Hexham Friday

One runner from the yard on Friday, and we go a few miles across the border to Northumberland to picturesque Hexham with Banks O'Houxty.

This attractive, strapping gelding by Generous is now a 9 year old but has raced just the once, and that was four seasons ago. Trained by Karen McLintock, Banks O'Houxty won a Kelso bumper in impressive fashion by 7 lengths in the manner of a horse full of promise with a jumping career beckoning.
However, in the following seasons he proved a little fragile and despite several attempts, that elusive subsequent run just didn't materialise.

Banks O'Houxty has been at Dodlands for a few months now, and we did toy with the idea of a run in the Spring but reckoned that softer conditions underfoot may be kinder. He's also had a small wind operation to remove a blockage, quite unusual, that was lodged in his windpipe (thank you Mr Lane).
He's been showing up well in the mornings but the extended lay off, coupled with the observation from last weekend that our horses are 'needing the run', would point to a safe round of jumping and a nice finish being in order.

It would appear that Nicky Richards has scared off all the opposition with his well regarded, dual bumper winning hurdle debutant Ribble Valley heading the field.
Lucinda runs the quietly progressive 5 year old Milan gelding, A Ladies Man while Victor Thompson's Challow is also a 5 year old but has run 42 times thus far and would have place claims on his debut for the yard. Blaster Yeats is an Irish Point winner but was slightly disappointing on hurdling debut for Sue Smith - he will improve though.
Others in the field look types to progress with time and experience.

Bill Aitchison and his wife have been very patient with Banks O'Houxty, who they also bred, so fingers crossed this race will provide a welcome turn of luck with the gelding. They are most deserving!

Banks O'Houxty (Callum) pictured here tracking Honda Fifty (Kingy)