Cowboy Cooper in at Hexham on Friday

Not much luck with See My Baby Jive on the AW at Newcastle the other night, she found little in the final 2 furlongs and finished in 7th.
But back to jumping at Hexham on Friday.

Hexham 10th November : 3.20pm 2m 7½f 0-100 handicap hurdle (Class 5)

Cowboy Cooper gets his 2023-24 season up and running in this near 3 mile handicap hurdle with an advance going description of heavy (soft in places) at Hexham. The jury is still out on whether he is suited by 3 miles in such testing conditions especially as his younger full brother won recently over 2 miles on good to firm. On pedigree, the dam is stoutly bred and the sire won several times over 2½ miles in Grade 1 hurdles, so we'll see how this run pans out.

Most of his opponents have shown a liking for heavy ground. Susan Corbett fields the 1-2 from a course and distance race at the start of October, with Champ Royal upped 4lb for that success over Atomic Angel. The latter was having her first race of the season that day, and this front running sort may just have the edge here.

Cowboy Cooper races for the first time in the colours of local (to Hexham) owner Bill Aitchison but regular pilot Craig Nichol will be there in the saddle to do the steering.
Good luck to all.

Cowboy Cooper (Shay) at the head of his group

And onto Kelso on Saturday

Kelso 11th November : 1.05pm 3m 2f 0-125 handicap hurdle (Class 3)

Shoeshine Boy caught us by surprise a little when running so well on his seasonal debut at Hexham last month going down narrowly to Our Sam. He's in fine fettle and the (predicted) soft ground will suit here so has every chance.

And he faces an old opponent in the line up in the shape of Harriet & Gary's Don Brocco who,18 months ago, beat our lad twice in the space of a month by 1 length then again by a short head. Third time lucky, let's hope so, although we meet on 11lb worse terms from that latter race.
Teescomponentstrig is a fair hurdler and returns here after an absence of a couple of years but ran very well on that last run which was in itself following an inactive spell of 21 months. Brian Hughes rides and he could run a big race here.
Also returning after a lengthy spell off is Thomson's Pavlik who looked a progressive type when winning at the course on his previous run in November 2022.
Kinneston Nick's Artic Mann is yet another here who has been on the sidelines, returning here last month after 2 years absence when finishing 2nd.

And when you add in Lucinda's consistent Monochromix it all adds up to a very competitive Saturday handicap hurdle.
There are a couple of horses named above trying this staying trip for the first time but still the feeling is that Shoeshine Boy will need to be on the top of his game for this one.

The Mousetrap Racing squad will no doubt be out in force at their local track, and Craig Nichol takes the ride. Best of luck to all.

Shoeshine Boy (Laura) leads Bollin Matilda (Shay)

Kelso 11th November : 2.50pm 2m 5f 0-100 handicap hurdle (Class 5) - Div I

Courtesy of this handicap being split into two divisions, Eden Mill lines up here with Craig Nichol back in the plate. Eden Mill has always worked well in the mornings at home but hasn't quite seen out his races on the track.
He carries a low weight here but may be vulnerable to a few at the top of the handicap with slightly better form such as Ballyquin Bay and Eloi du Puy, while Strike of Lightening is a danger too.

TD9 Racing will be in situ to provide support and hope that a good day is enjoyed by all.

Kelso 11th November : 3.25pm 2m 5f 0-100 handicap hurdle (Class 5) - Div II

Bollin Matilda squeezed in an extra run at the backend of last season to achieve a qualifying mark over hurdles, so makes not only her seasonal but also handicap debut in this race. She'll improve for the experience, with Danny McMenamin riding in Callum's colours.

Arguably this looks the more competitive of the two divisions.

Secret Secret has been running well and ignoring a pulled up effort on heavy last time, Bella Bluesky has also been showing good form for Ewan.
But there are a couple of lightly raced horses - would have been described as 'dark' but from the premises from which they emanate - in Lucinda's Irish Point winner So They Say (£30,000; 5 yr old) and the Crawford Bros.' Joker du Chenet (€50,000; 2yr old and bred to be very smart).
It wouldn't be a surprise if either of these two were to put previous racecourse form in arrears in this modest contest.

And still not mentioned are a couple of handicappers from Nicky & Micky in Headscarf Lil and Lincoln Burrows respectively. The 6yr old Lincoln Burrows has always looked like a horse with bags of potential and returns to hurdling after an abortive attempt at novice chasing.

Modest in name maybe but a cracking race in prospect.

Eden Mill follows Nights In Venice down to the foot of the gallop