Kelso review (Saturday)

Shades of Midnight had a problem early last week with some filling in his legs which meant he had been unable to fulfill his intended run in the Pertemps Final (Listed handicap hurdle) at the Cheltenham Festival, but he was kept active during this period, and we felt he was fit and well to run today at Kelso.

However, he never travelled with his usual fluency at any time, and was eventually pulled up after 2 out.

On the back of three unplaced efforts at Musselburgh yesterday, it's a bit of a blow but we'll take stock over the next few days. The horses are looking and working well but not producing their form on the racecourse at the moment.

Musselburgh review (Friday)

Three unplaced efforts at Musselburgh on Friday, I'm afraid to say, where we thought we had reasonable chances of a couple of places.

Bollin Julie ran well enough in the staying handicap hurdle but found the pace of the leading group a bit too much to handle. Paper Roses didn't take a cut at her hurdles and was beaten a fair way from home in the 2m 3f novices hurdle, whilst Baby Ticker ran as if she would need further than the 2 miles here on this type of ground (good) and like Julie didn't have the pace to challenge.