The going at Catterick on Thursday will be testing, with the current situation being soft, heavy in places, at the time of writing.
Expert Lady has her second start over hurdles in the first at 12.10.pm, in the mares maiden hurdle, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Craig Nicol once again in the saddle. Expert Lady who has run on four occasions on the flat, made her hurdles debut over this course and distance 23 days ago, when finishing in third place. With that experience behind her she can now build on that, with the prospect of handicaps in mind, further down the line.
You Say Its Over has now finished second on each of her last two starts in handicaps, both in similar conditions to which she will once again face here. There is no reason to think that she wont run her race again, and her turn should not be too far away. You Say Its Over goes to post for the 12.45.pm, in the 0-100 mares handicap hurdle, over three miles and one furlong, with the champion jockey Brian Hughes retaining the ride.
Monaghan Boy finally got his act together over obstacles at Hexham 29 days ago, when staying on over two and a half miles. That was the first worthwhile form he has shown since his bumper days, and his mark of 76 looks very workable. He now steps up to three miles and one furlong at Catterick, at 1.20.pm, in the 0-100 novices handicap chase, with Emma Smith-Chaston once again in the saddle.
Walk My Way took a big step forward over this course and distance 10 days ago, when finishing a respectable close up sixth, which is probably her best run yet, including her seven Irish point to point runs. Walk My Way should be eligible for a handicap mark after this, in what looks a tougher contest than last time. She runs at 1.55.pm, in the novice hurdle, over two miles and three furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston back in the saddle.
Bonne Vitesse on the face of it was probably a shade disappointing when last seen at Sedgefield eight weeks ago, when finishing fourth, but she probably needs a step up in trip, which she gets here. Bonne Vitesse has run her best races on the flat over extreme distances, and she will have no problem on the forecast going. She runs at 3.05.pm, in the 0-115 handicap hurdle, over three miles and one furlong, with Brian Hughes retaining the ride.
Polisud had pulled up on each of his first three starts for us since arriving from France, but showed considerably more at Sedgefield on Boxing Day when finishing fifth. The immediate thoughts after the race were that a step down in trip would be the way to go, which is what he gets here, from an ever falling mark, which is now 17lb below his opening British mark. Polisud runs at 3.40.pm, in the 0-110 handicap hurdle, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Brian Hughes on board for the first time.
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, Sharp Hill Thoroughbreds, Resdev, The Golden Cuckoo, Mr&Mrs Lees, D Pollitt, Driving Down Ltd, and The Cheltenham Trail.
Monaghan Boy.
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