We send four down to Market Rasen on Tuesday, where the ground is currently riding soft, heavy in places.
Ballylinch has been a wonderful servant this season, finishing first and second at Sedgefield, in October and November, before not producing that level of form, when last seen at Catterick nearly eight weeks ago. He now takes a slight step down in trip, but this going will ensure that stamina will be at a premium. He runs at 2.25.pm, in the three miles 0-100 novices handicap chase, with the champion jockey Brian Hughes retaining the ride.
Medieval Gold will make his stable, and hurdles debut at 2.55.pm, in the extended two miles juvenile hurdle, where he will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston. Having finished second over two miles at Nottingham when last seen in heavy ground, stamina and the conditions will not be a problem, but he does take on opposition here which look useful. Medieval Gold's Dam was rated 99 on the flat, and she has already produced a 97 rated performer.
We will be doubly represented at 4.30.pm, in the 0-100 handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs. Onenightintown was winning for the third time, when staying on for a half length success at Catterick 18 days ago, for which he has been raised 2lb. What was notable about the victory, was that he was not troubled by the soft ground, something he has steered away from in the past. Sometimes as horses get older they can come to appreciate a softer surface, but it will be far more testing here if conditions remain the same. He will once again be partnered by Alice Stevens, who was also on board at Catterick.
Brickadank is our other representative in the race, and he will be partnered by Brian Hughes, who has ridden him three times previously, including on his last start at Newcastle, when he was fourth three weeks ago. Brickadank is still a maiden under all codes, but has come as close to winning a race as you can without winning, when going down by a short head at Newcastle in April of last year. A repeat of that run would see him well in the mix here.
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Good luck to the connections, John Burnett, Robin Hood & Little John, The Rat Pack Racing Club, and :A & S Associates.
Onenightintown (this side)
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