Ayr Saturday with a couple of runners

Craig Nichol and his young friend from Rose Dobbin's yard Dylan Johnston were good enough to pop down to Dodlands last Sunday to help out with our schooling morning, and both have rides for our yard this weekend. Craig has to wait until Sunday though, as Henry Brooke and Dylan are in the saddle at Ayr on Saturday.

First up at 1.23, Henry partners hurdling debutant Cowboy Cooper in the novice hurdle over 2 miles. Gordon Elliott sends over the experienced previous winner Nonbinding who probably wouldn't want any further rain to fall (advance going is good to soft). But there a couple of hurdling debutants who may give the Irish raider a bit of a battle.
McCain's Sedgefield bumper winner Glory Bridge is from a family packed with fine jumpers, the best being his half-sister Maria's Benefit, a Grade 2 winning hurdler over 2 miles.
Rose's Pat's Dream has had a couple of creditable placed efforts in Irish Points, the last of which saw him run future WP inmate Fact to File to 10 lengths. He may not be far away here.
The other 3 runners look as if they will surely improve with time and experience and that certainly applies to Cowboy Cooper, whose bumper runs were not without promise and has shown himself to be a safe, if unspectacular, jumper of hurdles thus far at home.

 
Cowboy Cooper (Callum) tracks his stable companion Eden Mill (Pinky)

Eternally Yours, with the young Irishman Dylan claiming 7lb, runs in the handicap hurdle over 3 miles at 2.33 pm, facing 7 opponents. The mare has enjoyed a good summer at grass and is in sparkling condition for her seasonal debut, although she has yet to win first time out so take care.....
In fact, despite running several excellent races, you have to trace back to December 2018 for her last victory. On her previous outing over course and distance she was well held by one of today's opponents Wakool, although there is a 12lb turnaround at the weights in her favour.

Into handicaps for the first time is Silver Flyer and he looks to have been treated lightly off OR120, while Snookered, Jack Devine and Dallas des Pictons are in very good form but wouldn't appear to be suited by this softer surface.

Eternally Yours (Laura)