We have four representatives at three different venues on Friday.
At Cheltenham where the going is good and they are watering, Foster'sisland will take his chance in the first at 1.10.pm, in the 0-110 conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, over two miles and five furlongs, with his regular rider Emma Smith-Chaston taking the ride. Foster'sisland proved that he is as good as ever when finishing second on his seasonal debut at Wetherby two weeks ago, for which the handicapper has pushed him back up 1lb. He will face 19 rivals in this ultra competitive event.
At Newcastle the field sizes have suffered because of the lack of recent rain, and they are currently describing the ground as good, good to firm in places. Great Ballinboris who will be wearing a first time tongue tie has had a stop and start career, he will race for only the eighth time at the age of eight, when he goes to post for the 0-100 novices handicap chase, over two miles and seven furlongs, at 2.30.pm, where he will face four rivals, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride. Great Ballinboris who will have his fourth start over fences since wind surgery, has been given a chance by the handicapper, who has dropped him 12lb from his opening mark, in a race where all of his rivals are struggling to find their best form.
We are doubly represented at Wolverhampton on their Tapeta surface, which is currently riding as standard. Evoluir who has a handy draw here in stall three, made an encouraging stable debut at Newcastle eight days ago when staying on into fourth. He had won the time before that for his previous yard from a 4lb lower mark, and it appears that if we are to see the best of him here then a fast pace on this sharper track would greatly aid. Evoluir runs at 4.25.pm, in the 0-55 handicap, over six furlongs, with Aiden Brookes retaining the ride.
Irv will make his 10th all weather start, but his 56th career start, when going to post for the 0-60 handicap, at 7.30.pm, where he will be ridden by Aiden Brookes, who has won on him twice previously. Irv was a three and a quarter lengths winner over this course and distance back in April from a 6lb lower mark than now, as with Evoluir, he would also benefit from a strong gallop, but stall 12 does him no favours.
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Good luck to the connections, The Oakwood Nobels, John Burnett, Anthony Bithell, and The Rat Pack Racing Club.
Foster'sisland.
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