Cornerstone Lad had the best form of any hurdler trained in the North of England last season, weighing in a at a lofty rating of 159.He is the best horse Micky has ever trained, and proved that point on two occasions last season.At the end of November he won the prestigious Grade 1 'Fighting Fifth' at Newcastle, and probably bettered that when going down by three parts of a length, when having to concede weight at Haydock in 'The New One Unibet Hurdle' Grade 1 (named after the recently deceased three time Grade 1 winner) in January. For the last three seasons Cornerstone Lad has run on the flat prior to going jumping, and he has followed the same preparation this year, reappearing at Redcar 31 days ago when finishing forth, beaten 15 lengths. It was a satisfactory introduction, with him warming to the task at the business end of the race,On Tuesday in the 4.10.pm Billy Garritty who is three from three on him over jumps, retains the ride. This race will put him spot on for the winter months ahead.
We also have a runner at Southwell where The Resdev Way makes his stable debut in the 5.03.pm race, the Betway Amateur Jockeys' Handicap, over one mile and six furlongs, with Becky Smith taking the ride. The Resdev Way has been trained previously in four different yards, and is a veteran of 64 races, 34 on the flat on the turf, 21 on the All Weather, seven over hurdles, and twice in bumpers, he is the winner of eight races in total. He is actually rated 10lb higher on the All Weather than he is on the turf, but has a good record at Southwell, being a winner there twice previously, and finishing third, beaten three quarters of a length off a 8lb higher mark last November.
Good luck to the connections, Mrs B M Lofthouse, and Resdev.