It's a busy day on Friday, with a massive seven runners making the short trip up to Catterick, where the going is currently heavy, soft in places. We also have a representative at Newcastle, on the all weather in the evening.
We are doubly represented in the 1.35.pm, at Catterick, in the 0-105 handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs. Onenightintown was third over this course and distance to his stablemate Trac on his latest start 36 days ago, and can now race from 1lb lower mark. Onenightintown has always been better on a sounder surface, so any drying out of the ground would be beneficial, he will be partnered by Alice Stevens, who was also on board last time.
Master Breffni is our other runner in the race. He made his stable, and chase debut over this course and distance nine days ago when getting no further than the second fence. He was nought from nine over hurdles in Ireland, but showed that he has the ability to win a race, when finishing third in a handicap at Naas in March of last year. He will be ridden by Conor O'Farrell who is having his first ride back after being out for several months through injury, we wish him all the very best.
We are also doubly represented at 2.05.pm, in the juvenile maiden hurdle, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs. Mandega who is a 70 rated horse on the flat, has shown that a hurdles race is within his capabilities, when finishing runner up over this course and distance 45 days ago. He has plenty of form on a very soft surface from his days when trained in France, and he will once again be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston.
Our other runner in the race is Expert Lady, who will be having her third start over hurdles, and will be eligible for a handicap mark after this. Expert Lady was 14 lengths behind Mandega at Catterick back in December, and has since finished sixth, running to a similar level at the same track 22 days ago. Expert Lady will be ridden by Craig Nicol, who has been on board for both those two recent races.
Shighness certainly got her act together on her third attempt over fences at Wetherby 20 days ago, when sympathetically ridden by the champion jockey Brian Hughes, who will retain the ride again. Shighness would probably have won at Wetherby that day if her jumping had been better, but with the experience and confidence she will have gained that day, she is a big danger to all of her three rivals here. She goes to post for the 0-130 mares handicap chase at 3.05.pm, over three miles and one furlong.
Balkotic is next up at 3.35.pm, in the 0-120 handicap hurdle, over three miles and one furlong, where he will be ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston. Balkotic who is another who would prefer the ground to not be riding heavy, probably ran right up to his best over this course and distance when last seen 45 days ago. He was also a course and distance winner from 1lb higher, back in November 2022.
Belle Na Bann proved that heavy ground holds no fears, when winning at Catterick over this course and distance on New Years Day. The handicapper has been harsh in raising her 6lb, which now puts her 9lb above her previous win at Newcastle back in December, but in her current mood, the hat trick could well be on the cards. Belle Na Bann will run at 4.10.pm, in the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride.
We also send one up to Newcastle for their all weather evening meeting on the Tapeta. Arranmore will make his third start for us at 6.15.pm, in the 0-70 handicap, over seven furlongs, with Aiden Brookes once again in the saddle. Arranmore bled on his stable debut at Chelmsford back in November, but definitely got his act together at Newcastle two weeks ago, when staying on well to finish second at 40/1. A repeat of that run will once again see him in the mix.
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, The Rat Pack Racing Club, Phil Ellerby, D Pollitt & Partners, Samuel Sutton, Sharp Hill Thoroughbreds, Keep The Faith Partnership, Raypasha, Ms D Morley, S Dobson & Partner, and Anthony Bithell.
Shighness.
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