Hexham runners

(78Six runners for us at Hexham on Thursday, where AWAY SHE GOES (1.05) kicks things off in the opener. She shows ability at home but so far is proving very disappointing on the track. I’m putting cheekpieces on for the first time and Ed Austin will ride her a bit more forward now she is dropping back to 2m, from 2m4f at Newcastle last time. She’s justifiably a big price.

Next up is FREEDOM DAY (1.42), an ex-Flat horse who started out with the Gosdens. We’re still trying to teach him to learn to settle and drop the bridle. We had to ride him quite cold at Ayr last time and we might well do the same here. He should get a mark after this run and that will hopefully tell us where we go with him after that.

Diamond Mix (nearside) and Indian Poet get some graft in on our new gallop here at Hazelrigg

DIAMOND MIX (2.22) took a big step forward on his second chase start last time when runner-up over 2m at Newcastle. The form is stacking up nicely as the winner has gone on to win twice since. He was doing all his best work late on under Craig Nichol, so we’re going back up to 2m4f here. Hopefully Ryan Mania, who rides today, can get him into a lovely rhythm with his jumping- if he can, he’s our best chance of a winner.

INDIAN POET makes his hurdles debut in the 2m4f maiden at 3.42, alongside SULOUMAR DREAMER. Indian Poet is a lovely horse who’s just taken a bit of time to develop physically. He ran in one bumper at Newcastle, which has actually worked out quite well, but that was over a year ago. He’s schooled very well at home and Lilly Pinchin takes what we hope will be the first of many rides for us.

Suloumar Dreamer was very green on his debut at Carlisle at the start of December and has been off the track for a little while since with one or two niggly problems. He’s a big, backward type who will be better in time once he sees a fence. He has first-time cheekpieces on.

ARCTIC AMBITION (5.0) was too keen when we tried him in blinkers and also developed a heart murmur. Then last time he jumped quite badly out to his left at Musselburgh. We’re going back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces today, just because he seems to have lost a bit of confidence over his fences. He’s schooled better over hurdles recently and, fingers crossed, this longer trip shouldn’t bother him.

Cheers,

Paul