So Many Roads makes his chase debut at Wetherby today

Wetherby 1st February : 1.00 pm 2m 3½f 0-100 Handicap Chase (Class 5)

Pallas Lord gave the stable a small boost yesterday on Newcastle's All Weather card when just being pipped near the finish over 7f. Probably the first competitive horses from the yard for several months, as we look to come out of a barren spell for the yard.

Anyway, off to Wetherby on Saturday with the chasing debut of So Many Roads. He ran nicely but without looking like winning when 3rd of 18 at Ayr's New Year meeting. That was over hurdles and we've been reasonably happy with his schooling over fences but the racing environment can present different challenges. He'll be suited by much further so will be very much concentrating on a clear round.

With Craig & Sean Quinlan at Musselburgh, So Many Roads has a new jockey today in the shape of Sean Bowen. 9 opponents.

Nedzor is lightly raced and also makes his chasing debut here. He looks in form and the step up ½ mile in trip should benefit.
Course & Distance winner Empty Nest is another very much in form and looks to hold a solid favourite's chance. Jumps well.
Having been beaten by a combined 200 lengths plus in his three previous novice hurdle races, JP's Jumper Madrik left that form well behind when successful on handicap, and chase, debut over this trip at Leicester at the start of December. An 8lb rise may not be enough to prevent a follow up as this 6yr old has much potential.

Tim Vaughn's Ileny Royale has also won over fences at this trip. That victory came at Ffos Las in November, and although Ileny Royale was pulled up next time, a couple of the placed horses from Ffos Las were subsequent winners. Very much in the mix.