Ed Gretton's blog
Trying to create the perfect track conditions....
Preparing the track for the start of the season is a bit like baking bread. You've got to have the right ingredients, know how to do a bit of kneeding and try not to get your fingers burned by over cooking it. Just as a bread has got to rise properly, have the right consistency, not be too dry etc., so has the grass got to be healthy, strong, thick and green and the going has to be not too firm (or soft). I say similar to baking bread, but that is only based on my loose understanding of bread making, as seen on TV (i.e. have never made bread per se).
Non-Runners - what difference do they make?
For the un-initiated, the word non-runner refers to a horse that had been due to take part in a race, but due to certain circumstances, is not able to line up on the day. These ‘circumstances’ can vary hugely from a physical problem (e.g. horse develops cough or a potential muscle strain is picked up) to a simple logistical issue (e.g. the horse box has broken down and the trainer can not physically get to the track in time).
