Introduction......writes a Stable Correspondent (late September 2020) 

There's no doubt that in 2020, the human race is facing a health challenge of an unimaginable scale. Not just COVID-19 but the resulting financial effect on the livelihoods of each and every one of us could exert an even heavier toll.

We're neither economists nor epidemiologists so like every person in each country in the world we can only follow the guidance, regulations and restrictions introduced by respective Government Ministers as it is attempted to keep the huge social impacts as small as possible.

We've thought long and hard about whether to publish our thoughts for the 2020-21 National Hunt horse racing season, and the extent of discussion on the outlook for Dodlands Steading. Like trainers the length and breadth of the country, we love what we do - training and racing horses.
But we are wary that from the outside looking in, to some horseracing may appear to exist in it's own world.

So, with slight trepidation and without wishing in any way to appear unsympathetic to many who are undergoing particular hardship, what follows is a preview for the 2020-21 National Hunt Season at Dodlands Steading. We hope you enjoy it.

Spring and Summer 2020...

In March 2020, Callum Whillans achieved a personal milestone by riding out his claim on the family's home-bred mare Baby Ticker. He quickly followed up with win #76 but lockdown brought a premature end to the NH Season so during the Summer he decided to end his riding career.

Callum has now immersed fully into the role of Assistant Trainer, having been combining this with race-riding for the last couple of years.
While Dodlands wont have a Stable Jockey as such, there are several jockeys who are affiliated to larger yards or have retainers/agreement with owners that do pop into the yard once or twice a week and we would seek to use these lads when available. See Jockeys page for more detail.

Stepping back a little, the table below shows progressive nature of the yard over the last 5 seasons.

National Hunt Seasons Runs & results (Percentage figures in brackets)		win	2nd	3rd	4th	other	Placed
2019-20		4 (9%)	9 (20%)	7 (15%)	6 (13%)	20 (43%)	57%
2018-19		6 (14%)	9 (21%)	4 (9%)	4 (9%)	20 (47%)	53%
2017-18		8 (17%)	6 (13%)	5 (10%)	4 (8%)	25 (52%)	48%
2016-17		4 (7.6%)	5 (9.6%)	5 (9.6%)	3 (5.8)	35 (67.3)	32.7
2015-16		5 (11.4%)	4 (9%)	7 (15.9%)	5 (11.4%)	23 (52.3%)	47.7%

Callum has set a target for the yard to train winners into the double-figures, which would be a first for Dodlands. However, as you can see from the table above in terms of runners placed in the first 4 (57% of runners in 2019-20), Dodlands Steading does have a progressive profile over the last few seasons.
Callum believes that this type of consistency - placed / runner ratio between 50-60% - is key, that the stable will strive to maintain this level.

The core of stable staff remain in place, and certainly with the high standard of ability of the team, and the enthusiasm around the yard each morning, Callum's high expectations are not misplaced.
You can read more about the Team Members on the Stable Staff page.

You can read his Callum's rundown of the horses for 2020-21 below.

Prospects for 2020-21.....The Assistant Trainer gives us his views 

Baby Ticker
Two runs only in 2018-19 and a year on the sidelines followed but Nosdtradamus himself could not have foreseen Baby Ticker's 2019-20 season.
I rode her to a hard fought victory at Hexham in December (off OR107) and believe me, there was only one of us trying! She does have a moody reputation to maintain!
However that was followed a couple of runs later by an impressive 6l Ayr success (off OR111), pulling well clear from the last. Lifetime best as an 11 year old!
She is destined for the paddocks next spring, but I'll give her a couple of runs should the ground come up testing this season. Commences on a OR118 mark. Although Baby Ticker has been seen to best effect over 2½ miles in handicap hurdles so far, both The Trainer & me are keen to try 3 miles.
She acts well with give in the ground and seems to love Ayr.

Big Bad Dream
Last season was of a similar ilk to previous years for Big Bad Dream. A couple of fine efforts over hurdles interspersed with seemingly non-staying runs over 3 miles - I still reckon that trip is worth another try however - but no victories to his credit.
A fine-looking, workmanlike type of gelding, Big Bad Dream has the size and scope of a promising chaser. With numerous placed efforts, he's not devoid of ability and will probably start off in a handicap hurdle this season then go chasing.
At distances around 2½ miles.......well, maybe one run at 3....either way suited by a sound surface, just not with any firm in it!

Bonny Houxty
After a spell at home with her owner last season, Bonny Houxty was back at Dodlands in early 2020, and ran 3 times in mid-distance hurdles running into a place on each occasion.
Her first run was the best when she ran 3rd, beaten just over 2 lengths, by a couple of 118-rated mares at Carlisle over 2m 3½f. Slicker jumping would have seen her finish closer though!
Bonny Houxty will re-join the stable later in the year, but during 2020-21 season we view her being competitive in handicap hurdles around 2½ miles.
She should provide her owner/breeders, the Aitchisons, with lost of fun in the second half of the season.

Dali Mail
Season 2019-20 saw this likeable gelding continue to progress.
After a fine 3rd over hurdles to top subsequent Fighting Fifth winner Cornerstone Lad, he won first time out over fences at Newcastle in December.
He felt like a classy horse that day, and next time out too when travelling well but falling 4 out. That run was at Ayr was a blow and unfortunately he wasn't quite right on his final run in a handicap at Kelso in February (hindsight is a wonderful thing).
That problem was identified and he was on track for another run in April before lockdown measures came in.

2 mile handicap chasing is very much on the cards this season for Dali Mail and the 135-rated gelding looks sure to give owners John & Nicola Mackin lots more fun.

Danced Every Dance
Last season, Danced Every Dance initially continued to improve on the racecourse, and a fine 6th place (beaten just 6l) in December '19 at Kelso was most encouraging. But we were slightly dismayed at each of her 2 subsequent runs in handicap hurdles.
That said, 'Reeva' has a fine National Hunt pedigree with an immediate family that is still very much active, and will have residual value as a broodmare after racing. (You can't take her page away from her, as those auctioneers are wont to say).

Still, she's got a wee bit to prove now and will focus on being competitive in handicap hurdles in 2020-21, maybe after dropping a few pounds in the ratings (she starts on OR97).

Eternally Yours
Eternally Yours' 2019-20 season was impacted by a low-grade virus which came to a head when she was unplaced at Ayr just after New Year. However, after some TLC, her comeback run at that same track in March and I felt her to be much more like her usual self, staying on into 3rd after clattering 4 out.
Nicely primed for a Newcastle run next time, but then....
 
'Thimble' is an athletic filly, just that little bit long in the back, and has matured into an attractive 16.1hh frame. Suited by 2½ miles, she will be aimed at good class handicap hurdles (could be well handicapped off OR122) with mares-only novice chases not ruled out!

Honda Fifty
The unluckiest horse at Dodlands during this last, or any other, season. 2nd on his only run in a bumper in 2019-20, last season he had two outing in bumpers and beaten by a nose each time. And these were quite contrasting races - the first was a maximum size, 14-field bumper at Newcastle, the next a 3-runner Carlisle affair.
And you wonder why we had only 4 winners in 2019-20.......

So, still only 6 years of age, do we have one last shot in another bumper?
Probably not, I'd like to think that 2020-21 will be an exciting novice season over hurdles for him - he has schooled well - around 2 miles, with some give in the ground.

Lady Villanelle
Lady Villanelle delighted connections when making her debut in a 2 mile NH Flat race at Kelso in February '20. Beaten just 4 lengths by Manorbank (subsequently sold for £80k) and 23 lengths clear of 3rd placed Sol de Mayo (sold for £25k), this was a debut performance of great credit.
I rode her in both of her races and I think she may have run up a bit light next time when 4th at Newcastle in March.
 
Still, 'Hope' has summered well and this racey individual will be aimed at mares' novices' hurdles in 2020-21.
In fact, I schooled Lady Villanelle in the Spring of 2020 and she jumps well. I do think she would be the sort to be suited by 2½ miles in time, though.

Our Elsie
Our Elsie had actually been showing up well in the morning exercise gallops prior to her debut in a bumper at Ayr in November '19. I was taken aback a bit by her slightly underwhelming performance that day, up with the pace but weakening from 4 out.
She seemed fine afterwards and we had her fully checked out but nothing untoward has arisen. It may just have been she was still on the weak side.

So, she has had a good time out at summer grass and has come back into the stable in August in fine fettle. Our Elsie, an attractive, determined-looking mare will be aimed at bumpers initially in 2020-21.
Purchased for racing by Steve and Barry Chamberlain, and I hope she's very lucky for the lads.

Paper Promise
Paper Promise started last season as a very promising, progressive hurdling mare. She would have been top of our list of 'sure-fire winner' in the yard.
Nothing went right for the mare, as although travelling well in her races, she found nil when the pace quickened from 2 or 3 out. She may have had a low-grade virus which affected some inmates, and we never got a chance to test her out in April. Oh well......

For the forthcoming season, it's as you were. Now on a very favourable mark of OR102, you'd have to think that a 0-105 handicap hurdle over 2 - 2½ miles would be well within the scope of this triple winner.
I do rate Paper Promise highly but she has it all to prove given her form last season.

Stainsby Girl
2019-20 proved to be an excellent first season hurdling for Stainsby Girl. Five runs, never out of the first 3 and after some near misses a deserved victory in a mares novice over 2 miles at Newcastle in March. Twice beaten into 2nd place by Jedd O'Keefe's Miah Grace - we eagerly look forward to another tilt at that mare.......
She provided me with my final winner before I retired from race riding and took up the Assistant Trainer position here full-time.
She is a lovely, athletic filly, with an excellent NH pedigree full to the brim with winners.

I'd like to see Stainsby Girl progress a little more this season. She may well take in another mares' novice in November ground permitting - she's eligible until 1st December -  and then take in handicap hurdles at around 2 miles. A front running sort, so she'll be a target to aim at, I hope she brings more fun on the racecourse for Al & Helen. Does need some cut in the ground though.......

Stolen Money
Stolen Money isn't as sharp as some of his stable mates who would be more inclined to show a turn of foot in bumper races. But I'd got him to a reasonable level of maturity in early Spring of 2020 that experience on the racecourse would be of great benefit.
His sole run at Newcastle in March was just that, running green and unable to lie up when the pace quickened.

The lengthy Stolen Money, a chasing-type who stands at around 16.2hh, has again enjoyed a good summer and returned to Dodlands in August carrying plenty of condition. Ideal, really.
As his pedigree would suggest, he looks like one who will come into his own when presented with a fence, so he'll be making his hurdling debut as a first step this side of New Year.

Maid of Houxty
'Aura' is a well-made, strong mare who joined the yard mid summer, being sent here by her owner-breeder Bill Aitchison after undergoing some pre-training activity.
The aim would be to give her a debut racecourse outing in a mares-only bumper as soon as I can really. I rode her full sister, Bonny Houxty, in 3 hurdle races in fairly quick succession in the Spring. That horse improved markedly for hurdling so I wouldn't want to wait too long before sending this mare jumping also.

Unraced 4 year olds

There is quite an unusual feel about the make-up of the equine inhabitants at Dodlands Steading for the 2020-21 season ahead.
We have a whole host (seven) of unraced 4 year old horses. That's from a stable population of 20......35% according to Al Duncan.

When taking stock from time to time with my dad (The Trainer - Donald Whillans), we realise that in recent years nearly all the horses in training here have started life at Dodlands as unraced 3 or 4 year olds.
And the majority have gone on to achieve a fair degree of success on the racecourse.

So maybe 35% is not a figure to be wary of........plus, there are some experienced, knowledgeable senior staff here backed up with enthusiastic, talented young men and women who themselves are furthering their career in racing.......me included!
As mentioned in the introduction, it is that human and equine potential that makes me look forward to this NH Season with relish.

• Undecided
  Big Spenders......we are not! Most definitely.
  It's not common at all for ourselves, or any of our owners, to indulge in 5-figure sums for a new horse. On those rare occasions over the past decade that we have, Dali Mail would be a success in that respect but there have also been a couple of nice types in that price range who haven't quite hit the mark. It can be a difficult pill to swallow.
  That said I hold fairly high hopes for the career of Undecided, a 5-figure purchase (even when converted into sterling) from the 2019 Tatts Ireland NH August Sales to add to the ever expanding Buyers Club portfolio.

  The 4 year olds of 2020 seem a lovely bunch (but we would say that, wouldn't we) although a couple may not fully blossom until sent chasing in seasons to come. However, 'Tommy' goes nicely and is one of the more forward of this group so look for him to make a bumper debut in December.

• 4 year old gelding by Libertarian ex Be Donn
  The oldest progeny of Libertarian, the sire of 'Carter', will be 4 years old in 2020. Libertarian is very much from a staying family, so it's not that surprising that he has had very few runners to date as his stock will improve with age.
  That is probably true of this lad as well, from the 1st crop of the 2013 Dante winner, as he's a stout, chasing type who is the sort to improve with time.

  Another of our strong 'band of 2020' unraced 4 year olds, this gelding will race in the colours of The Buyers Club.
  The aim would be a racecourse debut in the spring of 2021.

• 4 year old gelding by Frammassone ex Ball Park 
  This Frammassone gelding has been in the yard since February 2020, and he took a little longer to gain our trust.
  But I've put a fair amount of work into him - he still devoured his grub - before he was sent out to summer grass and he returned to Dodlands in early August.
  'Marcus' may well be the first of this year's unraced crop to feature in a bumper, in December or even November if the ground allows. 
  I like him!!
  
  
• Shoeshine Boy
  August 2020 and Shoeshine Boy has made his way back into the yard with 'Mac', one of his holiday companions. So, after a spell at summer grass, this gelding is ready to crack on with preparation for a racecourse debut.
  And he'll not be alone.
  There's half a dozen unraced 4 year olds here at Dodlands for the start of the 2020-21 season, a nice bunch to be involved with and plenty of peers with which to keep company each morning.
  Buoyed by the performances of his half brother Yes No Maybe So in the late Summer months in knocking up a hat-trick of hurdle victories, 'Mouse' Young and his members of the new Under The Radar Racing group are itching to get 'Theo' onto the racecourse.....maybe in early 2021.
  
  
• 4 year old filly by Califet ex Rose Vic
  Although the original plan was to 'Emily' back in training in the Spring months of '20, her first spell at Dodlands was a bit later in the season so the filly was roughed off in early January and sent to back to Greg Aitken for the remainder of Winter, then the green pastures of Spring and Summer.

  'Emily' returned to the yard mid August, where as expected (!) she proved a wee bit of a handful for the early season work riders (i.e. yours truly).
  I'll be patient with this nice, athletic filly as we know how much ability the family holds but I'd like to think that a debut run in a mares-only bumper just after the turn of the year would be possible.
  
  So, much the same route as those illustrious Paper Sisters then.......

• 4 year old gelding by Midnight Legend ex Well Disguised
  Having a couple of his half-sisters in training at Dodlands, I can safely say that 'Mac' has inherited his looks from his father!
  A medium sized, round bodied gelding, he nevertheless possesses a good deal of scope and I'm pleasantly surprised by just how nice a horse he has turned into these last few months.
  'Mac' spent the summer months of 2020 alongside Shoeshine Boy and both came back into the yard in mid August.
  But I'm in no rush with such young, promising types and it may well be towards the end of 2020-21 season before this likeable sort steps on a racecourse. Interestingly, this is one of a couple of horses that my brother Garry has asked to be added to his own work-riding list. Get in line, bro......
  
  Good family, top sire, promising type!
  
  
• 4 year old gelding by Jet Away ex Southway Queen
  Although a rarity these days, 'Tyson' was bought by Rob Bewley as a 4yr-old at the NH Store Sales in 2020. Having already been broken-in pre sale, this gelding came straight to Dodlands Steading for a few weeks of pre-training.
  And he was quite backward, so not much had been done with him at home pre-sale - just the way we like it!
  By the end of August, this fellow had shown a lot of promise on the gallops, and was still devouring his food and maturing well. The initial plan - to have him sent away to his owner to spend a couple of months to strengthen - was revised and he is now working upsides the other 4 year olds who've re-entered the yard. He goes well.

  We'll see how he continues though, and he probably will benefit for a break at some point in mid Winter so we'd expect 'Tyson' to be back in early Spring and may take in a late season bumper.

.

A mid September gallop