We have declared four for Newcastle on Thursday, where the going is currently described as heavy.
Not What It Seems was definitely going the right way until getting injured on his last start at Lingfield back in February. He has been given all the time he needs to recuperate, and resumes back over hurdles, before hopefully continuing his progress over fences in the new year. He runs at 1.40.pm, in the 0-130 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles, with Emma Smith-Chaston, who has won on him three times previously, back in the saddle.
Great Raffles was last seen finishing fourth at Sedgefield over hurdles in April, and will now make his chasing debut at 2.15.pm, in the 0-100 novices handicap chase over two miles and seven furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston taking the ride. Great Raffles has gone well fresh before, when returning from a seventh month break a year last November, to be beaten by only a nose.
A Cheap Thrill continues to struggle for form, including when pulling up on his return to hurdles at Carlisle 39 days ago. He has raced on five occasions for us since arriving from Ireland in the summer, with his best effort being a fourth at Cartmel in July. He runs at 2.50.pm, in the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles, with Sean Quinlan in the saddle.
Belle Na Bann also runs in that same event at 2.50.pm, with Emma Smith-Chaston on board for the first time. Belle Na Bann was having her first start back in five months at Sedgefield five weeks ago, when finishing a very good fifth from 2lb higher than now. That race was on soft going, which was encouraging, but she still has to prove that she can handle ground this heavy.
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, Ryder And Alex Sugden, The Golden Cuckoo, The Rat Pack Racing Club, and Ms D Morley, S Dobson & Partner.
Not What It Seems (he's the one in the middle)
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