PPORA Race Previews: 08/02/26

Action from Friars Haugh (Grace Beresford)

Maidens take centre stage at Borders venue Friars Haugh on Sunday. The scenic track, within walking distance of Kelso town centre, hosts two PPORA-supported races for horses that have never won over jumps. The first is a PPORA NWFAA Maiden over three miles, where the horses are set to carry the same weight (mares allowance excepted), regardless of age. 11 have been entered and several have been knocking on the door recently, including the top-rated – Michael Cregan’s Phantoms Cave – a good second at Alnwick before Christmas. However, he was pulled up at the same venue last month. Both Elizabeth Nixon’s Claramount – bidding to give Amy Milburn a first success in the saddle – and Jess McKie’s Where’s Willy are going in the right direction, coming third on their respective seasonable debuts, then finishing runner-up last time. The latter may be better suited by this trip. Kelly Morgan may make the near-250 mile trip from Leicestershire with Kings Cowboy, who followed a Larkhill second on his pointing debut with a third at Chaddesley Corbett, while the round trip for the Tim Vaughan-trained Celtic Harmony, making his reappearance but a good second at Didmarton in March, would be almost 350 miles. The trainer had a double on his only previous visit here in 2024. Jacqui Stephen’s Beat The Boum has been running better than his form figures suggest and is another to consider.

Tim Vaughan celebrates a winner on his last visit (Grace Beresford)

The first PPORA race is followed by a standard PPORA Maiden, over the shorter distance of 2m4f, including Phantoms Cave and Celtic Harmony. They look the standout performers on pointing evidence to date and, of the others, Loch Frisa – trained by evergreen Victor Thompson – has the best form, with a rating under rules of 96 based on a second in a Market Rasen hurdle. Edward Rees’ Kow Boy Sivola has it to find on his point-to-point outings so far, but – as another potential long-distance traveller – must be of interest. The same criteria apply to Luca Morgan’s Prince In The Park. His Irish form between the flags is moderate, but his handler’s runners should always be respected. Three other entries who have it to prove on form but represent successful yards are Black Aquila (John Dawson), who should come on for his Alnwick run, Guess What, making his debut for Jack Teal, and Hurricane Harmony, another who is likely to improve for his first outing for Nick Orpwood.