Wetherby passed it's first inspection on Wednesday at 9.0.am, but they are still not out of the woods, as another inspection has been planned for 8.0.am on Thursday, to decide whether the track will be raceable, as at this time of writing the track is frozen.If we get the green light, then we shall have four runners, contesting two events. We will be doubly represented in the 1.32.pm, a 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles and three furlongs. Ex S'lance had just finished second at Kelso in March, when racing was put in to lock-down, meaning his season came to a premature end. In three runs since his return, he has failed to sparkle, but he is now 6lb below his last winning mark, achieved in April 2019 at Newcastle, Alain Cawley takes the ride.
We are also represented in the race by Great Raffles who has shown ability when running three times in France in the summer of 2020. He has raced twice since arriving at the yard, in November he was third, albeit at a very respectable distance, in an above average novice hurdle at Wetherby, which was followed in December with his first attempt at handicap company at Sedgefield, when finishing ninth of the 14 runners. He has been dropped 4lb to his new mark of 94, with Joe Colliver retaining the ride.
We also run two in the 0-100 novices handicap hurdle at 2.37.pm. The Very Thing was also just running in to form when lock-down struck, having finished second on his last start of last season, in March at Wetherby. He has run twice at Hexham since his return, finishing a pleasing fourth in November, but he disappointed in December, and has been dropped 2lb, Alain Cawley who rode him at Wetherby is back in the saddle.
Our other runner is the ex Irish Kildrum who had finished second in five Irish point to points before joining us. His future probably lies over fences, but we are starting him out over hurdles. He made his stable debut at Wetherby on Boxing Day when pulling up on his first start in over nine months, he will strip fitter this time, with Billy Garritty taking the ride.
Good luck to the connections, The Fifty Fifty Partnership, The Golden Cuckoo, Derek Warpole, and T M Clarke.