Catterick Friday - Lucarno Dancer makes her chasing debut

Owner Ray Shiels had one eye on chasing with his mare this season, and after a nice pipe-opener for the yard last time when runner-up over hurdles Lucarno Dancer is in line to make her chasing debut at Catterick tomorrow.
It's a 2 miles novice handicap chase and she is able to run off her hurdles mark of OR83.

There are several of her opponents with chasing experience - and respectable form - in the race. McCain's Ballasalla (brother to the stables' National winner), Sue's Trooblue and Reverse the Charge for the Walton's will all be fancied to win, and should run well. Fellow chase debutants Domestic Diva and Highland Peak will be competitive off their marks if taking to chasing.

Lucarno Dancer is an athletic mare, standing at over 16.1hh, jumps well and we hope she can be competitive in these types of races.
Callum (Whillans) is in the saddle this time, and good luck to Raymond and his family.

Sedgefield review from yesterday - fine placed effort from Danced Every Dance

You know occasionally our pre-race previews are vaguely accurate.
If you read the preview of the two stable runners at Sedgefield yesterday, you could be forgiven in thinking that this had been penned post race (it wasn't).

Side of the Road needed this race in fitness terms but her 5th place in the 2½ miles handicap hurdle was a modest effort but an improvement from Ayr last month. She was never able to get in a blow, beaten 25 lengths and you can pick holes in the form all day but she jumped very well and we'll try to get her out again fairly quickly.

Pre race it looked like the two to beat in the bumper were Dares to Dream and Takingitallin, and these were the first two in the market as well. That Danced Every Dance was 3rd favourite was a surprise to ourselves, but we did give her an each way shout - just hope you managed to snap up the early morning 16s rather than the SP of 4-1.
Callum jumped the Oscar mare off in a prominent position upsides the leader (Takingitallin) and turning for home 3f out, Danced Every Dance was asked for her effort. But Dares to Dream had been tracking the leading pair throughout and came through smoothly for an impressive win.
Danced Every Dance kept on well though and took 3rd place, 4 lengths clear of the 4th horse.

Not sure if we'll aim the mare at another bumper or head over hurdles but we'd look to run again toward the end of January/early February.

Danced Every Dance (Laura) tracks a Getaway filly (Leah) on the gallops