Friday 19 December

College came away from Ludlow with a very creditable fourth place yesterday. He continues in really good form, and it was a mixture of the nature of the Shropshire course, and the softened ground that had him beaten. College is such a good jumper, that when he races on courses where there is less of a premium on jumping he is at a slight disadvantage. Ludlow is certainly an easier track on those slightly sketchy jumpers, I do not think I could be backing yesterdays winner at any other venue, she is not the best over an obstacle, but she was the winner never the less, and congratulations to her connections. E Major worked well yesterday and a decision on his Monday run will be taken tomorrow. Important Business is also in at Hereford, but although it remains dry overhead, the underfoot conditions at this time of year do not tend to change much, so we have a watching brief about him. There is a race for him on Boxing Day at Huntingdon, where it does drain well, so if it stays dry until then we may get to go there. He will then probably have a break over the worst of the winter and resume in the spring.