DALTON PARK – 11TH MARCH 2024

With a dry week forecast the decision was made to enter Inviction into the restricted race. The ground was promising and on the Saturday was soft, good to soft in places. Sunday came and the sky had opened and everywhere was drenched. Upon leaving the yard the ground changed to soft, remaining optimistic the team continued to travel south, but upon arriving at Dalton Park the news we were hoping wouldn’t come came and the ground had changed - now soft, heavy in places. Refusing to be defeated Ross went to catch up with other jockeys to see how it was riding they all spoke positively, so Jess and Ross headed out to the track to make a decision for themselves. Ross’ main concern was Overton is looming and Inviction was yet to run. With this in mind the decision was made, Inviction was to run. It was great to see the owners in the parade ring and the green and yellow on show. Everyone’s spirits were high with Inviction looking great. With the ground not suitable, and the safety of Ross and Inviction being of high importance the decision was made to pull up. The aim of the day was to give him a run before Overton and to get both horse and jockey home safely and that is exactly what happened.

Ross said that “ Inviction just hated the ground, this was of no surprise to us or the Racing Club. That being said he travelled and jumped well early on but as the pace increased, he started to struggle on the ground."

OVERTON – 23RD MARCH 2024

With Ross night lambing Jess was thrown into the deep end for her first weekend racing. A stressful Friday evening getting everything packed and food prepared the team were ready to go on the Saturday. Ross fuelled on Redbull and Jess on coffee, Inviction was loaded and they were Overton bound. Upon arriving at Overton Jess began getting Inviction gleaming while Ross got himself sorted. Ross weighed out, Inviction looking as handsome as ever everyone headed up to the parade ring. Ross kindly legged up by Des they were ready to go. With Jess struggling to hold on Ross announces he felt much better than he did at Dalton Park, but knowing the ground wasn’t 100% suitable a realistic approach of not getting hopes up was made. Ross and Inviction headed to the start, while everyone else headed to the track to cheer them on. Inviction surprised us early on and seemed happy jumping and travelling well for a circuit and a half. It was clear he was becoming tired but seemed to pick up and move forward when asked by Ross, so again looking promising for a finish. Coming to two out, the horses sat in front pulled up and Inviction was starting to struggle on the soft ground, so the decision was made to pull up and get them both home safely. Back at the box Inviction seemed happy and was keen for a drink so had clearly worked hard. With Bedale point to point and the hunter chase at Kelso within a three day window, there were decisions to be made. With Inviction yet to finish it seemed sensible to take him to Bedale on the 13th April to run in the Intermediate.

Ross said that “Considering the ground still wasn’t 100% suitable for him, Inviction took a huge step forward from Dalton Park on better ground, jumping and travelling until pulling up at two out. I think he is coming back into form again."

OVERTON – 27TH APRIL 2024

Yesterday was a day we all won’t be forgetting any time soon. It was great to see Ross finally ride a winner on a horse he’d trained. With the ground eventually looking like it could be right for Inviction the week was spent hoping there would be no rain. Waking up that morning the ground was good and Inviction was feeling well so we all had hopes of a placing. He travelled well and was making it look like we could finish with a second, having made a mistake at two out and the last we thought our chances were gone. Recovering well from both mistakes Inviction dug deep and carried on to the finish line taking the win by a length. We’ve been saying for weeks he’s been feeling well and just needed his ground, and he went and proved us all right.

Ross said that “Inviction jumped and travelled well, it was a hard race in front which suited Inviction more, he did rattle the last fence but from the back of the last to the finish line he dug deep and galloped to the end. He tried very hard and felt like he wanted to win”

WITTON CASTLE – 7TH MAY 2024

The team had a great afternoon at Witton Castle for the Zetland Point to Point. Unfortunately hit with some rain the ground softened slightly more than we had hoped but none the less was much better ground then at previous meets. Inviction ran well unfortunately making a mistake with a circuit to go causing Ross to loose a stirrup and some momentum. Recovering along the back straight he picked up and travelled home well to finish a second.

As always Jess had Inviction looking great resulting in a well-deserved and her first ‘Best Turned Out’. This really does prove that teamwork makes the dream work.

Ross said that: "The shower of rain lost us the ground he needed, there was only four runners, with one running out after a circuit followed by Inviction making a mistake knocking his confidence, luckily the partnership stayed intact meaning we were on the backfoot especially on the ground. From the turn in to the home straight I focused on looking after him and getting him home”

KELSO LADIES DAY HUNTER CHASE – 26TH MAY 2024

The hunter chase marked the end of the season for Tweeddale Racing and followed the pattern of the rest of the season. Rain, rain and more rain. The heavy downfall resulted in the ground just being too soft. Inviction did travel well considering the ground but unfortunately made a bad mistake and just didn’t recover, resulting in Paddy Barlow making the decision to pull him up. Again Jess had Inviction looking fabulous, achieving another turnout prize.