Tuesday 24 October

The weather is causing havoc again - it gives us a tempting drop of rain - and then dries up again - frustratingly the ground in Exeter today is soft - just what Sneaking Budge needs - he has a niggle - can't go! On that front he seems great - he is still cantering, and the vet is confident all will be well in 3-4 weeks! On Sunday the good ground was fine for Land league, and we were all looking forward to his chase debut. He jumped fine in the main, but couldn't pick up when required, and will now have his breathing tinkered with. He has come out of the race fine, and has his op today. Worcesters ground tomorrow is Good, and they are having to water to maintain that! That is fine for Kayla who runs in the first, Ted Thistle who makes his rules/yard debut in the maiden hurdle - good luck to his enthusiastic owners - and Molly Childers who will run in the concluding mares maiden hurdle. MC is in fine form, and will have benefited from her seasonal debut. The ground is not soft enough for either of the bumper entries. Queenofhearts and Top Garry will not go to Southwell tomorrow either as their ground is also on the quick side for them. QOH has an entry in a mares bumper in Aintree on Sunday along with the mighty atom that is Kaloci, and George Hartigans, Charmayne. If the ground is suitable it is not beyond the possibility that all three could run in the same race! Chandos Belle will miss Southwell, as she has a slightly snotty nose, which will be clear by the end of the week, and will mean she can have an entry in Fakenham next week. Cloonacool is in fine form, and will have an entry in Taunton on the same day!