The horse boxes will be working overtime on Tuesday as we send runners to Ayr, Wolverhampton, and Southwell. The going at the time of writing at Ayr is good, at Wolverhampton it is standard. and at Southwell it is good, good to firm in places, and they have watered.
Burdigala makes the trip up to Ayr to contest the 0-105 handicap hurdle over the extended two and a half miles, at 1.45.pm, with Alain Cawley once again taking the mount. Since arriving from France in the autumn of 2018, Burdigala has only raced on nine occasions, as he has been beset with injury. His latest start at Market Rasen 41 days ago, when he finished third, was the first time he has shown any of his old French form, which was definitely a step back in the right direction. If he is to win this though, he will have to pull out a little more.
Over at Wolverhampton Sparkle In His Eye will make his stable debut at 5.50.pm, in 0-65 handicap, over the extended mile, with Billy Garritty in the saddle. Sparkle In His Eye didn't race until he was three, but soon made up in to an 82 rated horse for Newmarket trainer Willian Haggas, after winning on the all weather at Newcastle. He was sold to race in France, and over the course of the 2019-2020 season he raced out of four different French stables, without managing to place.He starts out for us from a mark of 63, on what will be a learning curve, but the draw could have been kinder.
Ballycrystal has to wait until 7.50.pm, at Southwell before he can take his chance in a 0-100 extended three miles handicap hurdle, with Becky Smith retaining the ride. Ballycrystal has fallen a long way down the weights since his heady days of 2018 when he was rated 130. Since joining us he had struggled for form until last time out at Newcastle when he came home six lengths clear over an extended two and a half miles. He has been raised 6lb for that win, but his unproven stamina at this trip is of more concern. To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood stables, and Sharp Hill, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.
Good luck to the connections, Rosemary Hetherington And Partner, Samuel Sutton, and A & S Associates.
Burdigala (top) Sparkle In His Eye (bottom left) Ballycrystal (bottom right)
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