Chilly!

Well, it was certainly cold last night with the thermometer in Brixham reaching -6°c and as you can see from the photograph above, it wasn't much warmer in Nicholashayne. Hopefully it has been a little warmer further up the country - there are inspections planned for all three jumps meetings today, although Market Rasen has already fallen foul of the freezing temperatures.  Prospects at WIncanton and Leicester are not looking good either and further inspections are likely to take place a little later to see if temperatures have lifted and started to thaw the tracks out.  It is looking like a blank day for the yard as we were due to have runners at both Market Rasen and Wincanton.  Unsurprisingly the only track that has been given the go-ahead so far is the all-weather meeting at Lingfield.

Well, it was certainly cold last night with the thermometer in Brixham reaching -6°c and as you can see from the photograph above, it wasn't much warmer in Nicholashayne.  Hopefully it has been a little warmer further up the country - there are inspections planned for all three jumps meetings today, although Market Rasen has already fallen foul of the freezing temperatures.  Prospects at WIncanton and Leicester are not looking good either and further inspections are likely to take place a little later to see if temperatures have lifted and started to thaw the tracks out.  It is looking like a blank day for the yard as we were due to have runners at both Market Rasen and Wincanton.  Unsurprisingly the only track that has been given the go-ahead so far is the all-weather meeting at Lingfield.

Fortunately it was a bit brighter yesterday and we were able to take advantage of the conditions to school a number of horses.  Below is a short video of El Lobo and Poole Master schooling over fences...

*****

I was watching the racing from Hereford yesterday where the Oliver Sherwood trained Furrows was very much the topic of conversation after his run in the novices chase.  The stewards looked into the running and riding of the gelding and decided to fine the trainer £3,000, ban the jockey for 14 days and the horse for 40 days.  The horse opened at 25/1 and the starting price was 20/1 so it clearly hasn't been layed, he finished fourth in a seven runner race, so there clearly was no effect to each-way punters and it looks to me as if the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.  The owner looked very upset and personally I would be inclined to appeal against the verdict.  Perhaps it is this ridiculous new rule that states that these horses must run in a beginners' or novices' chase before they can run in a handicap that needs to be altered?  Furrows was rated 38lbs inferior to the winner Vulcanite over hurdles, yet was beaten only 12 lengths yesterday - if he was stopped, they haven't done a very good job of it!

*****

So miracles do happen - it must have something to do with Christmas!  Not only did Chelsea manage to win 6-1 last night, Fernando Torres managed to score not one, but two goals.  It was all in vain however as the blues are already out of the Champions League.  The result of the night went to Celtic who beat S Moscow 2-1 in front of 60,000 fans and are through to the last 16 of the competition

*****

I was amazed to read Arsenal chief commercial officer Tom Fox's comments that the Arsenal brand was more important than winning.  Surely he has lost the plot?  All supporters are concerned about is winning...it doesn't sound like Mr Fox is all that cunning!