An owner's view: it's time to have meetings restricted to northern trainers only

As a small owner in the north, it's difficult to make my opinion heard, let alone be taken seriously. Nevertheless, I have a suggestion I believe would be welcomed with open arms in northern jumping.

It's an accepted fact there is far more racing wealth in the south of England than in the north. The prize-money is better, yet in midweek or even at the weekend, we hardly ever see northern horseboxes heading south to places such as Sandown, Ascot and, heaven forbid, Cheltenham.

Why? Because we just don't have the ammunition. Not compared to the likes of Messrs Henderson, Skelton, O'Brien, King, O'Neill, Newland and Pipe. In contrast, regardless of whether it's Hexham, Sedgefield, Wetherby or Catterick, southern trainers are quite happy for their wealthy owners to pay exorbitant travel expenses in order for them to watch their horses as they go north in search of easy pickings.