By Andrew Atkinson EXCLUSIVE
Race entries at Newcastle were affected by the snowfall on roads with many horses scheduled to go to post declared non-runners on Friday.
“The horrendous conditions en route to Newcastle resulted in so many non-runners- including ours – in the first four races,” said trainer Phil Kirby.
Kirby, based at Green Oaks Farm stables in Richmond North Yorkshire, said: “The second box was borderline to make it with four in the fourth race.”
It was too late, with four of the five non-runners in the 1.40 race coming from Kirby’s stables.
Kirby’s Rayna’s World, Stitch Up, Pennine Cross and Kangaroo Valley were declared non-runners.
Scheduled runners from Green Oaks caught up in the bad weather conditions were Big Ears (12.10) one of four non-runners; First Glory (12.40) one of five non-runners; and Wynyard Icon (1.10) one of three non-runners.
Kirby, who had nine entries at Newcastle and two at Southwell on Friday, said: “It’s quite possibly our largest team of runners in one day.
“It will be a busy day, both on track and back home for the staff left to run the yard.
“Nine go to Newcastle for a mix of NHF and ‘Jumpers Bumpers’ and a further two head down to Southwell to run later tonight.”
Kirby finally arrived to saddle Niven to finish fourth in the 2.10. Newcastle.
