Trainer and former jockey Richard Rowe has switched from horses to another kind of conveyence.

The Storrington handler has become expert at repairing his gallops with a mini-excavator and has used it to complete a two-furlong circular track which merges with his four-furlong straight.

He said: "I wouldn't be without the machine. It can do the work of ten men when it comes to earth moving and it is so useful for dozens of other jobs as well."

Richard and his wife Yvonne have been preparing for an onslaught on his best total of 25 winners in a season.

He said: "We may have one or two jumping runners this month, but it is a long season and it won't be until the middle of October that we are really busy."

An addition to the stable for the season will be claiming rider Chris Murray.

Rowe said: "Chris rode a few winners for Tom McGovern at Lewes but he went home to Ireland last year.

"I'd noticed him riding well and offered him a job on my staff. He's a good lad and we can help him in his career and he will help us with schooling, working horses and claiming the conditionals' allowance on the racecourse."

Barry Fenton remains principal jockey at Ashleigh House Stables but Philip Hide and Leighton Aspell will also have rides when they can be spared from Findon trainer Josh Gifford.

Perhaps the classiest horse Rowe has trained was the brilliant hurdler I'm Supposin, placed in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Retired after an injury, I'm Supposin is now a successful National Hunt stallion and his place at Storrington has been taken by Sir Dante.

Owned by the joint proprietor of Plumpton Racecourse, Adrian Pratt, Sir Dante struggled last season on going too soft for his daisy-cutting action.

Rowe said: "He has had a minor wind operation and is sparkling at the moment. Given decent ground he must win a decent prize or two this season."

Montroe, by contrast, will be tackling long distance chases with a view to running in the Grand National in April. Rowe said: "He didn't get into the race this year because his handicap mark was too low.

"I ran him in the John Hughes Chase over the National fences instead and he performed pretty well.

"Now the plan is for Montroe to run in the Becher Chase at Aintree next month and hope that his handicap gets him into the field for the National next spring."

Montroe also needs decent going to be seen at his best.

Now that Philippa and Nicholas Cooper are concentrating their interests on flat racing, Rowe's biggest horse owner is retired Eastbourne loss adjuster, Bob Bishop. Behanore, likely to make a useful chaser, and Hariymi, a hurdler, are the best of his five horses, both looking for decent ground.

Rowe has kept the stable ticking over in the summer with runners on the flat. Leading jockey Kieren Fallon winning at Folkestone on Adelphi Theatre recently was a bonus. Rowe said: "I bought him out of Aidan O'Brien's yard in May.

"He had been a very promising two-year-old by Sadlers Wells, but disappointed at three and they decided to sell him.

"We've had him three months and, although he's primarily a jumping prospect, he is obviously good enough to win on the level."

Rowe believes the horse will be one to note when he runs over hurdle. He said: "Adelphi Theatre has schooled and jumps super."

Others that may run on the flat are Tollgate Melody, Securon Dancer and Tamshan. There will be around 45 horses at Ashleigh House for the coming season.