PPORA Race Previews: 17/01/26 and 18/01/26

Action from picturesque Revesby Park (Nico Morgan)

Two PPORA-supported races take place this coming weekend. The first, on Saturday 17^th January at Revesby Park, is PPORA Level 3 Conditions Race for Novice Riders, which has attracted eight entries. Standout among them is Highstakesplayer, trained by Eamonn O’Donnabhain, who works for Tom Lacey. He was useful under rules, was second in a Cheltenham Hunter Chase in May and third in a competitive race on his seasonal debut. A 10lb penalty is unlikely to stop him. Francesca Poste’s Major Dundee is next best on ratings. He was second in better company on his pointing debut and benefits from the assistance of leading female novice Clara Brewitt. Coeur Serein, owned, trained and ridden by Louis Hadfield, won twice this season but ran below his best on his reappearance. He is also saddled with a 10lb penalty. The Durrell family’s Seven No Trumps ran well after a year’s absence at Chaddesley Corbett but less well last time. Felix Foster’s Titanium Bullet was a model of consistency last season, following three seconds with a win (from which he was later disqualified). This would be his first run of 2025/2026. Carrolls Cottage, trained by David Phelan, ran well when third at Horseheath, but Robin Tate’s Moonlight Flit only has one piece of form since 2023 and Jack Teal’s Star Present is unraced since may 2024.

Will Ramsay's colours were carried to victory in the Ladies Open last year (Alan Raeburn)

The first PPORA-supported Open of the season – a Ladies Race – is being held at Friars Haugh on Sunday 18^thJanuary and 11 have been entered. Joint-top rated are Harjo, trained by Will Ramsay and part of the Jockey Start initiative designed to give young riders an opportunity in point-to-points, and Lunar Contact, professionally trained by owner Susan Corbett. The former was second to a useful type on his pointing debut, while the latter – a multiple winner for Tom Ellis – has been running well this year, but carries a 5lb penalty. Kate McTaggart’s Deerstalker was consistent last season and closed with a Hunter Chase fourth. All three horses mentioned above will benefit from a 5lb allowance under their promising novice riders. Lucy Brown’s Saladam was another to run well on his pointing debut, albeit in lesser company and Jessica McKie’s Watch Law finished last season with two wins but is stepping up in grade. Whats The Solution was progressive last year and will come on for his reappearance. Trained by Jack Teal, he is owned by PPORA Treasurer Gillian Smith.