We send five runners on the short up trip to Catterick on Friday, where the going is currently described as good to soft.
We are doubly represented in the first at 12.05.pm, which is a 0-120 conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, over three miles and one furlong. The ex Irish seven year old Golas Tiep makes his British and stable debut for us, with Joshua Thompson taking the ride. Golas Tiep has had 13 starts to date, with his standout efforts coming in a bumper on debut when finishing second, and he has also finished second over hurdles in May of last year. We will know more about him after this.
We also run Balkotic in the race, who will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston, who was on board when this combination were successful in the corresponding race last season. Balkotic is now 1lb lower than then, but he has failed to get competitive in his five starts since, but he did run his best race since that win, on his latest start at Wetherby 37 days ago, when finishing fifth of the six runners, but only 12 and a half lengths behind the winner.
We are also doubly represented at 1.05.pm, in the 0-100 novices handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs. Monaghan Boy will make his chase debut, on his first start back since April. He showed promise in all four of his bumper starts, which makes him look very well handicapped from his current mark of 78, but he has failed to get competitive at all in each of his seven hurdles starts. He will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston, who will be on board for the first time.
Our other runner in the race is Royle Steel, who made the most of a very attractive mark at Sedgefield 44 days ago, when winning gamely by a neck, and the 2lb rise in the weights looks very fair. He has some very good form over hurdles, including a win in a maiden hurdle at Sedgefield, which makes his current mark of 89 look very appealing. He will once again be ridden by the champion jockey Brian Hughes.
Mister Bells is now back on the same mark as he was when winning at Market Rsen back in March, he then went on to finish an excellent second at Cartmel in May. Following his summer break he has run twice, and he should now be fully fit to do himself justice. He has no ground issues here, and the trip is around his optimum. He runs at 1.50.pm, in the 0-130 handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston 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, Phil Ellerby & Partners, Raypasha, The Golden Cuckoo, A E Tasker, and Mr and Mrs Paul Chapman.
Royle Steel.
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