Green Flag out to test Festival credentials in Totepool Towton

Green Flag is set to tackle the £30,500 Grade Two Totepool Towton Novices' Chase (3.20pm, seven entries) over three miles and a furlong, the highlight of Medieval Raceday at Wetherby this Saturday, February 1.

Lucinda Russell's seven-year-old has been a revelation over fences this season, completing a three-timer at Newcastle in November before a creditable second to Annacotty in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Russell reported: "I have been really pleased with Green Flag and the Totepool Towton Novices' Chase has been the aim since his run at Kempton.

"I thought he ran very, very well, and I was really pleased with how he jumped, but I don't think the tracked suited him that well - it's quite sharp around there.

"Wetherby should suit him much better and he seems to be progressing nicely.

"He's in the RSA Chase (at the Cheltenham Festival), but it would depend on how he runs on Saturday. He will also be entered a some of the handicaps at Cheltenham as well."

Also among the entries is classy hurdler Shutthefrontdoor (Jonjo O'Neill), who scored over fences at Aintree in October, impressive Leicester winner Ely Brown (Charlie Longsdon) and Grade Two runner-up Coverholder (Sue Smith).

Uttoxeter winner Milborough (Tim Vaughan), Garde Fou (Paul Henderson) and Strike Fast (William Kinsey) complete the seven entries.

                                                           

The Totepool Towton Novices' Chase is a trial for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and has a roll of honour featuring good horses such as Wayward Prince, Weird Al, Ollie Magern, Royal Emperor, Escarteifigue and Mr Mulligan, who subsequently won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1997.

Medieval Raceday also includes the £18,500 Bet Totequadpot With Totepool Handicap Chase (2.10pm, 13 entries) over an extended two and a half miles and the £8,300 Download The Totepool Mobile App Handicap Hurdle (2.45pm, 14 entries) over three miles and furlong.

Gates open at 10.30am with the action getting underway at 1.00pm.

The medieval theme includes Archery and Falconry demonstrations, as well as a medieval kitchen and live music. Tickets are available from £16, while a special '1461 Package', which includes Paddock Enclosure admission, a racecard, a £2 free tote bet, a pint and a bap from the hog roast, is £25.

Ground

The current going at Wetherby is Soft, Heavy in places.

Wetherby's Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, Jonjo Sanderson, reported: "We have had approximately 22mm rain since last Friday night and the forecast is for more heavy showers throughout this week.

"So long as they come as showers, we should be able to cope with the rain that is forecast.  It's when a huge deluge arrives that our drainage system struggles because we carry a lot of the rain water from the adjacent farms around us, especially as the water table is so high at the moment, but I remain reasonably confident that all will be well at the weekend, but the ground will be very testing."