Brutal weather here last two mornings, heavy rain and gales and hats off to the Team for battling through it to exercise all the horses and ensure they are kept warm and well fed, and of course to the travelling team who set off in the early hours for Haydock yesterday where we had a WINNER!

Delighted with Ned Tanner getting his head in front again and with luck there ought to be more to come from him. As I feared 3m 2f on holding ground was a little too much for Cream of the West and Mack the Man didn’t like it at all, probably the ground but possibly the 4.30am breakfast followed by 5 hours in a lorry through a storm… On to Musselburgh’s legendary New Year’s Day Fixture where we have three runners on ground that should be good to soft.

Well done Ned!

First up is hurdling and stable debutant Platin Moon in the 12.35; he came over from France at the end of November and is a lovely type to go jumping, by the right sire and showed plenty of ability in his sole start on the flat.  He will need his hand holding a bit tomorrow and there will be plenty of improvement to come whatever happens – 8 run and Danny rides.

Platin Moon learning to jump

Anamanda runs in the 2.55, she ran a great race to be 2nd over course and distance last time and has no less than a 23lb pull with the winner that day tomorrow.  Three other last time out winners in the field though so it certainly won’t be easy but she ought to give a good account – 9 run and Bruce rides.

Anamanda

Finally we run Ginger Mail in the 3.30, another competitive handicap, he seems in very good form and should run well if he handles the track which is a little bit of a doubt despite him being 2nd here on debut in a bumper – 7 run and Danny rides.  It will be on to Ayr on Thursday, frost permitting, where we have 8 declared runners – more of that later I hope.

Ginger Mail

Musselburgh’s NYD fixture is always a spendidly entertaining day and tomorrow is sold out; there have been very positive reports from courses up and down the country re attendances at the fixtures over the Festive period, most seeeing 10-20% increases on last year and I’ve never seen Kelso car park as full as it was on Sunday.  The atmosphere has been brilliant everywhere, a positive end to a challenging year for the sport that will hopefully instill confidence for 2025.  Happy New Year to you all!

Drawing clear….