We take a team of five on the short trip up to Catterick on Thursday, where the going is currently described as good, good to soft in places.
We are doubly represented in the first race at 12.30.pm, the 0-100 conditional jockeys handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs. Trac was the winner of four races last season, which saw his mark sore from 78 to 100, and on his second start back at Sedgefield 30 days ago, he proved that he was right back to his best when finishing an excellent runner up from 1lb lower than now. He will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston, who last rode him in this corresponding race last year, when they finished in second spot.
Onenightintown is our other representative in the race, and he will be partnered by Alice Stevens for the first time. Onenightintown has shown his best form over the years on a sounder surface, so hopefully Catterick will escape the bulk of the expected rain. He is back down to a mark he can be competitive off, and this is his best trip.
Milltown Lily will be having her third start over hurdles, and will be eligible for a handicap mark after this. She was last seen over the jumps in the corresponding race 12 months ago when running out and unseating the rider at the fourth flight, but in six flat starts since, she has been far from disgraced on all occasions. Milltown Lily runs at 2.15.pm, in the novices hurdle, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston on board for the first time.
We are also doubly represented at 2.50.pm, in the 0-105 handicap chase over three miles and one furlong. Mister Bells who takes a drop in grade, will carry top weight, with Emma Smith-Chaston who was on board when Mister Bells was last in the winners enclosure, taking the ride. Mister Bells was a winner back in March at Market Rasen, and then backed that up with a solid second at Cartmel in May. He has been slower to come to hand this term, but is now 2lb below that last winning mark.
Our other runner in the race is Ballylinch, who has taken well to chasing in his two starts this term. He won on his reappearance at Sedgefield back in October, and then followed up with a solid second at that track six weeks ago. He remains on the same mark for this, and will be partnered by the champion jockey Brian Hughes, who was also on board for those last two starts.
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, Randall Orchard & Partners, The Rat Pack Racing Club, Maybe The Last Time, Mr and Mrs Paul Chapman, and John Burnett.
Trac.
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