Blue Betty looks useful

Blue Betty was given a most positive mention by Fergal O'Brien on page 94 of One Jump Ahead and the daughter of Blue Bresil didn't disappoint on her racecourse debut winning the mares' bumper at Newcastle on Tuesday. From the family of the Grade 1 winning mare Bitofapuzzle, she was positioned in rear early on by Kielan Woods - like most of the stable's bumper runners - before making headway leaving the backstraight. Moving stylishly into contention approaching the two marker, she only had to be nudged out to win readily by three and a half lengths. The five year old looks tailormade for the Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree in the spring and is a smashing prospect for novice hurdles next term. The Megson family have a couple of bumper performers to look forward to. 

Nicky Richards' loss is very much Lucinda Russell's gain judged on Jupiter Des Mottes' victory in the two and a half miles novice hurdle later on the card. A bumper winner at Wetherby last season, the six year old reportedly doesn't show a great deal at home and evidently saves it for the racecourse. Making his hurdles bow, he showed signs of greenness but a willing attitude to get the better of Lawrenny by a neck in receipt of seven pounds. Very much one for the future over fences, he will be even better over three miles in time. 

News broke on Tuesday that the unbeaten novice chaser The Jukebox Man has been ruled out for the rest of the season. A Graded winner at Newbury and Kempton, including the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at the latter venue, he was set to head straight to Cheltenham for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. It is a real blow for Ben Pauling and his team. Fingers crossed, he will return as good as ever next term. Sadly, we have reached that time of year when there will be more Festival contenders incurring setbacks between now and mid March. It goes with the territory.