THE BUZZ

by Wetherbee

RACE ONE

SINCE DAY ONE was not disgraced when finishing third in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster and holds leading claims down in grade. Whistleinthedark created a good impression when winning on his chasing debut in a first-time hood at Market Rasen and he should not be taken lightly despite being officially rated 14lb inferior to the selection. Not What It Seems, who was declared to run at Lingfield on Tuesday, would need to improve if turned out here.

WIN: SINCE DAY ONE

RACE TWO

DANGER: Whistleinthedark

Montgomery made a winning hurdles debut at Fontwell but could be vulnerable under a 7lb penalty. With that in mind, a chance is taken on SOLAR SOVEREIGN who struggled over an extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter last time and can fare better down in trip with Brian Hughes now in the saddle. Technology is entitled to build on his hurdling bow when fifth at Chepstow and is feared most.

WIN: SOLAR SOVEREIGN

RACE THREE

DANGER: Technology

ELOGIO made an early mistake on his hurdling bow when runner-up at Huntingdon recently but compensation could await with that experience under his belt. Bois Guillbert could prove to be the main threat to the selection after his debut win over hurdles at Ayr. Point Franklin is another proven winner but will need to find further improvement to score here, while Clovis Boy is another to note.

WIN: ELOGIO

RACE FOUR

DANGER: Bois Guillbert

The 2021 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Milkwood struggled in a Grade 2 at Wincanton last time and could improve dropping in grade, but has to carry top weight so

IMPULSIVE ONE shades the vote He is now 2lb above his last winning mark and must enter calculations for powerful connections stepping up in trip Progressive secured an easy victory at Kempton over 2m earlier this month and also warrants a market check

WIN: IMPULSIVE ONE

RACE FIVE

DANGER: Milkwood

Xcitations drops in class having struggled at Doncaster last time, but ROSE SEA HAS lost little in defeat when recording a decent second on his most recent outing over 2m at Hereford He has gone up 3lb for that effort but it may not be enough to stop him here. Prince Escalus is now 1lb above his last winning mark and can give the selection plenty to think about.

WIN: ROSE SEA HAS

RACE SIX

DANGER: Prince Escalus

EAST STREET went down narrowly over C&D last month and could gain quick compensation here. The Sue Smith-trained gelding has adapted well to fences and, given that he responded well to the retained cheekpieces on that occasion, the seven-year-old is hard to oppose Cash To Ash (third) was 10 lengths behind the selection that day but could get closer now, while Juniper may be suited by dropping in trip and completes the shortlist.

WIN: EAST STREET

Race Seven

DANGER: Cash To Ash

White Rhino scored on his handicap debut at Southwell last week and is respected turned out quickly under a penalty. However, BUSHMILL BOY looks a real threat on these terms following an encouraging effort at Sedgefield and he edges the vote back up in trip Red Ochre is also shortlisted after a solid effort here last month, while Millie Of Mayo merits consideration on her return to action.

WIN: BUSHMILL BOY

DANGER: White Rhino

PREMIER ENCLOSURE

• Wetherby Millenium Stand

• Level 1 – The Tack Room Coffee Shop

• Level 2 – Marston Moor Bar

• Level 3 – White Rose Bistro*

• Level 4 – White Horse Mezzanine Bar

• Millennium West Stand

• Level 3 – 1891 Bar

(Please check opening timings on the day)

*The White Rose Bistro is popular and often sells out in advance. Please check availability on the day at the White Rose reception desk.

PADDOCK ENCLOSURE

• Wetherby Millenium Stand

• Level 1 – New for 2022! The Tack Room Coffee Shop

• Millennium West Stand

• Level 1 – Henry Crossley Bar

• Bramham Hall

• Paddock Bar

OUTSIDE CATERING MOBILES

Horsewalk

Course Enclosure

VIP Hospitality ‘B’Car Park

Annual Badge Holders (Reserved) ‘A’Car Park

Course Entrance &Turnstiles

FRESH bistro FRESH CAFE FRESH HOT ROLLS FRESH PIES FRESH PANINIS

Main Entrance &Turnstiles

The Tack Room Coffee Shop.... Level 1 Millennium Stand

Open to both Premier & Paddock Enclosure racegoers.

Annual Badge Holders ‘C’Car Park

Serving Barista style coffees, speciality teas, hand-baked cakes & brownies and Panini’s This is an alcohol-free zone

• Roast of the Day

• Selection of Fresh Hot Dishes • Side Dishes

• Daily Hot Specials • Blue Plate Salads

• Selection of Freshly made Sandwiches • Snacks

• Hand Baked Cakes • Coffee and Tea Infusions

• Chilled Minerals and Juices

• Selection of Carved Meats served in Speciality Breads with a variety of accompaniments and dressings

• Selection of Tasty Hot Pies and Pastries served with accompaniments

• Selection of Paninis served with Salad Garnish

Seven races took centre stage as Wetherby was treated to another exciting day of action.

The day’s opener saw Get Up Mush win with ease for the Skelton brothers. The five-year-old won gamely having been towards the back and a two out took the lead despite hanging in his running. He kept on well and went 1 ¾ lengths clear of the tiring Cerendipity, who ran prominent, unfortunately not having enough left to truly compete with the winner. The leader Snowy Evening secure third after some poor jumping.

The short favourite Our Jet was beaten in the next as the Venetia Williams trainer Gemirande took home the prize. Gemirande never looked under trouble as he made all and went clear from three out, despite not jumping fluently he still kept on well. Back in second place there was another promising performance from War Lord under Brendan Powell. He was held up in the rear and was ridden to go second coming into the last The favourite Our Jet was back in third. Favourites were back winning in the third race as the 8/13 Ruby Island came in, in style. The Mark Walford trained Bay kept on the significant winning margins from the prior race. She won by five lengths after being held up in midfield before being pushed by Jamie Hamilton to take on the leader Jane Du Berlais After three furlongs out Ruby Island took the lead and kept on well from second placed Hashtag Boum but she never posed much of a threat.

In the fourth the favourite, Ballygrifincottage got pulled up after leading narrowly. This was swiftly taken on by Bellatrixsa, chased by City Chief. In the latter stages of the race City Chief led and went well clear before making a mistake three out but this didn’t stop him from winning again by the margin of five lengths to O’Toole that had been raced in last and again made some errors in jumping but was no match for the Nicky Henderson winner.

The winner of the fifth didn’t have an easy run in for Mitchell Bastyan as he was held up in the rear alongside the eventual second Universal Folly for most of the race. At three out Pyramid Place began to move eventually he and most of the rest of the field overtook the last placed Daly Tiger. Pyramid Palace kept on well and there was no closing in on him.

In the penultimate race of the day saw hunt members take to the track in for the hunter chase. This again saw the favourite romp home for Dan Skelton giving him a double on the day. It looked after the last fence like Moratorium would be ridden to press but Not That Fuisse after being shaken up found a new gear and kicked again to keep on well. Leaving Moratorium for the spoils and the rest of the field fourteen lengths behind.

To round off the day there was a surprise in the Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race as the 40/1 shot came in for trainer Laura Horsfall and jockey Charlie Price. Long Symphony took keen hold of the race and led after seven furlongs. This gave the Mahler offspring an easy trip for most of the race before, he was challenged at one furlong out by Paddy O’Mahler before he kicked again and Mr Bramley went to chase. In the closing stages it was a closer contest between the minor places which was taken by a neck by Mr Bramley over Paddy O’Mahler.

10-13

9 Cabrakan (IRE) 10-10

10 Bucks Dream (IRE) 10-6

11 Beannaigh Do (IRE) 10-2

Hereford

Race 5 3.35 2m 5f 163y

1 Masked Matgil (FR) 12-0

2 Makety (GB) 11-13

3 Lady Pacifico (GB) 11-10

4 Kentford Swansong (GB) 10-13

5 Hedychium (IRE) 10-9

6 Maid of The Night (IRE) 10-3

7 Alfa Dawn (IRE) 10-2

Race 6 4.10 2m 4f 194y

1 Rooster Cogburn (IRE) 12-7

2 Judex Lefou (IRE) 11-7

3 Family Pot (FR) 11-5

4 On The Platform (IRE) 11-1

5 Wavecrest (IRE) 10-12

6 Nyoufsea (GB) 10-2

Race 7 4.40 2m 53y

1 Brockarno (GB) 11-2

2 Idefix de Ciergues (FR) 11-2

3 It Had To Be Shaw (IRE) 11-2

4 Emma Hamilton (IRE) 10-9

5 Guinessed (IRE) 10-9

6 Sister Julienne (GB) 10-9

7 Prairie Diamond (IRE) 10-4

First Race

1.40

for novice five yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £11000 Owners Prize Money Winner £4590; Second £2296; Third £1147 (Penalty Value £5990.60)

Leading course trainer (17-22): M Hammond (23 wins from 280 runners, 8%) runs NOT WHAT IT SEEMS

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): D McCain (6 wins from 53 runners, 11%) runs SINCE DAY ONE colours no horse form age st-lb

Longest Traveller: WHISTLEINTHEDARK trained by L Morgan, Waltham On The Wolds, 95 miles.

RACE DESCRIPTION Novice races tend to be for younger horses that are still learning their way over hurdles or fences and allow them to race against each other before graduating up the ranks. Horses are classed as a novice if they have yet to win a race, under the respective code, prior to the official start of the season, towards the end of April although for wins between 1st March and the end of the season they may continue to contest novice races until the end of the following October This particular two miles and five furlongs novices steeple chase is for horses aged five-years-old and upwards which have not won more than two steeple chases.

1 SINCE DAY ONE (IRE) (18) 14-1213

B g Fame And Glory - Collou (IRE)

Owner: Mr C. Strang Steel

Breeder: Mr Des Kenneally

Jockey: Brian Hughes

7 11-10

Trainer: Donald McCain, Cholmondeley

Sponsor: Proactive Personnel Limited

Multiplewinneroverhurdleslastseasonandhasbagged2novicehandicapchasesthisterm Ranaswellascouldbeexpectedwhen14lengthsthird inDoncasterGrade2latest.Firstoutingbeyond2munderRulesbutwasplacedin3mpointsatthestartofcareer Leadingformclaims. StarRatingHHHHH BHA139

TIMEFORMVIEW

2 WHISTLEINTHEDARK (IRE) (51) 2133-21 D

B g Fame And Glory - Last of Many (IRE)

Owner: Racing On Together Club

Breeder: Mrs Kathleen McKeever

8 11-6

Jockey: Patrick Cowley (3)

Trainer: L J Morgan, Waltham On The Wolds

TIMEFORMVIEWLeftbehindhisfairwinninghurdleformwhenmakingasucessfulstarttohischasecareeratMarketRasen (21.5f; hooded first time) on Boxing Day, making all with ease. Definitely capable of better Star RatingHHHHI BHA 125

3 NOT WHAT IT SEEMS (IRE) (50) 01-1123 C

B g Robin des Pres (FR) - Kyle Ruby (IRE)

Owner: Ryder and Alex Sugden

Breeder: Eamon Callaghan

7 11-0

Jockey: Emma Smith-Chaston (3)

Trainer: Micky Hammond, Middleham

Sponsor: Optima Self Store

TIMEFORMVIEWCompletedhat-trickofnovicehurdlesuccesseswhenseeingoff5rivalshereinOctober Soundstarttohischasecareer when third of 6 over 19.5f here over Christmas. More to come over fences. Star RatingHHHII BHA 123

DECLARED RUNNERS 3

2022: ERNE RIVER (IRE) 7 11 6 Charlie Hammond 1-2 (Nick Kent) 5 ran Hood worn by No 2, 3. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 1.

Probable S.P’s: 4-5 Since Day One (IRE), 5-2 Whistleinthedark (IRE), 9-2 Not What It Seems (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

SINCE DAY ONE is a useful operator with a fine record in small fields and is taken to prove just too strong for Whistleinthedark, who scored in taking fashion on his chase debut over Christmas.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.SINCE DAY ONE (IRE) 2.WHISTLEINTHEDARK (IRE) 3.NOT WHAT IT SEEMS (IRE)

THE RESULT

1st..............................................................

2nd Distance 10

WETHERBY STEEPLECHASE COMMITTEE LTD will present a memento to the winning owner of this race and £50 to the stablehand in charge of the best turned out horse.

Great British Bonus Scheme

The Great British Bonus (GBB) offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000 per eligible race for British-bread fillies and mares.

Cash Machine

Cash Machines are located within the Bramham Hall and Millennium Stand – Level 2.

Security Checks

Please note that as part of our security procedures, our security personnel carry out random bag checks on entry and within the enclosures. A full list of prohibited items is detailed within our terms and conditions of entry which can be found at wetherbyracing.co.uk.

If you see an unattended bag please contact a member of our stewarding team

Food And Drink

Items of food & drink are not permitted to be brought into either the Paddock or Premier Racecourse Enclosures. In accordance with our terms and conditions of entry, such items may be confiscated if found by stewards during a routine security bag search. Racegoers may take food and drink for personal consumption into the Course Enclosure.

SECOND RACE 2.10

THE wetherbyracing.co.uk NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE)

for novice four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £7000

Owners Prize Money Winner £2921; Second £1461; Third £730; Fourth £365. (Penalty Value £3812.20)

FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK

Leading course trainer (17-22): M Hammond (23 wins from 280 runners, 8%) runs HALPHA SOLEIL

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): A King (5 wins from 38 runners, 13%) runs TECHNOLOGY colours no horse form age st-lb

Longest Traveller: MONTGOMERY trained by C Williams, Bridgend, 245 miles.

RACE DESCRIPTION This two miles and three furlongs hurdle race is another for novices’. It is restricted to horses aged four-years-old and upwards which have not previously won more than three hurdle races. Initially, the weights are set according to sex with fillies and mares carrying 7lb less than their male rivals before previous hurdle race winners are allocated a 7lb penalty for each race won.

1 MONTGOMERY (IRE) (119) 2-1

B g Soldier of Fortune (IRE) - Una Sorpresa (GER) Jockey: Jack Tudor

Owner: Gwent Holdings Limited

Breeder: Miss Roisin O’Brien

6 11-9

Trainer: Christian Williams, Bridgend

TIMEFORMVIEWShowedplentyofabilitywhenrunner-upinaWorcesterbumperondebutinOctober2021.LeftTomLaceyfor£100,000and,fittedwithatonguestrap, defiedmarketweaknesstogoonebetteronFontwellhurdlingdebutayearlater Opentoimprovementdespitesubsequentabsence. StarRatingHHHHI BHA-

2 BREAKDANCE KID (GB) (49) 3-P0

Ch g Norse Dancer (IRE) - Pinamar

Owner: Mrs Wilma Duffus

Breeder: Cyril Humphris

5 11-2

Jockey: Tom Midgley (5)

Trainer: Patrick Neville, Leyburn

Sponsor: The Red Armoury

TIMEFORM VIEW Didn’t show much in points and was well beaten in a Catterick maiden hurdle (19.3f, soft) on Rules debut 49 days ago

3 GLORY HIGHTS (GB) (50) 0

B g Fame And Glory - Lady Hight (FR)

Owner: Mr John Wade & Chris Grant

Breeder: Wood Farm Stud

Star RatingHIIII BHA -

7 11-2

Jockey: Danny McMenamin

Trainer: Chris Grant, Billingham

TIMEFORM VIEW Shaped as if in need of the experience when well held in course bumper (heavy) on NH debut 50 days ago

4 HALPHA SOLEIL (FR) (94) 415/-251

B g Kapgarde (FR) - Toi Et Le Soleil (FR)

Owner: T I S PARTNERSHIP

Breeder: S.C.E.A. de La Perrigne, D. Powell, V. R

Star RatingHHIII BHA -

6 11-2

Jockey: Conor O’Farrell

Trainer: Micky Hammond, Middleham

Sponsor: Micky Hammond Racing

Twice-racedoverhurdlesinFranceforMlleD.Mele,bettereffortwhenfourthinjuvenileatPauin2020/21.Landeda12-runner bumper at Durtal (14.4f) on final start for P. De Chevigny in November Not dismissed on UK/stable debut. Star RatingHHHII BHA -

TIMEFORMVIEW

5 SOLAR SOVEREIGN (IRE) (46) 21//-20

B g Multiplex - Royal Roxy (IRE)

Owner: Mrs Nicola Bulgin

Breeder: Edmond Kent

Jockey: Brian Hughes

8 11-2

Trainer: Toby Bulgin, Thetford

TIMEFORMVIEWPointwinnerwhobelied80/1oddswhenmakingareallypromisingstartoverhurdleshereinDecember,finishingsecond.Upped intripandnot inthesameformatUttoxeterbut waspossiblyunsuitedby verytestingconditions.Maybounceback Star RatingHHHHI BHA -

6 TECHNOLOGY (IRE) (50) 43-5

B g Yeats (IRE) - Little Fashionista (IRE)

Owner: McNeill Family & Stone Family

Breeder: Godfrey Greene

Jockey: A. P. Heskin

6 11-2

Trainer: Alan King, Barbury Castle

Sponsor: Ultima Business Solutions

TIMEFORMVIEWFairinbumpersandpromisingstartoverhurdleswhenfifthin15-runnerChepstowmaiden(19.5f)overChristmas, every chance when untidy 2 out (running green). In good hands and he’s very much the type to improve. Star RatingHHHHH BHA -

7 TARA BROOCH (GB) (-)

B m Kayf Tara - Gaspara (FR)

Owner: Mrs G. B. Walford

Breeder: Mrs G. B. Walford

5 10-9

Jockey: Jamie Hamilton

Trainer: Mark Walford, Sheriff Hutton

TIMEFORM VIEW Kayf Tara mare. Half-sister to bumper winner Pennine Cross. Dam, 2m-2 1/2m hurdle winner (stayed 3m), half-sister to very smart hurdler (stayed 25f) MrThriller No back number on paper, so requires a market check. Star RatingHHHII BHA -

DECLARED RUNNERS 7 2022: RAFFERTY’S RETURN 7 11 7 Sean Quinlan 15-8 (Rebecca Menzies) 12 ran

Tongue Strap worn by No 1.

Probable S.P’s: 2-1 Technology (IRE), 11-4 Montgomery (IRE), 4-1 Solar Sovereign (IRE), 7-1 Halpha Soleil (FR), 12-1 Tara Brooch (GB), 33-1 Glory Hights (GB), 100-1 Breakdance Kid (GB)

PLAY SMARTER

The vote goes to TECHNOLOGY, who looks sure to build on an encouraging start over hurdles at Chepstow over the Christmas period. Solar Sovereign was possibly unsuited by conditions at Uttoxeter, so is worth another chance judged on the promise of his hurdling debut here in December Fontwell-scorer Montgomery also warrants respect under a penalty despite his subsequent absence.

The Result

WETHERBY STEEPLECHASE COMMITTEE LTD will present a memento to the winning owner of this race and £50 to the stablehand in charge of the best turned out horse.

Great British Bonus Scheme

The Great British Bonus (GBB) offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000 per eligible race for British-bread fillies and mares.