Newcastle review - Eternally Yours wins for the 3rd time

Dodlands Steading recorded our 3rd winner of the 2018-19 season when Eternally Yours quickened clear of her rivals to win by an impressive 16 lengths at Newcastle yesterday. Previously the winner of a bumper and a novice hurdle, this was a third career win for the 5yr old mare.
Under fine handling by Craig Nichol, our mare was settled on the outside tracking the leaders off a quick pace set by Beyondtemptation. Craig made smooth progress approaching 3 out and was soon challenging for the lead. She led and dived a bit at the next, but Craig was alert to the occasional novicey jump and when he asked Eternally Yours to quicken, the race was soon put to bed.
Nicky Richard's novice Rubytwo was the only real challenger over the last two, and she finished second.

Video of the race can be viewed on the AtTheRaces website here.

In many ways this is Eternally Yours' first season over hurdles, having won her only hurdle race last season in April. So, she is progressing through handicaps rather than novice events but is doing this nicely this far.

Probably another step up in grade will be forced upon us by the handicapper but we'll be careful not to ask too much of this promising mare too soon.

Footnote
Eternally Yours is a daughter of Well Disguised, who was trained here at Dodlands to win 4 handicap hurdles. Her joint owner, 'Lucky Dave' Leslie was in touch yesterday to remind us that it was 10 years to the day that Well Disguised, ridden by Garry (Whillans), recorded her first victory by winning the first race on the Newcastle card (a 2m 0-100 handicap hurdle).

Between mum and daughter, five victories have been recorded at Newcastle......something in the genes.

And that's not all - he bet Eternally Yours yesterday (SP 5-4) to win by more than 5 lengths at 5-1. Now you know where he gets the moniker 'Lucky Dave'!!
Great to hear from you, as always.

Now is that Well Disguised or Eternally Yours.......?

Keyboard Gangster runs well, but out of the places

The modest pace of this Class 3 (0-135) handicap hurdle at Haydock yesterday did not suit Keyboard Gangster. He's electric at his hurdles so any chance Callum had of settling the gelding was counter acted by his speed of jumping. He raced keenly for most of the race.
Still, he was travelling well into the straight and on the heels of the leaders from 3 out but the combination of his running style and first race of the season saw Keyboard Gangster 'blow up' at the last. Callum eased off on the flat and he came home in 7th beaten 12 lengths.

You can view the 1st race at Haydock here

A fine run nevertheless, and he showed his well-being and this should have brought him forward. A strongly run race would be in order for his re-appearance though.

Keyboard Gangster at the head of the gallop