Friday 9 October

College Ace had a thoroughly enjoyable time of things yesterday at Wincanton. Jumping for fun he just found the trip a bit on the short side, and will go over further next time, possibly with the help of some headgear just to make him concentrate a little more. I am glad to see that there is a fairly big entry for the meeting at Wetherby next week. The track has been dogged by ground problems since the widening of the adjacent A1 and the subsequent realignment of the course. The rumours were that the ground was awful, but a delegation of northern trainers and staff were satisfied, that although the going was firm, all efforts were being made to produce a level and safe racing surface, and on the face of things this seems to have been welcomed by the trainers that have entered their horses for the upcoming meeting. This is also good news for everyone at Fences Farm, as the last four runners that have made the long trek to Yorkshire have all come away winners, so Wetherby, a little like Uttoxeter is a place we all like to go!!