We have one runner at Catterick on Tuesday where it is currently good, good to soft in places, and four up at Hexham for the start of their new season, where the ground is good, good to firm in places.
Myboymax takes a significant step up in trip at Catterick in the 1.45.pm, a 0-75 Amateur Jockeys handicap over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, where he will have the assistance of Becky Smith who was third on him at Pontefract in June. Myboymax has won twice this season, and is higher in the handicap than he has ever been, so his fourth at Redcar last time in a higher grade than now, over 14 furlongs, probably saw him run right up to his very best.
Up at Hexham Balkotic makes a quick return to action just five days after disappointing at Sedgefield. He had previously finished a respectable third at Worcester, and was a comfortable winner at Sedgefield back in May. He is proving to be somewhat inconsistent, but a repeat of that win in May would see him go very close. The race is a 0-105 handicap hurdle over the extended two miles and seven furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston on board for the first time.
Shaws Bridge is on a handy mark again due to under performing on several occasions since winning from this current mark at Perth in April of last year. He ran one of his better races when a staying on third at Perth last time, but the over all feeling is that he is becoming a difficult ride, so having the champion jockey Brian Hughes taking the mount can only be a good thing. The race is a 0-120 handicap hurdle over two and a half miles at 5.55.pm.
Larry Looby attempts to win for the fifth time in a row at 6.55.pm, when he contests a 0-105 handicap chase over three miles, with Emma Smith-Chaston who has won on him on all four previous occasions once again in the saddle. Larry Looby started out his winning spree back in June from a mark of 72, and he will now race off 98, but that is only 1lb higher than from his latest success at Sedgefield. This race is more competitive than last time, but the horse is at the top of his form.
We are also represented in the same race by Amber Run who is still to finish in the first three in any of his 16 runs to date, which includes nine starts since joining us from Ireland last November. The pick of Amber Run's form is when finishing a 15 lengths fourth at Cartmel back in June, his current mark has now dropped to 67, which means he runs from 8lb out of the handicap,and he will be partnered by Conor O'Farrell.
Another horse making a quick return to action is Onenightintown who finished a respectable third at Sedgefield five days ago. He goes to post for a 0-100 handicap chase over the extended one mile and seven furlongs at 7.25.pm, where he will have the assistance of the champion jockey Brian Hughes riding him for the first time. Onenightintown has his quirks, and found little when asked to go and win the race last time, but if things fall right as they did at Market Rasen when he won on his penultimate start, there is no doubt that the ability is there.
To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, Sharp Hill, and Curlew, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.
Good luck to the connections, Anthony Bithell, Raypasha, Newroc & Co, Mr & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, Lady S Toomes, Mrs J Hill & Partners and The Rat Pack Racing Club.
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