The Newcastle Six

The Paul Robson Racing horsebox will be full as we head off to Newcastle on Monday with six runners.

First off the box and onto the track will be INDIAN POET (1.50), a lovely big horse who’s taken time to develop. He has his first start over hurdles here, having not run since making his racecourse debut in the bumper on this card 12 months ago. He’s done a lot of schooling at home under Ryan Mania, who rides him today, and he’s finally ready to go, but we’re probably not expecting too much of him as this looks a fair race with a couple of runners rated 121 and 120. They include Lawrenny, who’s actually the horse that won that bumper a year ago that Indian Poet ran in.

We’re stepping up to 2m4f with AWAY SHE GOES (2.55) in the second division of the novices’ handicap hurdle. She seemed to get outpaced at a crucial time on her last run over 2m at Musselburgh. Good ground is what she wants, so she has that in her favour, and Ed Austin will ride her to get this longer trip. She’ll justifiably be a big price on what she’s shown so far. Hopefully the extra half-mile and drying ground can see her show some improvement.

Diamond Mix chilling out in his stable here at Hazelrigg

In contrast, DIAMOND MIX (3.25) will be one of the market leaders for the novices’ handicap chase. He’s taken well to fences and jumped super, bar one fence, over 2m at Newcastle on his most recent start when second to a mare of Jennie Candlish’s, Demoiselle Kap, who was well-in at the weights having won over hurdles only a week or so earlier. He’s very fit, very well in himself and we’re expecting a big run going back up 2m4f, albeit in an ideal world the ground would be a bit softer.

You’re never going to get all your ducks in a row when you’re running six horses on the same card and similar comments apply to CAPTAIN QUINT (4.30) in terms of the ground. He’ll be going down in the box with the others but we’re going to see how lively or otherwise conditions are and then make a decision from there. If we feel it’s too quick for him, we’ll draw stumps and wait for another day because he’s a big horse who hits the ground hard.

If he runs, he’ll wear blinkers for the first time, as he didn’t really have a going day around Musselburgh a month ago following an improved effort under Ryan at Wetherby the time before.

L’Insurge will be the first-ever runner for the Paul Robson Racing Club – hopefully it’s an exciting day! 

Then we run two debutants in the closing bumper including L’INSURGE (5.0), who will be the first-ever runner for our new Paul Robson Racing Club! It’s an exciting day for us and our Members, many of whom we’re looking forward to seeing at Newcastle to cheer him on. Both he and SPARKY TOM (5.0) are very fit and have already been to Newcastle for a racecourse gallop. But like any first-timer, it’s going to be a new experience for them and another key step in their education. 

Although this is a maiden bumper, it looks quite competitive with runners from some top stables including Jamie Snowden, Tom Lacey and my old boss Nicky Richards. Ryan will be on board Sparky Tom, which gives us an opportunity to use Jamie Hamilton for the first time on L’Insurge, who gets all the allowance here being the only four-year-old in the line-up. Jamie’s riding really well and is having a great season. It will be good to get another opinion and hear his thoughts about L’Insurge afterwards.

There are still shares available in L’Insurge…if you’re interested in becoming a Member of the Paul Robson Racing Club, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the details below.

All the best to all owners and jockeys,

Paul