We send a team of six to Wetherby on Thursday, where the going is currently described as soft.
We are doubly represented in the first race at 2.10.pm, in the two miles maiden hurdle. Bodygroove made a pleasing start to his hurdling career when going down by just a neck on his stable debut at Carlisle 38 days ago. He was the winner of one of his nine flat starts, achieving a best BHA rating of 67, in trips up to two miles. Bodygroove proved at Carlisle that soft ground suits, and he will once again be ridden by Conor O'Farrell.
We are also represented in the race by Lillistar, who will be ridden by Emma Smith-Chaston, who was also on board for both of her other two starts over hurdles. Lillistar had seven runs on the flat for her previous yard, recording a best BHA rating of 60, when finishing runner up at Leicester in June of last year. She will be seen to better effect when the ground dries out, and she should recieve a handicap mark after this.
We also have two runners in the 0-110 handicap chase, over one mile and seven furlongs, at 3.20.pm. Getaway Jewel is now a very well handicapped horse, being 3lb below his last winning mark, and 10lb below his highest mark of 99. He is very ground dependant, as all his best form is on a sound surface, so he will be wanting it to dry out significantly. He will once again be partnered by Connor O'Farrell.
Our other runner in the race is Contre Ordre, who will be partnered by his regular rider Emma Smith-Chaston. Contre Ordre looked all set for a very profitable season when winning well at Sedgefield back in November, but he hasn't performed to the same level in three subsequent starts. He is now back down to that last winning mark, and has conditions in his favour.
Howzat Hiris was a winner at Newcastle almost a year ago to the day, and has since been an excellent second at Market Rasen in December. Both those runs would see her bang in the mix here, but she hasn't shown that level of form on any of her last three starts, which has seen her return to that last winning mark. She has conditions in her favour, when she goes to post for the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over three miles, at 5.05.pm, with Alice Stevens on board for the first time.
Isabel De Clare who is related to a couple of smart jumpers, has her second bumper start at 5.40.pm, over two miles, where she will be partnered by the champion jockey Brian Hughes. Isabel De Clare made a pleasing debut at Newcastle on the all weather 56 days ago, when keeping on for a seven and three quarter lengths fifth of the 12 runners. This will be her first start on turf, as she continues her education.
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Good luck to the connections, Mrs B M Lofthouse, John Sidebottom & Mrs Kate Sidebottom, Phil Ellerby, Newroc & Co, Sticky Wicket Racing, and Keep The Faith Partnership.
Isabel De Clare.
