Bonny Houxty makes her hurdling debut at Carlisle (Monday)

Although next week promises to be a bit busier for the inhabitants of Dodlands Steading, our only runner in the next few days is Bonny Houxty who runs at Carlisle on Monday.

With Fontwell abandoned on Sunday lunchtime due to waterlogging, this meeting is the only jumps card in Britain. Come to that, after their excellent Leopardstown Festival weekend, it's also a blank day in Ireland.
So, centre stage Carlisle where the advance going is soft.

Just 7 runners declared for the 2.55, an extended 2m 3f mares' novice hurdle which has attracted 3 or 4 horses with progressive profiles who have already displayed fine form.
Dual hurdle winner and hence top weight is Venetia's Penny Mallow. This bumper winner has gained both her hurdle wins on soft / heavy ground showing. A worthy favourite but may not have things all her own way.
If putting a poor run at Ayr last time behind her, the Crawford Brothers' Lily's Gem is entitled to give Penny Mallow a race of it.  She has also won a bumper, and also a few fine races over hurdles and Brian Hughes is in the saddle.

The other winner in the field is Chris Grant's Red Reminder. Benefitting from the step up to 2m 4f, she showed improved form to win at Sedgefield in early January and the 3rd horse has won a handicap since. She looks likely to be in the shake-up.

Another to show the first signs of hurdling form last time is Donald McCain's Shabba Dada Doo, who was 3rd at Musselburgh a couple of weeks ago. Having been placed in a couple of Irish Points over 3 miles, she will appreciate the step up in trip here as all her hurdle races have been over 2 miles. Getting weight from the 2 previous winners in this race means that she is no forlorn hope. A lively outsider.

You'd think Dorothy's Flame would be better suited to handicaps, and like our mare Lady Babs makes her hurdling debut.

This is just the start of her hurdling career, so we're hoping for a nice run from Bonny Houxty and with only 6 opponents she should get a good sight of her hurdles.  She will definitely benefit for the experience.

Best of luck to Bill & Carol Aitchison, and enjoy the day.

 
Bonny Houxty (Ollie) leads Our Elsie (Rebecca)