Aintree Thursday

A few races to catch up on over the last few days. We'll take them in strictly chronological order, starting with Paper Promise at Aintree on Thursday 12th April. She lined up for the Grade 2 Mares Only Bumper, and ran really well to finish a staying on 7th (of 20), beaten just over 6 lengths.
Indeed, she may have finished closer but for being checked when staying on 2f out before running on again towards the finish.

This was a very encouraging run, with plenty of promise for her future career next season over hurdles (she has already been schooled and jumps well).

The race can be viewed here in full.

Paper Promise

Aintree Friday

Dali Mail travelled well for a long way in the Grade 2 Bumper on Friday afternoon, but weakened just over 1 furlong out and finished well held in 15th (of 20).
Not too bad a run - he still recorded an RPR of more than 100 - this was a hotly contested race. The gelding is fine although he was a tired horse when arriving back at the yard late on Friday night.

Much like Paper Promise, our grey gelding will be roughed off soon and head off to grass and start his hurdling in the autumn.

Click on this link to view the full race.

Dali Mail

Eternally Yours wins on hurdling debut at Newcastle on Saturday

The going at Newcastle on Saturday was heavy with the couple of hurdles after passing the stands omitted. Although we only started schooling Eternally Yours just over a week ago, she had impressed us with her jumping skills although we thought she might have been a bit hesitant over the first few.

As it was, the race was run at a very steady pace for the first circuit, and this helped our mare get into a nice jumping rhythm. She was a wee bit keen, but Callum settled her in rear, getting a nice lead and clear view into her hurdles. The further the race progressed, the slicker Eternally Yours was jumping and turning into the home straight with 3 to go, Callum had positioned her nicely tracking the 4 leaders. At this point it was clear that the odds on favourite (Nigel T-D's Granard) was not travelling very well and Eternally Yours made good headway to challenge the leaders at the last, and soon quickened clear.

This was an impressive performance on her hurdling debut but with the favourite running a disappointing race in 4th, the bare form doesn't amount to much. However, this was only the mare's fourth ever run, and second victory, so we're delighted.
The full race can be viewed here.

This win takes Dodlands Steading onto the 8 winner mark for the season equaling our best ever total which was achieved in 2013-14.
It does bring total prize money for the season to over £63,000 which is more than £20,000 higher than our previous best.

Eternally Yours quickens clear on run-in

Tomahawk Wood placed at Newcastle

Tomahawk Wood finished 3rd in his handicap hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday. He travelled well in the race and was a bit one-paced approaching 2 out, but held on to take third place although no danger to the first two.

This was his first race for 3 months, and whilst looking strong and very well in the paddock beforehand, our gelding may just have needed the race. Let's hope we're right as there is a race at Perth in a couple of weeks time that would suit him.

The full race can be viewed here.

Tomahawk Wood