Recent placed efforts

It was over a week ago now, but we had a couple of third places (from 2 runners) at Kelso last week.

Whilst he didn't show anything like his sparkling form of 2015, it was good to see Snapping Turtle gain a 3rd place for his efforts in the staying handicap hurdle. Unusually, our gelding wasn't able to match the pace of the front two, so Callum settled him in mid division. Outpaced a little at halfway, Snapping Turtle stayed on again from 3 out although never really got a blow into the first two.

The handicapper has taken a realistic view of the form and reduced the gelding by another pound - he now races off OR104.

Baby Ticker started at odds of 50-1 for her novice hurdle outing over 2m 2f, and ran a race full of promise to also finish in 3rd place. It was the first time the mare had encountered any better ground than soft or heavy, and this seemed to make the difference as she jumped much better. She's qualified for handicaps now (still to be given a rating though), but we may well wait until the autumn for her next run. Then again, what's good for the Rich (Ricci), is good enough for us, so you never know.

By the way, did anyone have an e.w. double on the above 2? 22-1 and 50-1 paid 55-1 a place (or thereabouts).

Snapping Turtle (Garry, left) and a Definite Article gelding (Callum)

Some new faces on the gallops, well nearly

As quite a few of the string that started the season have either been retired or roughed off, we've got around 7 unraced or lightly raced horses reappearing on the gallops.

Macmidnight is a 4yr old filly who has a couple of runs on the flat last season for experience.  We gave her a good spell off since her last run to mature and she has certainly improved in looks, strengthening in all the right places. And Garry's reports from the gallops are quite positive. We'll be looking to start her off on the flat in a mile maiden in the not too distant future.

There's a Gamut gelding who suffered an 'unrelated to racing' accident earlier on this season, so was another confined to his box for several months. This hasn't done the 5yr old any harm, and he has also furnished well into his frame. He is going nicely about his work and we're now in a quandry as to whether to give him a bumper debut just as the ground is firming up, or wait till the autumn. He's a good horse.

In the last week, another couple of horses have re-commenced morning exercise as part of the string. Callum has been in the saddle on a 4yr old Definite Article gelding that we bought at the Tattersalls (IRE) store sale in August last year. He's a good looking sort although will need a fair bit of time to fill out his frame.
Also bought at the same sale was a 4yr old Beneficial filly, who has matured nicely over the last 6 months and is the more likely of the pair to make a racecourse appearance later on this year (i.e. at the start of next NH season). Her pedigree has certainly taken off since she was acquired with her full sister Monbeg Rose having won a hurdle and been listed placed for Willie Mullins. Close relatives De Plotting Shed and A Hare Breath have also recorded wins this season.

And there are 3 or 4 more that we'll be providing a progress update on over the next few weeks.

Our Beneficial filly (Garry, left) and Paper Roses (Callum)