PPORA Race Previews: 12/04/26

Three PPORA-supported races are being held on Sunday 12^th April.

Action from racing at Dunsmore (Tim Holt)

Dunsmore hosts a PPORA Restricted, for which nine have been entered. It looks an extremely competitive event, with eight of the nine being rated between 91 and 103 – the exception being Farm Assured, but the mare, who won a match on her debut, represents the powerful Chris Barber yard. Josh Newman’s Make Idaho Great heads the ratings and was impressive when beating Emma Summersby’s Lough Owel at Kilworthy last time. He does, though, have to shoulder a 5lb penalty, as do Liam Corcoran’s Up Killoughey – who should come on for his reappearance – and Tourmaline, trained by John Heard, who won a weak race last time. Like Farm Assured, Will Biddick’s Uncle Boss is taking the step up from Maiden company. Hannah Marshall has entered two, of whom Charing Maiden winner Protect The Future boasts better recent form than seasonal debutant Frontieres Lad. Also making his first start of the season is Ridelonglivelong, formerly trained in Yorkshire and now trained by Byron Moorcroft.

Illico De Cotte wins an Open at Badbury Rings (Tim Holt)

The PPORA Conditions Race (Level 2) at Edgcote has attracted 12 entries and looks a hot contest. Gina Andrews, looking for a first champion trainer title, has entered three, of which Entity Of Substanz and Fumet D’Oudairies look the pick. The former won his first four pointing starts, before flopping at Fakenham last time while the latter is nearing veteran status, but has won ten of his 12 pointing starts, as well as two Hunter Chases. He carries a 10lb penalty, as does Will Biddick’s top-rated Illico De Cotte, who won an Open earlier in the season and has been runner-up on his other four pointing starts this season. Also penalised, to the tune of 7lb, are James Luck’s Siddington winner Slipway, Malinas Glory, who won at Bitterley last weekend for Hannah Lewis, and Laura Richardson’s Loud And Proud. Alan Hill’s Soldier Unknown is unpenalised and ran well when second in a long-distance Open last time, and Line Em Up has been progressive for Dale Peters this season but blotted his copybook when unseating at Duncombe Park.

Padjoes Legacy in winning form (Neale Blackburn)

The third PPORA-supported race on Saturday is at Penshurst. Six entries have been received for the PPORA Conditions Race (Level 1) for Novice Riders and joint top-rated is the aforementioned Slipway, along with Nigel Padfield’s Padjoes Legacy, a winner of both his starts this season (dead-heating last time). Not far behind on ratings are Rob Varnham’s Count Simon, who returned to form when second at Parham last time, and Jay Bee Whiskey, who won five in 2023/2024 but has yet to show his best for Elen Wylie following a spell under rules. David Phelan’s Carrolls Cottagewas also second at Parham, but has something to find on form, while Happy Larry, trained by Phil York, looks outclassed.