Jack Frost

By Hayley

A beautiful frosty landscape this morning, capped by the winter sun crowing the Dales. It’s easy to admire the yard’s surroundings – from the window, sitting in the office huddled next to the heater! The lads had excitable yearlings to keep them warm. They’d pick riding out in -2 over wind and rain any day of the week – just look how excited George is to be riding out the babies again!

Last night’s runners are due home very shortly after spending the night down at Chelmsford racecourse. Rosina, the winner of the race last year, was to nudge along early doors but finished in typical Rosie fashion, storming home to claim third place. Miss Bates ran well to be a decent fourth (beaten only 1.25 lengths) despite heading the weights at 9st 6lbs. She was unfortunate not to finish closer as a swift slap across the nose from another jockey's whip deterred her in the crucial final yards. Both fillies ran respectable races and deserve to win very soon.

Just the one runner over the weekend as Cotton Socks makes the journey to Wolverhampton. He has been slowly improving and it would be fabulous to see him win for Ann Starkie before the year is out. Fingers crossed for a bit of Christmas luck!