The going at Market Rasen for Friday is good at the time of writing, and they have already taken the precaution of watering. Over at Ripon the predicted going is good to soft.
Brickadank has his third start in handicap company at 1.30.pm at Market Rasen in a 0-100 conditional jockeys event, over an extended two miles, with Billy Garritty on board for the first time. Brickadank has been dropped 8lb since his handicap debut back in March, when finishing ninth. At Carlisle last time he raced too freely, and failed to get home, if there is no rain then this will be the first time he has run on a surface without soft being in the description.
The classy Royal Village has his second start for us when he carries top weight in the Class 3, 0-130 handicap chase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs at 2.0.pm. Royal Village made his stable debut 161 days ago at Doncaster when pulling up just before four out, after a post race endoscopic examination the vet reported that he had blood in his trachea. Before joining us Royal Village was the winner of seven of his 25 races, and he is currently 10lb lower than his career high mark of 141, achieved in August 2019. This will be the first time he has attempted a trip this far, with Billy Garritty retaining the ride.
Our other runner at Market Rasen is the very well handicapped High Noon, who goes to post at 3.35.pm, in a 0-100 two miles and five furlong handicap chase. After running with promise at Fontwell four races ago, he then disappointed over this course and distance in March, probably finding the ground too soft, and then once again at this venue in April, he found the two miles on the short side. He just didn't fire at Sedgefield last time, but he is now racing from just 1lb above his last winning mark of 93, over a trip he should see out, on good ground he appreciates. Billy Garritty takes the ride.
Over at Ripon Stormin Norman makes a welcome return to flat racing, after showing his quality, and on one occasion quirkiness, over hurdles last season. He runs in the two miles 0-75 handicap at 7.20.pm, with Jack Garritty riding him for the first time.With the one exception of when he tried to run out at Newcastle two runs back, he has shown that he will make up in to a very decent handicap hurdler, it must be pointed out that he behaved impeccably on his last start at Newcastle 27 days ago. His flat form is every bit as good as his jumps form, and he comes in to this race on a treble, having won from a 5lb lower mark when last seen on the flat in September of last year. The trip, and the going will both be suitable for this winner of four of his nine flat starts.
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Good luck to the connections, A & S Associates, Cheltenham Trail & Cleeve Racing Club, Nick Pietrzyk And Partner, and The Monday Club.
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