Over the last couple of weeks Catterick races have succumbed to the elements, losing their last two meetings, and at the time of writing if things do get the go ahead it will be on heavy ground.
We have declared three, including the ex French Furax, who is a quality looking new edition, making his stable debut off top weight in the 0-125 three miles and one furlong handicap chase at 2.0.pm. He has been given a BHA rating of 127,with our stable conditional Aiden Macdonald able to claim the full 10lb. He arrives from France in form,having finished second at Craon in November, and he is a very experienced chaser with 15 runs already behind him.As a juvenile hurdler back in 2015 he was a winner at Aix-Les-Bains, when trained by France's top jump trainer Guillaume Macaire.
Knocknamona took advantage of a very good handicap mark when winning with ease at Bangor back in December. His next attempt over fences was not so good, when failing to get competitive at Market Rasen 20 days ago, from a 10lb higher mark. He has always been partial to heavy ground, and this two miles and three furlongs is his best trip, he will be ridden by his usual jockey Alain Cawley in the 3.30.pm.
Our final runner is Ex S'Elance in the 0-100 two miles and three furlongs handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys at 4.05.pm, with Aiden Macdonald able to claim his full 10lb. Ex S'Elance was just running in to form when finishing second at Kelso last March, and was deprived of another run due to lock-down. His last win came at Newcastle in April 2019, and he is now able to race from a 6lb lower mark.
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, Ursa Major And Partners, The Rat Pack Racing Club, and The Fifty Fifty Partnership.