A little bit of news midweek

In the end, racing did take place at Sedgefield on Monday, after five inspections. Snapping Turtle had been due to run in the first race on the card but we just couldn't take the chance with our gelding and we pulled him out a couple of hours before the race. We still made the journey, but our veteran hurdler still pulled out fresh and well the next day as he led his stable companions onto the gallops.
The slight danger with frost affected ground is that it will ride soft in the main. However, if Snapping Turtle were to have trodden on a patch of firmer ground, he may well have strained a tendon (different if it was firm ground throughout) which would have meant a few months rest.
As it is, he's entered at Sedgefield next Sunday, so we hope the weather is kind in the meantime.

Elsewhere, it was nice to welcome John & Nicola Mackin for another visit to the stable. The couple are relatively new owners to the yard and, as the early morning mist and drizzle disappeared, they made their way over the short distance to the gallops to see Dali Mail put through his paces by Garry. With the countryside bathed in bright, winter sunshine, the atmosphere was breathtaking and that was before their gelding sauntered (he has such a lengthy stride that nothing seems like hard work) up the gallops in his two pieces of work.
The grey gelding has been penciled in for a debut run in a Newcastle bumper next week.
 
Next week could be a bit livelier for the yard, as at this stage we're looking to have runners on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Shades of Midnight (Stuart), leads Dali Mail (Garry) and Keyboard Gangster (Callum)

Mentioning Kelso next Thursday, it is of course Morebattle Hurdle day. We might have a couple of runners on the day, although not in the main event, and one of these may well be Hartforth, who went nicely in a couple of spins up the gallop.
Showing their well being after recent debut runs in bumpers, being led by Hartforth were Side of the Road and Big Bad Dream who are delighting us all.

Hartforth (Sarah) leads Night Comes In (Garry), Side of the Road (Stuart, hidden) and Big Bad Dream (Callum)