PPORA Race Previews: 31/01/26 and 01/02/26

Secret Cargo (left - blue and yellow) and Katie Featherstone won at Kingston Blount in 2024 (Neale Blackburn)

The PPORA Level 3 Conditions Race at Charing in Kent is a welcome recent addition to the schedule of PPORA-supported races this season, and organisers have been rewarded with 19 potential runners, the highest entry of the day. As is often the case with this type of race, there is likely to be an intriguing balance between experienced contenders and progressive types. Highest-rated among the former is Harry Whittington’s Skandiburg, a good second at Chaddesley Corbett before disappointing at Larkhill, while chief protagonist among the latter could be the Josh Newman-trained Noble Blue, a winner of five of his six starts in points, including at Dunsmore and Wadebridge this season. Equally progressive are Gina Andrews’ recent Ampton scorer Call Me Early, and seasonal debutant Fame And Concrete – owned and trained by Nick Wright – who won twice last season, including here. Chris Clarke’s Kansas Du Berlais is only seven, so open to improvement, and has solid placed form under rules, including in Hunter Chases last season. Secret Cargo, owned, trained and ridden by Katie Featherstone – whose mother Nicky is South East Area Secretary and does so much for the sport – had a good season in 2023/2024, then missed last year. He has been placed twice on his return, but is now 12 and, unlike the other main contenders, has to shoulder a 10lb penalty.

Midnight River leads Skandiburg at Chaddesley Corbett (Graham Fisher)

Milborne St Andrew in Dorset regularly features near the top of the seasonal charts for both entries and runners – it headed both in 2024/2025 – and the 118 entries the fixture has received this year is the most of the campaign to date. 24 of these are in the PPORA Level 2 Conditions Race for horses aged eight and over and it may divide on the day, as it did last year. Six of the field are rated over 110, including the aforementioned Skandiburg and Noble Blue. Top-rated is Bridget Skelton’s Midnight River, formerly very useful under rules and a winner at Chaddesley Corbett on his pointing debut - beating Skandiburg into second - before finishing second there last time. Punches Cross won a division of this race last year for Danielle Kenealy, but has to carry a 10lb penalty, as does dual Wadebridge winner Hidden Heroics, trained by Emma Summersby, who has given 16-year-old a dream start to his riding career. Megan Lawrence’s Minella Jab missed last year, but was going well when falling on his reappearance, then scored cosily at Wadebridge last time. Enqarde, making his seasonal debut, showed consistent form for Celia Plunkett without winning last season, while Spirit Of Legend had some good form under rules in Ireland but pulled up on his first pointing start for Tim Vaughan.