Cold and gentle snow here this morning, not settling.  Tricky times weather wise and Musselburgh controversially abandoned after 5 inspections on Friday; it is subjective, the racecourse management thought it was raceable as did the trainers involved, others thought otherwise – the dissenters won, if it had been up to the management they would have raced.  The situation today wasn’t a lot better with Plumpton being called off at 10.30 having been called on at 8.30 and Chepstow abandoning after the second race.  I’m definitely in the “give the meeting every chance” camp but there does come a point; there needs to be a central fund ring-fenced to compensate owners, trainers and jockeys for expenses incurred and there also needs to be a robust and well financed replacement fixture scheme put in place.  Given the imbalance of the financial implications of late decisions the former should be funded by the racecourses, ideally on a mutual rather than specific basis. Replacement fixtures need to be funded centrally on the basis of the needs of the horses/trainers/owners rather than trying to find slots where bookmakers will pay for them.

On to Ayr tomorrow where, haha, there is a 7am inspection and if it passes the ground will be soft/heavy.  We have five declared runners starting with the enigmatic Boolamore Classic in the 1.00pm, he has plenty of ability but mentally is somewhat behind the curve.  Hopefully the penny will drop before long and he will emerge a very well handicapped horse, perhaps it will be tomorrow!  A first time visor may assist as may Bruce who takes the ride  – 9 run.

Boolamore Classic

Travail d’Orfevre runs in the 2.00pm, he seems in cracking form and his 3rd in the Borders National would give him a good chance, particularly of the ground is wet rather than holding – Bruce rides and 6 run.

Travail D’Orfevre

Ballyfort returns to hurdles in the 3.10pm after a rather wayward display over fences last time at Carlisle.  We’ve tweaked a few things with him since then and the hood & tongue tie go back on tomorrow, he looks well handicapped now based on his course and distance novice form and any sort of repeat of that would see him involved so long as the steering is working!  Bruce rides and 10 run.

Ballyfort

Finally we run two lovely youngsters in the bumper at 3.45, Eagles Cairn (Jamie Hamilton) and Lester Mail (Bruce).  Eagles Cairn has taken a while to come to hand and I’m still not really sure how fit he is, Lester Mail should be fit but having just turned 4yo I wonder if he will prove strong enough to cope with the testing conditions.  It is the first day away from home for both horses so hopefully they will learn a lot and be more street wise next time – 14 run.

Eagle’s Cairn

Lester Mail