We have four declared runners for Catterick on Wednesday where the going at the time of writing is soft.
The ex Irish Disc Donc is first up at 2.15.pm, in claiming hurdle over one mile and seven furlongs, with Jamie Hamilton riding him for the first time. Just because this is a claimer don't be fooled into thinking this is an easy assignment, because all the four runners in opposition come in to the race with reasonable recent form, and have been decent performers in the past. Disc Donc was also an above average performer when trained in Ireland, although he is yet to get his head in front. In four tries for us he has always finished well down the field, although he has picked up around £4000 in place prize money.
Bonne Vitesse who was a flat winner as a two year old when trained elsewhere, and made a winning debut over hurdles for us at Wetherby in January by 17 lengths. At Carlisle last time she was too keen under a penalty in better company, and she faded up the hill to finish fifth. That race was a lot better event than this one, and on this much sharper track she should be very competitive under her penalty. The race is a mares' novices hurdle over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride.
Who's The Guv'Nor goes to post for the 3.25.pm, a 0-105 novices handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs, with his regular jockey Alain Cawley in the saddle. Who's The Guv'Nor has had a stop start career to date blighted by injury, but in his time he has shown both in bumpers, and over hurdles that he can win a race. He was pulled up on his chase debut at Huntingdon last November after making a respiratory noise, but on his latest start at Catterick 33 days ago he finished a 16 and a half lengths third, which will have done his confidence no harm. Who's The Guv'Nor will need the ground to dry out, as he has never performed well on a soft surface.
Our final runner is the newcomer Split The Bill who makes his racecourse debut in the bumper over the extended one mile and seven furlongs at 5.40.pm, where he will be partnered by Sean Quinlan. Split The Bill is by the good dual purpose sire Champ Elysees, out of an unraced Kalanisi mare. Split The Bill can brag about her very talented half sister, who is the classy Indefatigable, who has achieved a BHA rating of 149, and can count among her seven wins the 2020 Martin Pipe handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and the 2021 Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.
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Good luck to the connections, Ursa Major And Partners, The Golden Cuckoo, Mr & Mrs I P Earnshaw, and J N Swinbank.
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