Sea Sessions© Photo Healy Racing
Ross O’Sullivan reports Sea Sessions to be in prime shape as she bids to land a second Listed success in the UK this season at Doncaster today.
The four-year-old filly has been saved for the Sky Bet Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle since she opened her account over jumps at the third attempt at Aintree in early December.
Sea Sessions will take on other Irish-trained runners — Gavin Cromwell’s White Pepper and Joseph O’Brien’s Six Feet Apart, who were third and fourth respectively at Aintree. The daughter of Territories has to give those two and the rest of the field 5lb for that victory.
“It’s a race we’ve planned for a while. She seems really well. We’re happy with every bit of work she’s done,” said O’Sullivan.
“Obviously, White Pepper was favourite and we beat her in Aintree, but she looked good in Fairyhouse the last day. She’ll probably be well fancied again, but we’re happy with our filly anyway.
“I would like a bit more juice in the ground. She handled the very soft ground at Aintree the last day.”
Jonathan Burke, who rode Sea Session at Aintree, cannot continue the association as he is suspended but O’Sullivan has snapped up Brian Hughes for the mount.
“Unfortunately Johnny Burke, who rode her at Aintree, can’t ride as he’s suspended, but we have a really good replacement in Brian Hughes,” the County Kildare trainer added.
“She has a 5lb penalty so she has that to contend with and it’s a competitive little race. We’re happy with everything she’s been doing at home and we’re hoping for a good run again.”
Milton Harris saddles course and distance winner Galah, French import La Renommee makes her British debut for Dr Richard Newland with Ian Williams’ jumps newcomer Cherokee Dream and Neil King’s Tiki Fire completing the seven-strong field.
