Boxing Day at Newcastle

We do hope that you're enjoying this Festive Season, and what finer way to cap the holiday with a trip to Newcastle races.
This is the fixture normally held at Sedgefield on this day each year, and that venue was always packed to the rafters. We predict Newcastle will have a bumper crowd - our nap -  and as we write there are 90 horses declared for the 7 races........almost unheard of these days.

First race is 11.45am, with the advance going of good to soft, soft places, so set off in plenty time - that's not just advice for racegoers but pricipally for the lads of TD9 Racing whose gelding Eden Mill will make his handicap hurdle debut in the 12.15, a Class 5 0-100 event over an extended 2m 4f with David England picking up the ride.
He starts off on a mark of OR82, a relatively modest level reflecting his runs thus far it is true, but we hope that being upped in trip will start to bring about improvement as his three novice hurdle runs have been over 2 miles.

Some attempt is normally tried to evaluate the opposition in our race previews via in-depth form analysis (lol) but with 17 opponents that could be seen as folly here. A different angle then - a couple of runners that we'd gladly have in our yard would be Nicky's Fame and Glory youngster Maughold Head and Rose's Irish Point winner (and the mount of Craig Nichol) Rockonsoph.

Anyway, we do like our gelding as he has the make and shape of a future chaser and we hope he starts to get his career moving with a good run here. Best of luck to TD9 Racing.

Eden Mill (Pinky) spots our photographer

A bit of a gap till our next runner, allowing plenty of time to take in the Christmas Hurdle and King George VI Chase action from Kempton Park.

Houxty Reiver makes her debut in the 16 runner Mares' Only Bumper at 3.10pm. An Aitchison-bred half sister to stablemates Maid of Houxty and Bonny Houxty, she is a lovely sturdy filly who like her sisters will no doubt improve for time and a flight of hurdles. She goes well at home but this race has attracted several likely types from up and down the country.

Fergal O'Brien's Dontyawantme dead-heated on her sole outing in an Irish Point over 12 months ago. Her fellow winner has gone on to finish 2nd on bumper debut prior to winning a novice hurdle while the 3rd horse won a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle a couple of days ago.
Our friend David England is booked to ride the It's Gino filly Lollobrigida (nearly....) who may very well be the most beautiful filly in the world but she is also a full sister to the high class Lalor (a first time out bumper winner). Bred in the purple, a very interesting newcomer from the Skelton yard.

McCain's Chalk That Down is another with multiple winners close up in the pedigree and looks set to put a prominent display.

But all of this is not to disparage the entries of promising types from Northern trainers. Having mentioned one filly with a high class sibling, Lucinda gives a debut to a half sister to Grand National winner One For Arthur in Fox's Fancy who cost €60k as a 3yr-old store.
There are several others that have attained minor places in bumper races already and may put the experience to good effect, including Wellfleet Witch and Lunar Glow who is from a family of bumper winners.

A tremendous race of its type to finish off the card.

Craig Nichol rides Houxty Reiver for a new partnership Reiver Racing Syndicate. Best of luck and enjoy the whole day!

The white-blazed Houxty Reiver (Craig) leading the morning exercise group