TOMORROW is the 15th annual charity raceday for Spinal Research at Wetherby as the A1 racecourse start their exciting campaign of winter jumps action.
This popular meeting, which is largely organised by Rachel Wright from Stamford Bridge, has raised more than £220,000 for Spinal Research down the years. That figure will be boosted tomorrow by a lunch and an auction before racing.
The fully-sponsored racecard includes a race named in memory of the late Jimmy and Jane FitzGerald.
That race is being supported by Tim FitzGerald, Jimmy's son, who is now training at Norton Grange stables from where his father sent out hundreds of winners, including Forgive 'N' Forget, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and Sapience, who won the Ebor Handicap at York.
The race in memory of the FitzGeralds is a novices' hurdle, and Brendan Powell's Flotta, a recent winner by 14 lengths at Fontwell, will be hard to beat under Timmy Murphy. Flotta has my Nap vote.
Murphy also rides Mexican Pete in the Wetherby Racecourse 'Your Conference Venue' Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Tony Carroll, Mexican Pete has won his last two races, the latest one in smooth style at Huntingdon last week. A 7lb penalty may not be enough to stop him.
The skybet.com Spinal Research Bobby Renton Handicap Chase, with £15,000 up for grabs, is the richest race on the card, and I fancy Full House to gain deserved compensation following his fall three fences from home at Market Rasen when just behind the leaders.
Full House, a Sandown winner in April, can get his career back on track tomorrow.
Aviation bids for a hat-trick of wins in the Northern Jump Jockeys' Spinal Research Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.
Claimed out of Richard Hannon's yard after winning on the Flat at Haydock in the summer, Aviation has taken well to hurdling for Middleham trainer George Moore.
He was a good winner at Perth last time and with Doug Costello reducing his penalty by 5lb, Aviation should go well.
Wednesday's tips:
Wetherby
2.30 Aviation, 3.05 Frosty's Cousin, 3.40 Mexican Pete, 4.15 Full House, 4.50 Flotta (Nap), 5.25 Place Above.
Lingfield
1.50 Sir Gerard, 2.20 Almowj, 2.55 Moktabes, 3.30 Le Chiffre, 4.05 Imperial Gain, 4.40 Considine, 5.15 Scutch Mill.
Tomorrow's other meeting is at Uttoxeter.
Updated: 12:49 Tuesday, October 11, 2005
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