News 30th December

No racing today for us – dissapointing as we were bound for Haydock with Courtown Oscar for the Last Fling Handicap chase, but frozen ground put paid to the meeting, although it was totally defrosted here, feeling mild and damp.

It was the first day for our new conditional jockey – Tommy Dowson – who rode out his 7lb claim yesterday, he will claim 5lb for us and 8lb in conditional races – a good bonus. Tommy has had plenty of winners and experience and we are really pleased to have him as part of the team. Sadly Lee Cosgrave who was a capable young jockey and passed his Conditional course with good marks,  has struggled to maintain a light riding weight  and returned to Ireland for some point to pointing experience.

As one new person joins us we are sadly saying goodbye to Kelly Cochrane who is taking some time out to go working in Australia and we wish her all the very best on her travels and look forward to hearing some racing stories from down under. Kelly has been with us a fair few years now and we are all going to miss her, particularly our girls Izzy and Indy!  We said a goodbye with a staff meal out tonight at the Greyhound Inn.

Both Meg and I were busy taking photos the last couple of days, here are a selection:

And a different picture yesterday when it was minus 4 most of the morning!

Its the turn of Sakhee’s City tomorrow at Uttoxeter and Phil is hopeful of another good effort from him, he has been in the top 3 in every one of his races bar a fall and a PU when he proved to have a virus. He is remarkably consistent, we just want to see his head in front past the post now. He was a winner of a novice hurdle round Catterick last season and has been 2nd at Wetherby and Haydock this winter. Its New years Eve tomorrow – it would be great to get a final winner on the 2016 scoresheet – and to celebrate as we count in 2017.