Fine runs at Perth yesterday

Although winnerless, we were very pleased with both of our runners at Perth yesterday.

Paper Roses set off at the head of the affairs in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle, and Callum gave the mare a super ride, encouraging her into each flight and getting a good jump as a result. Although headed 2 out by the winner, Paper Roses stayed on and held every chance after jumping the last upsides. The winner verged left on the run in, and with the third horse tight on the inside, Callum didn't want 'Niamh' to be the meat in any sandwich and switched her right and came around the winner on the other side so as not to get tightened up.
Even so, Paper Roses kept on right to the line, and just failed by a length in the end, finishing in second place

A fine run, which delighted her owners, Ron, Eileen and Ian.

Paper Roses (Sarah)

Night Comes In ran well to finish 5th on his hurdling debut, a 2m 4f maiden hurdle. This was only his second ever race (following on from a bumper run in February) and as with Paper Roses, the horse delighted connections.
Settled nicely in the rear, he made a few big jumps, and several good leaps with his only mistake coming at 2 out which he met on the wrong stride. Approaching the last, in about 8th place, Callum pushed the gelding along and he really pinged the flight and stayed on to the line only missing out on 4th place by under a length.

The Definite Article is a lengthy, athletic sort and still not fully furnished into his frame, so this was a performance of huge promise for what's in store over the next couple of seasons!

Night Comes In (Callum) on the left

Perth tomorrow (Friday)

Another hurdling debutant tomorrow at Perth, with Side of the Road entered in the 2m mares' novices hurdle. She's been a bit too bold in her schooling so far, so she will learn a lot more on the racecourse, and Callum will do well to settle this keen going sort into the race. The Beneficial mare has proved a bit one paced in her bumpers and will be suited by further in time, but we start off on the hurdle route tomorrow.

The race itself looks a good one with  Henderson and George sending up a couple of previous winners from down South, while there is a whole host of Northern and Irish entries whose form has caught the eye this season.

A tough introduction, but we hope Side of the Road travels and jumps well, and sees out her race.

 
Side of the Road (Garry) pictured in our schooling lane