Things are now picking up apace hear at Oakwood Stables, with four declared to run on Tuesday, two each entered on Wednesday, and Thursday, and a massive 16 entries made for Cartmel on Friday.
We have two declared for the flat meeting at Catterick on Tuesday where Burnage Boy will tackle division one of the 12 furlong handicap at 5.20.pm, with Graham Lee taking the mount. Burnage Boy was something of a surprise package when sent jumping last winter earning an official rating of 107 after finishing second twice, which makes his flat mark of 46 look very attractive.If he can translate his jumps form to the flat, he will go very close.
Thirty minutes later at 5,50,pm, in division two, it is the turn of our six year old mare Fortia. She will race from a mark of 54, which is an OK mark judged on her flat form of 2017, and a handy mark judged on the best of her jump form from 2018. In three runs over the jumps last winter for us she failed to get competitive, but she has had a good long break to freshen her up, Billy Garritty will take off a handy 5lb.
We also have two runners over the jumps at Southwell on Tuesday evening, with Swinton Diamond up first in the extended two and a half miles handicap chase at 4.55.pm, with stable jockey Alain Cawley taking the mount. Swinton Diamond has had an injury prone career to date, with two long breaks taking place just as he was getting in to his stride.His last appearance 649 days ago was a winning one, on only his third start over fences, he definitely has the talent to win his fare share, if staying injury free, but is entitled to need this run to put him straight.
Our final runner of the day is Connective who goes in the 7.00.pm, with Paddy Brennan taking the ride.It was probably a mixture of not quite seeing out the near three miles at Uttoxeter last time, and the fact that he was having his first run in over five months, which were the cause of him weakening from two out.This time he races over the extended two and a half miles,and on a couple of runs from last season his mark of 88 looks inviting.
To read the full histories on all four of our runners, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.
Good luck to the connections, Samuel Sutton & Partners, JFW Properties Ltd, Mr & Mrs I P Earnshaw, and Craig & Laura Buckingham.