PPORA Race Preview: 14/03/26

After five such races last weekend, just one PPORA-supported contest takes place this time, a PPORA Conditions Race (Level 1) for horses aged eight and over, at Cothelstone on Saturday 14^th March.

Runners in the PPORA Conditions Race at Cothelstone pass the crowd (Tim Holt)

The 12 entries are headed by 2023 Aintree Foxhunters hero Famous Clermont, trained then as now by Chris Barber, and targeting the famous race again this year with new pilot Milo Herbert. The pair tried to make all at Badbury Rings last month but were collared on the run-in – without a penalty, they look the combination to beat here. Second best on form is Important Notice, but Josh Newman’s horse has been below his best this year, as has Danielle Kenealy’s 13-year-old Punches Cross, with whom age may be catching up. Megan Lawrence’s Minella Jab has been going well this season after a year out, winning at Wadebridge before being outclassed in a Hunter Chase, while Fighter Allen, trained by Ed Walker and bidding to give first season rider James Pyman a maiden success, ran a good race at Badbury Rings last time. Sublime Heights, trained by James Mullins for another new rider – Cassidy Francis – improved to finish third at Larkhill earlier in the month and Ashley Bealby’s Somptueux has been running in Open company and should, in theory, appreciate the drop in grade.