Seventh Sky set for quick reappearance in Wetherby feature

Top Gamble is to tackle three miles for the first time in the £40,000 Grade Three 188BET Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (1.45pm, 21 entries) at Wetherby on Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26.

The imposing seven-year-old captured the Grade Two Future Champions Novices’ Chase at Ayr in April and was last seen out when third to Little Jon under top-weight in a valuable handicap chase at Newbury on November 27, both at around two and a half miles.

Trainer Kerry Lee said: “The Rowland Meyrick is the target for Top Gamble.

“He has come out Newbury really well. It was great to see him bounce back to form and I think it was probably a career best performance.

“We are looking forward to trying him over three miles for the first time. He is bred to stay but, until you try, you can never be sure.”

Seventh Sky could make a quick reappearance at Wetherby. The eight-year-old, who was runner-up to Top Gamble at Ayr, relished heavy conditions and the step up to just short of three miles when making all to win the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase by seven lengths at Haydock Park on December 19.

Trainer Charlie Mann said: “Seventh Sky might turn out quickly for the Rowland Meyrick. He comes out of his races so well and did not lose any weight after Haydock.

“He has always been a very consistent horse – he had 16 runs last year, winning five – but I ran him in two silly races this season behind Coneygree and Vautour purely through lack of options.

“They dropped him a 1lb for finishing second in the Grand Sefton and, but for that, he would not have been qualified for the Tommy Whittle as that was a 0-145. He is obviously going to go up a bit in the handicap and there are now very few races for him now.

“He was running over two miles and two and a half miles last season and maybe I have been getting his trip wrong. He just gallops away and goes on any ground, although he handles soft very well.

“He just has the most amazing constitution. He eats up straight away and if we don’t run him he actually puts weight on. I have never had a horse quite like him.”

The weights for the 188BET Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase are set to be headed by Sam Winner (Paul Nicholls), who was fourth to Cue Card in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase over the course and distance last time out, and Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Holywell (Jonjo O’Neill).

Other eye-catching entries include The Last Samuri (Kim Bailey), who was third to Wakanda in the Listed Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on his reappearance, and improving Bangor scorer What A Good Night (Dan Skelton).

Wetherby’s six-race programme on Boxing Day starts at 12.35pm and finishes at 3.30pm.

The £22,500 188BET Castleford Handicap Chase (2.40pm) over two miles headlines the six-race card at Wetherby on December 27. The 13 entries are topped by Just Cameron (Micky Hammond), who finished second to Un De Sceaux in a Grade One event at Punchestown in April. Promising novice The Saint James (Jonjo O’Neill) is also engaged.

Gates open at 10am on both days of the 188BET Yorkshire Christmas Meeting, with complimentary mulled wine and mince pies available for the ‘early birds’. Musical entertainment over the two days is provided by the LA Jazz Band and the Endeavour Ceilidh Band.

All hospitality & restaurants have sold out for both days, while Premier Enclosure admission has sold out on Boxing Day. There is availability in the Paddock Enclosure on Boxing Day and all enclosures on December 27. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wetherbyracing.co.uk and there is free entry for accompanied children aged 17 and under.

The free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Market Place and the racecourse operates approximately every 20 minutes, starting at 11am through to 12.30pm on both days. The return shuttle continues for an hour after the last race. Free car parking is available.

The 188BET Yorkshire Christmas Meeting forms part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival, which continues at Catterick on Monday, December 28 and Doncaster on Tuesday, December 29.

For more information, please contact, Jonjo Sanderson, Chief Executive & Clerk of the Course, Wetherby Racecourse & Conference Centre on 01937 543344 or 07831 437453 – www.wetherbyracing.co.uk