Tag Archive for: Lucy Wadham

Aintree on Wadham’s mind for Hurricane Bay

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Hurricane Bay could head to the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National Festival having returned to winning ways at Doncaster on Wednesday.

Lucy Wadham’s seven-year-old shed his maiden tag on Town Moor in November and was making his third appearance at the South Yorkshire track having also finished a gallant third in the Grade Two River Don Novices’ Hurdle last month.

Sent off the 4-9 for the Virgin Bet EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, he had just three other rivals to beat and although the winning margin of 47 lengths suggests victory was a formality, John Quinn’s Imperial Merlin was determined to make a real race of it before coming down at the final flight.

Hurricane Bay ridden by Bryony Frost on their way to winning the Virgin Bet EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster Racecourse
Hurricane Bay ridden by Bryony Frost on their way to winning the Virgin Bet EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster Racecourse (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It was a bit of a shame that Imperial Merlin came down at the last as it would have been interesting to see what would have happened. Although I did feel we did have him covered,” said Wadham.

“We wanted to find something a bit easier for him as he has had some quite tough races, obviously it has worked out well and we’re delighted.

“Although he’s qualified for Sandown, I think we will go to Aintree for the three-mile novice hurdle. He will probably have an entry in the three-mile handicap as well but I suspect we will end up in the novice.

“He obviously ran very well in the River Don and presumably we will have to meet the winner and the second again. I do think Aintree, the track and the ground, will suit him and it’s worth a go – he’s rated 133 now and I think he’s entitled to have a go.”

Harry Derham is hoping Shared (4-1) has done enough to earn a spot in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following his win in the Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle.

“Paul (O’Brien, jockey) produced the tactics perfectly,” said the former assistant to Paul Nicholls.

Shared ridden by Paul O’Brien (right) goes on to win the Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster Racecourse
Shared ridden by Paul O’Brien (right) goes on to win the Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster Racecourse (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He ran pretty well at Musselburgh last time, he just didn’t handle the last track, but we needed to get three runs into him. A big, galloping track, going left-handed was always going to suit him much better and he’s done it really nicely, he’s progressive.

“That (the Boodles) is the ambition and dream and you would like to think after winning two and only beaten four lengths in a Listed race, you would get in now. He’s the type of horse that is tough and hardy, jumps slick and you would like to think he would run a nice race.”

All eyes were on Beep Beep Burrow in the concluding Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Open National Hunt Flat Race, but the 2-1 favourite was swiftly pulled up way before Neil Mulholland’s Inoui Machin (11-4) got the better of Cuban Court in a pulsating finish.

Wadham sets out Doncaster date for Martello Sky

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Popular grey Martello Sky will head to Doncaster after trainer Lucy Wadham opted not to run her stable star in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The seven-year-old has been ultra-consistent for the Newmarket yard, winning six of her 12 starts over hurdles and finishing runner-up in three others.

Those placed efforts have all been in her three runs this term and her latest effort saw her 13 lengths behind the impressive Love Envoi in a Listed race at Sandown last week.

Though beaten less than 10 lengths by Marie’s Rock when seventh in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival last season, Wadham has ruled out running Martello Sky in the March 14 renewal.

Connections of the Martaline mare will instead target the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday week.

“We felt that the Mares’ Hurdle looked like being far too hot for us,” admitted Wadham. “We didn’t want to waste a bullet. We wanted to win rather than dib.

“We are going to look at the Doncaster race at the end of the month, a Grade Two.”

Martello Sky also won two of her four bumper starts and was was runner-up in another, though her string of seconds this term has seen her drop each time in the handicap, which opens up options.

“It is frustrating,” added Wadham. “She is a lovely horse to have in the yard and she loves her racing. She keeps being second and is rated 139 now. She started the season on 142 and has dropped 1lb after every run, so it is quite nice when you are getting black type at the same time.

“Her day will come, if she keeps running like she is. We are not quite at Grade One level, but we might be Grade Two level.

“So, we will look at Doncaster and we might just drop her into a handicap at some point.

“We could look at a Cheltenham handicap, but probably won’t. We’ll look at Doncaster and then go from there, and she is pretty versatile on ground, so that is very helpful.”