General Chat

[Odin]

Yeah, way I look at it, if you water to try and get safe ground for the festival, then why not do it at your other meetings?
Dont seem right to me .

Think there's an argument that excessive watering through the winter can lead to the ground being artificially softer than it should be in the spring. Doesn't really make sense to me either a) what 'excessive' watering is or b) how 'artificially softer' ground is a bad thing in the spring, but watering to make ground 'safe' is a good thing - feels like they are one and the same...

[Quevega]

Yeah, way I look at it, if you water to try and get safe ground for the festival, then why not do it at your other meetings?
Dont seem right to me .

I think it's the time of year and water tables/moisture in the ground etc.
Sun getting higher and all that.

[Carnage at Taunton]

See what you both say and fair points.
I just hope that reasoning behind it makes sense on a racing point and for the horses safety, rather than a cynical view that may think it’s all about March being more high profile and safety becomes more of a priority than a meeting in the winter.

[Olliemagern]

I think it's the time of year and water tables/moisture in the ground etc.
Sun getting higher and all that.

Also it might not be as case in point but you only have to look at ascot and champions day on the flat. They water all through the summer on the flat track to maintain perfect ground and by winter it’s often un raceable when the rain comes because the grounds to saturated so they move it onto the jumps track

[Quevega]

Leopardstown have put 120mm on the course in January this year which is more than the average monthly rainfall.
And still chucking it on this week as well.
Ground is essentially being maintained on the soft side of good.
Good job they're surrounded by the sea.

[Irish Rugby]

Leopardstown have put 120mm on the course in January this year which is more than the average monthly rainfall.
And still chucking it on this week as well.
Ground is essentially being maintained on the soft side of good.
Good job they're surrounded by the sea.

And they will probably need to keep watering this week. Here in Ireland we are getting some heavy rain tomorrow but it is expected to pass over quickly, and not much in the way of showers from then until the meeting. Roll on the real Cheltenham trials day. Both of them.

[Quevega]

And they will probably need to keep watering this week. Here in Ireland we are getting some heavy rain tomorrow but it is expected to pass over quickly, and not much in the way of showers from then until the meeting. Roll on the real Cheltenham trials day. Both of them.

Giddy mate.
Have they sacked masks off all together over there ?

[Irish Rugby]

Giddy mate.
Have they sacked masks off all together over there ?

No. I'd say mask wearing is still the norm here and will be for the next few weeks.

[ToniC]

today has left me with this sneaking feeling we just might be in for a similar level of domination from Irish trainers shown again this year.

[darlojim]

As bad an injury I've ever seen on Midnight Shadow today, absolutely awful.

Does anyone know what injury he suffered?

Looked like he'd broke his back or his pelvis had completely gone.

RIP

[Odin]

As bad an injury I've ever seen on Midnight Shadow today, absolutely awful.

Does anyone know what injury he suffered?

Looked like he'd broke his back or his pelvis had completely gone.

RIP

Was horrifying seeing his back legs, must have broken his back and gone through a nerve. Gutting. I'm SO glad we don't see those injuries very often or the sport would be in serious trouble. Rest easy shadow

[FinalFurlong91]

As bad an injury I've ever seen on Midnight Shadow today, absolutely awful.

Does anyone know what injury he suffered?

Looked like he'd broke his back or his pelvis had completely gone.

RIP

Gutted to hear that

[Quevega]

Was horrifying seeing his back legs, must have broken his back and gone through a nerve. Gutting. I'm SO glad we don't see those injuries very often or the sport would be in serious trouble. Rest easy shadow

Glad I missed it making a sandwich for our lass.
Gave me a lovely day back in November.
RIP

[ComplyOrDie]

I missed the Midnight Shadow incident and I'm glad I did. Horrible news

[Irish Rugby]

Was there much rain overnight and this morning at Cheltenham? There was enough talk of it being good potentially fastish ground coming into today, although it went good, good to soft during racing and there has been plenty comment that softer ground horses have prospered today.