'We really need some rain' - Daly 'terrified' as dry ground hurts preparation

Henry Daly is desperate for prolonged rain to arrive at his Shropshire stables after a lengthy dry spell left his schooling ground "quicker than the A49".

Based four miles from Ludlow racecourse, whose Wednesday fixture was called off due to firm ground, Daly's preparation for the core jumps season has been affected by conditions created from an arid summer and early autumn at his Downton Hall base.

There is rain forecast throughout this week, including heavier showers on Wednesday, but that may not be enough for Daly – and it will certainly not come soon enough.

"My thoughts on the season proper are that it can't rain enough because our schooling ground is probably quicker than the A49," said Daly, referring to the main road which runs through the county.

"We really need some rain, that's all it's really about. If we get some rain, we'll get going, but I'm terrified at the moment."

Daly enjoyed a strong campaign last season spearheaded by his Grade 2-winning novice hurdler Hillcrest, who will go over fences this season. He also enjoyed big-race successes with the likes of Swinley Chase winner Fortescue and multiple Listed winner Chilli Filli.

'It's holding us back'

Daly said about the weather: "It's beginning to affect how we're getting our horses ready. It wasn't previously, but it is now, because we aren't schooling on grass; it's holding us back.

"For those old handicappers who have been running, it's probably okay, but the novices are definitely suffering. It'll come, but it's a bit tricky."

Stable star Hillcrest is still "some way off" making his seasonal reappearance, but Daly was keen to stress that no matter the level of the horse, they all have one thing in common.

"It doesn't matter if they're 80-rated Fenney Brook or Hillcrest, they all need the same thing, which is safe ground."

Hillcrest is a general 16-1 chance for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and around the same price for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

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