Review of Ayr today

There was a moment about a furlong out with Bluefortytwo responding willingly to Callum Bewley's urgings, that we though we might just put one over on the favourite. But towards the line, Nicky Richards' Idee de Garde just had a bit more in the tank. Nevertheless an excellent debut run, going down by a length in the end with 7l back to the 3rd horse, and a further 15l to the 4th.
Rob's grey Overbury gelding was quite green in the paddock and on his way to post, but settled nicely in rear during the race. He travelled smoothly down the back straight too, and was produced to challenge 2f out and stayed on right to the line, just failing on this occasion.

A very promising debut for the 5yr old!

Earlier, Hartforth didn't seem to run with much enthusiasm in the 3 mile handicap hurdle, finishing a well beaten 7th of 11.

Bluefortytwo

Another bumper runner at Musselburgh tomorrow

There have been 4 runs in bumpers in total from 3 of our horses thus far this season, producing 1 win and 3 places (form figures of 2412), the latest effort being Bluefortytwo's second place at Ayr yesterday. Can we go one better tomorrow with Paper Promise?

9 runners in a bumper that will be run on soft-ish ground with all the rain about the Edinburgh area at the moment. Our mare was a fine second on her debut at Kelso in May, has been showing up well in the mornings at home and we feel sure she can be competitive.

Ex-Irish Keepupwitdjones has run three times in Irish bumpers and changed hands quite cheaply a month or two ago, and Ewart trains the other two who've had a run. The more interesting of the pair is a real dark horse in Detonate - a close up 4th in his sole outing in a French AQPS race about 18 months ago for Paul Webber. On closer inspection, this was a hot race with each of the first 3 having shown impressive winning form since over jumps - the second is now with Willie Mullins, the fifth with Venetia - and he could be anything!

Of the unraced horses, Dreamliner is a half brother to 3 winning sprinters (may find the trip beyond him), Reaplee's siblings have a more flat staying/hurdling wining profile, Skye Chief is stoutly bred and may need more time and distance,  while GNWTLR's Blue Baton is a Presenting full sister to a bumper winner and can boast that high-class bumper horse Dunguib (also by Presenting) in her family.
Brother Ali runs the ex Godolphin £90,000 foal purchase Leostar who has a pedigree to match.

So, a dark and dangerous horse from France (the market will speak volumes about him) and 3 likely sorts from the unraced bunch. Potentially, this has the makings of a hot bumper, but if Paper Promise is to be beaten, it'll take a good horse to do it!

Following on from full sister Paper Roses' under par performance yesterday, we really do hope Paper Promise can make it a more cheerful day for Ron & Eileen and Ian tomorrow. Good luck!!

Paper Promise