We have our second runner since the resumption of racing, when our eight year old gelding Quoteline Direct returns to action after a 128 day break in the 4.50 p.m. race at Beverley on Thursday.Andrew Mullen who rode, when making a winning debut on, him back in July 2015 at Pontefract, will ride him for the fourth time in his career.
Since going jumping Quoteline Direct has been revitalised, and if he had settled better in his races, he would have probably won one, and that is the biggest stumbling block on Thursday, as he races over 12 furlongs for the first time in his life. If he refuses to settle he wont see out the trip, but if Andrew Mullen can get him to relax, from a good draw in stall six, he is well enough handicapped to go very close.
Good luck to the connections, JFW Properties Ltd.
Quoteline Direct is one of our long time residents, having joined the team after being purchased at the Doncaster Breeze Up Sales back in 2015. He couldn't have made a better start to his career, as he made a winning debut at Pontefract at 22-1, a venue he would visit many more times over the years. He was highly tried in his next two races running respectably in the nursery at the Ebor meeting, and then finishing third in a conditions race at Redcar.
It took him five races to get off the mark as a three year old, at Thirsk, he actually finished second, but was later awarded the race as the winner was disqualified because of testing positive. He ended his three year old season by finishing third after being denied a clear run, on his first attempt on the All Weather at Wolverhampton.
As a four year old, and now running over his optimum trip of 10 furlongs, from marks in the low 60's he won once, and was placed four times from nine starts. His golden period occurred the following year when winning twice at Pontefract, and placed a further four times, taking his rating from 62 to 75.
This past flat season he has struggled with his rating, but still made the frame on six occasions.Then in November of last year when approaching his seventh birthday it was decided that it might be worth having a spin over hurdles. Having eight flights in front of him has given him new zest, despite refusing to settle, and pulling very hard like an inexperienced two year old he finished second of 16 at Catterick. Back at the same track on New Years Day, he proved that initial run wasn't a fluke by being placed, but once again he threw his chance away by taking too strong a hold.His latest run at Sedgefield was more of the same, finishing a solid third, and probably bettering the form of those Catterick runs. Quoteline Direct has proved to be a real surprise package over hurdles, but it hasn't gone unnoticed by the handicapper who has given him a mark of 118. A novice hurdle must be there for the taking once he settles, and if he can transfer his jump form back to the flat, then we have plenty of options.