We have five declared for Wetherby, where the going is currently described as soft, good to soft in places, and two at Market Rasen, on what at the time of writing is good to soft, soft in places.
At Market Rasen, Piecederesistance is first up at 12.40.pm, in the 0-105 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles, with James Bowen who finished second on him on his penultimate start back in the saddle. Piecederesistance was last seen at Wetherby in Class 3 company 25 days ago when doing himself no favours by being too keen, and losing touch from three out. This drop in Grades will help but he must settle better to give himself a chance.
Onenightintown who has shown some of his best form around Market Rasen, goes to post for the 0-100 handicap chase, over the extended two miles and seven furlongs at 3.0.pm, with Alice Stevens who won on him at Catterick back in February retaining the ride. This will be the first time in his 44 race career under rules that he has raced over this far, but judging on his last two starts, where he has been staying on, it is well worth a try.
At Wetherby, Mandarb will make his hurdles debut at 12.25.pm, in the juvenile maiden hurdle, over two miles, with Brian Hughes taking the ride. Mandard was the winner of two of his seven flat starts when trained in France earlier on this year,, and made his stable debut off a mark of 75 in a competitive Doncaster handicap 33 days ago. He will be very familiar with the underfoot conditions, and we will know more about him after this.
Coup De Coeur who was a dual winner over hurdles last season, made a very pleasing return at Wetherby 11 days ago when staying on into second. His attentions are now turned to fences, but he is not a total novice, as he has run over them four times previously at Auteuil, when trained elsewhere in 2021, and 2022. His form over the larger obstacles at the ages of just three and four looks very good indeed. Coup De Coeur runs at 1.0.pm, in the 0-120 novices handicap chase, over one mile and seven furlongs, with Brian Hughes retaining the ride.
We are doubly represented at 2.45.pm, in the 0-110 handicap chase, named in honour of the late great Cheltenham Festival winner Mister McGoldrick, over three miles. Great Ballinboris has had a stop and start career blighted by injury, and at the age of very nearly nine he has only seen the racecourse on seven occasions. He was last seen back in May at Sedgefield when pulling up over two miles, and this return to further is a plus. His mark continues to slide, but he probably wouldn't want the ground too soft, Brian Hughes takes the ride.
Our other representative in the race is Monaghan Boy who will have the services of his regular rider Emma Smith-Chaston, who won on him once, and finished runner up on him three times last season. Monaghan Boy who will run from 4lb out of the weights is very consistent, but is likely to need this first run back, his first since April, but he will enjoy the underfoot conditions.
Isabel De Clare made a pleasing start to her career, when finishing a staying on fifth on her racecourse debut on the all weather at Newcastle back in January. She will find underfoot conditions very different here, as she continues her education. Isabel De Clare will go to post for the mares only bumper at 3.17.pm, where she will be partnered by Joshua Thompson.
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Good luck to the connections, Ryder And Alex Sugden, The Rat Pack Racing Club, Primitivo Racing, John Burnett, The Golden Cuckoo, and Keep The Faith Parnership.
Isabel De Clare.
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