Wimbledon’s Saturday night meeting was abandoned without a race being staged, to add to the frustrations of trainer Brian Nicholls was due to have 14 runners on the seven-race card. However he remains philosophical about his plight.
He said: “The hare system burnt out but the track staff deserved medals for the efforts that they made to get it going. It is very frustrating because the place was absolutely heaving with racegoers. The biggest disappointment was not getting some runs into my dogs.
“We have 24 graded and I was actually hoping for a few more runners. I understand it is difficult for the racing office because I have so many A7 dogs but it wouldn’t bother me if they were in A5 just to get a run.”
Based at Vernon Ford’s old kennel in Surrey, Nicholls is determined to stay at Wimbledon until the final meeting in March. He said: “I believe in loyalty and I won’t be going anywhere. As far as we know the place will close then unless there are other developments. The latest rumour at the track is that Chelsea have pulled out of buying AFC’s ground at Kingstonian and that they won’t be coming to Plough Lane but you just don’t know.”
