REPORT: ESSEX WITH FARMERS & UNION AT HIGH EASTER – SUNDAY 25 APRIL

The truncated East Anglian point-to-point season ended at High Easter, near Chelmsford, on Sunday with some notable successes, and was run on outstanding ground conditions considering the recent and extreme dry weather.

Over 200,000 gallons of water had been applied by Clerk of the Course Simon Marriage to produce an exceptional racing surface, which generated plenty of runners, exciting finishes, and some noteworthy performances.

Riding doubles were achieved by Izzie Marshall and Jack Andrews, training doubles by Alan Hill and Tom Ellis, and the meeting concluded with a first ever winning ride for Chris Hopkins on Gun Shy in the Members race.

Chris, originally from Bury St. Edmunds but now regularly working and living in London, has made rapid progress with his equestrian skills. After initial involvement within the pony club scene as a youngster, Chris re-kindled his association with horses after 15 years, mainly due to lockdown, while working back at home in Suffolk. He thanked West Suffolk trainers Sarah and Tony Humphrey for all their assistance with him and the horse and for making this opportunity possible.

Gun Shy made most of the running and was two lengths to the good at the second-last obstacle before gamely holding his place all the way to the line, with admirable assistance from Chris in the saddle. In a post-race comment, Chris even apologised to Nigel Padfield, owner/trainer of the runner-up Direct Flight, for denying Nigel his tenth consecutive victory in this Members’ race.

Izzie Marshall’s first success of the afternoon came with Laurium in the Ladies Open when racing for the Warwick Vase, which Izzie also won in 2019 – the last time it was contested. The pairing conducted a steady pace throughout the first circuit but always looked capable of finding more when challenged by Mercers Court, with a five-length winning margin separating the two at the finish.

Normofthenorth won the Intermediate race unchallenged to give Izzie her second winner of the day. The winner took control of the race entering the meadow for the last time with the favourite Killinkere in pursuit, but any chance of victory disappeared when the latter took the third last fence by the roots. Marshall’s attacking ride resulted in a 15-length success in the fastest time of the day.

Reigning national champion jockey Jack Andrews’ double came courtesy of Chongalolo in the Maiden event, which followed Jack’s thrilling Men’s Open victory on Tullys Touch. Midnight Cowboy, who had tanked along for the whole race, still held the favoured inside line coming around the last bend and touched down over the last fence in front. But the grey was then swallowed up by no less than three of his rivals, with a proverbial horse blanket covering the first four horses home. Forever Field eventually finished runner-up in this thriller, beaten just a neck for owner/trainer Nick Wright with his son, Archie, having the ride, and their late effort was nearly rewarded with the main prize.

Tullys Touch is a very consistent animal trained by Melanie and John Ibbott. Melanie confirmed the eight-year-old is a delight to train and his performance today was not unexpected, while Jack Andrews was also full of praise for his winning partner, who he is pleased to refer to as “one of his favourites”.

Chongalolo was entitled to improve for his Maisemore Park run at the end of March and did just that in the style of a progressive individual. He and Jack jumped to the lead at the final open ditch, with Mountain Assault and Dale Peters their main challengers. Chongalolo then stretched his lead to a couple of lengths going to the last, which proved vital as there was only just over a length between the pair at the line. The six-year-old is a fine prospect for Adam and Clare Signy moving forward.

The Signys also have a half share with the Marriage family in Fox Valley, who had earlier registered an effortless success in the extended 3m 6f PPORA Members Conditions race in the hands of Gina Andrews. The eight-year-old mare appeared to enjoy ground conditions and had no problem with the trip, thrilling trainer Tom Ellis in the process. Fox Valley is becoming extremely versatile, having won over the fast, shorter course at Higham earlier in the month, and her future outings could include ladies open contests.

Jockey Alex Chadwick had a weekend to remember after winning in Wales (a Chepstow hunter chase), the Midlands (Garthorpe) and here in deepest Essex over the last three days. Chadwick’s first post-race comment after this latest success was, “I think I might buy a lottery ticket!”

His mount, Fiddler Of Dooney, justified Newmarket trainer James Owen’s continued faith in the eight-year-old when winning the opening Restricted race. The partnership-owned gelding appreciated top of the ground conditions and should now remain competitive in point-to-points, although an entry in a hunter chase is also a possibility.

The reduced East Anglian season has concluded but hope springs eternal for a normal resumption and a full season’s racing in the area starting from mid-November.