Mulholland expects more from Indian Stream at Wetherby

A look ahead to Friday's action at Wetherby, including Neil Mulholland on the chances of Indian Stream.

Trainer Neil Mulholland expects Indian Stream to give a good account of herself in the bet365 Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Friday.

The Generous mare has won four of her seven starts over fences and could not have been more impressive when last striking gold at Market Rasen in June.

She weakened out of contention on her return from a break at Chepstow earlier this month, but Mulholland is confident his mare will be seen in a much better light in West Yorkshire.

He said: "We were happy with how she ran in Chepstow the last day. Her performance was better than the finishing result.

"She was carrying a lot of weight, it was her first run of the season over three miles and she just didn't get home.

"She should come on for the run, the track and trip will suit her and I think she should run well."

Indian Stream is one of eight runners in the two-and-a-half-mile Listed contest.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Theatre Guide heads the weights, while Shadows Lengthen bids to win the prize for a second time for Mick Easterby.

Dan Skelton's Abricot De L'Oasis is another major contender, while Malcolm Jefferson saddles Pair of Jacks, runner-up over course and distance in the Bobby Renton Chase a fortnight ago.

Pair Of Jacks (Malcolm Jefferson/Brian Hughes, 10st 13lb) was kept busy through the summer jumping season, scoring at Cartmel in July and was last seen out when runner-up in the Bobby Renton, staged over the same distance as the bet365 Handicap Chase, at Wetherby's opening meeting of the season on October 12.

Norton-based Jefferson said: "Pair Of Jacks is good order. It was a good run last time out although it does look like it will be a bit more of a test tomorrow."

Listed honours are also up for grabs in the Weatherbys Stallion Book Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle.

Setting the standard on jumping form is Cliffs Of Dover, who won his fourth race from five starts over obstacles at Cheltenham last week.

Alan King is always a man to be feared in the juvenile division and he is double-handed, with Chepstow runner-up Rainbow Dreamer joined by stablemate Master Blueyes, who makes his hurdling bow.

Proceedings get under way with the AMT Vehicle Rental Leeds "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle, in which Mulholland saddles the exciting Clondaw Cracker.

The five-year-old was bought for £120,000 by leading owner Roger Brookhouse having won an Irish point-to-point and he made a successful start for his new connections in a Warwick bumper in April.

"He looks the one to beat and I'll be happy if he goes and does the job," said Mulholland.

The going at Wetherby is currently Good. There have been two cycles of watering at Wetherby this week, with each applying 10mm of moisture to the course in order to maintain conditions. A third and final cycle of 5mm is set to be completed on Thursday afternoon.

Tickets for the Bet365 Charlie Hall Meeting can still be purchased at www.wetherbyracing.co.uk - accompanied children aged 17 and under are admitted free into all enclosures at Wetherby.