Dodlands kicks of our NH Season at Kelso

What an ever-changing world we live in.

I mean, since our last National Hunt runner - Bonny Houxty's 4th at Kelso on 29th May - there have been some quite astonishing changes in the world in which we live. Take the Westminster Government for one.

• 4 Chancellors of the Exchequer in as many months
• 3 Home Secretaries
• 2 Foreign Secretaries
• and to cap it all.....2 Prime Ministers have tendered their resignation

So, will a previously successful and popular leader who departed under a cloud, be welcolmed again into the fold to turn things around and hasten back the golden days?
But enough about Steven Gerrard and Ibrox for now.......

As of Friday evening, the going report for Kelso's Saturday meeting - last updated on Wednesday afternoon - has the surface as good to soft (good places) but after the deluge on Thursday this could well be a bit easier. Which would suit most of the genuine Winter jumpers for their seasonal debuts.
Just like Shoeshine Boy and Paper Tiger, the two runners from Dodlands.

Paper Tiger

The very likeable mare Paper Tiger (Craig Nichol) starts us off in the 2 mile maiden hurdle at 1.40pm. She showed a promising level of ability on the first of her 3 runs last season, when showing up well until weakening 1 furlong out in a bumper at Wetherby. That was mid January, although Paper Tiger didn't run up to that same level in two subsequent runs including on her hurdling debut, so the daughter of Califet does have a wee bit to prove.
She shapes as to be one for handicaps later on in the season.

There are any number of promising types on show in this race from Points, bumpers and novice hurdling. Captain Bloomfield, Call Me Harry and Hashtag Lord will no doubt be the first 3 in the betting and today's winner could well come from that trio but lots of these are sure to improve as the season progresses.

Improving during the season?
Well, none more so for us last year than Shoeshine Boy (well, maybe just Stolen Money.....) who started off last year with a couple of modest efforts in novice hurdles in September at Perth & here in October. Five subsequent runs (22221) saw him beaten by less than an accumulative 5 lengths, and he begins today on a mark of OR100 in this 3m 2f handicap hurdle (5.10 pm, Bruce Lynn) where the recent rain will be to his benefit.
He will come on for the run though.

Shoeshine Boy (Laura) leading his Gallop Companions

Two runners at our local track, and both owned by Borders' based syndicates - TD9 Racing and Mousetrap Racing. Best of luck to all those involved and, as ever, have an enjoyable day.