REPORT – CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH ENFIELD CHACE – SUNDAY 28TH JANUARY

Having been involved and passionate about point-to-point racing for 50 years, owner Keith Loads, with his partner Kate Bowling, enjoyed a dream day at the Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace meeting at Horseheath.

Keith, a former Norfolk farmer and comic entertainer, now residing in Suffolk, first rode in a point-to-point race at Costessey in Norfolk in 1974, which ended in an ‘unseat’. However, on Sunday he proudly saw three of his horses carrying his colours, enter the winners’ enclosure and by their performances could well go on to more achievements, in the coming months and seasons.

The Andrew Pennock-trained Trojan Du Berlais ridden by Paddy Barlow, commenced Loads’ winning afternoon with another convincing showing in the Restricted race, to supplement his Maiden victory at the previous Horseheath meeting. Trainer Pennock is delighted how the 5yo’s Irish form is working out and has high praise for his “underrated” jockey Barlow who post-race stated his partner had “jumped brilliantly and is a dream to ride“.

Tigerbythetail continued the success story, in the Mixed Open, which from the declarations had the look of a high calibre contest and the race itself didn’t disappoint, with one of the classiest Open races seen in East Anglia for many a season. Here, there were several contenders for top honours with the eight declared runners having won a total of 39 points and 7 hunter ‘chases with 22 of the point victories coming in Open races.

The Tom Ellis-trained winner was also following-up a victory at the December Horseheath meeting having beaten a solitary rival. Tigerbythetail and Gina Andrews powered away from their rivals approaching two out and was 3½ lengths clear of Law Of Gold at the finish with Mitchouka another length adrift. This was a devasting performance which would have enthused connections no end and a hunter ‘chase debut in the near future beckons.

The treble was completed by Artiste D’Ainay who finally broke his maiden tag and was a convincing winner ridden by Jack Andrews for his brother-in-law, trainer Tom Ellis, after the favourite Bless The Moon fell five out bringing down O’Halloran’s Castle in the process. This was Artiste D’Ainay’s, an ex-Irish purchase, second outing for the stable and with hindsight they all now agree they were possibly too judgemental about the 6yo’s initial run at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve, when it was fully expected he would be successful. As Jack now concludes “ it was his first run over fences…. all our horses have come on for their initial outings….as seen with their improvements over the last couple of weeks”.

Main Stage followed up her decent seasonal debut behind Trojan Du Berlais at the last meeting, with a competent jumping display in the Maiden Conditions race, giving Gina Andrews a double and complete a treble on the day for trainer Tom Ellis. The 5yo mare was bought at the Doncaster Sales to run in the colours of the Signy and Marriage Families and they are fully hopeful she has the ability to go through the ranks thus emulating the achievements of Fairly Famous and I’m Spellbound from last season.

On a card which produced a total of 48 runners facing the starter, Andrew Hickman began with a PPORA Novice Riders’ contest which saw the game mare, Jonjoela, partnered by Josh Parker and trained by Jenny Owen, reverse placings with Imperial Esprit and Keagan Kirkby after they finished first and second in a similar contest, at Horseheath’s previous meeting. There was an extra 3lb pull in the weights in favour of Jonjoela which could have made the difference, this time but Kirkby felt his mount wasn’t quite giving him the same feeling in running as in the December race. A delighted Parker was more than pleased with Jonjoela’s performance who he owns, “jumped brilliantly…responded when asked for an effort…gave me the best feeling.” This was their second victory together and also Josh’s second winner, having scored at Revesby Park exactly a year ago. Now working full-time at Jenny and James Owen’s Newmarket yard, Parker was complimentary for all the help and assistance afforded to him by the Owens.

Another superb day’s racing saw the Stearn’s Family new acquisition Knight In Dubai, complete a double for trainer Jenny Owen in the hands of Rupert Stearn, the owner’s son. Their success came in the concluding Conditions race, after forging ahead of their rivals approaching the final fence and finish 3½ lengths clear of the dead-heaters Boss Man Fred and the front-running Grand Roi.

So a day of high-class racing in what has already been an exceptional East Anglian season so far, with owner Keith Loads and his partner Kate enjoying one of the best ever experiences, with the jubilant couple celebrating a first-ever treble and every reason to dream of possibly many more, exciting racing days ahead.