Promising seasonal debut runs at Carlisle, Monday

Honda Fifty finished 4th on his hurdling debut beaten just over 20 lengths by what could turn out to be an above average novice hurdler this season in the shape of useful middle distance flat performer Severance. The second and third on the day had previous jumping experience so this was a most pleasing run by Honda Fifty.

He was a little keen early on but Blair Campbell had the gelding settled into a nice rhythm and jumping well passing the stands first time round. Our horse continued to track the leaders just off the pace in midfield and made a little progress to come into contention after 4 out. but on the day the leaders just had that little more experience and quickened away in the home straight.
But Honda Fifty stuck on nicely to his task and Blair pushed out this son of Arakan over the last to pick up 4th place.

A lovely introduction, full of promise for the season.

Also running a nice race in 4th place for connections was Dali Mail who featured in the Graduation Chase over 2 miles. A cracking renewal saw the Grade 1 chaser Esprit du Large only finish 3rd, and with that horse and Dali Mail giving weight away to some talented racehorses we're quite pleased with the seasonal debut from our gelding.

Callum Bewley tucked Dali Mail in behind the pace setters and he got into a nice jumping rhythm. This second season chaser is still quite relatively inexperienced over fences as he fell at Ayr after winning at Newcastle and wasn't right when unplaced at Kelso just before lockdown.
The winner Whoshotthesheriff had the benefit of a recent chase effort over course and distance, and the runner up Kiltealy Briggs is Grade 2 placed over hurdles, so there was a lot to like about this performance.
We'll look for a 2 mile handicap at one of the Northern flat tracks next.

Two of this week's protagonists from Dodlands - the grey Dali Mail (Callum) and Baby Ticker (Laura)

Duo head across country to Ayr, Wednesday

On the back of Honda Fifty on Monday, we have another hurdling debutant in Stolen Money at Ayr (Wednesday) in the maiden hurdle (1.10pm) over 2m3½f. However, Stolen Money doesn't possess the basic speed of Honda Fifty and is seen by connections as a potential staying chaser.
We hope he has a nice introduction to hurdling and enjoys his outing. He will be sure to come on for the run. Blair Campbell takes the ride.

There are 2 or 3 horses in this contest who have shown a great deal of promise already in their careers such as Alaphillipe (Point, Bumper), Velasco (Point, Hurdles) and Aquitaine Boy (Hurdles) with several who will also benefit from the racing experience.

On the day, the explosive finish of the 2020 Cycling World Champion may just have the edge................

Stolen Money (Connor) on the left with a couple of companions

And last but not least, our stable heroine and two time winner from last season Baby Ticker runs in the extended 2m 4f mares handicap hurdle at 1.45.

It's a race full of mares well known to Northern racegoers - if there were any going to be present - and Baby Ticker is set to carry top weight. She will be suited by both the soft ground and Ayr racecourse but is not known to show her best form first time out.
Stable amateur (shared with Brother Ali) Connor Wood takes off a valuable 7lb from her back but she faces a tough task nonetheless.

There are several likely contenders, all who have the benefit of a run, with Kinneston Nick's mare Off The Hook nicely weighted if returning to her best form.
But in reality, this is a wide open event.

Good luck to our two jockeys, and to connections.