11th May news

Two runners at Hexham (Saturday)

A bit more rain around this week and, with the Hexham Executive continuing their watering policy, there's a high chance of ground on the easy side of good.
We're sending down a couple of runners both of whom are debutants of sorts. In racecard order then.....

Danced Every Dance has run 3 times in bumpers, the best of which was a fine 3rd place at Sedgefield, and she makes her hurdling debut over 2 miles in the mares novice at 2.40. That Sedgefield run came on soft ground, so the rain will have helped. We're sure she will be suited by further in time but this race will still be a nice introduction for the Oscar mare.

There are several in the race with hurdles experience. The best form to date has been shown by Lucinda's Gemologist who is an experienced handicapper on the Flat (and over hurdles too) and Irish visitor Dolly's Destination - also a bumper winner over this course - with Aidan Coleman booked.
Another Flat handicapper, triple winner See The Sea made a fine debut over hurdles recently for Donald McCain when second to subsequent winner So Lonely. She would be expected to come on from that run.

Like our mare, Artichoke Heart is making her hurdling debut on the back of promising bumper runs while after hurdling runs at big prices both Western Supernova and Apache Valley will gain more experience here. Lucinda's recruit from the Point field, Refer to Rory completes the field.

Danced Every Dance has schooled well at home - racecourse debuts are always a different kettle of fish though. The race looks to be dominated by the trio of horses above with the clear hurdles form, so a nice run with safe jumping would be ideal for us.

MidApril Gallop
Danced Every Dance leads Big Bad Dream in a recent gallop

Making her Rules debut in the concluding mares' only bumper is a fairly new arrival to Dodlands in the shape of Bonny Houxty, although Bill Aitchison's mare has had 4 races in Northern Point-to-Points (including a bumper) under her belt.

The standout horse at the top of the card is previous winner Shantewe, who was last seen finishing 5th in the Grade 2 Mares' Bumper at Aintree at the beginning of April. Although there are several others in the field with attractive profiles, you would think Jamie Snowden's mare will be hard to beat even with the 7lb and more concession all round.....

Anthony Honeyball has a near 25% strike rate in bumpers in recent seasons, and runs Martha My Dear who is a Martaline full sister to both It's Jennifer (who has won twice over jumps in France) and Money Mart (who hasn't). Her dam, a winning hurdler, is a half sister to a whole host of winning jumpers.
Peter Fahey sends over his full sister to Simonsig in Simonsfleur, who has run a couple of times with promise in Ireland.

Scobie's Lady of Ardvar is a Sulamani half sister to the stables useful hurdler Indian Opera (also placed in bumpers). Owner-bred by the Shirley-Beavans, her dam Minouchka was a 4-time winner over fences as well as a prolific Point winner. She may be suited by a staying trip in time.

Donald McCain gives a Rules debut to Tim Leslie's Doyen mare Bright Side Oflife, a winning Irish pointer. But that was over a year ago and she hasn't run since. She's well related to several bumper winners in the immediate family, though.

Of the others, both Fair Minx and Our Promise have shown promise in bumpers in March this year while Sandy Forster's Lissen to the Lady is another with a pedigree full of bumper winners but so far looks the type to improve for hurdling.

For an end of season (sic) Hexham bumper, this promises to be a hot event. Looks like everyone's been waiting for some rain.
Callum will be looking to give Bonny Houxty as nice an introduction as possible on bumper debut.

Best of luck to our owners, and hope it is an enjoyable day for all.

Bonny Houxty gallop
Bonny Houxty (on the right with Pinky) pictured during a piece of fast work

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