Weather’s icy grip to cut down jumps
Dec 18 2010 The Journal
AS far as turf racing is concerned, the only winner today is likely to be the weather as it once again tightens its icy grip.
Haydock is the only one left standing but that looks like falling to the elements if the overnight forecast is correct and a morning inspection will be a formality.
Looking further ahead to the Christmas programme, Kempton is very bullish about staging the William Hill King George VI Chase, the traditional highlight of their Boxing Day card.
The track is already covered and, with every indication that temperatures will improve next weekend, the executive are confident the show will go on.
Despite the Scottish Borders being one of the worst hit areas of the recent snow, Kelso were fortunate not to have a fixture scheduled during that period.
Their three meetings since the beginning of October have all taken place and the executive are keeping their fingers crossed that a new fixture on Wednesday, December 29 will also survive. The first of seven races is at 12.15.
Miracles do happen and if Haydock does get the green light a topical winner would be Stormy Weather in the Maxilead Vote McCoy For Sports Personality Handicap Hurdle.
The four-year-old ran as though the race was needed when reappearing in a limited handicap at Newbury on Hennessy Gold Cup day, fading quickly from the second last flight.
He has been dropped a couple of pounds for that and is back on the same mark as when fifth to Sanctuaire in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Although never able to quite get to the principals, it was a decent run given quickish conditions. His best form has been in the mud, conditions he encountered when scoring his only success so far at Newcastle in January.
He is lightly raced over timber with only five previous starts and I am sure we haven't seen the best of the grey yet.
He steps up in trip to two and a half miles here and that is what I have been waiting for.
If racing is abandoned, keep a very close watch on him for the future.
While he doesn't possess the numbers or quality of the bigger yards, there are few shrewder operators around than Brian Ellison. For a Geordie and a great Toon Army fan to win a race with a horse called Stadium Of Light at Southwell this week speaks volumes for his training talents! Stadium Of Light, named after Sunderland's ground, hadn't won for its previous trainer.
The Malton-based handler is enjoying a good run, both over the jumps and on the all-weather, and he is back at Southwell for an additional fixture today with hopes of landing the toteswinger Handicap with Bonnie Prince Blue.
The seven-year-old wasn't disgraced against Love Delta on his previous visit considering he was 6lb higher for scoring in a lesser grade at the same venue a fortnight earlier and was 3lb out of the handicap.
Having been reassessed, he races off the same mark, but gives the impression a return to six furlongs will suit this consistent sort who stays even further.
Everymanforhimself is well enough treated but hasn't a great strike rate while Silaah and Dark Lane have had their chances and not taken them.
