Lodge Lane

Victor Dartnall has long held a reputation for getting the best out of limited resources and in Lodge Lane he has produced another useful performer from modest beginnings, successful on his respective debuts in all NH codes and taking a few notable scalps on the way. There is no secret about the regard in which Lodge Lane is held at Dartnall's North Devon yard, but for all his undoubted talent, he has always had his quirks and last season showed his dark streak rather more often than his brilliance, winning well on debut from the ill-fated Wichita Lineman but running astoundingly badly when odds on for a Kempton novice on his next appearance and never fully redeeming himself afterwards. He went to Cheltenham in March quietly fancied for the third consecutive year but each Festival has brought only disappointment with a pulled up effort this time to add to well beaten finishes in the Champion Bumper and Alfred Bartlett Novices Hurdle. The Cotswold air doesn't seem to agree with Lodge Lane as a return visit in April saw him fall at the second last when looking certain to win, although he once again travelled without conviction in the early stages and made a number of errors before his departure. Dartnall's best horses to date have been Lord Sam and Karanja, both of whom looked destined for stardom before ultimately disappointing and it seems possible that Lodge Lane is another who will leave his potential unfulfilled. Looking for positives, it's conceivable that a virus which ravaged the yard may be at least partly to blame for a miserable campaign and it's to be hoped that he can come back a fresh and healthy horse this season.