PPORA Race Previews: 04/05/26

Two PPORA-supported races take place at Mollington on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May.

Garde La Peche wins at Larkhill (Tim Holt)

Five entries have been received for the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 1), restricted to Novice Riders who have not had more than ten winners. Garde La Peche heads the ratings based on her Larkhill win in March. She didn’t reproduce that form next time, but the race may have come too quickly, then was hampered when unseating at the first last weekend. Definiteadare – trained by Justin Brotherton – ran his best race of the season to finish second at Woodford on Saturday and would be bidding to give Georgia Kirk a first winner. Premier D’Troice and Ryans Fancy have been running below their best this season, while pointing debutant El Saviour has shown nothing under rules for two years but – ridden by Marina Bealby – will not lack for assistance from the saddle.

Tim Underwood said of Garde La Peche, “Her unseat could be a blessing in disguise because, if she’d had a hard race on Saturday, she wouldn’t have been able to run at Mollington. She’s in good form and gets all the allowances.”

Mollington stages two PPORA races on Monday (Neale Blackburn)

The card closes with the PPORA Club Members Maiden Race, which has attracted ten entries. Myfanwy’s Magic must be one of the unluckiest maidens in training, having been beaten a length or less on his most recent two outings and – before that – being in contention when hampered and falling. Standupanddeliver also deserves to get his head in front – and provide Anna Dando with a first success – having been placed on his last three starts, while Bingo Little looked the certain winner when unseating at the last at Kimble, before disappointing at Chaddesley Corbett. Chris Barber’s debutants are always worth a look, so keep an eye on his four-year-old Chasing Good Times, another juvenile who is potentially on the upgrade is Café Whispers, but James Henderson’s Knick Knack has not shown much in three runs since an encouraging second at Cocklebarrow on his first pointing start. Maxine Filby’s Mi Chico Latino – named after a song by her owner Geri Horner – has not run since the 2023/2024 campaign and the other three entries – Penelope Ann, trained by Victoria Collins (some placed form notwithstanding), Hydrbra, and Justin Brotherton’s Gladiateddi – appear to have plenty to find, although the latter showed a glimmer of promise before running out last time.

Barber wouldn’t be drawn on whether Chasing Good Times would run, telling me only, “He’s also entered at Eyton-on-Severn and, while the Mollington race looks weaker, we won’t make a decision until later in the week.”