REPORT: ESSEX & SUFFOLK AT HIGHAM – FRIDAY 2 APRIL

Point-to-point racing in East Anglia finally made a delayed start to the season, with the Essex & Suffolk meeting at Higham. Traditionally this Easter holiday fixture overflows with a huge crowd but, due to the government restrictions, only participants and officials were able to attend.

The meeting was streamed and expertly hosted by Derek Thompson and Bob Champion CBE, so it was therefore possible for those who would normally have attended this popular fixture to be able watch all the day’s action from the comfort of their favourite armchair.

It became an unforgettable day for 16-year-old Will Featherstone, who rode his first winner on Minella Beat in the PPORA Members Novice Rider Mixed Open. Will has been a successful participant in the East Anglian pony racing scene over many seasons, gaining masses of experience in race-riding.

Will rides out regularly at Jamie Snowden’s professional yard and Minella Beat is a recent family acquisition, owned and trained by Will’s mother Catherine. The eight-year-old had unfortunately suffered from broken blood vessels when trained under Rules by Snowden, but there was no repeat here of that condition. The partnership led all the way, with the only concerning moment being when Will lost his irons at a fence in the straight. The outsiders of three on the day, the pair went on to win comfortably with runner-up, and favourite, Fifty Shades being subsequently disqualified for losing a weight cloth during the race.

This was Will’s fourth ride and he was delighted with his achievement, but Mum, Catherine, can still boast a better record having ridden her first point-to-point winner, Ballad, at Horseheath in March 2003 on only her third start!

Current national lady champion Gina Andrews also learned her skills on the pony racing circuit and made her only ride of the day a winning one on the mare Fox Valley in the Conditions race. The pairing made full use of the 12lb weight advantage to repel the determined finish of the favourite Steeles Terrace.

Gina, who along with husband Tom Ellis has made a scintillating start to the resumption of point-to-point racing this week, moved her mount ahead four fences out and led going to the last, eventually holding on for a half-length victory, with Lords Park Star a further three lengths back in third.

The Mixed Open went to Southfield Theatre and Lily Bradstock, who finished alone to record another course win after their triumph here in February 2020. The partnership led from the start and were 10 lengths up going out onto the final circuit. A mighty leap at the final open ditch settled the issue with their two rivals eventually pulling up, leaving the pair to complete the course in splendid isolation.

Making his first visit to Higham, jockey James King landed a double with wins on Ahead Of The Game and Thumb Stone Blues, with the former coming from a long way off the pace to win by eight lengths in the Maiden Conditions race.

The pair bided their time during the race and were some 30 lengths behind the exuberant jumping No Gale going out onto the final circuit. James commented, “He switched off, and as a result he was jumping better and the good pace to the race was also beneficial.”

Thumb Stone Blues’ triumph in the opening Retraining of Racehorses & Jockey Club Veterans Horse Conditions event was also a milestone for James as it provided him with his first training success. Based in Warwickshire, point-to-pointing has always been James’ passion and his dedication to the sport should provide him with many days of success in the future.

Here, Thumb Stone Blues was always in command over the final three fences and the runner-up, Mercers Court, never really recovered from an error seven fences out, with the final winning margin being five lengths.

We witnessed a very impressive performance from Takoda, ridden by Tristan Durrell, in the Maiden race. Droitwich trainer Max Young brought this five-year-old to Higham with high hopes and his confidence was not misplaced following a 25-length victory.

Atigun Pass, with Jack Andrews on board, led from the start and was still up to 10 lengths clear when entering the final circuit. However, Tristan and Takoda always had the leader in their sights and, after jumping upside them three fences out, ran on strongly for a promising debut in the fastest time of the day.

Takoda appeared to pull up lame, but it proved to be nothing of note and Takoda was thankfully fine for the journey back to Worcestershire.

The day concluded with the customary Higham winner for the Pennock stable, from Timworth near Bury St. Edmunds, when Laser Beam recorded his third course win under a confident ride from Sam Lee. Sam, who was making his first visit to the course, was able to take control of the race at the cross fence four out and guided Laser Beam home under a hands-and-heels ride to score by four lengths from nearest rival, and race favourite, Getting Closer.