We send a team of four down to Market Rasen on Thursday, where the going at the time of writing is good, and they are watering.
The Resdev Way at the age of nine appears to be enjoying his racing more than ever, having won three times since February on the flat, and running a cracker to finish fourth at Ripon 13 days ago. He has previously run on nine occasions over hurdles and is yet to place, and on all known jumps form it is hard to envisage him being involved, but with his handicap mark being a very attractive 75 it is worth another go. The race is a 0-105 handicap hurdle over the extended two miles, with Becky Smith who has won on him three times previously back in the saddle.
High Noon goes to post for the 0-110 handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs at 3.10.pm, where he will be re-united with Conor O'Farrell who won on him twice at this track last season. High Noon returned from his winter break in April at Market Rasen over an inadequate two miles and one furlong, but still finished an eye catching fourth. On his next run, and latest start, he raced at Hexham over their stamina sapping three miles, and although he did not stay the trip, he still ran with real credit to finish fourth, showing he is in good heart at the moment.
The Very Thing had been in the doldrums for quite a while before a first time visor woke him up at Catterick in January, when going in at 66/1. He has since pulled up in heavy ground at Wetherby after bleeding from the nose, and a return to hurdles at Sedgefield in March told us his future is definitely over the larger obstacles, after he finished well down the field. His latest start at Market Rasen was 32 days ago when from a 15lb higher mark than from when he was successful at Catterick, he ran his best race yet over fences to finish second..He now steps up a further three furlongs to the extended three miles and three furlongs which is a definite plus, in the 0-115 handicap chase at 3.40.pm,, where Becky Smith retains the ride.
Our final runner of the afternoon is the newcomer Admiral Horatio who makes his debut in the extended two miles bumper at 4.15.pm, with Jack Hogan taking the ride. Admiral Horatio who carries the same colours as our Grade 1 winner Cornerstone Lad is by the top class stallion Mount Nelson who won the Eclipse back in 2008. His dam has had four previous racecourse representatives, and although none have won, the Jonjo O'Neil trained Set In My Ways achieved a hurdles mark of 118.
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, Resdev, Nick Pietrzyk And Partner, Derek Walpole, and Mrs B M Lofthouse.
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