Hammond time.

AS I predicted in my last column we have been struck down by a cold snap which isn’t great for racing – hooves and snow do not make a comfortable combination.

Instead of racing, I had a celebrity visitor this week – the lovely Alex Hammond, well known for presenting Sky Sports News, came to ride out. I was well behaved and put my best hoof forward on the gallops.

Alex is due to ride in the Cheltenham Festival Charity Race in aid of Cancer Research UK in March. To find out more about her story and witness her fantastic riding style, go to my website www.thepeopleshorse.co.uk/.

Yard Update.

FOR the last week the yard has been more of an ice-rink than a racing yard but we have all learnt to ‘Dance on Ice’ better than Pamela Anderson as a result.

Despite the snow, the boss, Fergal O’Brien has done a great job in ensuring we aren’t cooped up in our stables wrapped watching Frankie Dettori on Celebrity Big Brother.

All being well, Farmer Matt is due to head north to Doncaster on Friday. He has won his last two outings but is now carrying an extra stone in weight since his last race. On Saturday, Alverado is entered in the feature race of the day at Doncaster, the Sky Bet Chase. Silver Roque is also Doncaster-bound and Fiddlers Bid may join them.

Hooves crossed for racing to return.

ASSUMING Cheltenham is lucky enough to race this weekend we should see a world of talented racehorses grace our local course. Sprinter Sacre is now due to appear.

Here’s a rundown of the local talent that could be on show. Nigel Twiston-Davies is hoping to get his weekend off to an early start on Friday with the talented African Gold at Huntingdon. He has his very special young hurdler, The New One, at Cheltenham on Saturday with the long anticipated reappearance of local legend and Gold Cup winner, Imperial Commander.

Jonjo O’Neill will be taking on The New One with Cloudy Copper. Jonjo also has Galaxy Rock and Mister Hyde in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on Saturday.

Tom George has a number of entries at opposite ends of the country, from Doncaster to Huntingdon and back to Cheltenham. The most notable could be our Ten to Follow team member Module in the novices’ chase at Cheltenham.

If you can’t make it along to the races this weekend tune in to all the action from Cheltenham and Doncaster on Channel 4 Racing from 1.30pm on Saturday.

Ten to Follow Team.

MOST of our team who are still racing this season are entered this weekend in a desperate attempt to stay on course for their Cheltenham Festival preparation. Therefore keep an eye out at Cheltenham for Sprinter Sacre, Hunt Ball, Bobs Worth and Module. Meanwhile, over the Irish Sea, Boston Bob will be flying the flag for our team at Leopardstown on either Saturday or Sunday.

Follow @peopleshorse for daily updates or read more at www.thepeopleshorse.co.uk