CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy and Northern Ireland trainer Jim Lambe can prove a winning combination at Wetherby this evening.

The pair team up with Quivvy Bridge and Hunting Tower and both horses look to have excellent chances of landing their chosen targets.

Lambe, who adopts a ‘have-horse-will-travel’ policy, will be running Quivvy Bridge for the first time in the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Golf Day Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Previously trained by Jessica Harrington, she was backed down to favouritism at Killarney earlier this month, only to finish third.

She is, however, the highest-rated horse in this six-runner field and, with McCoy on board, can score for Lambe at the first time of asking.

Hunting Tower goes for the Wedding Show’s Here On 6th September Handicap Hurdle, a race which has attracted a mere four runners.

McCoy was in the saddle on Lambe’s gelding when he won at Uttoxeter a couple of weeks ago. It would be no surprise to see the combination click again.

Easby Mandarin, now an eight-year-old, has yet to get his head in front, but Chris Thornton’s charge deserves another chance in the Wetherby Racecourse & Conference Centre Handicap Chase.

A horse who is consistently placed, Easby Mandarin finished second at Uttoxter two starts back and occupied third place on his latest outing at Sedgefield, beaten six lengths by the winner, Woody Valentine. He should again be firmly in the mix this evening.

Worcester winner Black Beauty (7.25) and the consistent Scale Bank (7.55) are two others to note on tonight’s card.

Tomorrow at Hamilton. Norton trainer Ollie Pears could be the man to follow.

Pears saddles Joyeaux and Birkside, and both horses have winning chances.

The latter, a prolific winner a couple of seasons back, ran as though he retains a fair amount of ability when finishing eighth at York a fortnight ago. He should go well in the Neilsland And Earnock Claiming Stakes.

Joyeaux goes well on this course and the seven-year-old has excellent prospects of landing the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap, following a fine fourth-placed effort here on her latest start two weeks ago.

Debbie Sanderson, based at Bawtry, is making a good fist of training in her first season and All The Nines, who has scored twice for her, has every chance of completing a hat-trick in the Weatherbys Bank Handicap.

Silvestre de Sousa’s mount was a most impressive winner here on his latest start and, although he faces a stiffer task this time, he is plainly a horse on the upgrade.

The promising Reject (4.30), my nap selection, sent up from Newmarket by William Haggas, and Ruth Carr’s recent Haydock winner Moheebb (5.05) are also worth considering on this seven-race card.


Racing selections

Wetherby (today)
5.45 Quivvy Bridge, 6.15 Easby Mandarin, 6.50 Hunting Tower, 7.25 Black Beauty, 7.55 Scale Bank, 8.30 Bob Hall, 9.05 Creagh Bay.

Today’s other meetings:
Yarmouth, Newcastle, Ayr, Sandown, Lingfield.

Hamilton (tomorrow) 2.10 Lewyn, 2.45 Joyeaux, 3.20 Birkside, 3.55 All The Nines, 4.30 Reject (NAP), 5.05 Moheebb, 5.35 Tommy Tobougg.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Goodwood, Haydock, Towcester, Yarmouth, Musselburgh.