Fine second place by Lucarno Dancer today, and The Boo Box ran well too.....

A couple of runs that promise more for the season all told really.

But yes, Lucarno Dancer on her stable debut returned to form when a close second to Copt Hill in the 2m handicap hurdle at Newcastle today. Held up in rear by regular jockey Callum Bewley, she jumped very well and was travelling so nicely 3 out that we all started to get excited. Produced to challenge approaching the last, the race developed into a 3-way contest on the run-in but 'Lucy' just failed to match the pace of the winner.
There was 10 lengths back to the 4th placed horse and albeit at a modest level, this was a very encouraging performance.

Although The Boo Box finished in mid division (7th of 14) in his bumper, he ran well for a long way in this race. This was a competitive affair - the favourite Bon Calvados, trained by Murphy, finished just a few lengths in front of us in 6th - and Callum set off with the intention of keeping The Boo Box prominent.

And that was achieved, turning for home there was a group of around 8 horses challenging for the lead with The Boo Box well there. However, he just couldn't match the pace of the first 4 or 5 when the push came to the shove over a furlong out and came home beaten just over 20 lengths.
Well done to Brother Ali in training the winner Carrieben Reiver, and he had a hand in the breeding too!

The Boo Box had run a promising race nonetheless, and he'll now probably be aimed at novice hurdles after the New Year.