Out of luck at Kelso yesterday

Paper Roses swerved approaching the last at Kelso yesterday, unseating Callum in the process.

But let's get back to the start of the race where Callum settled the mare nicely behind the leading pair. She jumped safely, rather than spectacularly but was always travelling well until a mistake 3 out, just as the pace was quickening, put her off the bridle but still close up with the first two.
However, that mistake seemed to unsettle Paper Roses and she jumped 2 out fairly slowly. Callum soon rousted her along and approaching the last she was only a length down but staying on well behind the eventual winner Jolie Crickette, when she swerved and unseated her jockey.
Paper Roses held every chance at this stage, so we're all feeling a bit frustrated and deflated as this was not a competitive event. On the bright side, she didn't fall and showed her well being after a few weeks on the easy list (being off colour).

Oh well, that's racing.........

Paper Roses (Garry) leading Tomahawk Wood (Milky)

Meanwhile back at the ranch....

.....where all of our string that are in full training were out on the gallops. Just the two lots of 6.

First lot

• Keyboard Gangster
• Bollin Julie
• Shades of Midnight
• Tomahawk Wood
  These four did one piece of morning work on the woodchip gallop
• Snapping Turtle
• Dali Mail
  Two spins for the above duo, with Snapping Turtle leading the younger gelding second time up. Snapping Turtle heads for Catterick on New Years Day for a 3m 2f handicap hurdle.

Second lot

• 'Sid'
• 'Cliff'
• Side of the Road
• 'Arthur'
• Baby Ticker
• Hartforth
  Twice up for this half dozen, with Hartforth looking particularly well after his recent race, and Side of the Road working well after her recent Newcastle pre-racing gallop

Of the others in the stable at present, there are three nice, unraced prospects who are having a few weeks out of training to strengthen and mature.
'Brooke', 'Reeva' & 'Sting' you may recall were horses we brought home from the Tattersalls Ireland August Sale and were given a few weeks of initial work on the gallops in the Autumn. They'll be brought into full work gradually from mid February.

Another in this category is 'Thimble' who has been enjoying the fresh air sharing a field just across the road with Bollin Fiona. She has impressed in her initial work during the summer, and will be brought into full training just after New Year.

One of our 2015 purchases 'Spud' is having a prolonged period of box rest to recover from a stress fracture. He'll spend another few months in his box, but we think a lot of this smooth travelling gelding so there's no rush.

Goodknight Percy is in light work after his run at Wetherby a few days ago, whilst a decision is made on the next career step for the good natured 4 year old.

from right to left : Hartforth, 'Arthur', Baby Ticker, 'Sid', Side of the Road, 'Cliff'