PREVIEW: BROCKLESBY (SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY)

Brocklesby races take place on Saturday 21st February at Brocklesby
Park by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Yarborough.

94 entries have been taken for the 6-race card starting at 12noon,
with gates opening to the public at 10am. Entrance on the gate is £15
per person with under 16’s free, early bird tickets at £13 available
online up to midnight on 20th February.

At the beginning of the week the going was described as “soft, good to
soft in places”. North Lincolnshire has been fortunate in not having
had as much rain in recent weeks as some parts of the country and the
old Brocklesby turf has taken it well with the forecast now looking
more favourable for the rest of the week. There will be a range of
trade stands, hot and cold food outlets and a heated bar. Other
highlights include a prize for the best picnic on a day and the
popular Boozy Barrow raffle in aid of the Lincolnshire and
Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

The first race on the card is the PPORA Club Members & Brocklesby /
Lincs Conditions race (Level 1) for which 16 horses are entered. The
Countess of Yarborough trophy will be presented to the first
Brocklesby horse past the post and owner Laurence Kirkby would be a
popular recipient. His horse Emir Sacree, trained by his son in law,
Charles Clark and a former Nicky Henderson trained 12-year-old, won at
Sheriff Hutton last year and has been in the frame finishing second at
Alnwick in December. Trainer / rider Dale Peters is having a very
successful season and has a choice of David Kemp horses; he could ride
either hunter chase winner Rebel Dawn Rising or the lightly raced
9-year-old All the Ammunition. Fumet d’Oudairies appears to have had
his training issues but cannot be ignored if teaming up with top rider
Gina Andrews.

16 entries have been made for the feature Baillie Haylage Open race.
There are a few interesting horses in here who have turned to pointing
following careers under rules. Bothwell Bridge, from the Kelly Morgan
stable gave Ellie Callwood and spin around the Randox Foxhunters Open
Hunter Chase at Aintree last April. Designed To Win could be the mount
of Dale Peters; he stays very well and has form on both soft and heavy
ground when trained by Henry De Bromhead in Ireland. Bardenstown Lad
finished third in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival in
2022 when trained by John McConnell. He won a hunter chase at Fakenham
last year but has lost his way a bit recently and his jumping will
need to be better than it has been.

The DDM Agriculture sponsored third race is a Conditions race for
8-year olds and over (Level 3). Red Opium is normally consistent and
has been placed second the last two years at Brocklesby for the Mason
/ Coward team. Sunset On Fire is another to consider; he won at Witton
Castle towards the end of last season.

The restricted race is being sponsored by Brigg Office Supplies and
has attracted an entry of 13. Jockey James King rode a double at this
meeting last year and will be hoping to add to his tally of winners on
Nice to See You who is trained by Alan Hill.

The meeting closes with two maiden races, the first of which is
sponsored by the Jockey Club and Andrew Jackson Solicitors and
restricted to fillies and mares. Among the 11 entries are two 4- year
olds; Kalyeeda Creek and Café Whispers who, if they run will have a
huge weight for age allowance, they are required to carry just 10
stone. However, the pick could be the more experienced Chiroqui
Princess for Will Thirlby; she has been placed three times in Ireland.
Nunns Isuzu sponsor the open maiden race for which 20 horses have been
entered. The Alan Hill Drayton Flyer, formerly trained by Olly Murphy
has form on soft ground and has been placed second four times
including when a beaten favourite when ridden by Sean Bowen in
December.

The course at Brocklesby is located close to the B1210 near Humberside
Airport and approximately 5 miles from junction 5 of the M180.