Boxing Day at Sedgefield races with Shoeshine Boy

Festive greetings.
And I know in old fashioned terms Boxing Day is traditionally Monday 27th but in recent years things have relaxed a bit.
Which is more than can be said for this accursed virus.  Get vaccinated, keep safe.

Our last entry - Ellistrin Star - was a non runner at Musselburgh last week, so here's hoping for better fortune with Shoeshine Boy in the handicap hurdle over 2m 4f at Sedgefield on Sunday 26th.

There are several in this race who would prefer a much sounder surface or will be looking to return to form after a couple of recent below par performances. But still, the progressive profile of Rose's Cailin Dearg will see him be very competitive and, to a lesser extent, the same can be said of Harriet's Don Brocco.
From out of the clouds Trac is a horse who is capable of better. Micky's 4 year old has run with some promise over jumps in soft ground in France but has not shown a jot to date over here. However, cheekpieces are re-applied for the first time in this country.

Shoeshine Boy was a narrow second on his handicap debut at Hexham recently and the winner that day Shougall's Boy has gone on to score next time out. That was our lad's handicap debut and his first try at 2½ miles and the softer ground today should also be in his favour. He'll need to jump a bit slicker but with Brian Hughes in the saddle there's a lot to like about his chances although we're wary of a few of the opposition, Cailin Dearg in particular.

There's 3 jump jockeys who pop into Dodlands once or twice a week to ride out. Normally, we like to see them do well when competing in races on the track. However Craig, Callum & Joanna in this case .............

Good luck to the lads of Mousetrap Racing.

Shoeshine Boy (Joanna)