Pallas Lord doubles up at Newcastle in a matter of days

He may have taken a little bit longer this season to find his form but Pallas Lord thrilled us all this week at Newcastle on the All Weather with not one but two wins. Both came over 7 furlongs in similar fashion, making all - mostly - and battling on gamely to repel challengers inside the final furlong.

Callum Rodriguez was the successful jockey first time on Tuesday, then 2 days later - and carrying a 4lb penalty for that success - more regular pilot Jason Hart was also successful.

An 11th career victory - including 9 for our yard. What a marvellous horse!

Two runners across the country at Ayr today

Ayr 7th March : 4.10 pm 2m 4½f 0-120 Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

This is the third run of the season for Both Barrels and we hope he can continue his gradual improvement from the first two.

Top weight Lord of the Saints is the really interesting horse here. He is aiming to complete a 4-timer having started this run off a handicap mark 30lb lower. The value of his last win at Sandown was franked last month when the second horse trotted up here at Ayr a couple of weeks ago, and he looks the one to beat despite a subsequent 9lb rise for that Sandown win.

First run after a wind op could see a return to form for Maillot Blanc while the progressive novice King Roly should run well in as a first-time-in-handicap for the Bowens. Jonjo's Koukeo is another who will be in contention for a place.

Best of luck to connections and Craig Nichol is re-united in the saddle.

Ayr 7th March : 4.40 pm 2m 4½f 0-110 Handicap Chase (Class 4)

Nights In Venice has shown up well in his last couple of runs over fences, and we hope that the softer ground today will be in his favour - it was a little faster than preferred (good to soft) last time.
He jumps well, and we hope this can keep him in contention as they approach the final couple of fences......and then, well, fingers crossed.

Craig Nichol takes his second ride of the day for the yard here.

Paul Robson has moved to the South Hazelrigg yard vacated by Rose Dobbin at the end of last season, and he has also inherited Fete Champetre, a horse with a nice turn of foot. He looked almost back to his best last time when 4th at Sedgefield, and although this trip may be on the extremity of his stamina he'll be very dangerous if still there on the run-in.

Travail d'Orfevre has won a couple of chases - one at 2 miles, the other at 3 - so this in-between trip would appear to suit, while the Coltherd's Grand Voyage has generally been in good form all season and wont be far away this time either.

A fascinating handicap chase.

Best of luck to the Legends In Disguise partners.