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Plus 5, windy and dry when driving in.

Yesterday was St David’s Day and for those of you who know the Welsh will also know what an important day it is.. you just have to ask my solicitor Huw Davies.

Perhaps not the best of days to creep into their country and find yourself in the nearest racecourse to Ireland and the further away from England. Yes Ffos Las..

The Ffos Las team are hugely popular with John and Penny Perriss as they make them so welcome and yesterday was no exception when the Clerk of the Course Keith Ottesen and Racecourse Director Mark Kershaw were waiting to greet them when they arrived.

I think it is safe to say that 90% of yesterday's runners were trained in Wales and they would have been keen to make it a clean sweep of winners.

Warren Greatrex (not from Wales) tried to win the first but for some unknown reason his runner Bob Mahler swerved close home and deposited his jockey on Welsh soil so the first race went to the home team.

Luckily Dueling Banjos our representative just held on in the second giving John Perriss his third winner in the last 7 days, (The Drinkymeister and Rockys Treasure being the other two) but the rest of the card went to the home team

Importantly Dueling Banjos was winning his first chase and not out of turn. Another cracking ride from David Bass.

John and Penny have almost become locals as they have had so many runners (and winners) at Ffos Las... rumour has it that they have been seen looking at houses in the area

Before we go any further I must point out that, yet again, I found a reason not to make the journey to Ffos Las.. I went to Wincanton.. Mat my Assistant, who I am sure has Welsh blood in him, joined John and Penney Perriss on the journey West and over the Severn Bridge.

My day at Wincanton was not hugely successful. Jupiter’s Gift ran ok but finished down the field.. Better to come when the ground dries up for her. JG did win a prize and that was best turned out.

To Lambourn early this morning with Nicely Indeed and Royal Supremo. Gary Tardi who owns NI joined me to watch his horse work and jump hurdles. Gary is local so the jouirney was an easy one for him.

This Saturday at Newbury it is Greatwood Raceday.

I have been heavily involved with Greatwood for many years and enjoy supporting this great charity.

Anyway Saturday is their big fund raising day which means I will be there rather than at Doncaster.

These charities rely heavily on racing great willingness to help and The Greatwood team led by Helen Yeadon work hard to make the day a huge success.. Auctions raise money as do silent auctions, if you fancy looking at what is on offer and perhaps bid please click here and look at the lots on offer.

We have two runners today at Ludlow.. One of my favourite racecourse.. Yes good prize money on offer again today. For my thoughts on my runners please click here.

Mat my assistant sauntered into a pub in Mynydd Cerrig and asked: “what's the quickest way to get to Ffos Las from here?

Rhodri the landlord answered: “Are you walking or going by car?”

Mat answered: “By car, of course.”

Rhodri said: “Well, that's the quickest way.”

We have a new 'Owner of the Month' for March in Elizabeth Kellar who owns the recent Wetherby bumper winner Mon Palois..