We have six runners on Saturday with five declared for Wetherby, and one runner down at Kempton. The going at the time of writing at Wetherby is soft, while at Kempton it is soft, good to soft in places.
We make a rare excursion down to Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon when Foster'sisland takes his chance in the Class 1 Listed £100,000 Coral Lanzarote handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs with his regular rider Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle. Fosters'island has earned a crack at this prestigious prize by winning five of his last eight starts, including his last three, which has seen his rating shoot up from 89 to 123. This is obviously a big step up in class, taking on some other fast improving sorts, but the ground, and the trip will suit.
We also have five runners at Wetherby where Daddyjacks Special is first up at 12.27.pm, in a two miles maiden hurdle with Billy Garritty taking the ride. In one start in a bumper, and three runs in novice and maiden hurdle company he has failed to get competitive, although he has received a BHA rating of 73.
Kildrum will take on six opponents at 1.39.pm, in a 0-110 handicap hurdle over three miles with Jack Hogan riding him for the first time. Kildrum has to race from 7lb out of the weights, but on two of his runs from last season he wouldn't need to improve a great deal to be competitive in this. He has ran twice so far this season and is yet to find his form.
Our Grade 1 'Fighting Fifth' winning hurdler Cornerstone Lad is next up at 2.12.pm, as he goes in search of his first win over fences, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride, the race is over one mile and seven furlongs, and as always the softer the ground the better his chance. Cornerstone Lad was last seen at Wetherby 19 days ago when contesting the Castleford Chase from a 5lb higher mark than now, when not performing to his usual high level. He is now 19lb below his best hurdles mark, and even with a repeat of his second place at Wetherby in November from a 7lb higher mark than now, he would be competitive.
Raddle And Hum showed that she has taken to fences with a fast finishing third at Wetherby 19 days ago, that was a big step forward from her chase debut at Musselburgh the time before. Raddle And Hum remains on the same mark of 95, which makes her look well handicapped on the best of her hurdles form, including finishing second at Wetherby in December 2019 from a 7lb higher mark than now. She will once again be partnered by Becky Smith, who was on board when she won at Market Rasen in June of last year. The race is at 3.23.pm, a 0-120 handicap chase over three miles.
Our final runner of the day is in the bumper at 3.37.pm, when the four year old mare Elena De La Vega makes her racecourse debut over two miles, with Jack Hogan in the saddle. Elena De La Vega is a flat bred, and will be the fifth produce of her dam who was a winner at two years old, and stayed 10 furlongs, to see a racecourse. The pick of her siblings would be Robbie Roo Roo who was a four times winner back in 2016 and 2017.
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, The Oakwood Nobels, S Nicols, T M Clarke, Mrs B M Lofthouse, Miss Rebecca Dennis, and Grange Park Racing X1v.
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