The going at the time of writing for Wetherby on Friday is soft, and in the first race at 12.50.pm, we will be doubly represented in the juvenile hurdle over two miles.
Bonne Vitesse makes her hurdles, and stable debut in the juvenile hurdle, where she will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston. Bon Vitesse was a winner over six furlongs at Pontefract as a two year old, but having been placed twice at that course as a three year old over 10 furlongs in the summer, shows that she has the necessary stamina for this new discipline.
We are also represented in the race by Royle Steel who is having his second start, and once again will be partnered by Alain Cawley. Royle Steel made his debut at Doncaster 41 days ago when finishing seventh in a Doncaster bumper, and he is now quickly sent hurdling. He was probably too keen at Doncaster that day, as he led to nearly three out before weakening in to fifth, to be beaten 14 and a half lengths.
We are also doubly represented in the days feature race at 2.0.pm, a 0-120 handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs. Kayf Adventure is now 11 years old, and can boast some very good form from his younger days when achieving a best BHA rating of 139. He may not be able to reach those heights anymore, but there is no denying he is a very well handicapped horse with a current rating of 110. His best run since joining us was a third at Carlisle in March of last year, which would put him bang in the picture here, he will once again be partnered by Conor O'Farrell.
One of the most exciting and progressive horses in the yard at the moment is Geryville, who will also go to post for the 2.0.pm, Geryville was a winner at Wetherby on his stable and British debut back in August, and at least matched that performance back at that track last month from a 10lb higher mark, when finishing second to a horse who won again in better company next time. Geryville would have finished even closer that day if not for a couple of jumping errors at crucial times, and he remains on a handy mark of 120.
Burnage Boy is our representative in the 0-110 handicap hurdle at 2.35.pm, over two miles with Jack Hogan able to claim 7lb. Jack was on board when Burnage Boy ran one of his better races when finishing runner up at Sedgefield in November, he has since finished a four lengths fifth at Catterick. He remains a maiden after 28 flat and jumps starts, but has been runner up on four occasions, and is currently running as well as he ever has.
Our final runner is the newcomer Great Ballinboris in the concluding bumper at 3.35.pm, over two miles, where he will be partnered by Becky Smith. Great Ballinboris is bred to be a chaser, so this is the first step on that long road. He will gain a lot of experience from this racecourse debut, and depending on what speed he shows, it will either be the bumper route, or a switch to hurdles next.
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Good luck to the connections, The Golden Cuckoo, A E Tasker, Cheltenham Trail & Cleeve Racing Club, R M Howard, JFW Properties Ltd, and John Burnett.