Paddy Curtin took the honours last month with 37 winners to retain his lead in the Trainers Championship.

Traps two and three were the most successful last month with 51 winners each, while the rest were trap 1 (42), trap 4 (41), trap 5 (36) and trap 6 (41).

The average price of the winner was 4-1 over the 22 meetings.

The grading strength has improved to 420 after another 44 passed off for grading at Monday's trial session. One to watch out for is Terry Atkins' Roadstown Skinner, who posted 27.27, while fastest of the session was Angie Kibble's Scarlett O'Tara (27.25).

Blue Eyes Darcy, Gay Trick and Spiceys Frisby from Gloria Stringer's range have left the Oxford racing strength.

Oxford track staff, like most in the area, woke up to nearly four inches of snow on the track on Sunday and were facing a dilemma with a BAGS meeting due to go ahead in the afternoon.

However, with all hands to the pumps it was cleared and the meeting went ahead without a hitch. Hove, though, had to cancel.

Accounts manager Sam Godfrey, who has been at Sandy Lane for five years, has been promoted to duty manager and will assist general manager Maureen Ridley.

Meanwhile, Daniel Seeney has been appointed bar manager.

The NGRC stewards took six urine samples from the Pall Mall runners during the heats.