We have two runners at Fakenham on Friday, where the going is currently described as good to soft, soft in places, and we also send two up to Newcastle for their all weather flat card, on the Tapeta surface.
Ballylinch is first up at 1.45.pm, in the 0-105 novices handicap chase, over three miles, with the champion jockey Brian Hughes retaining the ride. Ballylinch was a winner last October at Sedgefield, then probably matched that when finishing second over the same course and distance a month later, but in his two subsequent starts he hasn't matched that form. He is now back down to the last winning mark.
Coup De Coeur will carry the same colours at 4.25.pm, when he contests the 0-125 handicap hurdle, over two miles, with Brian Hughes, who has already won on him twice this season, in the saddle. Coup De Coeur appeared to show improved form last time at Sedgefield when always travelling well, and winning comfortably by 13 lengths, for which the handicapper has raised him 7lb. This race looks deeper than the one he won last time, but he does appear to still be on the upgrade.
Dragons Will Rise who was sidelined for 19 months with injury, has his fifth start back since, (all at Newcastle) when he goes to post for the 5.0.pm, in a 0-85 handicap, over 10 furlongs with his regular rider Aiden Brookes in the saddle. Prior to injury, Dragons Will Rise was the winner of eight of his 26 starts, and although at the age of eight he hasn't got competitive so far this season, his mark continues to plummet, and this is his first try at 10 furlongs since his return.
Elladora has her second start for the yard since arriving in January. She was a consistent sprinter for her previous stable, winning on four occasions, and being placed a further 12 times. She blew away the cobwebs on her first start in five months, when finishing down the field over a mile at Southwell two weeks ago, and she will appreciate this return to sprinting. Elladora runs at 6.40.pm, in the 0-68 fillies handicap, over six furlongs, with our stable conditional jockey Aiden Brookes taking the ride.
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, John Burnett, The Golden Cuckoo, and Anthony Bithell.
Coup De Coeur winning at Sedgefield.
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