Wetherby will inspect at 8.0.am. on Saturday morning, the chases on the card have already been abandoned, so if it goes ahead there will be six hurdle races and a bumper.
The first Saturday in February is Towton chase day, one of the courses most prestigious races, carrying Grade 2 status, it was first run in 1996, with that years winner Mr Mulligan going on to win the following seasons Cheltenham Gold Cup. It is to be hoped that the racecourse can pass an inspection, because even without the Towton being run there is the added bonus of the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle, which has been transferred from Cheltenham, because of their abandonment last week.
We keep declaring Desaray Girl, and the meetings keep on being abandoned, she will try again in the 3.00.pm. There is no worry about the ground with her, as two of her three wins have come in heavy going, and this extended two miles and three furlongs does appear to be her trip.She has raced once since minor wind surgery, when finishing forth, beaten 13 lengths in a mares Listed race at Sandown 35 days ago. This is a drop in class, and her current mark of 123 is eye catching, Joe Colliver retains the ride.
Our new bumper horse Mister McArthur has also missed two engagements because of abandonment's,and is our final runner in the 4.10.pm.Mister McArthur makes his racecourse debut in the famous silks previously worn by the Cheltenham Festival winner Mister McGoldrick, and our very own, and much missed Becky The Thatcher. Mister McArthur is the eighth racecourse representative of his dam Arctic Queen, who only raced on three occasions, starting out life being trained by Andrew Balding back in 2003. His sire is the top class middle distance performer Phoenix Reach, the winner of three Group One races, he also has three full brothers, and a full sister who have won nine races between them, Alain Cawley has been booked to ride.
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, Resdev, and Mcgoldrick Racing.
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