Newcastle Tuesday - two runners

After her fine debut 3rd in a novice hurdle at Carlisle, Bill & Carol Aitchison's Bonny Houxty reappears in the opening race at Newcastle on Tuesday, a novice hurdle over 2m 4f.
There are several slowly maturing types in the race and the opponents who stand out on known form are Nicky's  Mayo Star and Slainte Mhor for Lucinda.

Mayo Star had been off the course for more than 2 years when he ran out a comfortable winner at Ayr in January over today's distance. He's the one to beat.
The form of Slainte Mhor promising 6th place to Cheddleton was boosted when 3rd placed Overcourt won at Musselburgh last week but he does look like he has a pound or two to find to be challenging Mayo Star.

Bonny Houxty's jumping has been her Achilles heel in all of her Points in Britain, and even on her hurdling debut at Carlisle where she wasn't always fluent. In theory, the 13lb she receives from Mayo Star would bring her close and we hope very much that is the case if her jumping improves this time.

In the concluding bumper, our Prince Flori gelding Stolen Money makes his racecourse debut.
He wouldn't be the fastest horse in the yard but is a chasing type on looks and looks a nice stayer in the making.

Nicky Richards runs the Trevor Hemmings gelding Wetlands who comes from a family full of winners. Started favourite when 4th on debut in November, although the form of that race has not really held up. Nevertheless, he's sure to improve and looks one to be involved in the shake-up.

The ex-Crawford Bros Point placed Drenagh finished 3rd on stable debut for Alastair Ralph a couple of weeks ago. This represents the best form shown here.
Rose Dobbin saddles the once-raced Get With It (surely named as a homage to the mighty Slade). He is a brother to the fairly useful Hear No Evil and a half brother to Shush (both displayed excellent bumper form) and could easily improve on his debut run with the stable in fine form once again.
Another having his second outing is Scobie's Nyoufsea for his Newcastle United supporting owner Dave Armstrong. This Fair Mix gelding ran a race full of promise here a few weeks ago (although on the AW track). Sure to improve.
Ewart's Muhtamar boasts an fine French NH pedigree and will be much stronger now than on his debut run in bumper at this course about a year ago.
Another French bred with an eye-catching pedigree is Simon West's Blue Bresil debutant Fabuleux du Clos.

To round off, Katie Scott runs her Robert Robinson bred mare That's Your Lottie. Her second run, she shapes like our lad in that she will improve with time and experience.

I think that just about covers the whole field in what promises to be a fascinating race.

So, with Callum taking both rides, we wish both sets of connections Bill & Carol Aitchison and The Buyers Club members a fine day at the races.

Stolen Money (Garry) leads Bonny Houxty (Ollie) and Keyboard Gangster (Kingy)

Wetherby Monday

Keyboard Gangster hasn't been the easiest horse to train over the last couple of seasons and his race at Wetherby on Monday, a 0-135 handicap hurdle, saw him pitted against 8 race-fit, in form rivals. This was only our geldings second race inside a year, so we were reasonably happy with his 6th place finish.

He set off in his usual keen manner, tucked in behind the leaders, but after 4 out the brisk pace and very holding conditions started to take toll and he lost his place, and dropped to the rear.
Catching his breath from 2 out, Keyboard Gangster kept on through beaten horses to finish quite well in the circumstances in 6th place.

We'll see how he comes out this race in the morning, but it may take a run or two for him to regain full sharpness. Better ground would certainly help too!