Sumner makes a long awaited reappearance on the racecourse at Kempton on Wednesday evening after a couple of years off with a leg injury incurred when falling at Huntingdon over hurdles. We are starting him at Kempton as the surface there is the most similar to his training base at Averham Park and will allow him to let himself down properly and not comeback jarred. It is too early to have any plans for him as it is a case of step by step with him.
One or two Shropshire Wolves members will be having a day at the seaside on Thursday as we have two runners on the evening card at the Sussex venue. Firstly, Johnny Hancocks runs in the maiden at 5.00 and later War and Peace will run in the mile race at 7.30. Both would appear to have sporting chances but a lot will depend on how they handle the quirky rollercoaster of a course on their first visit.
Congratulations to Wolves on retaining Premiership status for the first time, next stage will be to become a mid-table side that nobody notices.
Having been to Wolverhampton races on Monday for the first day of Racing For Change week, I would guess that like most people I was left wondering what this would achieve long-term. It was a very pleasant day at Dunstall Park which I am sure helped with the crowd in addition to the free admission, however watching the behaviour of the crowd I suspect the main area of increase would have been in bar and food receipts. The queues at the bars and catering outlets were far greater than at any tote window. It will be interesting to see how the initiative develops over the next few months.
Dunstall Park are running their own initiative on May 10th when free entrance will be given to anyone wearing Wolves colours to celebrate the team staying up this season and players will be in attendance. It should make for a colourful afternoon and may put to the test how much people want free entry if they support one of our rivals but my suspicion would be that they would stay at home. Personally think it would be more appropriate to try this with England colours during the World Cup although that idea may not be taken up at Hamilton or Chepstow.
