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EIGHT DECLARED FOR SEDGEFIELD.

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We send a team of eight to Sedgefield on Wednesday, where the going is currently described as good to soft.


Bodygroove is first up at 1.35.pm, in the maiden hurdle, over the extended two miles and three furlongs, with Conor O'Farrell taking the ride. Bodygroove was a flat winner for his previous yard, and made a more than satisfactory stable debut for us over hurdles when finishing second at Carlisle last February, his two runs in March and May were below that, and on what is his first start back in 268 days, he will be eligible for a handicap mark after this.


We are doubly represented at 2.05.pm, in the 0-100 handicap, over the stamina sapping three miles and three furlongs. Walk My Way who will once again have the services of Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle, was probably an unlucky lose at Hexham last March, when a mistake at the last cost her momentum. That was off a mark of 68, so she will have to be at the top of her game from this 6lb higher mark. She is yet to fire in two starts this term, but this trip is worth a go.


Royle Steel who will be partnered by Joshua Thompson is our other runner in the race. Royle Steel prefers a sound surface so any drying out of the ground would be an advantage. He is a dual winner over hurdles and fences at Sedgefield, latterly from an 11lb higher mark than now. He is another trying this marathon trip for the first time.


Master Brefni was his own worst enemy last time at Catterick, when with the race as good as won, he idled on the run in to finish second. Master Brefni is 5lb above his winning mark of last season over hurdles, but does appear progressive, if somewhat a law unto himself. He runs at 2.35.pm, in the 0-110 handicap chase, over two miles, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride.


Rioja Alta who will wear blinkers for the first time, is a very well handicapped horse if able to reproduce the best of his Irish flat form of 2023. In his first season with us he has hinted that the ability is still there, with his mark of 91 looking good on that Irish form. Rioja Alta who has yet to spark in two starts this term goes to post for the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles and three furlongs at 3.05.pm, with Conor O'Farrell keeping the ride.


Hopefully Master Brefni hasn't been listening to Beat The Edge who is the expert at idling in front. Beat The Edge who won the battle of the faint-hearted at Catterick on New Years Day needs to not see daylight until as late as possible. He turns out again just five days after running below form at Catterick, and this step back down in trip will do no harm. Beat The Edge who is still a well handicapped horse runs at 4.05.pm, in the 0-100 handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs, with his regular rider Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle.


We are also doubly represented in the finale at 4.35.pm, in the 0-100 mares only handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles. Milajess who will once again be partnered by Joshua Thompson showed that there is a race in her when going down by just one and three quarter lengths at Uttoxeter last June. In two starts this term she has probably run close to that when finishing fourth and fifth. Milajess who has now been dropped a further 3lb, is a genuine sort, who should give her running again.


Our other representative in the race is the five year old mare Lillistar, who will be ridden by Conor O'Farrell for the first time. Lillistar's standout run was for her previous trainer on the flat at Leicester back in June 2023, when finishing second. In five starts over hurdles, and two runs on the flat she is still to fire for us, but her mark of 81 gives her a chance when she finds her form.


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, Mrs B M Lofthouse, Driving Down Ltd & D Pollitt, A E Tasker, Phil Ellerby, D Pollitt & Partners, Smartwater Utilities, The Monday Club, and John Sidebottom & Mrs Kate Sidebottom.


Master Brefni.


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