We send three up to Carlisle on Thursday, where the going on the hurdles course is currently described as soft.
Milltown Lily makes her handicap hurdles debut at 2.05.pm, in the 0-110 conditional and amateurs handicap hurdle, over two miles and three furlongs, with Mr Ryan Price taking the ride. Milltown Lilly is a maiden under both codes, but has gone close o the flat, when finishing runner up twice. Stamina will not be an issue, but she is yet to prove she wants soft ground.
Expert Lady will also make her handicap hurdles debut, when going to post for the 0-105 mares only novices handicap hurdle, over two miles and one furlong, where she will once again be partnered by Craig Nicol. Expert Lady was a late starter, not making her flat debut until June of last year as a three year old, but then showing some ability in races up to seven and a half furlongs. She has shown a similar level of ability in her two completed starts over jumps, and starts out from a mark of 86, in a particularly weak looking event at 3.45.pm.
Rioja Alta who had already shown above average form for his previous yard when trained in Ireland on the flat, made a pleasing debut in heavy ground at Catterick 24 days ago, when finishing third. He will have to improve on that run to take this, but that is by no means out of the question. Rioja Alta runs at 4.20.pm, in the novices hurdle over two miles and one furlong, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride.
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, Maybe The Last Time, Sharp Hill Thoroughbreds, and Mrs B M Lofthouse.
Rioja Alta.
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