David Pipe is one person delighted about the deluge around the country as he prepares Dynaste for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The seven-year-old won the Feltham at this meeting last season and chased home Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, which such luminaries as Long Run, Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti behind him.
"Dynaste delighted us with his run at Haydock when runner-up to Cue Card and there is no reason to think that he cannot be at least as effective on Thursday," said Pipe.
"He proved his liking for course and distance last year when running out the ready winner of the Feltham Novices' Chase, the torrential rain should not inconvenience him and his preparation has gone smoothly.
"Let's hope there are no hard luck stories to the race and everyone returns safely."
After Boxing Day, the Pond House team's attention turns to Saturday's Coral Welsh Grand National, a race Pipe's father won an extraordinary five times in six years between 1988 and 1993 through Bonanza Boy (twice), Carvill's Hill, Run for Free and Riverside.
The trainer said: "This year we could well be represented by Goulanes, Ace High and Amigo.
"It will be a dour test of stamina if the rain keeps up although fortunately, that seems to be the strong suit of all three of our likely candidates."
In an update on his website, www.davidpipe.com, there was news of last week's Ascot bumper winner Seven Nation Army.
"On paper it looked like one of the best National Hunt Flat races of the season so far and our four-year-old grey gelding improved again to score by a neck having looked likely to be swamped in the straight.
"He will make a smashing hurdler/chaser in time but in the meantime he could continue in bumpers and would not be out of place in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham come March."
