PPORA Race Preview: 18/05/25

By Jake Exelby

In addition to the Novice Riders Final at Edgcote, the PPORA supports three races this

weekend, two of which are at Tabley in Cheshire. First up is a PPORA Restricted Race, which

has attracted nine entries, headed by Elen Wylie’s Jullou De Grissay, winner of his first two

starts this season before finishing third last time after a break. He would carry a 5lb penalty,

as would O’Hallorans Castle, who scored at Eyton-on-Severn last time. For One Night Only –

trained by Fred Timmis – will appreciate a return to this company after being outclassed in

the Cheltenham Intermediate Final, and is closely matched on Bitterley form with Jo Priest’s

Citizen Jane, who also ran poorly last time. Punch Perfect won a Maiden for Josh Newman

and has twice finished second since for new owner-trainer-rider, the pipe-smoking Dan

Cherriman, while Heidi Brookshaw’s Imperial Hurricane scored – in a modest race – on his

pointing debut and could be anything.

The second race on the Tabley card is a PPORA Level 2 Conditions Race, for Keepers who

train five horses or fewer, and thereby offering an opportunity for the smaller operations.

Eight have been entered and clear top-rated is Rewritetherules, who won twice and was

second when in the care of Hannah Roach and ridden by Huw Edwards. Now back with his

60-year-old owner, David O’Brien (the oldest active jockey in the country), who is also due

to ride, he may be best watched after an absence. Frontal Assault, trained by Poppy Wynne,

was thrice second before pulling-up at Cheltenham, and Poncherello – twice a course

winner – may have been primed for this, having only made his seasonal debut over Easter.

Jessica Nevin’s Ecco has shown admirable consistency this year, but his placings have been

against lesser opposition and the Larkhill win gained by Jade Tuckley’s First Preference does

not amount to much. Don’t rule out A Quick Risk – the Martin Wanless-trained horse was

progressive last year and is bound to come on for his Woodford third, but Punch Perfect

and Caroline Robinson’s Bestfriend Barnaby would probably be better off in the earlier

Restricted.

Bratton Down in Devon, the highest course in the country, at over 1,000 feet and offering

scenic views over Exmoor, hosts a PPORA Level 3 Conditions Race for horses aged eight and

over. Among the eight entries is Inchidaly Robin, unbeaten in six starts for trainer Luke Price

this season and a contender to be leading horse. Luke has also entered Lavorante, who has

won his last five outings this season and last. This race could be a Welsh bonanza, as Tim

Vaughan’s Designer Destiny has also been in great form, having won three and been second

five times since the turn of last year. Like the aforementioned Ecco, Mike Vanstone’s Steel

Express and Ed Walker’s Miltown Bridge have been consistent this season in weaker

company. Helen Bament has entered two – Funky Sensation won at Stafford Cross but has

been disappointing otherwise, and her Mustmeetforapint is out of form.

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