PREVIEW: CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE (SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY)

Prior to the point-to-point racing getting underway at 12pm there will be the first two races of the East Anglia pony racing season, with their first race starting at 11am.

These pony races are always exciting affairs where the contest is run over a flat course, over a distance of just less than a mile and ridden by children under 16 years of age. The enthusiasm shown by the riders and the encouragement given by friends, families and racegoers makes it a tremendous experience for everyone and an especially delightful time for the young jockeys to enjoy, all the facets of riding on a race day.

It always is of particular interest to follow the development of young East Anglian jockeys after they have competed on the region’s pony racing scene. We have been fortunate to witness the early and significant progress made by a number of youngsters who have gone on to forge a successful career in the professional ranks or as leading amateurs.

Some names that come to mind straightaway would be the Andrews’ siblings, Gina, Bridget and Jack, Benoit de la Sayette, Jack Quinlan, Laura Pearson, Jack Dace, William Humphrey, Ben Bromley and William Featherstone. There are of course many more who are making East Anglian pony racing proud by their achievements, so massive congratulations to all of these jockeys.

Make every effort to be at Horseheath in time, to see the next generation of jockeys displaying their talents and give them every encouragement, especially in the often, pulsating finish to a race.

Now on to the point-to-point preview and it may still be January, but this is the final fixture to be held at Horseheath this season. At this time of the season we see more fixtures being held around the country which provides more opportunities for participants and dilutes the numbers that may travel to a fixture. However, at the same time we also see more stables having their first runners of the campaign. A total of 58 entries have been made across the 6 races, 12 of whom have been entered in alternative races.

The action commences with a PPORA Club Members Conditions Race for Novice Riders which has 10 entries, including a pair of runners from the stable of Nicholas Wright, both of whom have yet to run this season, namely dual Horseheath winner Clashhill and Red Maple. Cian Murphy who is linked with the ride on either has maintained his novice status with the rule change that now allows up to 10 winners prior to the season starting. Master Malcolm, who finished 5th in this race last year, behind both Red Maple and Young Rich, finished 2nd in a similar race at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve, whilst Another Mystery finished 3rd in a

Conditions race on the same day. Grange Island, on his first run for connections, finished 3rd in a Men’s Open race at Charing in December.

The Restricted race has attracted 9 entries of which Kirsch de Cotte and Nice To See You have won their maiden races this season. Nice To See You dead-heated for victory at Garthorpe in November, whilst Kirsch de Cotte won at the previous Horseheath meeting. Both Ask Elli and Imnottalkingtoyou ran at Ampton recently, with Ask Elli finishing 2nd in the Restricted race whilst Imnottalkingtoyou finished 3rd in the Novice Riders race. Nicholas Wright has entered Diamond Jetaway who has not been seen on a racecourse since winning an Irish point in 2023. Dale Peters, whose stable is in red-hot form has Cash Or Card entered, whilst the Turner Family could have their first runner of the season with Atlantic Fleet.

The 11 entries for the Mixed Open race includes the 1st, 3rd and 5th from the Men’s Open race at the last Horseheath fixture. Givega won on that occasion, leading throughout, with Aramax back in 3rd and Dalamoi in 5th. Myth Buster won the Ladies Open race at Larkhill in November for the second year running. The Turner Family have Good Source entered, the winner of a Fakenham Hunter Chase last season, whilst trainer David Kemp has made his first entries of the season with Designed To Win and Rebel Dawn Rising both entered. Designed To Win has won all three starts for the stable but has run sparingly and has yet to be tested in Open company. Rebel Dawn Rising who last ran in a point in March 2023 has been plying his trade in Hunter ‘Chases, winning three last season, and may continue that trend as he is entered in the Hunter ‘Chase at Warwick on Friday.

Races four and five on the card are two Maiden contests with the first an Open Maiden race, whilst the second is a Maiden Conditions race for horses that have run in at least two point-to- points. including point-to-point flat races. The Open Maiden race has 7 entries, all of whom have run at least once this season. Jasmin des Blins finished 2nd at Charing in December in the 2½ mile Maiden race, whilst No Case To Answer finished 2nd in the 3 mile Maiden race on the same card. The latter has since finished 5th in a competitive 2½ mile Maiden race at Chaddesley Corbett. Seek Him There ran twice at Chaddesley Corbett in December, finishing 2nd on both occasions in the 3 mile Maiden races. The running of Kirsch de Cotte in the Restricted race may give a clue to the chances of Reel Much Fun, who finished 3rd to that horse at Horseheath last month, where Rounditoff was 5th.

The second of the Maiden races has 9 entries, although 4 of them are entered in the first iteration, namely Jasmin des Blins, Reel Much Fun, Rounditoff and Seek Him There.

Four out of the remaining five have run this season. Kow Boy Sivola finished 3rd at Badbury Rings, but could only finish 7th next time at Charing. Kalipso His ran in the same race at Badbury Rings and was still in contention when hampered and unseating at the second last. He has also run since, finishing a distant 5th at Larkhill. All of these races at Badbury Rings,

Charing and Larkhill were over 2 ½ miles. Mayor Kingston ran well to finish 3rd at Lower Machen on the opening day of the season, but he has failed to finish his next two starts all over 3 miles. Master Force also competed over 3 miles at Ampton recently, where he finished 4th.

The Conditions race to conclude the action has 12 entries, with 8 holding alternative engagements earlier in the day. The 4 entries that are not doubly entered are Champagne Glory, who ran well when finishing 2nd, beaten only 3 lengths, to the impressive and fit Glancing Hill on New Year’s Eve, Coolagh Park who has never been outside of the first three in points but yet to run this season, All The Ammunition who has only ever finished first or second in UK points but has been off the track since March 2024, and Knocknagappagh who is still a maiden. Of those that are doubly entered are Designed To Win, Clashhill and Red Maple, Myth Buster, In Our Dreams and recent Ampton runner-up East Street.

After the excellent meeting held at Horseheath at the end of December, the racing, again, should be informative with several progressive horses on view.

Gates Open 9am Adult admission £15 CASH ONLY Children 16 and under free

Splendid stands and food, especially good fish and chips. Cash bar

Dogs welcome on short leads and can participate in a fun dog show and/or try the ‘have-a-go dog agility’ experience.

GENERAL PARKING FREE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE COURSE

HORSEHEATH RACECOURSE IS SITUATED 4 MILES WEST OF HAVERHILL ON THE A1307. EXITS 9 or 10 off the M11 ( SatNav CB21 4QP)