There is not a jumping trainer in the country who is not waiting anxiously for rain to ease the ground.

Some of the bigger stables have been cleaning up because they have horses able to cope with firm going, but waiting in the wings are so many horses whose trainers will not risk them on unsuitable ground.

Anna Newton-Smith at Jevington is one of these and her impatience is hardly concealed.

"There has been some rain in the last week or so and perhaps the weather is changing," she said.

"But I have had perhaps ten runners since the season began six months ago. I just will not risk my horses on unsuitable going."

However, a couple of placed runners at Folkestone earlier this week, when the going was officially good, encouraged Anna to believe she can achieve her aim of beating her own best ever total of nine winners from only 12 horses two years ago.

Two of the principal weapons in her armoury are Copper Shell and Follow The Trend, both owned by the Brighton Racing Club syndicate which is organised by Hailsham-based Alan Walker.

They are two chasers who are ready to run when the ground comes right," said Anna. "We have had stable visits by syndicate members and their wives who love to watch the horses on the gallops in the morning and then have a big breakfast at our local, The Eight Bells."

Syndicate members come from far and wide and there are a few vacancies this season.

"Members pay £120 a month, which is totally inclusive for both horses, so it is tremendous value and the social side is a major part of the scheme as well," said Anna.

Most of the 13-strong Home Farm Barn team are hurdlers and Anna is particularly pleased with the five-year-old Sintos, who was second at Folkestone this week.

"He's a half-brother to the stable star Little Bud, five times a Plumpton winner as well as winning at Folkestone," said Anna.

"Sintos is going to be running in novice hurdles but Little Bud is a problem because he has been clobbered by the handicapper and it is difficult to find a suitable race for him."

Anna has another interesting syndicate of owners, all of whom are county court judges.

"They come from Kent and their horse is called Comebye. He won a point-to-point in Ireland as well as three bumper races and I really like him, although he too is waiting for soft ground."

We are unlikely to see the owners in their judicial wigs at the races, but Comebye is definitely one for the notebook.

Last season, Anna trained an ex-Polish mare called Sekwana for owner Philip Nelson.

Sekwana had a wind problem for which she has been successfully treated and she will run in the new year, but her owner has bought another Polish horse named Olinp.

"He's seven years old and will be running over hurdles," says Anna. "These Polish horses seem to be tough, serious competitors and once he can get his toe into the ground I am sure Olinp will begin to earn his keep."

Even in drought conditions, the Sussex Downs retain a springy texture and Anna has been able to do steady work on her five-furlong uphill gallop all through the summer but, for serious gallops, she goes to Lingfield Park.

"On the Polytrack the horses can extend fully so we have managed to keep them at near race fitness at home," she said. "But I won't risk them on a racecourse until I'm happy with the ground."

Anna has only one full-time girl on her staff. Holly Worrall is 18 and has been at Home Farm Barn for three years and between her and Anna and four part-time riders, the work gets done.

"Colin Bulger, who rides most of mine on the racecourse, comes almost every morning as well," said Anna. "It is an advantage to have a jockey who knows the horses from riding them at work."

Bulger is very good value for his 5lb claim and has ridden several winners for Anna in the last couple of seasons.

Anna said: "He gives me 100 per cent effort and is very useful in reporting back after a race. I'm always happy to have Colin riding for me."

Anna has come a long way from the early days of point-to-points and riding in amateur races in the 1980s, but her enthusiasm for the racing game is undimmed.

"I would pack it in and go and stack shelves if I lost my love of horses in racing," she says, "I love it all as much as I ever did!"

For details of Brighton Racing Club phone 01323 488354.