Post race last time at Musselburgh we were annoyed at ourselves for running Shoeshine Boy in the staying handicap hurdle final of the Go North Series. Sure, a prize fund of £30,000 for 0-120 types comes but once a year and maybe we got a bit greedy in running the gelding just 8 days after racing on heavy ground following a mid season break.

And again jockey Craig Nichol, recording his 28th winner of the season, produced his horse with a perfectly timed run to lead over the last and then driving him out to a ½ length victory.
Narrow enough margin but in all truth, once over the last Shoeshine Boy never looked like being beat.
He's a determined sort - even in defeat - and much credit lies with Mark 'Mouse' Young who picked him up a few years ago as an unbroken store for a shrewd euros800.

This takes the 7-yr-old's record over hurdles to 2 wins, 5 runner up spots and a 3rd place with over £17,000 in prize money to his credit.

See the full race again here :

Elsewhere, about a couple of weeks ago now, Cowboy Cooper didn't seem to appreciate the testing conditions when 4th on his handicap bow over 2m 4f at Hexham. He was running fairly well but didn't jump 2 out all that well, and his chance was gone.
We hope that better ground will bring about improvement.

And a couple of days after that, the luckless run of Pallas Lord on the AW at Newcastle continued. He led most of the way before being collared late on and finishing a close second beaten ½ length over 10f.
And he's been raised 2lb.............