Thursday 9 December

We really need it to warm up now! -2 this morning is positively spring like - but the temperatures need to get a move on because if they don't rise dramatically it will cause untold problems for the weekend. Cheltenham are still optimistic for racing to go ahead, the course is covered and frost free - our problem is that our intended runner there, Robo will have to have a school before he goes and for that to happen the ground at home, which is not covered really needs to thaw out. If he does not get a practice at home, he will not go. Lingfield look like having less of a chance, the ground, which was heavy before the snow, is still covered with what looks like a couple of inches in places, so racing there must be a doubt. Bobby will be entered for Newbury next Wednesday. Fakenham, where Omaruru is due to go on Sunday is currently under 3 inches of snow, but are quietly optimistic of running, although they to need to see the thermometer rising! Talking of cold - it was bloody nippy on top of the gallops yesterday morning! We had Jay Tabb up to see us, and his horse Bobby Gee - it was good to see Jay, who was followed for the morning, by a TV crew from his club Reading FC, who are putting a feature together about some of thier players lives away from football and felt that Jays interest in racing was worth following. They seemed very happy with their mornings work, although I am not sure that they were quite prepared for -3 winds on the top of the hill! They looked a little chilly!