Hatcher aiming to extend winning streak at Stratford

IT'S the last evening meeting of the year at Stratford on Tuesday and, after the recent rain, the runners will find ground conditions a little different to those at the height of the summer, writes David Hucker.

Since finishing runner-up over the course to Yensir, Dan Skelton’s Hatcher has run up a hat-trick of wins by a combined margin of 67 lengths and goes for win number four in the Watch Racing UK On BT Novices’ Hurdle over two and a quarter miles, which gets the six-race card underway at 5.10pm.

He hasn’t run on soft ground since being beaten here by Clondaw Castle in a bumper back in March 2017, so whether he will be as effective on the surface this time remains to be seen.

As well as the going, Hatcher also has to contend with conceding weight to all his rivals, with Ffos Las winner Francky Du Berlais, who will be ridden by champion conditional jockey James Bowen, likely to provide the stiffest opposition.

Wilmcote trainer Olly Murphy has chosen Fontwell Park winner Walk Waterford, owned by The Dream Big Syndicate, from his two entries in the following Rio Gold Syndicate Novices’ Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs and, even with a 7lb penalty, he looks to have every chance with champion jockey Richard Johnson in the saddle again.

Walk Waterford was eased down to beat Newton Abbot winner Eric The Third by six lengths and may have most to fear from Polished Rock, who stepped up on his previous form to score over hurdles at Southwell and makes his chasing debut from the same handicap mark of 94.

The first of three races to carry a prize fund of £11,800 is the Visit The All New racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle over three and a quarter miles, which has attracted six runners including GuerrillaTactics, who hasn’t been seen over the smaller obstacles since beating Lord Topper at Warwick eleven months ago, but who is guaranteed to see out the trip.

The runner-up has scored twice over hurdles since, including from a rating of 121 at Newton Abbot last week, so Guerrilla Tactics must have a chance from a mark of only 106, with Wincanton chase winner Gamain, owned and trained by Jane Williams, another for the short-list.

In the absence of Nachi Falls, nine line up for the Racegoers Club 50 Anniversary Handicap Hurdle in which Dan Skelton relies on Miss Spent from his three entries.

Auld Sod put in a good effort in a novice hurdle at Newton Abbot recently, finishing close up behind Delirant, but his mark of 110 on his handicap debut looks harsh on the balance of his form.

Cleni Wells and Richard Johnson were well-supported at Newton Abbot last week when only finishing fifth to Passing Call and they race off the same rating here.

His last win came on good to soft ground from a 4lb higher mark and he could be in the mix along with course winner Cillian’s Well, who stayed on into fourth behind Billy My Boy on his first run after a 339-day break.

G’Day Aussie followed up his course win with success over fences at Newton Abbot and trainer Dave Roberts had him entered in two races here as well as at Worcester on Wednesday evening.

He must think that the Bet At ruk.com Handicap Hurdle over two miles gives the best chance of bringing up the hat-trick, but G’Day Aussie has gone up 8lbs in the ratings and needs to improve again.

Over Norton trainer had Charlie Longsdon was another to look at all the options, with Jamacho entered in three races on the card and, with Brian Hughes travelling from the north for his only ride of the night, will be cheered on by the members of the Stratford Racecourse owners group.

Romanor sprang a 20-1 surprise when beating Regulation over the course in June in receipt of 11lbs and, following another win at Fontwell Park last week, he will be getting just 2lbs this time, swinging the weights in favour of the runner-up.

Another who has taken a hike in the weights is Tamarillo Grove, but he has found a new lease of life at the age of eleven and will give them all a race.

Peppay Le Pugh has finished runner-up in his last five outings, but could get his head in front in the concluding Racing UK HD On Sky 426 Handicap Chase over two miles and a furlong on his first start for the Skelton yard, although has to give a lot of weight to Mountain Of Angels, who was runner-up over the course earlier this month.