REPORT – HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB (SATURDAY 7TH MARCH)

The sky was slightly sullen and the opening mood very sombre as news had emerged that
young jockey Sam Lee, who made regular East Anglia area appearances, had tragically
died the previous day. A minute’s silence was observed after a fitting tribute was made by
Area Chairman Stephen Howlett, over the PA system.

The action provided another very successful afternoon for leading jockey Gina Andrews who
followed up her six winners from last weekend and added another treble here at High Easter
before rounding off another totally successful weekend with three more winners at
Guilsborough. A remarkable 12 winners from 17 rides registering a strike rate of 70%. The third
leg of her three winners, on Fortuneville, at High Easter brought up Gina’s 450th points winner,
Yet another milestone passed in her truly outstanding career. Both Fairly Famous (Mixed Open
race) and I’m Spellbound (Ladies Conditions) are trained by Andrews and are owned by the East
Anglia-based Signy and Marriage Families. Their victories were achieved very easily with
stylish performances, in both cases. Gina post-race comments described them as “phenomenal
horses for their owners” and Fairly Famous success was pleasing as he was found to have been
suffering from a lung infection after his narrow defeat at Charing and was only recently back to
full fitness. The winners cruised past Larry and George Gorman after three out with the only
other runner, Red Maple, never in likely challenging contention after some indifferent jumping.
The winning margin was 15 lengths.

I’m Spellbound always had the measure of his two rivals with Charlotte Butler vainly making
the running on Good Source followed closely by Slipway and young Molly Armytage. Good
Source still held a slight lead five fences out but Gina and I’m Spellbound were ready to pounce
which they did approaching two out and only Slipway offered a creditable challenge going to the
last fence but were still 3 lengths adrift at the finish.

Andrew’s treble was completed on Fortuneville in the concluding Maiden contest with another
success at his local course for owner/trainer Nigel Padfield. Content to sit behind the three other
runners, Gina took up the running heading for two fences out from Diamon des Flos and the 4-yo Cafe Whispers who had their own private battle up the run-in but some 7 lengths behind the
comfortable winner.

The opening PPORA Novice Riders’ race saw Toss Again and Boris Ball follow up their recent
Horseheath triumph with a straightforward victory from the staying-on Master Malcolm. Molly
Legg and Young Rich set out to make the early running and try and repeat last season’s victory
in the corresponding race with Toss Again in close proximity. Ball, on the odds-on favourite
made his decisive move after three out and made the winning task look easy which is a sign of a
competent rider. “ No anxious moments. I trust this horse when I asked for more effort”
commented Ball afterwards and he has set himself a target of riding five winners this season and
that looks distinctly, achievable on this evidence.

This success made Ball’s first ride a winning one at the High Easter course which was also the
case for Huw Edwards who partnered Reel Much Fun, for trainer Alan Hill, in the Restricted
race. Charlie Case sent Artiste D’Ainay into clear lead from the start and the whole field was
spread out all over the delightful Essex countryside, as they approached the end of the first
citcuit. Case and partner maintained this advantage until slowly reeled in by Reel Much Fun and
Time To Upgrade when approaching the second last where Graveside Lad was untidy. Edwards
had the favoured inside line round the final bend and it was an easy task from then on for the
favourite, who was following up his Maiden victory at Higham, to coast home 6 lengths ahead of
their nearest rival. Trainer Hill had contacted Edwards mid-week to book him for the ride and
riding instructions given were “to follow the leader and take it from there” which the jockey
carried out admirably.

Another first success at the Essex course was enjoyed by Sussex-based Kathryn Featherstone on
Commander Of Ten in the Eight Years Old and Over Conditions race. The winner’s form going
into the race was not too shabby having been under 5 lengths behind Entity Of Substance and All
Loved Up at Kingston Blount the previous weekend. Both these horses who finished in front of
him were unbeaten in five races between them this season. The field of six were tightly packed
going out on their final circuit and of there were two still in contention approaching the final
bend where Miss Featherstone had secured the advantage of the inside on Commander Of Ten
relegating non-other than Gina Andrews on No Risk Des Flos to take the wider course, Both
jockeys were bold at the last fence but a definite jumping error by the favourite was crucial and
Commander Of Ten was sent for home, having profited from that last fence mistake by No Risk
Des Flos, to win by 2 ¾ lengths. This was Katie’s 11th winner with four victories coming on
Commander Of Ten who she owns and trains and acquired the 9-y-o about a year ago after it had
been unsuccessful in Irish points during 2024.

The course condition, which included three rebuilt fences, received universal praise from
all involved, a credit to the Clerk of the Course, Simon Marriage and his team