Stainsby Girl at Catterick, Monday

Our mare Stainsby Girl can certainly race freely and likes to lead but in the 2m handicap hurdle (1.30pm) at Catterick on Monday, she'll come up against 2 or 3 others with the same profile.
The progressive novice Lord Tarranaga (may be unsuited by soft) and the two at the top of the market - Mick Maestro & Miss Heritage - all have a tendency to race prominently at the very least. It can be a fine balance between settling in front and getting involved in an early race burn up, so while the race won't be won in the first mile it can certainly be lost.

This could set the race up for The Russian Doyen who takes a drop in class here. The 7 year old may look a bit exposed but that is at a high level of form. He has raced mainly over fences for the last couple of years but ran well over hurdles when 3rd at Fontwell in October.

We're looking for Stainsby Girl to bounce back from a below par effort at Wetherby last time. 7 runners, the going will likely be soft and Craig Nichol will ride for Helen Simpson and Al Duncan.

Stainsby Girl tracks stable companion Dali Mail

Couple of our racemares head for Kelso (Tuesday)

 Lots of rain in recent days but the chill in the air should have passed come Tuesday at Kelso where the advance going description is soft.
Couple of horses and we start at 1.22pm with a tight looking 2m 7f handicap hurdle (0-125) which will present Eternally Yours with a step up in trip (but not by much). If she can repeat her form of earlier this month when just touched off in a Class 2 handicap at Aintree, she should go close.

Harriet's Dancewiththewind may have been all out to win a handicap over  2 miles last time, but the second horse has won since, and the third was an unlucky runner up next time. He's progressive and will appreciate the step up in trip.
Black Ebony has his first run for his new trainer (Kirby) and very often a simple change of scenery can add a spark to a horse. Lightly raced, this is his first run in a handicap and receiving 14lb from our mare, this useful bumper horse doesn't look overburdened.

You couldn't discount any of the remainder of the field as each have shown that they possess the ability to win a handicap at this level, and could bounce back in form to do so.

So, a competitive event, and best of luck to Blair Campbell racing in the stable colours.

Eternally Yours

 Recent Hexham winner Lady Villanelle will carry a 6lb penalty for that success into the 2 mile novice hurdle at 1.57pm.

Mick Easterby's Elysian Flame is a very useful staying handicapper on the Flat and has shaped very well in his hurdling career so far. This 4 year old acts well on testing ground and looks the one to beat.
Rose's Fete Champetre was clearly highly thought of before his debut in a Kelso bumper in November, and duly obliged. On pedigree he will be an even better jumper and will be expected to go close on his debut.

Several others have shown promising form to date over hurdles and in bumpers such as Bollingeandkrug, Khamsin Moor and The Electrician and this looks an above average novice hurdle.

Lady Villanelle (with Callum Bewley again in the saddle) is the only previous hurdle winner in the field and this will be a tough test for her. She's a lovely type and we'll certainly learn more about her after this race.

Best of luck to John, Ian, Greg and Wee Davie.

Lady Villanelle