2.20 Wetherby: the one race you don't want to miss on Wednesday

2.20 Wetherby
Make The Most Of Racehorse Ownership With The ROA Handicap Chase | 1m7f | 4yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

Former Cheltenham Festival winner Hawk High returns to racecourse action at Wetherby after a break of over ten months, but he has a good record when fresh so the lay-off is unlikely to hinder his chances.

The nine-year-old, trained by Tim Easterby, landed the Fred Winter in 2014 but the trainer considers his charge to be “ready to go” in the valuable 0-140 handicap chase.

The Tom Symonds-trained Hollywoodien will be attempting to defy an even longer time on the sidelines as he last raced 998 days ago when third in a Graded handicap chase at Newbury in 2017.

But don’t be fooled by the absence, Symonds recently sent out Song For Someone to win after a lengthy break and he has his team in decent heart at present. Symonds could be heading for his best season since starting training in his own right eight years ago.

Philip Hobbs sends the consistent Ecu De La Noverie on the 548-mile round trip from Somerset to West Yorkshire and the five-year-old is his only runner on the card.

What do the stats say?

Worcestershire-based trainer Richard Newland boasts a very respectable 43 per cent strike-rate at the course with nine winners from just 21 runners in the last five years. He will be hoping that Dustin Des Mottes can finally get his head in front for the first time since his transfer from France.

What do the trainers say?

Tom Symonds, trainer of Hollywoodien
He's been off the course for ages and it's been a long haul back as he had a leg injury after his last run in March 2017 and was never right last season. He's had wind surgery and the handicapper has dropped him a few pounds, we're hoping for the best as he's ready to run.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Hawk High
He had a little niggle that kept him off for three months after winning last January but he's in good order now and has worked and schooled well. He's ready to go and should give a good account.

Richard Newland, trainer of Dustin Des Mottes
He's in good form and this looks a nice opportunity as he hasn't won since joining us, the Newbury run should have put him spot on. I'm hoping the soft ground and the step back in trip will suit him as I thought he just ran out of petrol last time over two-and-a-half miles.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Ecu De La Noverie
He's a very consistent horse as he's seldom out of the first three. He ran well at Wetherby on his first outing of the season and all his form in France is on soft ground so we're hoping for the best.

What the tipsters say

He is running for the first time since January but Hawk High has a good record when fresh and is handicapped to have a big say judged on last season's novice chase form. Duke Of Navan might have needed his reappearance this time around and could be the main danger having dropped back down to his last winning mark. Consistent pair Dustin Des Mottes and Ecu De La Noverie could also be on the premises.
Ben Hutton

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