We send four to Hexham on Sunday where the going will be soft on the chase course, and good to soft on the hurdles course.
Our first runner is Artic Quest in the 12.55.pm, over two and a half miles, with his regular jockey Becky Smith retaining the ride.Before joining us Artic Quest had very little form of note to recommend him, but on his stable debut, he was a very credible second at Cartmel in August, although he found less than expected when making his challenge inside the final furlong.He raced again at Hexham in October, but disappointingly he couldn't get involved. On Sunday he drops back in trip to two and a half miles, and remains 4lb higher in the weights than he did when running at Cartmel.
Thirty five minutes later at 1.30 Ex S'Elance runs in division two of the 0-100 handicap hurdle, he has been second on two of his last three runs, but had his season curtailed due to lock down in March.He is now back on his last winning mark of 85, the mark he won off at Newcastle in April 2019, but he is entitled to need this run, his first in seven months, Joe Colliver takes over from the still sidelined Alain Cawley.
Lucou is an ex French runner, who joined us in the summer of 2019, arriving with an inflated handicap mark.He has now raced on six occasions for us, and the handicapper has started to relent. He also had his season cut short by the lock down, but appeared to be running in to form when last seen in March, when beaten just four and a half lengths at Wetherby. He can race off 3lb lower, from a mark of 98, but he has got a seven months break to overcome, he will once again be partnered by Becky Smith in the 2.40.pm.
Knocknamona also makes his seasonal debut at 4.25.pm over his best trip of two and a half miles. He was last seen at Catterick in January when unseating at the first, after being badly hampered. Had racing not been called to a halt, he surely would have been in the winners enclosure, but like so many, his season came to a premature end. He is now down to a very attractive mark of 92, but is entitled to need this first run back, Joe Colliver stands in for his regular rider Alain Cawley.
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, Ian Barran & Oakwood, The Fifty Fifty Partnership, A Walsh J Hill, S Thoomes, and The Rat Pack Racing Club.
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