - Not Sold. Dick Baimbridge finally managed to find the key to him and he finished the season with wins in a Restricted and an Intermediate and in the process gave Dick his 500th winner. He prefers easy courses and fast ground so Higham should be ideal for him especially if Clare Allen is on board. Scotland Yard is the entry that stands out - not least because he's only half the age of any of the others! After a couple of wins on the flat he moved to David Pipe's yard where he established himself as a fair hurdler and subsequently graduated to chases in 2008 winning a three-finisher Beginners Chase at Stratford and placing in two others. Now with Fleur Hawes, he's still pretty much a novice over fences and needs to improve his jumping and stamina if he's to become a force in Pointing/HC. Time is on his side and it would be good to see him succeed. Tallow Bridge normally has the benefit of Stuart Morris in the saddle but that obviously won't be the case here! He was a bit disappointing last season but should benefit from the lighter weight to be carried in this race. A three time winning chaser with Peter Bowen and prior to that forth in the Pertemps Hurdle Final, Touch Closer has been a great Pointing schoolmaster for Josephine Banks and they finished last season on a high with a win in an Open at Bonvilston. Now the pair are well established there must be a good chance of further wins in 2009.
Selection: Touch Closer (Scotland Yard)

2.10 pm Open Maiden Race 5yo+ - Twenty-four entries
With an entry of twenty-four and a safety factor of fifteen, there is a possibility this race may be divided on the day. Equivocate has been placed second on four of her five runs including her last three. She is trained by Dick Baimbridge and likely to be ridden by Claire Allen (a big plus point) but she doesn't seem to like getting her head in front. Fenny Lane has also been placed second on two occasions last season, and was leading at Larkhill when falling at the last fence in March 08; he seems to have stamina limitations though. This could also apply to Viceroy Close who was placed on all three starts last season including a half length second on his most recent run, formerly trained in South Wales, but now trained by David Kemp who does well at this venue. Grey Shark has been placed thrid on two starts at Cottenham this season and could reach the frame again. Clande Boy was forth at Cottenham at the first meeting, four lengths behind Grey Shark. Podium Pete was third at Cottenham in November beaten forty lengths by Gentleman Anshan who impressed at Cottenham last weekend and he could again be placed. Porto Vechio was a further fifteen lengths behind Podium Pete when running at Cottenham and has placed form in France. Delgany Run was going well when brought down on his debut at Dingley last March and ran at Cottenham but was beaten forty-eight lengths behind Quotica De Poyans in November. Emmarander was given a quiet introduction at Whitwick Manor last March and though not seen out again could improve markedly. Doctor Kingsley is a half brother to four winners but has yet to get round pulling up on all three outings; the yard had a Maiden winner at this course last season though. Orient Legend is another who has shown nothing so far but may be open to improvement. Sealed Orders is a full sister to Hot Plunge and was placed second at this course last season. She's now twelve though and a win seems unlikely. The Partalonian has finished third and fourth in Irish Points early last year but was beaten a minimum of sixteen lengths behind the winners. Dakota Boy was placed second in a 2 mile 5 furlong Hurdle at Southwell on his latest run under Rules in April last year. Impress has been placed under Rules including a second at Newbury and a third at Hexham on his most recent outing in May 08. Mooresini has been placed under Rules four times including second in two Chases when trained by Nick Gifford. Royal Tender was placed second in a Bangor Hurdle in September 07 and has been placed twice on the Flat but may have stamina limitations though, even at this easy track. Shaamit The Vaamit is another with a few placings under Rules to his name including a second at Wincanton in a 2 mile Hurdle in January 06. Has shown nothing recently though. In conclusion another tricky contest to call but with doubts over Equivocate's resolve, I'll go for a couple that have shown something under Rules.
Selection: Dakota Boy (Mooresini)

2.45 p.m. Intermediate - Ten entries
A competitive race that you could give most of these horses a chance. Bobbies Ryde had a run around Cottenham last week finishing a distant fourth to Sykee Savage. Last season she won a Members Race at Cottenham and then a Restricted at Dingley, before being placed on several occasions including finishing second to Harapour. Sovereign Quest unseated his rider first time out and then finished second in five consecutive races, including a second to Harapour. Just Jove, a frontrunner won the Belvoir Member's race at Garthorpe, before finishing fourth at the Atherstone, behind second placed Sovereign Quest. Lathyrus has won first time out for the last two seasons. He won a restricted at Chaddesley Corbett in '07 and Members at Eyton on Severn in '08 but needs sound underfoot conditions to be seen at his best. The Noble Roman was once a useful performer but has been mainly disappointing and has not won since his first race in 2006. A third and fourth at Thorpe Lodge and a fourth at Chaddesley Corbett is his only form. The Tailor Carey finally won his Maiden last season, first time out at Tweseldown. He returned to Tweseldown finishing second in a Restricted, before finishing second in a Folkestone Hunter Chase behind Mr Tee Pee. The stables horses have a good record first time out. Took My Eye also finished second in a Folkestone Hunter Chase at the end of the season. Prior to this he won a two-and-a-half mile Maiden at Cottenham, but was not seen at his best until later in the season, winning a Restricted at Higham and Confined at Fakenham. Winapenny won two races last season, a Confined at Ampton and also at Northaw. He was also second to Forget The Ref at High Easter and Teeton Dazzler at Horseheath, but was behind Took My Eye at Folkestone. Pouilly ran in three Irish Point-to-Points as a four-year-old. He won a Bumper in '07 but has since shown little form in Novice Hurdles. Independent Trader is the winner of two Irish Point-to-Points at Taylorstown one year apart, the latest in May '08.
Selection: The Tailor Carey (Bobbies Ryde)

3.20 p.m. Restricted - Sixteen entries
The final race on the card is the Restricted Race with a total of sixteen entries. Dizzy Massini is no stranger to the faster pace after a second place in the Intermediate and two third places in Restricted races, all have been at Delting and he could perform well on this level course. Two horses entered raced together in the Maiden at Brocklesby Park in March 2008; Lord of Knar won the race ahead of Sukey Tawdray and a similar result is likely if they meet again. After finishing second in the November Cottenham Meeting Mysaynoway will be looking for a win and could do well. Overbury Pearl won the 2m4f Open Maiden at Eyton on Severn in March 2008 after a third place in the Intermediate the previous January, but could struggle with the faster pace. The Granta Harriers meeting at the Higham course in March 2008 saw Parakeet win the 5yo+ Open Maiden. Another horse with a record on the Higham course is the French-bred Siam De Baune, who after a couple of placings on the other side of the English Channel, won the second division of the Open Maiden at Higham in April 08. Parzando has had several placings in Maidens before moving up to Restricted level, being placed twice at Delting and Peper Harrow in 2008. Sideline Critic had a disappointing 2007 season but started to improve through 2008 with two 2nds in Restricted races, however, the standard dropped with third in the Restricted at Ashorne in May. Having raced in a few Bumpers, Ski Dazzle came in third - ten lengths behind Upton Springs at Cottenham last week and could also be placed again. Where's My Baby is proving to be a popular horse in East Anglia. Having a second place in the Maiden at the same meeting last year, he went on to another second place at Horseheath despite being favourite. He finally broke through the Maiden level at Horseheath last February and should provide some good competition. Other entries include French horses Norven and Prince Car that have yet to be placed in a Point-to-Point to date.
Selection: Dizzie Massini (Where's my Baby)

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