Paper Promise wins at Newcastle yesterday

Yes! She may have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but we're all thrilled with Paper Promise's win yesterday at Newcastle.

Very testing conditions prevailed at the Tyneside course and although 2 miles was on the sharp side for Paper Promise, the going was in her favour.
Craig Nichol settled the Gamut mare off in front at a sensible pace. She jumped a bit big at the first 2 or 3 but then settled into a nice rhythm.
Her main rival, Darling Du Large was poised ominously on her shoulder for most of the race, and came to take it up after 2 out swinging on the bridle.

Jumping the last, Tom George's mare went 3 lengths clear, but Paper Promise wasn't quite done and Craig rousted our mare along and she came with a strong run to get her head in front near the line and win going away by ¾ length with 16 lengths back to third.

Paper Promise was another of our well bought (some may say 'cheap') purchases at €1,600 from the Tattersalls August NH Store Sales, and this is her third win in just 2 seasons of racing.

Hearty congratulations to the owners of Paper Promise - Ron & Eileen Smith, Ian Aitken and (Wee) Davie Brown!!

Paper Promise (No. 5) jumping the last in hot pursuit

And a fine run from Dali Mail, in second, too

We held a realistic chance of a double on the card an hour later with Dali Mail making his handicap debut in the 2 mile hurdle. But it was not quite meant to be as the gelding put in a good performance but went down by 1¾ lengths to Jimmy Moffat's Minella Charmer.

Dali Mail was travelling strongly turning into the home straight upsides the winner but then made a real hash of 3 out. This seemed to dent his confidence as he didn't really jump any of the last 2 very well and hung left on the run-in.

Nearly......

That makes it 5 wins - and 9 second places - for the stable this season from just 35 runs, and the horses continue to run well as a group as we head into the last 6 weeks of the season.
Our next runners may well be at Musselburgh on Friday with Side of the Road and Danced Every Dance.  

Yesterday's protagonists from Dodlands - Paper Promise leads Dali Mail