HARRY HOOLY, who was the luckless victim of a controversial incident at Sedgefield two weeks, returns to the course tomorrow to seek compensation - provided the meeting goes-ahead.
The chances of racing on the rain-sodden track have been described as 50-50 by the course management, who are praying that it remains dry throughout today and tomorrow.
Harry Hooly, a previous course winner, goes for the Eaglescliffe Handicap Hurdle, following his latest unlucky effort.
The seven-year-old was staying on well after the final flight and was attempting to challenge for the lead when the eventual winner Harlov veered across him near the finish. That manouvre caused Harry Hooly to hit the rails and his inexperienced rider, Laura Hislop, who had been waving her whip at Harlov to try and prevent a collision, was unseated before the line.
Harlov was disqualified by the stewards, who also suspended his jockey. Ordinarily, Harry Hooly would have been awarded the race, but as he failed to finish after losing his rider, the race was awarded to Fornaught Alliance, who finished a well-beaten runner-up.
Michael Naughton takes over on Harry Hooly tomorrow. A dour stayer, very much at home over this distance of three miles and three furlongs, he is taken to clinch the spoils.
David O'Meara, who enjoyed a memorable weekend at Doncaster, can carry on his purple patch aboard Chadswell in the Guisborough Handicap Chase.
O'Meara is attached to Tim Easterby's Great Habton yard, and he rode three winners in the space of 24 hours for his boss at Doncaster, including Skillwise, whose 20-1 success in the feature race on Saturday earned him a trip to Aintree next month for either the Grand National or the John Hughes Chase.
At Exeter, Montayral can extend his admirably consistent record in the Ivor Brimblecombe 70th Birthday Novices' Chase.
Paul Nicholls's gelding is enjoying a fine season and a third victory is expected to come his way here under Joe Tizzard.
The featured Tote Devon National Handicap Chase offers Max Pride the chance to get back on the scoresheet.
Trainer Robin Dickin has always had a high opinion of this gelding, a dual-winner this season. He is napped to return to the winning groove.
Tomorrow's tips:
SEDGEFIELD
2-00 Harry Hooly, 2-30 Chadswell, 3-00 Lord Pat, 3-30 Charter Royal, 4-00 Dean Of Devon, 4-30 Super Nomad, 5-00 Mr Woodentop
EXETER
2-20 Duello, 2-50 Two For Joy, 3-20 Max Pride (NAP), 3-50 Montayral, 4-20 Kemal's Council, 4-50 Devote
Updated: 12:10 Monday, March 04, 2002
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