OUR BUSY WEEK CONTINUES AT HEXHAM.

We send a team of four up to Hexham on Friday where the going at the time of writing is good to soft, and soft in places on the chase course.

The ex French Trac who was purchased in the spring from the same yard as our recent Wetherby winner Geryville is first up when he carries top weight at 12.30.pm, in division one of the 0-100 handicap hurdle over two miles with Alain Cawley retaining the ride. Trac made his stable debut for us at Wetherby 23 days ago in a novice hurdle, where he weakened from two out to finish fifth on his first start in four months, that run will have helped to get him back to full fitness.

Soloheadbeg has been declared for the 1.0.pm, in division two of the handicap hurdle. He is also declared for the 1.45.pm, at Sedgefield on Thursday, but if the ground comes up too soft he will re-route to Hexham instead, he is down to be ridden by Jack Hogan in both events. Since arriving from Ireland Soloheadbeg has raced on three occasions, and ran above expectations on his first start in 11 weeks when finishing a respectable sixth at Carlisle 22 days ago. His mark has now dropped by 11lb, to 96.

We are doubly represented at 2.40.pm, by Trouble Shooter, and Great Raffles who run in the 0-100 handicap hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs. Since arriving at the yard over the summer Trouble Shooter has failed to find the form that saw him finish a good third at Southwell in a novice hurdle back in June for his previous yard. He has raced three times on the flat and twice over jumps for us, and is yet to make an impression. Soft ground would be of no concern, and Conor O'Farrell is back in the saddle.

We also run Great Raffles who will be partnered by Alain Cawley who rode him on four occasions last season. Great Raffles has generally struggled in all of his eight starts to date, the five for us, and the three when he was trained in France. His best run came on his last start in France in June 2020 when finishing a 13 lengths sixth on the flat at Les Sables-d'Olonne.He arrived in the UK with a mark of 100, and he can now race from a mark of 82, this will be his first attempt over two miles and seven furlongs.

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, Randall Orchard & Partners, Lady S Toomes, Mrs J Hill & Partners, T M Clarke, and The Golden Cuckoo.