National Hunt 2018-19 : Dodlands Steading end of season review

What better way to introduce the new 2019-20 National Hunt season, than to review and analyse the previous season. (Well now that you mention it, a new season preview would seem to fit the bill nicely - Ed). So, here you go............

Statistical Review

*  statistics from 1st August 2018 - 31st July 2019
** placed runner cover those of our horses in the first 4 in a race where there is prize money won

Analysis of results

Following on from a successful 2017-18, our yard again produced some eye-catching statistics. An amazing 53% (a personal high) of runners finishing in the first 4 is one that most yards can only dream about - and this is based upon a full 12 months of NH racing!
Compared to 2018-19,  total prize money won is down - £47,861 compared to £62,500 - as is our number of winners for the season - 6 down from 8. However, our 2018-19 winning percentage of 14% was only beaten by 2 other National Hunt yards in Scotland (Dalgleish & Jardine).

NOTE : There's no doubt that prolonged spells of dry weather from last Summer through to the end of Winter had a huge impact on the yard with only 43 runs in total from our string. But there are many young horses (5, 6, 7yr olds) with many miles of racing ahead that we just couldn't risk on the prevailing good to firm / firm ground in the North. And credit to the racecourses, who, for much of the season, battled in vain to provide safe, soft ground for horses jumping hurdles and fences.

Analysis of Form ratings

Our regular analysis of Racing Post Ratings (RPR), which are allocated to every horse after each race that it completes, is shown below.
These give an indication of the quality of performance achieved by the string. Taking an RPR of 100 to represent an average level of performance, the yard had 9 of our 15 horses who achieved one or more performances at a higher than average level during the first part of the season.

Particularly, we are delighted with the form shown of our young horses as they progressed and matured.
Dali Mail and Paper Promise both won their respective novice hurdles, while we had a trio of bumper horses that ran races full of potential - Stainsby Girl, Honda Fifty and Bushmill Boy.

The table below lists each of these individual performances.

In Conclusion

I feel I have to highlight a couple of winning horses from last season that don't appear in the above tables as their RPRs were less than 100.
The most pleasing success of the season was reserved for Side of the Road at Musselburgh in March. Callum always felt Beneficial mare capable of winning a modest handicap hurdle 4 runs without looking that competitive had dampened our spirits.
So, following her previous run at Ayr, a 3-week training and on-the-day running approach was devised. Callum was injured but Craig Nichol stepped in and carried out the strategy to a tee, and the mare came home 3 lengths clear. Nice!! I love it when a plan comes together......
Side of the Road has now been retired to the paddocks, where she was covered by Linda's Lad.

With such highs, inevitably comes a low. Nothing hit the stable so hard as the day in March - a few days prior to the Side of the Road win above - at Sedgefield when Raymond Shiels' mare Lucarno Dancer lost her life. She had given her connections such a thrill when winning her previous race, a valuable handicap chase at Catterick. Very much a reformed character since entering our yard, she is missed by the Shiels family and all at Dodlands.

So, a fantastic effort by the team throughout the full season and of course we will continue working on those incremental improvements and striving to be competitive in each race in which we compete.

Many thanks to this season's team - Georgina, Alan, Cameron, Grahame, Callum, Garry, Ryan, Pinky, Kingy, Leah, Laura and Rebecca. Plus of course our vet Sarah S, and Helen!
Thanks to all our owners too, it goes without saying none of this would be possible without you.   

Winners enclosure at Musselburgh - Side of the Road flanked by Al, Mouse and Craig