We have declared three for Easter Monday, with two runners at Redcar, where the going is currently good to soft, and one over the jumps down at Fakenham where it is currently good, and they are watering.
First up at Redcar at 1.39.pm, in the novice stakes over the straight mile is the once raced Elena De La Vega, who will be partnered by Billy Garritty. Elena De La Vega made her debut in a bumper at Newcastle 13 weeks ago when running very green to finish ninth of the 10 starters, and she will gain further valuable experience here. She is bred to race on the flat, and is a half sister to Robbie Roo Roo who won four times back in 2016-2017.
King Of Unicorns is next up at 2.14.pm, in division 2 of the one mile novice stakes, where Billy Garritty retains the ride. King Of Unicorns got off the mark on his third start in bumper company last November, before returning after a break for his flat debut at Newcastle 24 days ago, where he took his form to a new level. Had he not missed the break he would have probably finished closer than the official three lengths third, and he will now meet the winner of that race on 7lb better terms (10lb not including weight for age.)
One of the wonderful things about British racing is the diversity of the racetracks, and Fakenham is certainly different. It is the sharpest jumps track in the country, being approximately seven furlongs round, with people often calling it Chester with jumps. Whether this will suit Royal Village who makes his first visit to the track at the age of 10, we will have to see. He runs in the 0-150 Veterans Chase at 3.20.pm, over three miles with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride. Good ground is what brings out the best in Royal Village, and although he looks high enough in the weights on what he has achieved for us, he does arrive in good form on the back of finishing third at Carlisle a month ago.
To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, Sharp Hill, and Curlew, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.
Good luck to the connections, Grange Park Racing X1v, Joe Buzzeo, and Cheltenham Trail & Cleeve Racing Club.
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