Weekend racing - quick summary

For all our readers of a management nature - 'not interested in detail, just tell me the outcome' - there were 5 runners from Dodlands Steading over the weekend at Ayr (Saturday) and Carlisle (Sunday).
A couple of placed efforts, we're generally pleased with the runs as there's no doubt they'll need an outing or two before becoming really competitive. So, performances about 14-21lb below their peaks of last season but nice enough runs on which to commence the season.

Now that's them off our back, here's a bit more detail and reaction to our five runners

Ayr Saturday review

Stainsby Girl kicked off season 2019-20 for Dodlands Steading as she made her hurdling debut in the mares maiden hurdle. This did look as if it could be fairly competitive beforehand but the betting was a giveaway, with a short priced favourite (Roses and Millie), Stainsby Girl at 5-2 and 12s bar.
And that's how it turned out with Roses and Millie making all, with the benefit of a couple of hurdle outings and winning easily from Stainsby Girl.

Stainsby Girl raced keenly over the first 3 flights, and jumped especially well down the back straight. She was the only one to challenge the winner before lack of a previous outing took it's toll after 3 out but she did keep on to the line.
Pleasing run, with more to come.

Owner Helen Simpson was delighted with her mare, and the effort put in by all at the yard with her jumping and learning to settle (getting there!).

Keyboard Gangster was looking big and well in the paddock before his run in the 2m Class 2 handicap hurdle. He travelled with his normal exuberance just in behind the leaders, until he made a mistake 4 out and lost his place. Callum sensibly nursed the gelding home from that point to finish 6th of the 7 runners.

 
Stainsby Girl

Carlisle on Sunday

The early morning rain had turned the going to soft at Carlisle on Sunday.

The opening novice hurdle over 2m 4f was an excellent start to the card. There were numerous fine looking National Hunt types with eye-catching pedigrees to match. This promised to be a very good race and so it turned out with Nicky Richards' Glenduff prevailing from an odds-on shot from the Tizzard yard (Faustinovock).
Danced Every Dance started at the rear of the field, but made a little headway from 4 out to finish nicely in mid division, buoying connections in doing so. Staying handicap hurdles will be her forte and we'll look for another suitable novice hurdle for her to gain a handicap mark.

Big Bad Dream was another of our weekend horses to bring a smile to connections. Donald Miller and his Brave Lads Partnership were quietly pleased with the geldings 6th place on seasonal debut. Probably the manner of the performance rather than the pure result was the reason for the enjoyment as he travelled and jumped well until the lack of a previous outing took hold.
He's a nice horse and we hope to go chasing with him in the New Year, but may take in a couple of handicap hurdles before then.

Also running a fair enough race on seasonal debut was Eternally Yours in the Class 2 2m 4f handicap hurdle. She finished 3rd, quite tired beaten a fair distance but she did keep on under a hands and heels ride from 3 out by Callum.
As was mentioned in the introduction, like all our runners Eternally Yours was a good bit down on the form shown last season, but she'll no doubt strip a wee bit fitter next time, maybe in a mares only event.

One of Sunday's runners, Big Bad Dream pictured tracking Baby Sister