So racing will be able to happen although the weather for the rest of the weekend seems pretty dire

The going is soft and there is the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase with 6 runners in the G2.

A bit of a lottery but if you must have a bet try Does He Know on 11/4 or a bit of a roughie Fern Hill on 11/2.

The Ascot Chase is Gr 1 with 8 runners and we have to go for our friend Saint Calvados, whose liquid version has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion!  He's 7/2.  Fanion d'Estruval and Fakir d'Oudairies both deserve their good reputations.

Storm Eunice caused many tracks to be closed on Friday and trainers scrambling to get trackwork in before the storm hit.

Best comments came from Sir Mark Prescott who wasn't going to send his string out but then noted that Luke Morris was going on holidays next week so he sent him out to freshen him up while he scoured the house for candles.  Power was out over a very large area mostly in the South West.

Very interesting podcast in the Racing Post with Gary Moore on the small fields in racing.

There has been a very noticeable reduction in the number of horses entering races which from our point of view is not surprising giving the paltry prize money available.