Which is a relief. As the heating and the Aga appear to have given up the ghost overnight. And at the same time a strange groaning noise from the pipes has returned. A "strange groaning noise" that had disappeared for several weeks. Anyway, it is back. Groaning away through the night. Which is not ideal....
The ground nearly thawed. Life returning to normal. For how long, I am not sure, as a couple of people have told me there is more cold weather on the way. We shall see....
Robin "Blacksheep" Baker (absolutely no relation) made a good point yesterday, with particular reference to the stellar card lined up for Newbury on Friday. The ground, which has been under covers with snow lying above, could be very sticky. Not ideal for Cheltenham prep runs. We will see. Perhaps a few trainers will opt instead for working their horses on grass somewhere if they do not have turf gallops at home. A slog through tacky ground under 4 weeks from the Festival would not be ideal in anybody's book, I would not have thought......
Yesterday's Racing Post headlining again with yet another ridiculous whip story. Nicky Mackay the latest to fall foul of the new guidelines. And prompting a pretty scathing response from John Gosden. A wise and considered man, whose words are chosen with great care. Not a man prone to hyperbole or a dramatic soundbite. Cheltenham creeping nearer. Our leaders at the BHA have gone very quiet on this one in recent days. Very quiet. Too quiet. Perhaps Mr Bittar and his cohorts are locked in earnest discussion, and there will be an announcement very shortly. A change. A change for the better. The return of a little common sense. A new guideline to the stipendiary stewards. The racing world holds it breath. Please tell me something is afoot.......
Eddie "the shoe" Freemantle, who seems to spend his life on Twitter, summed the situation up very succintly in a "tweet" yesterday. "If a jockey on a hanging horse daren't use his whip for fear of ban, that is the proof that the Rule relating to amount of strokes is wrong". And so say all of us......
Apologies again for returning to this issue. But it has been a huge kick in the teeth for our sport. Another own goal. I have to believe that there is some big announcement around the corner. Otherwise, Cheltenham will be all about this issue and not about the horses and jockeys......
Sergeant Troy made the long trek to Southwell yesterday. The roads not good. Which will not have helped, but his run was still very disappointing. Drawing board time. Big time.....
The Grand National weights out yesterday. Synchronised the top weight. Junior the early favourite. Midnight Chase at 40/1 looks big to me. If allowed to take his chance. "40/1 with a run" would be appealing. Junior has obvious claims. Just the sort to lead the field a merry dance from the front, and I can see him being 20 lengths clear over Valentines on the second circuit. And that Aintree perennial State of Play. Sneaking into the frame again.....
My early 3 against the field. A 3 that will change and be added to several times before the big day.....
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