Dali Mail impresses in victory at Ayr yesterday

Fantastic!

Dali Mail made it a winning debut over hurdles at a grey and wet Ayr racecourse yesterday. Not that it dampened the spirits of connections!

Nicola Mackin of The Zidane Partnership accepts the prize  

But lets start at the beginning, with Dali Mail looking fresh and well in the paddock - the pick of the paddock really. He can be a keen sort in his races, and Callum settled the well made, athletic gelding just behind the leaders. Jumping safely, if not spectacularly, Dali Mail was travelling well throughout and when the leaders quickened for home round the bottom bend, Callum eased our fellow forward onto their heels. Asked for an effort, Dali Mail disputed lead 3 out with the eventual 2nd (Sporting Press) and 3rd (Dark Angel), and led approaching 2 out and powered away for a comfortable victory.

Quite a thrill, as we have always thought a lot of the gelding who won a bumper at Kelso last season. Callum said Dali Mail was a bit novicey at a couple of his hurdles and his jumping will improve (not that it was a concern today), and he's won this without coming off the bridle.

Hopefully, that start of a bright jumping career - you can see the full race here

Kingy leads in a mud splattered Dali Mail and Callum

Side of the Road unplaced at Ayr

Side of the Road was well down the field in the 2m 3½f handicap hurdle at Ayr yesterday.

Going into the race, we were of the opinion that she would need the run after an 11 month absence, and so it proved. The Beneficial mare is operating at a modest level, and after chasing the leaders in mid division for most of the way, she weakened from 3 out.
She'll come on for the race and may appreciate less testing conditions, so we'll look for another opening in about 4 weeks time.

All in all, it was a very good day for Scottish based trainers at Ayr with 5 of the 7 races going to yards based north of the border. Particular congratulations to Kinneston Nick (aka Fife trainer N W Alexander) who completed a 314-1 double with Road to Gold and Craiganboy.