Saturday 5th January 2019

I hope the New Year has started well? It’s been quite so far this end, we’ve not had any runners yet but that could change next week if we have suitable ground. The weather has dried up again, the forecast is set cold now with no rain forecast. It’s amazing having good ground this time of the year, Leicester is good to firm on the chase track!

The racing is just fair today with the main fixture taking place at Sandown. The Unibet Mares hurdle is now a two-horse race. It seems, nothing wants to take Laurina on, she’s the 1-12 odds on favourite. It’s disappointing for Sandown when they put up good prize money. Also disappointing when the Irish trainers are given the prize money gift wrapped.

The Veterans’ Chase at 3:00 is far more competitive. It’s great such races are put on for the older horses. £100,000 of prize money is up for grabs with just shy of 62k going to the winner. I’ll be cheering on Dr Newland’s pair for obvious reasons.

Watching brief for me today.