As long as we've had a few dry days before hand wood-chip is by far the best surface when a freeze arrives, we can belt away. It just doesn't hold the water like synthetic gallops. My school and lunge pen are like blocks of ice. A few years ago I heard the trainers in Newmarket were doing their best to get one reinstated in Newmarket, I read they believed it was the closest all weather surface to grass.
All our horses had routine canters this morning. Sam was here and will be back on Saturday to help us school - weather permitting, the radio tells me that the country is going to be hit by high winds and torrential rain.
A good day for ex English pointers, Marshal Zhukov and Buck's Bond both winning at Taunton. Although Marshal Zhukov failed to win a p2p he still started his trade in p2p's in the UK. He has now won 3 races under rules, perhaps are p2p's are more competitive than some would lead you to believe. What publicity will the UK p2p's get, NONE!!!! I know that there is a least one person trying to help us raise the profile of English p2p participants, sadly, I expect he is pushing water up hill. If we aren't careful p2p's in the UK will become no more than a gymkhana. Losing the publicity in the Weekender is hugely damaging to the sport and someone should be held to account for their appalling negotiating skills.
