Debut run for Wor Lad at Kelso Friday

Kelso 16th February : 5.02 pm 2m Maiden NH Flat Race (Class 4)

Doesn't time fly.

It just seems like yesterday when Wor Lass - the dam of today's bumper debutant Wor Lad - won a staying handicap on the level at Ayr in what would be the last run of an illustrious career which included 11 wins. But that was just shy of 6 years ago.......

Having said that, Wor Lad is probably the youngest horse from Dodlands to run in a bumper, just 2 months into his official 4th year but a couple of months short of this actual 4th birthday.
So, it'll come as no surprise to learn that we think Wor Lad will learn a lot today and improve for the race.
He's a likeable sort, and possesses the ideal conformation for this jumping game.

This is a maiden bumper. Probably the best form shown has been Nicky's Yakaleo who was a promising 3rd over c&d but Lucinda's Irish Point placed horse Santapietra has the pedigree to do well in bumpers.

Best of luck and enjoy the day to owner-breeders Andrew & the Dodds family. Theo Gillard rides.

Wor Lad (Garry)

Double Delight for Dodlands on Tuesday

It's been a wee while since Dodlands sent out two winners in a day (someone please remind us!) but Pallas Lord on the AW at Newcastle followed up Shoeshine Boy's victory at Ayr an hour earlier.

Shoeshine Boy may have been a bit under the weather at Haydock last time - it's hard to tell with these hardened geldings some times - but bounced back to top form in emphatic style here. Well, emphatic for Shoeshine Boy is a prominent run backed up with a grueling, gutsy battle over the last couple of flights.
And this is exactly what took place on Tuesday at the end of Ayr's 3 miles, with 4 (eventually 5) battling for the win approaching the last. These included our Enemy At The Gate who ran another fine race but a mistake at the last didn't help his chances. They'll be other days!

But what a season Pallas Lord is having. Doubts were raised (in our own website preview - guilty as charged) but the gelding shrugged of a 5lb penalty for a recent success to record his 3rd win from last 4 runs. And over 7 furlongs too. Flawless ride from Archie Young whose 5lb claim on the day more than covered that penalty rise.
Pallas Lord is entered on Tuesday on Newcastle again, back over 1 mile and carrying 1lb less on official ratings than his last run. Yep, you try explaining that system to anyone......

In between, Cowboy Cooper was prominent for most of the 3 mile chase at Ayr but made several mistakes (this was his second venture over fences) which took their toll in the home straight. The gelding had made a promising chase debut a few weeks earlier staying on into 3rd at Catterick. He's not one to give up on yet by any means!!

A little earlier in the month, Nights In Venice made a very pleasing chase debut when 4th at Carlisle. He was soon well positioned in behind the leaders and, as is his way, nothing looked to be going any better 3 out. However, he'd been off the track for 10 weeks following a wind op and this absence look to tell after 2 out.
Nevertheless, we're still confident that one day he'll get his nose in front. Maybe a faster run race would suit so a possible step up in grade or step back in trip may be on the cards next time.