Spring calling for Wetherby backers

Springwell Bay can strike again for Jonjo O’Neill in the racingtv.com Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby.

SPRINGWELL BAY ridden by jockey Jonjo O'Neill on their way to winning the Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Poetry Competition Novices' Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday February 18, 2023. Picture: Racing and Sports

The six-year-old has been lightly but successfully campaigned so far, finishing second behind subsequent Grade One runner-up Adamantly Chosen on his bumper debut in Ireland.

When switched to Jonjo O'Neill 's yard the gelding won a Market Rasen bumper before moving to hurdles, winning his first run and then finishing third in a Grade Two Supreme trial at Cheltenham.

His next run was another win, this time a nine-and-a-half-length rout in an Ascot novice hurdle when stepped up to nearly two and a half miles.

The bay will run over the same trip at Wetherby in another novice contest and looks poised to continue on an upward trajectory on his fourth hurdling start.

On the same card it is Donald McCain's Chti Balko who appeals in the Wetherby Racecourse Car Boot Sales Handicap Hurdle.

The 11-year-old has been seen once this year, finishing second in a two-and-a-half-mile hurdle at Catterick under McCain's daughter Abbie.

The pair reunite in West Yorkshire and Chti Balko again benefits from his rider's 5lb claim as he comes back in trip to two miles.

At Plumpton in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Mares' Novices' Hurdle it is Fergal O'Brien's Lutinebella who makes most appeal.

The seven-year-old has never been too far away from the action in all starts excluding her last, which was a fairly heavy defeat in a Listed contest at Taunton.

This is both a step up in trip and a step down in class – both factors that can aid her in securing a third career success.

At Market Rasen, Jupiter Allen could have been found the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways in the Market Rasen Junior "National Hunt" Hurdle.

Jane Williams' juvenile looked a handy prospect in his first two outings, finishing second at Newton Abbot before going one better and opening his account at Kempton.

That was enough to see him deemed good enough to head to Chepstow for the Grade Two Finale Juvenile Hurdle over Christmas and although well held in that contest, he can bounce back here having seen the form of his Kempton victory franked by the runner-up in great style – Gary Moore's Spirit D'Aunou unbeaten in three since.

Warren Greatrex's Bold Soldier has been helped by a wind operation of late, finishing second in his two outings this term

He improved for the step up in trip at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve and could have plenty more to come at the distance in the Price Boosts On Football At Rhino.Bet Handicap Hurdle now joining the handicap ranks off a mark of 117.

Do not be shocked to see Sageburg County also find the scoresheet for the Rhonehurst handler and same owners Alan and Andrew Turner in the Premier League Offers At Rhino.Bet Maiden Hurdle.

SELECTIONS:

CLONMEL: 1.55 Carbon King, 2.30 Mister Twist, 3.05 Skradin, 3.40 Royal Rhythm, 4.15 Johngus, 4.50 Grand Paradis, 5.25 Cato's Revenge..

MARKET RASEN: 1.30 Thankyourluckystar, 2.05 Jupiter Allen, 2.40 Sageburg County, 3.15 Hawthorn Cottage, 3.50 First Angel, 4.25 Bold Soldier, 5.00 Blended Stealth.

WETHERBY: 1.40 Jukebox D'eddy, 2.15 Springwell Bay (NAP), 2.50 Jet Plane, 3.25 Chti Balko, 4.00 Famous Bridge, 4.35 Heritier De Sivola, 5.10 Doc McCoy.

PLUMPTON: 1.50 Lutinebella, 2.25 For Langy, 3.00 Gerico Ville, 3.35 Sublime Heights, 4.10 Gold Clermont, 4.45 Good Time Ahead.

DOUBLE: Springwell Bay and Lutinebella.


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