Down to Hexham on Wednesday with two runners

Stainsby Girl takes a step up in trip in the 2m 4f Class 4 handicap hurdle at 3.40pm on Wednesday at Hexham. Just the 5 opponents but the make of of these are 4 in form horses plus a 1st time handicapper who was an eye-catcher last time. Mmmmnn.

Advance going is good to soft.

Pros

• drop in class

Cons

• stable form
• is looking exposed
• will she settle and stay the trip?
• going will be the fastest she has encountered

You could say we're in a glass half empty mood at the moment.
Anyway, best of luck to all and Billy Garritty comes in to claim 3lb of her back. Fingers crossed for Helen & Al.

Stainsby Girl with regular work rider Georgina

The bumper has been spilt into two divisions and Shoeshine Boy runs in the first of these at 5.20pm.

The Valirann gelding was well beaten on his debut at Musselburgh but several of those in front of him that day have won since, so that gives up some heart.
He has continued to thrive physically since that race, and while his future will be hurdling we hope he can continue his progress here.

Skelton's mare Dazzling Glory may well start favourite although her two runs this season represent fair form though no better at this stage.
Pauline Robson runs Northern Falcon for his 3rd racecourse appearance and he could show an improvement to challenge here. Nicky Richards saddles Release The Kraken for owner Jimmy Fyffe and as long as friend-of-the-stable Callum Bewley doesn't attempt any shortcuts, he could be there at the finish.

Lucinda's French-bred Readysteadybeau has shaped with a good deal of promise and looks an exciting type when sent jumping.

But perhaps the main challenger to Skelton will come from James Lambe's raider from across the Irish Sea, the  Kayf Tara gelding Bearhill who is the mount of Brian Hughes. Plenty of dual purpose winners close up the pedigree and owner Wilson Dennison is prominent on the Irish Point circuit. (The same owner-trainer-jockey combination also have a runner in Div II).

Young Billy Garritty is again in the saddle for our yard, and best of luck to Mouse Young, Fozo and the gang in the Mousetrap Racing syndicate.

Shoeshine Boy (Garry, nearside) on the gallops with an unraced Libertarian gelding (Pinky)

Nights In Venice - Carlisle on Sunday

Well, he certainly impressed a few paddock watchers prior to his debut in the bumper at Carlisle on Sunday with his size and scope but after travelling well (though maybe a bit too free) in behind the leaders, Nights In Venice found himself outpaced over 2 furlongs out and was eased when beaten in the final furlong. He finished in 9th beaten just over 20 lengths.

A bit of a blow for connections as we had been impressed with his recent work but that's racing.

We'll give some thought as to what's next but he may be schooled over hurdles with a view to a middle distance novice hurdle run before the end of the season.