Hexham Saturday evening

It's a packed programme tonight, Ron.

Especially for two of the owners of Eden Mill - who runs in the 2 miles novices hurdle at 6.50pm - as they start the day taking in the lunchtime premier League match at St. James' Park where the hosts entertain Liverpool.
Ian & Greg will then make the short journey west in plenty of time for the Hexham fixture where the card kicks off at 5.15 with a Conditional Jockey's handicap Hurdle over 2m 7½f.

And it is that opener which sees Bill & Carol Aitchison's lovely mare Bonny Houxty as one of the 15 participants. She ran probably her best race of the season over 2m 6f at Newcastle in February (good ground) when 4th beaten just over 10 lengths but faded out of contention rather weakly last time at Sedgefield (3m 3f, good to soft).
She has dropped a few pounds in the handicap but even so, she will start as one of the outsiders here.

Theo Gillard takes the ride and good luck to all.

Bonny Houxty (Leah)

Back to that 6.50pm race.

Eden Mill will have the services of Conor O'Farrell for TD9 Racing. He jumped a little bit novicey on his hurdle introduction over course and distance 3 weeks ago, so we're looking for this Leading Light gelding to gain more experience here tonight.

Obvious form horses, both previous winners, at the head of the market are Fringill Dike and Clear White Light.
Brian Hughes is booked to ride hurdling debutant Retrospect for the Good Doctor but while this Frankel gelding performed consistently on the flat over staying trips, it was at a fairly modest level.
A stronger challenge to the two previous winners may therefore come from Sophie Leech's Maillot Blanc (the jersey given to the leading U26 rider in the Tour de France) who shaped promisingly when 3rd on debut at Southwell last month. Nicky's Hard Iron could also be involved in the finish.

Good luck to all the lads of TD9 Racing associated with Eden Mill.

Eden Mill (Zoe) leads a recent morning gallop