Our Jumps Season starts off tomorrow at Carlisle

Yes, we've had a few runners on the Flat over the summer and autumn, but tomorrow at Carlisle Baby Ticker kick-starts the jumps season for Dodlands Steading. It's actually a nice little card for a Monday, with good (good to soft in places) being the advanced going description and with a wee bit of rain forecast in the next 18 hours it may ride a touch slower.

All of which would help the chances of Baby Ticker in the 2m 1f mares handicap hurdle at 2.05. Our mare has run well after a break previously (it'll be just over 200 days this time) but does prefer more of a test than the 2m 1f on the inner track at Carlisle will present - hence why we are doing rain dances on Cumbria's behalf. 'Baby' is facing 9 opponents tomorrow.
The Crawford Bros. are sending not one but two challengers from across the sea (17 winners in the UK last season) and have booked top jockeys (Scudamore & Skelton). But Victoria Says and Hidden Dilemma would not appear to be the main threats as there are several in the field with progressive profiles.
Scobie's Keep The River is an exciting novice hurdler, first time out in a handicap and will do well to win this off OR114 (not out of the question though).
Llantara is on a hat-trick but her best form has been on heavy, over further.
Conversely, Versifier would want the rain to stay away and again has shown best form over further.
Similarly, Sue's Trooblue would surely be seen at her best over further (a pattern is starting to emerge here.....).
Russian Royale and Georgian Firebird appear fairly exposed these days and recent form has been patchy, but you can never discount Micky Hammond's chances with horses like Russian Royale's profile.
McCain's Tobouggan Fire was fair handicapper on the level at best and has been showing steady improvement over hurdles and may be the one that the field have to beat.

So, she's going well at home but Baby Ticker would definitely prefer softer conditions, a more galloping track and 3-4 furlongs further!

Baby Ticker (Rebecca)

Weekend news from the gallops

Baby Ticker aside (see news item above), we've a few entries this week at Ayr and Newcastle and whilst Ayr's advance going of soft is encouraging, Friday's Newcastle description of good to firm is less so.
Nevertheless, Saturday's work programme was planned accordingly.

Big Bad Dream and Keyboard Gangster worked together in the first lot, with the former having his final piece of fast work ahead of an entry at Ayr on Wednesday (2m 4f novice hurdle).
Lot 1 also saw Baby Ticker (steady canter as will go to Carlisle on Monday), The Boo Box and 'Henry' complete two spins 'Up-the-Middle'.

Lot 2 just caught the last of the morning downpour, but most completed a piece of faster work second time up.
Ahead of entries this week:

• Eternally Yours (Georgina)
• Paper Promise (Kingy)

worked together and were schooled by Ryan and Callum on Friday, whilst a couple of prospective bumper horses also did a faster piece of work second time up.

• 'Adam' (Ryan)
• Stainsby Girl (Callum)

Tthe remaining pair improved their fitness and are coming along nicely

• 'Jean' (Leah)
• Danced Every Dance (Laura)

Paper Promise and Eternally Yours head up 'Adam', Danced Every Dance, 'Jean' and Stainsby Girl

Lot 3 saw several horses whose work plan consisted of steadier work but 3 times up.

• Paper Roses (Leah)
• Lucarno Dancer (Georgina) - just twice up
• Dali Mail (Callum)
• Side of the Road (Rebecca)

Dali Mail is the nearest of the 4 to a run, and worked very well. He had been schooled last week with Big Bad Dream and while both were initially quite novicey, each will be popped through our hurdles lane again prior to hurdling debuts (Dali Mail being ground dependant on Friday).

 
The grey Dali Mail (Callum) with Side of the Road (Rebecca)