Fences specialist primed to strike at Wetherby

ITS a sure sign that were in the depths of autumn when Wetherby re-opens its doors for the start of its major jumps campaign and todays curtain-raiser at the popular Yorkshire course is staged in support of Spinal Research and embraces a seven-race card.

One of the highlights is the 10,000 Bobby Renton Handicap Chase, in which racegoers may be drawn towards the peerless Tony McCoy aboard Jonjo ONeills Foundation Man, or the James Reveley-ridden Shadrack, winner of his last two races.

Both those horses, however, are reappearing after a break and their fitness has to be taken on trust. Perhaps a better proposition may be Alderbrook Lad, trained at Middleham by Micky Hammond and a horse who ran well to finish third over hurdles at Sedgefield recently.

Now back over the major obstacles, Alderbrook Lad, a previous winner on this course, has scored four times over fences. He is napped to add to his tally this afternoon with Joe Colliverin the saddle.

The 10,000 racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase over two miles is the joint most valuable race on the card and offers Toledo Gold the chance to follow up his recent Hexham win, where he made all the running.

The handicapper has raised the Maurice Barnes-trained gelding 7lb for that success, but Barnes has engaged the services of 7lb claimer Stephen Mulqueen to erase that rise. He could take plenty of catching.

The Spinal Research Rachel Wright Memorial Hurdle - named in honour of the lady from Stamford Bridge who was such a driving force behind this charity day for many years - is a head-scratcher for punters. Most of the runners are Flat recruits making their jumping debuts, but at least Final Countdown has had the benefit of a recent outing over hurdles.

John Quinns charge was not totally convincing before finishing second at Bangor, but that experience should have had a beneficial effect on this dual-Flat winner.

Also worth noting at Wetherby are the fit from the Flat Goodwood Mirage (3.25), another of McCoys mounts, and recent winner Orbys Man (4.35), from the Charlie Longsdon stable which was successful on this card 12 months ago.

On the Flat at Nottingham, Hazelrigg makes appeal in the Racing Specials At 32RedSport.com Handicap over five furlongs.

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Fences specialist primed to strike at Wetherby