PPORA Race Previews: 07/03/26 and 08/03/26

HIGH EASTER RACING CLUB at HIGH EASTER

SATURDAY MARCH 7^th

PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 2) for Novice Riders (11 Entries)

By Ray Newby

Action from racing at High Easter (Graham Bishop)

A decent entry of 11 for this opening novice rider’s contest. Toss Again was the winner of a similar contest at Horseheath in late January. He beat Clashhill by 3 ¾L with two possible rivals today behind. Master Malcolm was 3^rd a further 8L behind in and Another Mystery a further 8 ½ L back in 5^th. Master Malcolm has been consistent and has been placed on his last four starts including a second and third this season, he could reward each way backers. The Nick Wright stable have made a usually quiet start to this campaign, by their standards and have yet to register a winner. They have entered Red Maple in this race and he unseated when beaten on his seasonal reappearance at Horseheath in January. He’s a previous course winner, that win coming in April 2025 when he beat Radnar Lodbrok by 9L in a 3 mile 6 furlong conditions race. Major Dundee hails from the Fran Poste yard. He was second on both his starts this season including at Revesby when going down by 6L to Coeur Serein in January.  He pulled up on his latest start in a Fakenham hunter chase won by Statler when appearing to rather spit the dummy out. Now back in calmer waters, he could be given a chance today. Grange Island pulled up in the race won by Toss Again in January but won next time out when scoring at Charing a week later, beating Laggan Valley by 9L. Carrolls Cottage pulled up in this race. Commander Of Ten was 3^rd last weekend at Kingston Blount, going down by 4 ½L to Entity Of Substanz so may not run here so soon after.  Young Richwon at this meeting last season but others hold stronger claims.

Jake Exelby previews four of the five PPORA-supported races this weekend, starting with the PPORA Conditions Race (Level 3) at Didmarton, also on Saturday.

Didmarton hosts a PPORA race on Saturday (Alun Sedgmore)

This race – uniquely in the point-to-point calendar – is restricted to jockeys who do not have a licence to ride under rules, and ability in the saddle can be key to making a selection. 14 have been entered and top-rated is Major Dundee, trained by Francesca Poste and a useful type, who has finished second twice this season. No jockey has been declared at entry but, should stable novice Cerys Sheehy – three times successful this season – take the ride, he would be worthy of strong consideration. Jo Priest’s Western Cowboy – making his seasonal reappearance – won this last year, for a different jockey, and trainer Jo Priest has a tremendous first time out record, but his jockey is having her first ride, while Striking Out, also trained by Priest, won at Howick last year and is consistent. Ben Case’s Shanty Alley – the mount of son George – took the PPORA Novice Championship Final in May, but has shown no form this season, unlike Josh Newman’s Getaway Drumlee, who has run well twice at Wadebridge and whose jockey is experienced. Tara Storm, trained and ridden by Eve Hobbs, has a most consistent record in points, with four wins and four seconds, however he missed last season so may need the run. Up For Appeal was third in a strong race last time and his first season trainer-jockey, Dewi-John Haddock, is gaining experience, with ten rides already under his belt.

Sharing Is Caring wins at Friars Haugh recently (Grace Beresford)

PPORA-supported races on Sunday take place at Bangor-on-Dee, Friars Haugh and Guilsborough. Nine entries have been received for the PPORA Restricted at the former track, headed by Easy Rider, trained by Ashley Bealby, ridden by daughter Marina and already a winner twice this season. However, he has to shoulder a 5lb penalty. Alan Hill’s Drayton Flyer represents a top trainer-jockey combination and won comfortably on his pointing debut at Brocklesby Park, where Jack Teal’s Miss Tele also won a Maiden in a similar time, albeit carrying 7lb less. Trainer Fred Timmis is in good form this season – his Sharing Is Caring won well last time, the runner-up has won since, and he is open to more improvement. Walk Easy, trained by Rhiannon Lodge, won a Maiden last year and, while he was beaten a long way in a recent Hunter Chase, he ran well to two out and will appreciate the drop in class. Russell Teague’s O’Halloran’s Castlewon in this grade last season so has a 5lb penalty, but is running below his best at present. 

Coming down the hill at Friars Haugh (Grace Beresford)

Friars Haugh stages a PPORA Maiden over two-and-a-half miles, which has attracted ten entries, including representatives from several top trainers. A similar race at the same track last month may hold the key, as Nick Orpwood’s Hurricane Harmony and John Dawson’s Black Aquila (who started favourite) were second and third, separated by just three-quarters of a length. Guess What – making her pointing debut for Jack Teal – was going well when slipping up on the final bend, while Loch Frisa, trained by evergreen Victor Thompson and who showed some form under rules, achieving a rating of 96, pulled up. Another top trainer with entries is Luca Morgan, who would be making the long journey from Warwickshire. He could rely on either Kamna Tigra, a four-year-old mare making her debut, and in receipt of 21lbs from the older geldings, or Prince In The Park, who was third when heavily backed on his recent debut.

Connections celebrate another win for Bothwell Bridge (Nico Morgan)

Finally, Guilsborough holds a PPORA Conditions Race (Level 2). There are ten entries and Nick Wright’s Clashhill sets the standard. Progressive last year when well-fancied for the Cheltenham Intermediate Final, he has been a good runner-up on both outings this term. Gina Andrews is setting out her stall to be champion trainer as well as jockey this season – she has entered seasonal debutant No Risk Des Flos, a Fakenham winner last season. Kelly Morgan has two possibles – the usually consistent Bothwell Bridge, who won this race in 2024, has been running below his best this year, while Dusart, who scored at this meeting in 2025, would be making his reappearance. Francesca Poste’s In Our Dreams is another course winner, in 2024, but has been struggling to find his best form after missing a season. Cartesien, trained by Maxine Filby for Formula One’s Christian Horner and his wife – former Spice Girl – Geri, is an interesting contender. The six-year-old had useful form in the French provinces, but is returning from a long absence.