We send a team of five on the short journey to Catterick on Wednesday, where the going is currently described as soft, good to soft in places.
Mister Bells more than hinted at a return to form at Catterick 27 days ago, when keeping on in to third, this followed on from four under par runs, which have left him on a handy mark of 4lb below his last winning rating. With the conditions of the race meaning that his jockey Emma Smith-Chaston can claim 3lb for riding for her stable, makes Mister Bells look attractively weighted. He runs at 12.50.pm, in the 0-120 conditional jockeys veterans handicap chase, over three miles and one furlong.
Halpha Soleil looked a progressive winner at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, but at the same track 12 days ago he was badly hampered early on, leaving him with no chance, and his jockey Emma Smith-Chaston did the right thing and pulled him up. Halpha Soleil now finds himself 5lb above that latest win, and in a grade higher, but with not many miles on the clock, he will continue to progress. He runs at 2.25.pm, in the 0-120 handicap hurdle, over two miles and three furlongs, with Emma retaining the ride.
Master Breffni will make his stable and British debut at 3.00.pm, when carrying top weight in the 0-100 novices handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston on board. Master Breffni ran in nine hurdle races in Ireland, with his best effort coming when finishing third at Naas in March of last year, he also has the experience of a further three runs in Irish point to points. We will know more about him after this.
Milajess showed her first form for us since arriving from Ireland, when finishing third at Mussleburgh 19 days ago, for which the handicapper has eased her a further 2lb. Milajess whose best form in Ireland was when finishing runner up at Clonmel in May of last year, now needs to back up that latest start. She runs at 3.35.pm, in the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride.
Apollos Mission who is six year old gelding, makes his racecourse debut in the bumper at 4.10.pm, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Craig Nicol taking the ride. Apollos Mission is the second racecourse representative of his Dam, who was a sprinter, and achieved a best BHA rating of 66 back in 2012. His sire is Telescope, who won the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York back in 2013.
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, Mr and Mrs Paul Chapman, T I S Partnership, Phil Ellerby, D Pollitt & Partners, The Monday Club, and M R Johnson.
Mister Bells.
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