It will be a special day on Friday for all of us who have followed the unique career of Roxyfet at Sedgefield, since he first arrived at Micky's yard back in 2015. Roxyfet who finally retired from racing a month ago was an outstanding racehorse, having run a staggering 114 times under rules, including (possibly a record) 103 times over fences. He was the winner of nine of his 42 races at his favourite track Sedgefield.
We send six runners up to Sedgefield, including Larry Looby, who will contest the 'Paxtons Roxyfet Handicap Chase' at 5.05.pm, where the going at the time of writing is soft, good to soft in places.
We are doubly represented at 2.45.pm, in a 0-115 handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs, where Mac Suibhne returns from a 147 day break,where he will be partnered by Conor O'Farrell. Mac Suibhne arrived from Ireland last spring, and immediately made his mark by winning first time up at Market Rasen over hurdles, he doubled his tally when winning a match at Wetherby in October on his chase debut, but his two subsequent runs were not up to the same standard, with the effects of a long season perhaps having taken it's toll.
Our other runner in the race is Mister Bells, who will once again have the assistance of Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle. Since arriving from Ireland last autumn Mister Bells has ran on six occasions. He had run well on each of his first five starts, without quite being able to put a race to bed, but things fell in to place at Market Rasen last time where he ran out a convincing winner, and the 4lb rise for that success won't stop him from being a danger to all again.
Monaghan Boy showed ability in all four of his bumper starts, but in six runs since over hurdles he is yet to get any closer than a distant sixth. After failing to get competitive in three handicaps he now steps back in to maiden hurdle company, where he faces a stiff task at the weights, but this race against fellow novices should help him build confidence, and gain further experience. He goes to post at 3.20.pm, with Conor O'Farrell riding for the first time, over the extended two miles.
Getaway Jewel was a duel winner at Market Rasen last summer, which saw him climb by 13lb in the handicap, and saw him fail to score again in four further starts. He returned from his winter break at Wetherby 24 days ago, where that race will have helped to get him back to full fitness. Although he does have form on a soft surface, I get the feeling that any drying out of the ground would be to his advantage. The race is a 0-100 novices handicap chase over two miles and one furlong, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride.
Great Raffles who goes to post for the 4.30.pm, a 0-105 handicap hurdle, over the marathon three miles and three furlongs, with Conor O'Farrell in the saddle for the first time, was the winner of this corresponding race last year from a 12lb lower mark. He has run creditable in all of his three runs since, this season, and he will relish the trip, and a soft surface.
Larry Looby who was the winner of five handicap chases last season, suffered a very unlucky return to the track at Wetherby eight days ago when he was hampered by a faller, causing him to unseat his rider at the third fence. So all but in name, this will be his seasons opener, which he is entitled to need, having previously been off the track since early November. Larry Looby will contest the 0-100 'Paxtons Roxyfet Handicap Chase' at 5.05.pm, over three miles and three furlongs, with his regular rider Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle.
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Good luck to the connections, Phil Ellerby, Mr and Mrs Paul Chapman, The Golden Cuckoo, and Mr & Mrs D Lees J Kaye & D Pollitt.