Carlisle yesterday

Two runners yesterday at Carlisle, one in each of the first two races, where the going was heavy.

Paper Promise made her hurdling debut in the 2m 4f novices' hurdle. She dwelt a little at the start so was towards the rear for most of the first circuit. Callum made sure though that she got a good sight of her hurdles, and she did jump well throughout. She travelled okay, but she has been a smooth traveller in her bumpers last season and the same verve wasn't quite there so she may have been just a wee bit under par.
Anyway, Callum gave the mare every chance to get into the race after 4 out, chasing after the leaders but Paper Promise gradually faded away to finish in 5th without looking like troubling the first 3.

She will come on for the race, and perhaps a mares novice hurdle over a similar distance in about 3-4 weeks would be on the cards but we'll make sure she recovers fully for this effort.

We finish runner up in Northern Lights Mares hurdle..............again!!

And once more to those pesky Crawford Bros.! (© ScoobyDoo)

But seriously, it was a fine effort by Baby Ticker at Carlisle yesterday, runner up but never really being able to challenge the runaway winner Hidden Dilemma. As Callum remarked afterwards, we won the race for second place.

Baby Ticker was tried in blinkers for the first time, in the hope that she would travel a bit smoother. This worked to a certain extent, but moving out onto the second circuit turning away from the stands, Callum was working hard to keep our mare in touch with the long time leader Bon Chic. And turning for home, she was about 5th but staying on although by 2 out the winner Hidden Dilemma had got the better of Bon Chic and travelled ominously well.
A win was out of sight, but nevertheless Baby Ticker stayed on well to take second place 3 lengths clear of the third horse, 11 lengths adrift of the easy winner.

A brave run all the same, and following on from Paper Roses second place last year to Our Valentina (trained by the Crawfords), this was another runner up in the final of the excellent Northern Lights Series.

So, what's next?

She's probably in the grips of the handicapper, but Baby Ticker does go well on heavy and maybe a race at Ayr will pop up. As for Dodlands Steading, well,  we'll try again next year in this race - third time lucky etc. - no doubt facing 2 or 3 from across the Irish Sea.