THE ONLY WAY IS ESSEX & SUFFOLK HUNT RACING AT HIGHAM

THE ESSEX &SUFFOLK HUNT MEETING AT HIGAM

Six Races for the Easter Saturday Essex and Suffolk Hunt meeting at Higham. sixty entries with twenty eight of those declaring at a meting that had certainly bought a bumper crowd out to support and start the  Easter weekend celebrations.

The Turner family, Ed, Ben , Rosie and Mum, who are certainly well known around the East Angelia area, farmers by trade had a superb double the weekend previous at High Easter. On a high they came well handed at Higham,
The going good/good to firm had been given the best attention possible by the supporters of the course to get the ground watered and safe for racing. In fact a small reservoir had been emptied on the course and it showed after the first when on examination though the going remained true to is classification the horses were making a good,safe imprint into the ground.
The ground may have stopped the Turners bringing more of their horses in good form for but the few they did resulted in another double, four winners in seven days.
The first of the winners Sa Kaldoun ridden by Rosie Turner. in the mixed open.

Listen to Ed Turner chat about the week the family have had

 https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/ed-turner-after-sa-kaldoun-takes-the-mixed-open-at-higham-15-4-17

And his wife Rosie on the horse that at Fakenham was just pipped at the post by Antonia Peck on Weather Warning, again making the jockey work with a tight ridden out finish with Harriet Bryce on Boxer Beat.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-rosie-turner-after-sa-kaldoun-takes-the-mixed-open-at-higham-15-4-17

Sa Kaldoun 

Just beaten by Rosie in the mixed Open Harriet Bryce, went out in the following race on her fathers Limpopo Tom and gave him an early Birthday present by taking the PPORA novice members race.

Harriet Bryce, went out in the following race on her fathers Limpopo Tom and gave him a early Birthday present

Listen to the jockey on her seventh winner,but first in her home area chat about the race and her thoughts on Northern pointing an area where she lives.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/harriette-bryce-jockey-on-board-limpopo-tom-winner-of-the-novice-riders-race-at-higham-15-4-17

Limpopo Tom

Back to double winners The Turners.
This time Ed on board Kriss William who took the  East Anglian area club members race by eight lengths from Evan David and Andrew Pennock looking for a quick double.

Kriss William

Again we had a chat to Ed a little exhausted this time after his exertions.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/ed-turner-after-a-win-in-the-east-anglian-club-members-conditions-race-kriss-william-higham-15-4-17

No meeting in the area at present would be complete if we didn't chat to someone from the in form Pennock Yard,  Weve got company ridden by Welshman Evan David took the Maiden open in fine style by 30 lengths.

Weve got company

The race may have been a Little tighter if  Dickie Collinson on Iwillifiwant had not fallen at the last..
Listen the Evan chat about the season and the horse after his win.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/evan-david-jockey-on-weve-got-company-winner-of-the-open-miaden-higham-15-4-15

No meeting in the area at present would be complete if we didn't chat to someone from the in from Pennock Yard

Richard (Dickie) Collinson on a mix of emotions throughout the afternoon took the 4,5.6 and 7 year olds maiden race with  Sarah Humphrey's Legend to be

Listen to the jockey chat about his afternoon and the horse that has given him his fourth winner of the afternoon.

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/richard-collinson-jockey-on-board-legend-to-be-winner-of-the-456-and-7-yo-open-maiden

Legend to be

Kate Gowing at present leading Novice rider for the area took the Restricted on Beat the Index and well ridden to take the race by eight lengths from Collinson on Muchadboutnothing

Beat the Index

Listen to the young up and coming jockey out of the yard of  Tom Ellis yard as she chat's about he winner, and her season.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-kate-gowing-after-beat-the-index-takes-the-restricted-race-at-higham-15-4-17

We also have a chat to the trainer and part owner of the nine year old Robert Abrey
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-robert-abrey-after-beat-the-index-takes-the-restricted-race-at-higham-15-4-17

Kate Gowing at present leading Novice rider for the area

The penultimate meeting in the area, the final one on 1st May at Northaw, were we will podcast from.
Listen to all meetings from East Anglia and more areas at

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Cracking good Easter treat at a glorious Fontwell park afternoon meeting

Easter racing at Fontwell Park

Good ground on offer again at Fontwell Park for another meeting that trainers were in two minds to run their charges or not. 

And that came very much apparent as in the first race of seven on an Easter week card the morning papers favourite for the three mile one furlong novices hurdle Red Rising was pulled out of the race due to the ground being a little too on the quick side for the Dan Skelton six-year-old.

Brother Harry mentioned,’ we looked at the going and though it was for the best to keep a lid on him for another day, which I think is the right thing to do.’

This left the race wide open for the six to go to the start Alan Kings Dingo Dollar going off the even money favourite.

Dingo Dollar

The five-year-old the trainer mentioned would make in time a nice chasing type took Wayne Hutchinson a bit to keep on the straight and narrow, but when asked went on well to take the race by Nine lengths from Leighton Aspell on Queens Present.

‘He has enjoyed himself out there really, he has gone on to do what he has had to do, but had fun which is good for a horse that still is a little bit of a baby really.’ 

The gelding that’s seems to have improved in each of its runs seems to be well liked by the trainer, two wins now in five starts, this one could be one to watch in the autumn to see if he takes to the larger obstacles or not.

  ‘He has enjoyed himself out there really, he has gone on to do what he has had to do'

The first chase of the afternoon saw only four go to post for the two and a half miles’ novices chase. Neil Mulholland’s Shantou Village going to post the 1/5 fav.

Jockey Noel Fehily on board mentioned, ‘He went well today ran and and jumped brilliant which it’s all about.’ The only glitch in the seven-year-old impeccable season so far was a tumble in a grade 2 event at Wincanton in November. 

Shantou Village

‘We either go next for a Novice handicap at Punchestown or at Sandown on the last day of the season,’ Mentioned the trainer. ‘But he would not want the ground too much quicker than it is here today so we will have to see.’ 

But to be sure this gelding will be one to follow for a big scalp next season on either side of the water, impressive today and would be one to certainly book for future stardom.

‘We either go next for a Novice handicap at Punchestown or at Sandown on the last day of the season,’

Niall (slippers)Madden took the next, a two and a half miles’ handicap hurdle for mares and fillies riding harry Fry’s six-year-old Goodnitsweetheart.

 Beating the pair Mulholland and Fehily into third place on the favourite Dites Rien. Michael Roberts’s Snippetydoodah in second.

‘She travelled super for me, she has won a point to point so I knew she was tough enough, but the ground has come for her and she had taken her race well., she has plenty of scope.’

The Midnight Legend mares owned by the Twelfth Man Partnership now with a first and a placed in five outings look the type that early on or later in the season could come out to pick up a few handicaps with her mares allowance in tow and would be one to watch.

harry Fry’s six-year-old Goodnitsweetheart.

Ottery St Mary based Polly Grundy took the three mile one furlong handicap chase with Knight of the Realm ridden by James Best. The ten-year-old with twenty runs and two wins to his credit favoured the ground more than favourite Bandon Bridge who trailed home to stay, and take the race well beating Itoldyou by three lengths.

The trainer not afraid of getting her hands dirty leading her eight year old charge up mentioned, ‘ His best efforts so far have been on heavy ground so I wasn’t  too sure today, but James has but some belief in him somewhere and  I’m delighted he has won, I did mention beforehand that he was really well in himself so there is no reason why he should run well, all I wanted was a clear round really.’

Knight of the Realm

Jockey James Best was over the moon with the win, ‘I’m really pleased for Polly, she has supported me over the years so it was great to get a winner for her. He has jumped well overall as his form shows that he is very indifferent, plenty of letters rather than numbers after his name, so the aim was the clear round, I gave him room to see what he is jumping and to get him into a rhythm so he is comfortable in his work.’

The figure of eight Fontwell track seemed to suit the horse the jockey mentioning in these types of tracks you can get a few breathers into the horse with it's twists and the turns. There was indecision whether to run or not, but the correct choice was made and a nice little earner for a small yard was bagged.

 ‘I’m really pleased for Polly, she has supported me over the years so it was great to get a winner for her'

Popular duo Dan and Harry Skelton had the next winner as 10/1 shot Gibson Park owned by a new partnership of Rio Gold Racing Club (some family connection there maybe) beat Harry Fry’s Old Harry Rocks the 11/8 fav by three lengths.

‘This fella has loved the ground here today, so we bought him here and hope to continue with this new racing club. Make hay while the sun shines is what they say.’ Mentioned the Jockey on his 91^st winner of the season in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle race.

The new racing club has about 300 members, with ten horses, and at present has had 3 runners and two winners so a set up that looks a sound investment.

Gibson Park

The penultimate race was taken by the pairing of Tom Scudamore and David Bridgewater as Lakeshore Lady took the two miles three furlong handicap chase. 

In the colours of the Simon and Liz Hunt made famous by the well favoured The Giant Bolster also ridden by Scudamore.

The 15/8 fav took the race well to beat Easter in Paris by seven lengths after leading from two out and staying on comfortably up the Fontwell hill.

Lakeshore Lady

‘She has been a little more eager than she has in the past but has done that well today, it’s nice to see her reverse the Hereford form from Easter in Paris, but I don’t think Paddy’s (Brennan) horse has jumped as well as it did back then, but it was great to get these colours on, colours that have given me some of my best days in racing.’

The seven year old, are on her fifteenth run of her career has always seemed to run up to the line in her outings an it has always been there that she would get in front, the mare know with that experience could go up a gear on future runs and would be one to watch.

the mare know with that experience could go up a gear on future runs.

The final race of the afternoon was set by for a Conditional hurdle event over two miles three Sunnytahliateigan ridden by David Noonan, trained by Ian Williams held on well to the line from Prouts Pub by a couple of lengths.

Sunnytahliateigan

‘He was sharp and ready for today,’ said the jockey. ‘He has always been about the front in his races and bumpers, today we have gone a good gallop and he has seen out his race well so very pleased. He has given the impression also he would get a little further on that evidence today.’

The five-year-old in his first handicap seems to improve and is a possible one to watch for the future, but seems well liked by the team looking after him.

'We have gone a good gallop and he has seen out his race well'

More blogs from Fontwell meetings and others. Windsor flat racing starting soon can be viewed at

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AVON VALE MEETING AT THE POPULAR LARKHILL RACECOURSE NO APRILS FOOL 1-4-17

Huntsman from the Avon Vale Hunt

Larkhill, the countries busiest pointing racecourse hosted the Avon vale Hunt meet, with seven race meetings dotted around the country.

The first race an open maiden race, over 2m4f saw trainer Richard Bandey put in his first winner of a terrific four timer at the Wiltshire course.
Listen to the trainer after each of his winners throughout the afternoon.
race one
EYSESOPENWIDEAWAKE

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/richard-bandey-trainer-of-eyesopenwideawake-wiiner-of-2m4mf-open-maiden-larkhill-1-4-17
Also listen to jockey Martin McIntyre
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/martin-mcintyre-jockey-on-eyesopenwideawake-wiiner-of-2m4mf-open-maiden-larkhill-1-4-17

race two
MAGIC SYMPHONY

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/owner-of-magic-symphony-mark-burton-winner-of-the-open-maiden-larkhill-1-4-17
And jockey Sam Davies-Thomas
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-sam-davies-thomas-on-magic-symphony-winner-of-the-open-maiden-larkhill-1-4-17

race three
FORTUNE BOUND

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/richard-bandey-whose-fortune-bound-wins-of-the-restricted-lark-hill-1-4-17
A double for the afternoon for jockey Sam Davies Thomas
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/sam-davies-thomas-jockey-on-fortune-bound-winner-of-the-restricted-lark-hill-1-4-17

race four
WOODFLEET

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/richard-bandey-and-owner-of-woodfleet-winner-of-the-intermediate-larkhill-1-4-17
Also double on the board for jockey Martin McIntyre
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/martin-mcintyre-jockey-on-woodfleet-winner-of-the-intermediate-larkhill-1-4-17

Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of James McNeile.
A statement from the IJF mentioned the jockey after a bad fall in the Open maiden did not recover from his injuries.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/5-with-great-sadness
Praise indeed need to go to the medical services and those of the air ambulance who were very quick on the scene to give every attendance to James.
 In fact to all the teams that look after jockey and equines need to be praised, this is a tough sport, without these professionals in the amateur and professional ranks no racing could take place.
The stewards and officials at Larkhill acted with great thought and dignity throughout.
Sam Davies-Thomas mentioned James would not have wanted racing a sport he loved for many years to have stopped on Saturday
Weighed in...........

Seven races at the Avon Vale card, four taken from the Richard Bandey Yard. The three remaining, starting with the conditions race was taken by Kayley Woolacott's Churchfield Champ ridden by owner nineteen year old Bob Cronin.
Listen to the

Trainer

https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-kayley-woollacott-after-churchfield-champ-wins-the-coditions-race-at-larkhill-1-4-17

Churchfield Champ

And Jockey
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-bob-cronin-after-churchfield-champ-wins-the-coditions-race-at-larkhill-1-4-17
Who chat about the horse, race and themseleves.

The thrid race, the mixed open was taken by Winter Soldier. Trained by Richard Mitford-Slade and ridden by Sean Houlihan

                Winter Soldier



Listen to the jockey chat to me about how the race panned out for him



https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/sean-houlihan-jockey-on-winters-soldier-winner-of-the-mixed-open-race-larkhill-1-4-17






The final race of the day The Avon vale Confined Hunts race was won by Perfectly Willing trained by Tim Sage and ridden by James King

Listen to the jockey chat to me after the race.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/james-king-jockey-on-perfectly-willing-winner-of-the-avon-vale-confined-hunts-race-larkhill-1-4-17

Perfectly Willing, trained by Tim Sage and ridden by James King

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FONTWELL PARK SPRINGS INTO ACTION

The Game is a foot in the two and a half mile handicap Hurdle Fontwell Park

It has been a while since we have reported from the East Sussex racecourse of Fontwell Park, and I could not have picked a more pleasant early spring Friday afternoon to attend and watch seven good quality races a week before the greatest steeplechases ever, eight days on at Aintree.

A fair Friday afternoon crowd soaked up the sun, that in tandem with a strong wind had made the going on the fast side of good. good to firm.

Before and even during racing trainers, owners and even jockeys walked the turf, pondering looks on their faces deciding to run their charges or not on ground becoming firmer as the afternoon went on.

Three brave souls went to post for a opening novices hurdle, Nicky Henderson who has always loved sending certainties to these types of meetings early spring and Autumn, did so again when Brave Eagle took the race in commanding style with young 5 lbs claimer Ned Curtis on board.

The 13/8 five-year-old favourite as the jockey mentioned had all the right ingredients for a win. Ground, Track and conditions to take the 2mile three furlongs’ event.

Brave Eagle

‘We used our stamina rather than our speed today, but he jumps well enough, though he still can have a little look about him.’ Mentioned the young flat race jockey turning to the jumping side. 

Twenty-eight wins over both rules, six wins as a jump jockey. 

‘I’m grateful to the guvnor for putting faith in me more and more since Christmas, my expectations for this season though not planned have been succeeded.’

Brave Eagle took the race in commanding style with young 5 lbs claimer Ned Curtis on board.

J.P McManus had the winner of the first chase of the afternoon with a very promising seven-year-old Easy Street trained by Jonjo O’Neil. 

Aidan Coleman in the saddle who managed to produce this High Chaparral gelding to good effect to take the race from The Italian Yob By three lengths.

‘This fella loves it around here and the ground was just right for him, it was a race that ticked all the boxes for him and you would be disappointed if you were not thereabouts really. Mentioned the jockey yet without a ride in the following weekends big event.

Easy Street trained by Jonjo O’Neil.

With a circuit to go you would not have been in poor company if you though the horse may not show its true form. 

Confident jumping and full of running the horse gave a fine display of forward chasing and racing from about four out, the race card mentioned this horse had something to prove. 

The seven-year-old duly obliging.

The going at the Sussex track was sure to make a difference in some horses performance, either good or bad, and it was the winner of the next Bletchley Castle who was no secret when beating Flanagan’s Field by three Lengths in the two miles one furlong handicap hurdle.

Trained by Upper Lambourn resident Seamus Durack and ridden by Conor O’Farrell the eight-year-old stayed on well up the inclined finish of the Sussex Track.

Bletchley Castle

‘I have tried to give this fella a bit of a rest as we have been out in front, but he just kept on wanting to go on again, he has done it very well in the end.’ 

The ex-point to pointer running on well on the better ground finding Doncaster a little too on the softer side of good for him last time out.

 Eight runs and one win has proved this horse can do it Seamus Durack now has his work cut out finding more races of this type to compete in and may be worth viewing, depending on ground and conditions the next time this gelding appears on the track.

‘I have tried to give this fella a bit of a rest as we have been out in front, but he just kept on wanting to go on again.'

A two mile one furlong handicap chase saw only three go to post, Gary Moore a favourite and fortunate trainer here at Fontwell sending Mr Muddle to post the 5/4 fav.

But it was stand in last minuet replacement jockey Ian Popham who bought home Bredon Hill lad for the Longdown trainer Susan Gardener four lengths in front of second place Blandford’s Gunner. The favourite a further length back in third spot.

‘It’s unfortunate for Lucy today being stood down by the doctor, but we have had a good run off him and he has jumped well, it’s thanks to the trainer for putting me up on him really.’ 

Lucy Gardener the ten-year-olds usual partner on the track being stood down as she was showing signs of dehydration before racing.

                                                                   Bredon Hill lad 

The jockey who was happy with the win freely admits the pressures for some jockeys who have had injuries and poor form to get the winners,

’ It’s been hard for me to be honest, but hopefully another winner should get people looking at me to see that I can still get them home, I’m working still as hard as ever and keep on going.’ 

A story only probably too true of a few weighing room residents of both sides of the divisions of racing.

                                           'I’m working still as hard as ever and keep on going.’ 

Warren Greatrex took the next a two-and-a-half-mile Handicap hurdle with Carnspindle, ridden by Gavin Sheenan, the five-year-old mare was keen throughout the race and from five out managed to edge clear of the second placed horse King Cool who was favourite and another of Gary Moore’s horses who were not relishing the wind dried ground on offer.

‘Getting to the start with this mare I knew she was a lot sharper and well in herself than she has been, off this ground she’ll run well, she is a tough sort.’

                                                                       Carnspindle

Connections were a little uneasy at the start if she would go on the drying ground, proof in the pudding is that she won, and if the better weather continues and the rain stays away will win again and is one to watch when placed out by the Lambourn trainer again.

A favourite jockey over the years at Fontwell and well know local trainer Richard (Rosie) Rowe sent out the winner of the final chase of the afternoon a two mile three handicap with the seven-year-old Remember Forever.

Ridden by Andrew Glassonbury the horse went on gamely from three fences out to take the race by a couple of lengths from second place Wish in a Well.

‘We got hampered at Plumpton last time out which has taken me out of the saddle, but he has jumped well today and in those conditions and on that ground this horse could keep on winning.’

                                                                      Remember Forever

The inside rail was not given up by the jockey coming over the last who mentioned,’here at Fontwell in a close finish you rarely see a horse winning on the stand side.’ 

A positive ride from the jockey and a popular win from a trainer who would know this course all too well from over the years.

Another very popular trainer at Fontwell Gary Moore, not having too great of an afternoon was very indecisive whether to run his next entry in the final race of the afternoon the mile-and-a-half-mile bumper.

‘The wind has dried the ground out considerably, we have already given one of ours a leg this afternoon and he hasn’t ever had any issues on that front since I have had him, and we like this Dell Oro a lot.'

But the better decision gave the four-year-old his chance and the 5/2 shot took the race well beating the favourite Rebound by three lengths.

                                                               'We like this Dell Oro a lot.'

‘This is a nice horse, well-built and looks like it can be made of the right stuff, he’d be certainly one for the future.’ 

And how right the trainer is, the horse looked to be of a good jumping build and it would be interesting to see the next chapter of this gelding by Walk in the Park as he continues. 

And with the history of quality horses who have had their maiden successes at Fontwell in Bumpers, this four year old certainly has joined the ranks.

One to note from the Horsham yard.

                                                                           Dell Oro 

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