PPORA Race Preview: 11/04/26

PUCKERIDGE & ESSEX at HIGH EASTER

SATURDAY APRIL 11TH

PPORA Club Members Restricted Race (10 Entries)

By John Ridge

Fortuneville and Gina Andrews winning at High Easter in March (Graham Bishop)

A respectable 10 entries for what should be a competitive race but on firmish ground. Only the 2nd run of the season for 7yr. Fayrely Fruitful from the Crow yard who is coming a fair distance and with a Restricted win in March at Dalton Park so carrying a 5lb. penalty but with a mares allowance of 7lb. and all her runs to date have been on softish ground so this may be an issue but a win and place in 2 bumpers indicate speed. 6yr. Fortuneville from the Padfield yard won his 4 runner Maiden on this track in March with Gina Andrews in the plate but on soft ground and rather moderate competition so the grade up and on faster ground will be a challenge. From the Turner yard 9yr. Graveside Lad pu in a Higham Restricted but was 2nd in 3 Restricted runs following a Maiden win at Higham last season and another 8l 2nd on this track in March but disappointed in the Fakenham Restricted recently when a distant 4th to Il Padrino and in the same race 6yr. Ice Prowler another from the Padfield yard finished 12l. back 3rd following a Maiden win in a March Ampton Maiden and may again struggle in this company and another from that race is Steppingstone from the Wright yard 1st or 2nd on 3 completed runs last season but fell when lying 4th and is one with a 5lb. penalty and may need this run. Main Stage from the Andrews yard weakened to finish a distant 4th in the recent Garthorpe Restricted and will need to improve to score here. Owner Nigel Padfield has a third entry 8yr. Penniless – now with Sophie Davies and first run this season previous form suggests he will need the run and is best watched. A comfortable win for 6 yr. Reel Much Fun from the Hill yard in a Feb. Higham 10 runner Maiden followed up by staying on well to take a Restricted on this track in March beating Graveside Lad. But even with faster ground and a penalty a place is probable. 7yr. The Orchard Boy from the Pennock yard has 2 pu so far this season and is best watched here. A 4th entry in the Padfield ownership 8yr. Validation seems to have weakened in the closing stages of his 3 Restricted runs and may struggle again in this company.