We send five up to Hexham for their jumps card, where the going is currently described as heavy, soft in places, and we also send three to Pontefract for their flat card, on what at the time of writing, is described as soft, heavy in places.
We will be doubly represented at Hexham at 2.30.pm, in the 0-110 handicap chase, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs. Getaway Jewel who needs good ground to show his best, looks as if he is not going to get his wish. He is becoming a very well handicapped horse, and he will surely take advantage under the right conditions, he will once again be partnered by Connor O'Farrell.
We are also represented in the race by Contre Ordre, who put three lacklustre runs behind him, since winning last November at Sedgefield, when bouncing back to his best, when finishing runner up at Wetherby to a well handicapped opponent 25 days ago. Contre Ordre is now 1lb below that last winning mark, and will be partnered as always by Emma Smith-Chaston.
Monaghan Boy continues in rude health, and after three consecutive runner up efforts, he deservedly got off the mark at Sedgefield in February, when winning by one and a quarter lengths, for which he has been nudged up 3lb. He runs at 3.30.pm, in the 0-100 handicap chase, over three miles, with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride.
Halpha Soleil looked set for a good season ahead when winning at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, but then after being badly hampered the next time, he has failed to show his best form the last twice. After winning at Sedgefield he looked a horse to keep on the right side of, and once again he looks to have conditions in his favour. Halpha Soleil goes to post for the 0-105 handicap hurdle, at 4.0.pm, over two miles and four furlongs, with Connor O'Farrell taking the ride.
Master Breffni was one length in front when falling at the second last fence at Catterick on his penultimate start, but on his return to hurdles at Carlisle 23 days ago he made no mistake when keeping on for a three and three quarter lengths success, for which he has been raised 7lb. There is no doubt that the application of a hood is making a difference, and that is retained, when he runs at 4.30.pm, in the 0-105 handicap hurdle, over two miles and four furlongs, with Conor O'Farrell once again on board.
At Pontefract, Fiftyshadesaresdev returns from a 210 daybreak, when taking his chance in the 0-75 handicap, over a mile, at 3.55.pm, where he will be partnered by Silvestre De Sousa for the first time. Fiftyshadesaresdev who is entitled to need this first run back since last July, is a very well handicapped horse judged on his second at York, and third over this course and distance, back in May, and June of 2022.
Brickadank was a 36 raced maiden, until he suddenly decided he liked winning two starts ago, and he now goes in to this race as a dual winner over fences. This is his first run on the flat since September 2021, and because he has shown very little on the flat he gets in here off bottom weight. This race is an eye watering, stamina sapping, two miles and five and a half furlongs slog in the mud, at 4.25.pm, it is a 0-60 handicap, with Aiden Brookes taking the ride.
Thursday's Child was a 66-1 winner on her racecourse debut at Newcastle on the Tapeta surface 45 days ago, and the form has been boosted, with the second horse that day winning since. Underfoot conditions couldn't be anymore different this time, but she obviously has plenty of ability, as she races under a penalty. Her Dam had no form on heavy ground, but her Sire was a winner in it. Thursday's Child runs at 5.0.pm, in the novices stakes, over six furlongs, with Billy Garritty retaining the ride.
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Good luck to the connections, Phil Ellerby, Newroc & Co, The Golden Cuckoo, T I S Partnership, Phil Ellerby, D Pollitt & Partners, Resdev, A & S Associates, and Sharp Hill Thoroughbreds.
Fiftyshadesaresdev & Becky.
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