It'a a busy day on Friday with eight runners, Dragons Will Rise runs on the all weather at Newcastle, and we provide seven of the 44 runners at Catterick. The current prediction of good ground is the reason for the small turn out, with only the last race boasting double figures.
Dragons Will Rise is every owners dream, and he now proudly boasts seven wins from his last 10 starts, both on the turf and on the all weather. His winning run began at Newcastle in March 2020 from a mark of 49 with Robert Havlin riding him for the first time, since then Havlin has taken his record on the horse to five wins from six rides. Dragons Will Rise was the winner of his latest start at Newcastle 22 days ago keeping on strongly for a two and three quarter lengths success, for which the handicapper has lost patience with him, and now raised him to 77. The race is at 4.10.pm, over 10 furlongs, with Robert Havlin once again in the saddle.
Over at Catterick we kick off at 1.0.pm, with the ex French flat racer Piecederesistance having his second start over hurdles in the extended one mile and seven furlongs juvenile hurdle, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride. With a Racing Post rating of 90 Piecerderesistance would have been the best of these on the flat, and on his jumps debut at Sedgefield last November he was sent off at 5/6 favourite, but after a bad blunder at the sixth he couldn't get competitive, but still finished a respectable third in the circumstances.
Onenightintown faces four rivals at 1.30.pm, in a 0-105 novices handicap chase over the extended one mile and seven furlongs, where Jack Hogan retains the ride. Onenightintown indicated on a couple of occasions last term that with a little more resolution there could be a race in him. He was fourth over this course and distance 38 days ago in a slightly more competitive race, but the jury is still out as to how much he really wants to get his head in front.
Raddle And Hum will face just two rivals at 2.35.pm, in a 0-130 mares only handicap chase over three miles and one furlong, with her regular rider Becky Smith in the saddle. Raddle And Hum has finished third on both of her last two starts which were both at Wetherby, from a 6lb lower mark than now, but she has shown a real consistency and liking for fences, the good ground will hold no terrors.
Not What It Seems has run consistently to a similar level on his last three starts in novice hurdle company, and his form on good ground suggests that another big run is in the offing. He goes to post for the maiden hurdle at 3.10.pm, over two miles and three furlongs, with Conor O'Farrell once again in the saddle. Not What it Seems has a current BHA rating of 104, and only American Gerry who has been runner up on it's last three starts, with a rating of 118, is rated superior.
Who's The Guv'Nor has hinted on more than one occasion that his current mark of 103 is attractive, he will run in the 0-105 handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs at 3.40.pm, with Alain Cawley retaining the ride. Who's The Guv'Nor made his chase debut at Huntingdon 87 days ago when pulling up before the sixth, with his jockey reporting that the horse made a respiratory noise, the predicted good ground will help.
We are doubly represented in the final race at 4.15.pm, a 0-100 conditional jockeys handicap hurdle over two miles and three furlongs. Burnage Boy is now a 29 race maiden under both codes, but has finished second on four occasions proving that the ability is there. Prior to getting bogged down in the heavy ground at Wetherby when last seen four weeks ago, he had run well twice when fifth at Catterick, and second at Sedgefield, he will once again be partnered by Jack Hogan.
Our other representative in the race is Trouble Shooter who will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston for the first time. Since arriving at Oakwood Stables in the summer of last year this previous five times winner has shown us precious little in eight starts under both codes. He is well handicapped on the form he showed in maiden hurdle company for his previous yard, but on his latest start at Kempton on the flat when last seen 11 days ago, he failed to get competitive.
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, The Golden Cuckoo, Ryder Sugden, The Rat Pack Racing Club, Miss Rebecca Dennis, Mr & Mrs I P Earnshaw, JFW Properties Ltd, and T M Clarke.
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