So Many Roads (Craig N) runs through a downpour at Carlisle

End of October racing review

October wouldn't be considered a prime target time for the National Hunt string here at Dodlands. Up until last year, even a runner in October would be as rare as hen's teeth so the October 2021 win by Jimmy's Jet should be considered an outlier.
Which allows us to be a little philosophical about our runners in this past week - 4 horses yielding a couple of 4th places and a couple of 5ths would not appear to set any batch of heather on fire. Yet, we are quietly buoyed by the performances which should provide a good base for further exploits as the season progresses.

Therefore, in chronological order

Maid of Houxty ran a promising race last Monday at Ayr when 4th of 9 on her chasing debut over 2½ miles. Whilst she had been schooled frequently at home - and generally jumped well - in the cut and thrust of race action she was a bit hesitant at a couple, especially towards the end of the back straight when the leaders set for home. She still held a chance when a bad mistake 3 out left her a lot to do but Craig (Nichol) gave her time to recover and jumped the last 2 safely before finishing well on the flat a couple of lengths off 3rd place.
The mare has been suited by softer ground than she met here in the past and has the make and shape of a chaser so we'd like to give her every opportunity in this sphere.

There were a couple of runners at Ayr on Saturday. Cowboy Cooper was a given a nice introduction by Henry Brooke on his hurdling debut over 2 miles especially as he was jumping a bit big and landing too steeply to halfway. This left the gelding using a little more energy on the flat to keep in touch and as a result was caught for pace after 4 out. However he did stay on nicely from the last, finishing 5th of 6 beaten 15 lengths.
Cowboy Cooper has been a slow learner in most aspects of training although he is most genuine and a horse we like a lot. He's the type to continue to improve with each outing so keep an eye on this one in handicaps in the second half of the season.

On the same card, Eternally Yours started off her season with a slightly underwhelming 4th to the impressive winner Wakool, in the Class 3 handicap hurdle over 3 miles. She's rising 10 years of age, and probably not going to get any faster at this stage of her career. Beaten nearly 20 lengths here, she is desperately in need of help from the handicapper as it's nearly 4 years since her last win. Such a lovely mare but our hands are tied.......
Watch this space.

Yesterday, Sunday, at Carlisle there was another of our novice hurdlers making his seasonal debut in the opening 2m 4f novice hurdle which was run in atrocious weather conditions on ground that was already 'heavy'. So Many Roads finished 5th of 8 (three of the field pulled up) in what looked on paper as a novice of good quality - 6 of the field were previous bumper winners or had tasted success in the Point field. Given a fine ride by Craig (Nichol) who said afterwards that the way the race was run, it felt like a good race. The outsider of the field, he looked anything but approaching 2 out before some of his more finely tuned opponents kept on strongly to the line.
So, a run full of promise from So Many Roads.  We've not asked a lot of him at home and feel sure there will be more to come from this 5 yr old this season.

Looking slightly further ahead, Gie It Laldy is entered in a bumper at Kelso, this coming Saturday so we'll see how his week pans out but fingers crossed for a run.