Horseracing: David Pipe’s City PM Column

ALL THIS dry weather is a bit of a nightmare when you are trying to train horses – it makes planning ahead hard as we just cannot run them on ground this quick.

Exeter stage their big Haldon Gold Cup meeting next week and the ground is currently described as good-to-firm.

It’s so frustrating, but us trainers are all in the same boat together – just with no water!

Looking at my runners over the next few days and it’s hard to be confident about what will run, let alone win.

ANOTHER ANNIE is set to make her debut for us in the bumper (4.20pm) at Uttoxeter on Friday, but only if the ground is safe for her.

She is a nice filly who will want a trip in time and this looks the ideal starting point.

We won’t be firming up plans on our weekend runners until later this morning with all eyes on the skies.

I’m keen to run RAMSES DE TEILLEE in the Sodexo Gold Cup (3.35pm) at Ascot on Saturday as the race looks perfect for him.

He had a wind operation over the summer and seems in good form.

The issue is he doesn’t want quick ground and that is the reason we pulled him out at Aintree last week.

There is some rain forecast up at Carlisle ahead of Sunday’s meeting so YOU SAY WHAT could take his chance in the staying chase (2.40pm).

He should go well there as long as the rain arrives.

Finally, I've entered UN TEMPS POUR TOUT for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury next month.

He could have a spin over hurdles at Aintree first and that should put him spot on for it. You never know, it may have started raining by then.