Sine Nomine will commence a new chapter of her career in Market Rasen’s feature, the 3m Listed Pertemps Network Bud Booth Mares' Chase, on Wednesday.
Winner of the St James's Festival Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the eight-year-old mare has raced exclusively in hunter chase company throughout her career. Victorious at Wetherby in February, Sine Nomine was well-fancied for the St James's Festival Hunters' Chase and duly delivered in style, battling up the hill to deny Its On The Line by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Trainer Fiona Needham, who works as the Clerk Of The Course at Catterick, is keen to try deeper waters this season.
"The plan all along has been to start of Sine Nomine at Market Rasen next week, although looking at the entries I'm thinking 'Oh my God!' as they look very strong," she said.
"She summered very well, perhaps a little too well, and it has taken a bit of a bootcamp to get her slimmed down. She probably will need this first run but we had this race earmarked and it looks like the ground might come right for her with some rain forecast – which is probably why everybody else wants to run there too! Anyway, we will have a go and see how we get on."
Amateur John Dawson has ridden Sine Nomine in all of her career starts and will retain the ride in Listed company.
"John Dawson has ridden her throughout her career and will be in the saddle at Market Rasen. We really are the amateurs taking on the professionals but John knows her so well and looks after her."
It could be a tough ask for the galloping grey against seasoned mares such as Apple Away and Marsh Wren, yet Needham is hopeful the Market Rasen contest will act as a springboard for a competitive campaign.
"The plan was always to start off at Market Rasen and then if all goes well to go to the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. We will then take it from there – if it looks like we have really got our tail between our legs then we can go back hunter chasing in the New Year.
"She is rated 133 so should hopefully be competitive but we will see how she gets on next week. The thinking about running her under Rules was to get some Black Type for when she retires to stud – it's all becoming a bit real now."
