We send a team of seven to Wetherby, where the going at the time of writing is described as soft.
The ex Polish flat winner Stellarmasterpiece is first up at 12.30.pm, in the two miles mares only novices hurdle, with Connor O'Farrell retaining the ride. Stellarmasterpiece had a good time for us on the flat last spring winning at Catterick in May, and placing a further twice. He has now had two attempts over hurdles, where his jumping has let him down, so a confidence boosting clear round will be the order of the day.
Isabel De Clare ran a personal best over this course and distance on her penultimate start, when staying on well to finish a close up fifth. She has since been to Newcastle over nearly a half mile shorter, and the trip proved far too sharp. She clearly has plenty of ability and should get back on track here, with a first handicap mark to follow. Isabel De Clare runs at 1.33.pm, in the maiden hurdle over the extended two miles and three furlongs with Joshua Thompson retaining the ride.
Our 2019 Grade 1 Fighting Fifth winner Cornerstone Lad returns for another go, when contesting the 0-125 handicap chase, over two miles and three furlongs, at 2.08.pm, with Conor O'Farrell, who won on him back in 2022 in the saddle. Cornerstone Lad who is now 11 years old isn't as fast as he used to be, but his handicap mark reflects that. He can go OK when returning from a break, and we look forward to seeing back on the track.
We will be doubly represented at 2.43.pm, in the £15,000, 0-130, Class 3 handicap, over the extended two miles and three furlongs. Foster'sisland is another of our veteran stable stalwarts who can boast some really sound and consistent form around Wetherby, although surprisingly he is still to win there. He has already finished in the frame twice this season at the track, but will need to be at the top of his game in this 17 runner competitive company, where once again Emma Smith-Chaston takes the reins.
Singapore Trip is our other representative in the race, with Sean Bowen on board for the first time. Singapore Trip ran some fine races in defeat last season, before getting off the mark at Perth in May, for which the handicapper took no chances by raising him 6lb to 116. He returned over this course and distance in November after a five and a half months break, and will strip fitter this time.
Bay Empress will make her racecourse debut in Division 1 of the maiden bumper at 3.50.pm, with Henry Brooke booked to ride. Bay Express has a lot of stamina in her breeding, being by the 2007 St Ledger runner up, and Melbourne Cup third Mahler. Her Dam was above average winning three times over hurdles, and notably finishing seventh, only beaten six and a quarter lengths in the 2014 Listed Mares race at the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
He's A Diamond goes to post for Division 2 of the bumper at 4.22.pm, where Conor O'Farrell will be on board for the first time. He's A Diamond ran in two Irish point to points, finishing second in the latter, before making his stable, rules, and British debut at Market Rasen in December, where he disappointed finishing last of the eight starters. He is clearly better than that and we will learn more here.
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Good luck to the connections, M H O G, Keep The Faith Partnership, Mrs B M Lofthouse, The Oakwood Nobels, Andrew Phillips, Sharp Hill Thoroughbreds, and Craig & Laura Buckingham.
One of the best 'Northern' hurdlers of the last decade, Cornerstone Lad.

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