The PPORA are supporting 69 races across the course of the season, including two on this card, the first of which is The Print Concern Conditions Race (Level 2), sponsored by evergreen trainer Tim Underwood. It has 16 entries (although none from Tim himself), three of which are trained by Alan Hill. He confirmed Soldier Unknown as his main intended runner with daughter-in-law Izzie in the plate, with Getting Closer and Highland Glory more likely to wait for Charing on Sunday, saying, “He had a whoopsie at Charing, unseating Izzie when travelling well, and she was pleased with him afterwards. The ground should suit, as should the course, as he’s won at tight tracks.”
Jo Priest is another with three entries here, the best of whom looks to be Everything Now, who ran well when third at Milborne St Andrew after a lengthy absence. Her Western Cowboy had some good form last season, winning at Cotley, but is making his reappearance. Gina Andrews will rely on Young Rich with novice rider Molly Legg, telling me, “He’s a perfect novice riders horse and Molly’s ride – he’s specifically for her to learn on – and ran well at both Chaddesley Corbett and Horseheath – and Luca Morgan, who is doing so well with Givega this season, now has charge of Not That Fuisse, who won for Gina last season. Luca said, “He’s likely to go to Kingston Blount, although he may need the run as he’s had a long holiday. His owner Nikki Stubbs wanted to buy him as she used to ride him at Dan Skelton’s and he should be a fun horse if he still wants to do it.”
The second PPORA-supported race is the Field Seymour Parkes Restricted Race, over the shorter distance of two miles five furlongs, and it looks an extremely competitive contest with 14 entries. Five of them won last time out, Barrington John at Horseheath, Bobbarelli at Charing, El Capitaine at Chipley Park, Driveondonn last season at High Easter, and Mount Anglesby at Cocklebarrow. The progressive El Capitaine looks one to follow, despite a 5lb penalty, for champion trainer Josh Newman – who would be paying the course a first visit since his only ride here in 2013.
Prohus Yank also comes into consideration and – of the South Midlands qualified horses, Bushtucker Park was progressive last season for Julie Wadland but has been below her best this year, Luca Morgan’s Finding Freedom has been third on all three starts for first season rider Dom Lewis and Gina Andrews’ Cheytac was odds-on for his British pointing debut.
“We worked Finding Freedom this morning,” confirmed Luca. “I was disappointed with him at Horseheath, where he didn’t travel without blinkers. I thought he’d my a horse to follow at the start of the season and it would be nice to give Dom, his owner, a winner.” Gina admitted that, “Cheytac bled badly at Horseheath, where he didn’t even go a circuit, and had a nasty infection. He’s been on antibiotics and is hopefully back on track – he’s a nice horse.”