Racecourse round-up

A couple of places from a handful of runners at Carlisle and Sedgefield in the last 10 days is probably nothing to write home about - or even to write on a website about.

Not so.

Bollin Fiona - and to a certain extent Mia Matriarch - pleased us with chase debuts, and we could have a female Harry Flashman on our hands with Allan Gilchrist's young mare. The tough as teak Bollin Fiona, and her stable neighbour Mini the Minx (unplaced at Newcastle) both showed that they are in good enough health and can win in the right conditions before the season is out.
Sam Patch jumped ever so well at Sedgefield, but the good to soft ground was probably just a bit livelier than ideal. Watch out for him in genuine soft conditions.

Oh, all right then, Snapping Turtle didn't run to expectations at Carlisle.............

Mia Matriarch

Aprés racing at Musselburgh

No, not the bustling night life on offer in Scotland's neighbouring capital city, but we refer of course to the racecourse gallops afforded to trainers by the Musselburgh executive after their last NH fixture of the season.

We has a couple take part in what turned out to be quite a fierce examination of ability as 10 runners went to post. Brother Ali ran 4, Karen Mac had a couple, as did Alison Hamilton.

Although it was pitch black by the time the horses passed the post (a full 2 miles was covered), we felt it was a useful exercise. The Nichol brothers (Ryan and Craig) piloted our two youngsters, and it was the home bred 4 yr old - 'Chuckie' - who pleased us more on the day. He really has improved immensely physically in the last 12 months, and he can gallop all right!

Our promising 4yr old gelding by Courteous