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Hurdling debut of the joint-most expensive pointer ever leads into the Tolworth

Classic Getaway: joint most expensive pointer ever sold at auction strikes on his rules debut at Tipperary under Patrick Mullins
Classic Getaway: the £570,000 purchase could make his hurdles bow at ClonmelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Monday

The Nick Alexander-trained Broadway Joe bids to complete a course-and-distance hat-trick at Musselburgh (2.00) on a six-race card.

At Southwell Timeless Beauty, who finished third behind Saturday's Cheltenham winner Vienna Court last month, could make it two wins in three starts for Fergal O'Brien in the 3m½f novices' handicap chase (12.50), one of seven competitive races on the card.

All-weather meetings at Lingfield and Wolverhampton complete the day's action.

Tuesday

Nicky Henderson's high-class hurdler Call Me Lord will make his second start over fences a week later than planned having been entered for Leicester's abandoned meeting last Tuesday. The dual Grade 2 winner finished fourth giving weight all round on his chasing debut over 2m4f at Uttoxeter but drops back in trip for the feature 2m novice chase (2.15) at Hereford.

Punchestown festival winner Pure Bliss looks to go one better than her second at Exeter, with recent Ascot faller Red Rookie, Galice Macalo for the in-from Jane Williams and Dan Skelton's chasing debutant Calico set to provide stiff opposition.

Call Me Lord: set for a second start over fences at Hereford
Call Me Lord: set for a second start over fences at HerefordCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Other meetings come on the all-weather at Lingfield and Newcastle.

Wednesday

Evan Williams has been pitching his mare Current Mood in high-class company, finishing third and fourth behind Blazing Khal in a couple of Grade 2s at Cheltenham but the seven-year-old could be set for a more modest assignment back against her own sex in the 2m mares' novice hurdle (12.40), the first of seven races at Ffos Las.

Returning to the scene of her bumper win, it could provide the springboard for a good afternoon for Williams who also has last month's course scorer Treasure Dillon entered (1.45) on the seven-race card.

Elsewhere, there are a trio of all-weather meetings at Wolverhampton, Dundalk and Kempton respectively.

Thursday

Classic Getaway, the horse who equalled the record for most expensive pointer ever sold at public auction and a general 16-1 chance for the Ballymore, could make his first start over hurdles in the Munster Hurdle (1.50) at Clonmel.

An emphatic winner of his point-to-point and Tipperary bumper, the Cheveley Park-owned six-year-old is one of three entries for Willie Mullins, with Annamix and Cash Back potentially reverting from chasing.

The Tim Vaughan-trained Bells Of Peterboro bolted up at Chepstow on Welsh National day and the seven-year-old could be set for a swift reappearance in the 2m3f handicap hurdle (3.20) with fellow course-and-distance winner Helios Allen also entered.

All-weather meetings at Newcastle and Chelmsford round off the day's action.

Friday

Burrow Seven, the horse named after Rugby League legend Rob Burrow and raising money for the MND Association and Leeds Hospital Charities, could build on his staying-on fifth on his debut at Catterick in the bumper (3.35) at Wetherby.

Flinteur Sacre is an intriguing entry for the feature 2m5½f handicap chase (2.00) on the card having failed to shine over hurdles for Nicky Henderson and JP McManus. The brother of the great Sprinter Sacre could be joined on his chasing debut by Geryville, who sprung a 40-1 upset at the course in October.

Other meetings come on the all-weather from Lingfield and Wolverhampton.

Saturday

The Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle (2.25) at Sandown is the highlight of the week as some of the best two-mile novice hurdlers around face off. The field is set to be headed this year by the exciting Constitution Hill, who is second favourite for the Supreme behind Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Jonbon after a mightily impressive debut over course and distance last month.
Constitution Hill (right): won in striking fashion at Sandown last month
Constitution Hill (right): won in striking fashion at Sandown last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Listed mares' hurdle (12.40), won by subsequent Cheltenham Festival and Grade 2 winner Indefatigable in 2019, as well as the finale of the 2021 Veterans Chase Series (3.00) add further interest to the seven-race card.

Other jumps meetings come from Newcastle and Wincanton with Lingfield and Kempton hosting all-weather meetings.

Sunday

The €80,000 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (2.20) headlines the action at Fairyhouse. The likes of Hardline, Castlegrace Paddy, Exit Poll and Bleu Berry, who have been keeping graded company, could clash with progressive handicappers such as Epson Du Houx.

In Britain, a jumps meeting at Ayr and all-weather action at Southwell cap off the week.


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Published on 3 January 2022inNews

Last updated 12:17, 3 January 2022

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