PPORA Race Preview: 31/12/25

by Ray Newby

Action from a PPORA Novice Riders race at Horseheath (Graham Bishop)

This PPORA sponsored contest has attracted a competitive entry of sixteen horses. One important amendment this season is that a novice rider can now ride 10 winners under any rules of racing before they are no longer classed as a novice rider. Very few of these horses have had an outing this season. Hubrisko won at Chaddesley Corbett three weeks ago when beating Dragon Rock by 12L to give Cerys Sheehy her first winner. Spirit Of Legend from Tim Vaughan’s stable pulled up on his first start in a Men’s Open at Lower Machen in early November bit currently without a named rider, it’s hard to make a decision on this one. Commander Of Ten was 3^rd at Charing two weeks ago when beaten 37L behind Lavorante. Back Bar ran at Charing as well but unseated late on in the Men’s Open and is now into the veteran stage. Another veteran entered is Monkey Puzzle who has run well at Horseheath previously but usually needs a run to reach peak fitness. Coeur Serein was a two-time winner last season with wins at Garthorpe and Tranwell under Louis Hadfield. Largy Mountainwon at Revesby last season when beating Westhill by 4L. Young Rich won twice last season in small fields and hailing from the Gina Ellis yard will not lack for fitness. Molly Legg who won on him last season retains the ride. Master Malcolm was placed on his final two starts last season, his final run saw him finish 2^nd at Edgcote, beaten 3L behind Mumbo Jumbo and could run into a place. In Our Dreams was a two-time winner in 2024 but hasn’t run since April of that year and may need the run. Full Back trained by Jamie Moore was a four-time winner under NH rules but that last win came in January 2022 at Cheltenham when he beat The Wolf by 2¼L in a 3¼ mile chase. Another Choice was a three-time rules winner in Ireland, his last win coming at Downpatrick in April 2024 in a 3 mile chase when beating Duffle Coat by a neck, in a close finish.