Runners at Ayr today

Heavy ground at Ayr today, where we contest a couple of handicap hurdles.

Hartforth returns to the scene of his recent success to contest a Northern Lights Series qualifier over 3m. We'd prefer if he was receiving weight rather than giving weight to most of his rivals but this was the most suitable race for him in the next couple of weeks taking course, distance and going into account.
Jenny Candlish's Bryden Boy is the obvious market leader based upon his excellent last run when showing improved form finishing second at Hereford 5 days ago. Acts on heavy, so long as this hasn't come too soon.
Dual course and distance winner Lochnell has Dickie Johnson to assist from the bottom of the handicap, and will go close. Scobie's Sevenballs of Fire takes a drop in class here whilst there are 4 veterans (and we know how well such horses can go...) making up the field.
A hot race for a Monday, and we hope Hartforth can again be competitive.

Tomahawk Wood is in need of a race, but given the heavy ground we'd rather not run him in a chase, so he goes in the concluding handicap hurdle. Jenny Candlish again has a live one here, in the favourite Fearless Tunes while the Gordon Elliot/Jack Kennedy combo run recent stable addition Station Closed.
'Chuckie' should give a good account of himself, but may find one or two a bit sharper today.

 
Hartforth (Garry) and Tomahawk Wood (Sarah) track Bollin Julie

Second place for 'Bruce' at Kelso yesterday

Boy, was that hard work! Heavy going conditions at Kelso meant very slow times in each race none more so than the 3m 2f handicap hurdle which was run at 80 seconds slower than standard.
Snapping Turtle was back at his favourite position throughout the race, and led or disputed the lead for most of the race. But it was a crucial jumping mistake 5 flights from home that proved costly. He was nicely on the bit at that stage, but had to be driven back into contention following the mistake and was chasing the leader (eventual third placed King's Eclipse) from that point until approaching the last. Incredibly, the gallant gelding jumped the last in front, but had no extra on the run-in when challenged by the winner Bescot Springs.

As ever, we were delighted for our 12 year old - win, lose or draw! 

 
Snapping Turtle at the head of affairs on the gallop

And finally..... well done to those friends of the stable and former team members the Nichol brothers.

Both Ryan and Craig rode winners at Kelso yesterday, and while this is a fairly common occurrence for Craig (booting home one for Nicky), amateur rider Ryan rides well given few opportunities and was seen to good effect riding a 66-1 winner (Seemorelights) for his boss, Sandy Thomson.

I'm sure we heard mum Wendy let out a shriek of joy - what a proud day for her.