Delighted Yarmouth is back!

It was great to finally get back racing at our lucky track Yarmouth yesterday as the course reopened its gates for the first time this year after repair work to the turf was carried out. There was a massive crowd to welcome the horses back but it was a shame the ground was soft as it won't help the grass regrowth in the near future, however, in a year or so time I'm sure it will have one of the best coverings of turf in the country.

I always have a good time at the course and it was great to see all the old faces at our usual gaff - I think we usually over-run the owners and trainers' tent but at least it makes it a bit more lively!

Having a laugh back at Yarmouth

It seems like it hasn't stopped raining all week and we all got a good soaking in the yard this morning as the heavens unleashed for most of it. Things don't stop just because of some rain though and we managed to get all the horses out without too many moans from the staff!

The field boys enjoy their new paddling pool this morning

The soft ground seemed to go against most of our hopes last week but Attain bounced back from a poor run to finish third at Yarmouth yesterday. He has been a real credit to himself this year with three wins already on the board and hopefully there is another one left in him.

With a lot of the horses, you don't actually know if they'll like soft ground until they race on it so I'm all for letting a horse take their chance on testing going. I remember one horse, Sancho Panza, who had shown nothing in a few runs for me before I ran him at Windsor on bottomless ground and he bolted up at 33/1! After all, if you're not in it, you can't win it and you might just learn something about the horse.

This applies to Dakota City who heads off to Epsom today. He did finish second on soft ground in France before I bought him so there is a case to be made for him. He has really woken up since running in a visor and, although it is a step up in class today, I hope he can land a place.

Guising (Mark) & Dakota City (Ross)

Another horse I bought from France is Dissertation. She is a lovely big filly who will improve with time but she is already at a stage where I hope she can do well. She is still quite green but this maiden run will do her good before she qualifies for handicap races.
One striking mare who we are all familiar with is The Ducking Stool. She hasn't got her head in front yet this year but I feel that her turn isn't far away. She heads to Haydock for the same race she was second in last year. She is well handicapped now so should go close but, failing that, her next run will be at her beloved Yarmouth where she seems better than anywhere else.

Dissertation (Adam), The Ducking Stool (Ross) & Sheila's Heart (Mark)

Veeraya has shown glimmers of form this year without really hitting full stride but he is falling down the weights and will find his level again soon. He goes to Kempton on Friday and we will see if he finds things a bit easier down in grade.

Vastly (Tess), Honeymoon Express (Luke) & Veeraya (Caitlin)

Harry Bosch (Sarah)

Duke of Diamonds (Caitlin)

The bunch of fillies who I gave a short summer break to - Meddling, Go On Gal and Serendib's Glory - are all back in now and have just started trotting again. They will build up their routines gradually before getting into faster work in about six weeks time. They will all be aimed for the all-weather and should keep us warm during the winter.



THREE TO FOLLOW UPDATE

There is no dramatic change in the standings but Attain's placing means that the gap to the leader closes to just one point and things are beginning to get tight at the top.

TOP 10:

Mark Rimmer	22
Shelley Birkett	21
Adam Beschizza	21
Jim Stevens	21
Ros Cousens	19
Steve Moore	17
Malc Shields	14
Poppy Feilden	14
Eddie Partridge	14
Rita Aspland	14
Julia Feilden	14
Paula Smith	14
Steve Clarke	14