DIARY – AINTREE
SATURDAY 09 APRIL 2011
GRAND NATIONAL DAY – PART I
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Bob
Champion and Jonjo O’Neill lead out
the Legends Charity Race competitors Get here early,
it’s a ‘Sell Out’! Grand National Day
had arrived. After a fairly restful
night, staying at the Premier Inn in Golborne, I awoke early ... at just gone
05:00! Knowing that I’d probably not
sleep on, I decided to shower, wash and dry my hair, apply my make-up and
make a final decision on my outfit.
Today I wore my mono-coloured flowered skirt, black top, mink coloured
jacket, plus flowered scarf, and black ‘footglove’
sandals. To kill time until breakfast,
I tuned into Breakfast TV. At 07:50 my friend
Lesley and I went down to the restaurant to eat. It was ‘eat
all you can’ for a set price – although I didn’t overdo it – just 2
croissants, 3 yogurts and a cup of black coffee. Having taken to the car the two grocery
bags filled with my possessions on my way to breakfast, I had only to collect
my suitcase from the hotel room before we checked out. It was 09:00. Having filled-up the
petrol tank yesterday, we drove straight to Aintree, crossing over Anchor
Bridge and the Grand National track to park in the Steeplechase car park
located in the centre of the course. Today, unsurprisingly, the queues
waiting for their vehicles to be searched were longer than the previous day;
with a number of vehicles switching lanes as it become apparent that one or
tother of the queues was being processed more quickly. A hold-up. Apparently a VIP vehicle was due to arrive
at any moment so, in order to quickly clear the centre lane to permit the VIP
to pass through unhindered, I was put ‘on
hold’ at the head of the left-hand queue whilst around 3 or 4, or
possibly more, vehicles were re-directed to the search area in front of
me. Damn! Their organisation
wasn’t very good, as vehicles were still being permitted to join the central
queue! Get those traffic cones sorted
out! Anyway, eventually it was my turn
to proceed, the security guy apologised for the delay and, as a reward for my
patience(!) I was waived straight through without a check!!! Having left the
vehicle, we purchased two race-cards (today costing £5 each) from the kiosk
and then set off for the entrance.
Unlike yesterday, my ticket was checked and the stub removed. Security staff examined the contents of our
handbags and we then passed through the ‘airport’
style arch before walking across the Melling Road and ‘park course’ to reach the shuttle bus. A short journey saw us reach the course
crossing point (between the water jump and the Chair) and we were soon across
the green carpet and had safely arrived in the enclosures. Following a quick
trip to the loo (I know, too much information), we bought two bottles of water
and then went to take a look around the marquee stalls. We visited the Grand National memorabilia
store; a store selling prints and pictures – there was one of Choc and
Katchit to commemorate their victory in the 2008 Champion Hurdle - £95; over
budget at the moment! We then took a
look around the Grand National Legends/Trophies marquee; the trophies being
guarded by members of the Household Cavalry.
Then it was onward
to pay a visit to the Matalan stand, outside of which were two full racks of
flip-flops; presumably for those who had worn killer-heels and would be
flagging by day end. My black M &
S ‘Footglove’ sandals are called
this for a reason but, yes, they do have a heels – 3½ inches to be precise,
although this is negated (very slightly) by a ½ inch platform. My advice is never wear sandals with very
thin straps over the toes if any distance walking is involved; I learnt my
lesson at the tender age of 21, when I ripped my toes to shreds by wearing a pair
matching this description having walked at least three miles in them. Come to think of it, perhaps I didn’t learn
a lesson, as I recall arriving back from the 1999 Wimbledon tournament with
open blisters on the insides of my feet, having worn mules which tore into
the skin – flip-flops and plasters were the order of the day for over a week
afterwards! Finally we retired
to the Parade Ring area, to relax in the warm sunshine and to select our bets
for the big race, and for others too in Lesley’s case! My Grand National selections were Quinz,
ridden by Richard Johnson; Bluesea Cracker (having discovered this was the
James Motherway trained runner – had the horse transporter parked at the
Premier Inn where I was staying been a ‘sign’?)
and, of course, West End Rocker, ridden by the lovely Choc. Lesley put bets on a
number of runners for herself, her dad and her son Steve, and for her
ex-husband too (he lives in Spain).
Being fans of Manchester United, What A Friend was a popular selection
for her family; her dad selected Choc’s mount, plus all the greys in the
race. It transpired that there were,
in fact, 4 greys but we erroneously omitted Character Building – and we later
discovered the reason for this - he was described as ‘Chestnut or Grey’ in the race-card! In hindsight, I should have known he ought
to be on the list ... but the mystery remains as to why he could possibly be
described as ‘Chestnut or Grey’
and, of course, how was it possible for me to overlook him when we looked
through the racecard, as I knew he was a grey ... like myself! Although my older brother amusingly refers
to it as ‘Saga Blonde’! Both my siblings are ‘Saga Blondes’, premature greyness being a family trait; not
helpful when we all originally had dark brown hair. The first item on
today’s agenda was the Parade of Champions, taking place in the Paddock at 11:45. Ten of the eleven horses
advertised in the race-card had arrived safely; Monty’s Pass, the winner of
the Grand National in 2003, having been thwarted by travel problems. The oldest surviving winner was Miinnehomma
(1994), although at the age of 28 he was turning grey around the
temples! The others parading were
Rough Quest (1996); Lord Gyllene (1997); Papillon (2000); Red Marauder
(2001); Bindaree (2002); Amberleigh House (2004); Hedgehunter (2005); Numbersixvalverde
(2006); and Silver Birch (2007). The
winner in 2008, Comply or Die, would be competing in this year’s race (but
retirement beckoned afterwards and he would go to live at jockey Timmy
Murphy’s yard); Mon Mome (2009) was at home recovering from injury; and the
2010 winner, Don’t Push It, would also be competing today. These past winners were accompanied
by a replica World War I horse drawn ambulance, which would be undertaking a
fund raising trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats
to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity for
wounded servicemen. Following the Parade we re-located to
the steps below the Weighing Room, above the Winners’ Enclosure, where at
12:30 a number of Grand National Legends would be inducted. This year the inductees were: Bob Champion and Aldaniti
- it being 30 years since they completed their memorable victory; West Tip
- a consistent runner in the National; he failed to complete in 1985, but won
in 1986, finished 4th in 1987 and 1988, 2nd in 1989, and 10th in 1990 aged
13; Retired jockey Richard Dunwoody
who has the best record in recent times, competing 14 years in a row between
1985 and 1999. He won aboard West Tip
in 1986 and Miinnehomma in 1994, and was placed on
8 other occasions; Retired jockey Brian Fletcher,
who shares with Jack Anthony the distinction of having ridden 3 Grand
National winners during the 20th century.
In 1967, at the age of 19, he rode Red Alligator, only to be involved
in the melee at the 23rd fence, but he did complete to finish 3rd. He won the race in 1968, when again riding
Red Alligator. Then, he won aboard Red
Rum in 1973 and 1974. From nine rides,
he won 3 times, was runner-up once and completed in third 3 times too. Vincent O’Brien
trained 3 consecutive winners of the big race – Early Mist in 1953; Royal Tan
in 1954; Quare Times in 1955. He also trained 4 Cheltenham Gold Cup
winners and 3 Champion Hurdle winners before turning his attention to flat
racing; training 27 Irish Classic winners, 3 Prix de L’Arc
de Triomphe winners, 16 English classic winners
including 6 Epsom Derbies. He died in
June 2009 aged 92; his son Charles and grandson Michael attended today to
receive a memento. In the 19th century, ‘Black Tom’ Olliver rode in the race 19 times; 17 of
these consecutively. He was the first
jockey to win two Nationals (1842/1843) and the first to win three (1853);
and was the first of 7 jockeys to ride the winner in successive years. He also finished runner-up on 3 occasions
and third once. His total of three
victories was bettered only by George Stevens (five victories) – a jockey who
Tom had tutored – and who was inducted last year! Prince Karel
Andreas Kinsky was the first
person from outside the British Isles to compete in the Grand National,
winning it on his first attempt in 1883, aboard mare Zoedone. Welsh jockey, Jack Anthony,
was the sixth jockey to win three Grand Nationals – aboard Glenside in 1911;
Ally Sloper in 1915; and Troytown
in 1920; he also finished third in 1925.
From a horse racing family, his brother Ivor
was also a successful jockey and his brother Owen was a trainer. Jack rode his first winner in 1906 and was
an amateur until 1921; he was champion jockey in 1914 and 1928. Retiring in the latter year to become a
trainer, his biggest success was training Easter Hero to win the Cheltenham
Gold Cup in 1929 and 1930. And, finally, commentator Peter Bromley,
BBC’s voice of racing for 40 years. In
1955 he became one of the first racecourse commentators in Britain; working
in this role at every racecourse apart from Cartmel
during the following 4 years. He was
appointed the BBC’s first racing correspondent in 1959; acting as their main
racing commentator from 1961 until 2001.
He covered 42 Grand Nationals including those of Red Rum and Aldiniti. Peter
retired aged 72. The next event was the Aintree Legends
Charity Race, organised in aid of The Bob
Champion Cancer Trust. Eleven
ex-jockeys were competing in this flat race, over a distance of one mile and
five furlongs; all jockeys carrying 12 stone.
The figureheads for the event were Bob Champion himself, dressed in
the Aldiniti silks and Jonjo
O’Neill, who had also battled and overcome cancer, the latter wearing the JP
McManus silks. Bob and Jonjo
led the jockeys down the steps from the Weighing Room and into the Winners’
Enclosure for a photo-call. When
interviewed, Bob explained that he’d suffered a ‘minor’ heart attack around a
month ago ... but he hadn’t told his doctor that he’d be riding a horse as
part of today’s charity event! The eleven competitors were: Graham Thorner
(1972 - Well To Do) riding Erin
Dancer; Charlie Fenwick (1980
- Ben Nevis) riding Sky Calling; Ben De Haan
(1983 - Corbiere)
riding Shinnecock Bay; Hywel Davies
(1985 - Last Suspect) riding Fair
Gale; Jimmy Frost (1989
- Little Polveir) riding Art Man; Marcus Armytage (1990
– Mr Frisk) riding Higgy’s Boy; Carl Llewellyn
(1992 – Party Politics; 1998 – Earth Summit) riding South O’The
Border; Tony Dobbin (1997
– Lord Gyllene) riding Fortuni;
Jim Culloty (2002
– Bindaree) riding Dream Catcher; Peter Scudamore (8
time Champion jockey) riding Ormello; Charlie Swan
(10 time Irish Champion jockey) riding
Plenty Pocket. The Martin Keighley trained Sky
Calling was making her first racecourse appearance since sustaining a tendon
injury, following which she had been plagued by corns! The race distance being one mile and
five furlongs meant that the runners began this event half way up the home
straight, with just over one circuit to travel. The competitors cantered sedately along the
all-weather track to reach the starting gate; they were accompanied by Bob
and Jonjo, who cantered their horses back in front
of the grandstands to reach the enclosure just in front of us in order to
await the runners at the end of the race.
Then they were off. The runners were initially led away by
Marcus Armytage; Carl Llewellyn soon taking over;
from Tony Dobbin, Marcus now back in third, then Hywel
Davies, Charlie Swan, Ben De Haan, Jim Culloty, Charlie Fenwick, Jimmy Frost, Graham Thorner and, in rear, Peter Scudamore. The hard pulling Sky Calling went wide as
the field galloped up the back straight, almost carting her jockey into the
lead. Marcus Armytage
led into the home straight, from Charlie Fenwick, Carl Llewellyn, Tony Dobbin
and Hywel Davies.
Tony Dobbin aboard Fortuni came to challenge
for the lead, drifting across to the stand-side rails, Hywel
Davies switching his mount to the outside of Tony’s
as a result. Carl Llewellyn was left
to see off Hywel Davies, at one point the latter
getting his whip tangled in the reins when swapping hands. Ben De Haan
finished 4th; Marcus Armytage 5th; Peter Scudamore 6th.
After her long racecourse absence, Sky Calling had tired upon entering
the home straight. A ‘family’ victory for Tony Dobbin, as
his mount Fortuni was trained by his wife Rose. Soon it would be time for the first ‘proper’ race of the day. As Choc’s
intended mount, Recession Proof, was a non-runner in the first race; we
remained in the Earl of Derby enclosure, by the exit gateway, in order to get
the best vantage point ahead of the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. Following the
Charity Race, there was another Parade of Champions – on this occasion the
past winners were paraded up the course in front of the stands; led by
28-year-old Miinnehoma. The start of this
race was in the back straight, with two flights to negotiate before the far
turn; one and three quarter circuits of the track. Cue Card went off as favourite.
Then
they were off, initially at a steady pace.
The field was led away by the Ruby Walsh ridden Sam Winner; followed
by Spirit Son, Drive Time, Maringo Bay, Rock On
Ruby, Drill Sergeant, Cue Card taking a keep hold with, in rear, Storm Brig
and Bold Sir Brian. Turning
into the home straight on the first occasion, Rock On Ruby jumped awkwardly
at the third. Around the grandstand
bend, Sam Winner continued to lead, from Spirit Son, Drive Time, Drill
Sergeant, Maringo Bay, Rock On Ruby, Bold Sir
Brian, Cue Card and Storm Brig. Three
from the rear of the field, Cue Card hit the middle flight in the back
straight. Sam Winner, Spirit Son and
Drive Time still held the advantage. Maringo Bay had dropped out by the time the runners had
negotiated the far bend. Turning in,
Sam Winner retained the lead from Spirit Son, Drive Time and Drill Sergeant,
Storm Brig now on the wide outside.
Drive Time fell 3 out when weakening, slightly hampering Bold Sir
Brian in the process. Barry
Geraghty’s mount took the lead after 3 out; Cue
Card had made progress and was soon his nearest pursuer. However Cue Card hung left under pressure;
Spirit Son now had the race under his control. Both Rock On Ruby and Drill Sergeant hit
the last flight; as a result the orange protector strips lay mangled on the
landing side of the hurdle. Spirit
Son was pushed clear on the run-in and won by an easy 13 lengths; Cue Card
completed in second, with Rock On Ruby in third, Drill Sergeant fourth.
We
remained in the Earl of Derby enclosure in order to retain our rail side
position ahead of the next race. The
start of this event was in the far corner of the track, the first obstacle
being the cross-fence.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Finian’s Rainbow, from Ghizao;
Classic Fly crashed out at the first, his jockey slammed to the ground,
motionless. Close upsides as Peter Toole’s mount fell, Romanesco
slithered on landing over this fence, his rider Sam Twiston-Davies
almost flung from the saddle too. Sam
had lost his irons and was soon tailed off in rear. Heading
down the home straight on the first occasion, Finian’s
Rainbow led from Ghizao, Dan Breen disputing third
with Starluck, Gilbarry
and the tailed off Romanesco; the field was already
strung out. Gilbarry
hit the 4th fence. Turning into the
back straight, Starluck hit the fifth and wasn’t
fluent over the sixth fence either; the leader, Finian’s
Rainbow, didn’t jump the latter well, and then hit the 7th. Tailed off in rear, Romanesco
clambered over the open-ditch. Upon
reaching the far turn, the runners were waived around the cross-fence, jockey
Peter Toole being attended on the landing side
following his fall from Classic Fly.
Turning in, Ghizao was upsides Finian’s Rainbow, Dan Breen 6 lengths behind disputing
third with Starluck. However, Ghizao
ploughed through 2 out, the open-ditch, leaving his rival well clear. Starluck was slow
here too. Although
appearing to tire as they headed over the final fence, and with Ghizao rallying following the error; the latter wasn’t
fluent at the last and couldn’t catch Finian’s
Rainbow, who won by 2 lengths at the line.
Completing in third was Dan Breen, 22 lengths behind, Starluck a further 18 lengths behind in 4th. Gilbarry
completed in 5th; Romanesco miles behind in 6th and
last, but he did complete the course.
Sadly jockey Peter Toole
was seriously injured in the fall; spending time in intensive care as a
result of bleeding on the right side of his brain. As I write this diary, the young Irishman
had been recently transferred to a Dublin hospital to continue his
recovery. The stable lads and lasses wore badges on their
left arms, stating the name of their charges.
Once they had led their horses onto the course and ‘let them go’, the badges were placed
in a pile upon the ground, from where they were collected by an
official. I clearly recall looking at
the badges and seeing Classic Fly’s name on top of the pile; I thought how
strange it was that I’d never heard of the horse. Well I certainly have now ... Frightened that we might lose our places beside
the rail, we remained in the Earl of Derby enclosure ahead of the next race;
in which Choc would be having his first ride of the day, aboard the Alan King
trained Salden Licht. The start of this
race was in the back straight, with two flights to negotiate before the far
turn; the race took place over one and three quarter circuits of the
track.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the blinkered Celestial Halo, followed by Oscar Whisky and Peddlers Cross;
Salden Licht, on the outside
of the runners, slightly reached for the first flight. These runners were
followed by Binocular, the grey Thousand Stars, Oscar Dan Dan,
with Ronaldo Des Mottes
in rear. Celestial
Halo held a two to three length advantage as the runners turned into the home
straight on the first occasion, Oscar Whisky was in second, Peddlers Cross in
third, Binocular disputed fourth with Salden Licht, Choc’s mount giving the
third flight plenty of air. The leader
stumbled slightly after the next. In
rear, Oscar Dan Dan made an error at the last
flight before setting out onto the final circuit. Celestial
Halo jumped slowly at the first hurdle in the back straight, Oscar Whisky
closing and soon disputing the lead.
Barry Geraghty’s mount went on around the far
bend, from Salden Licht
and Peddlers Cross; the latter receiving reminders as they turned in. Oscar
Whisky led over the third last from Salden Licht and Peddlers Cross; Celestial Halo had soon faded
into last place. Thousand Stars was
travelling well and made progress; staying on after the last under a severe
drive from Katie Walsh. However, they
failed to catch Oscar Whisky, who prevailed by a neck at the line. Not surprisingly, Katie received a 6 day
ban for excessive whip use! Salden Licht finished a very respectable third, 10 lengths
back. Peddlers Cross, having hit the
last flight, faded into 7th place.
When
Thousand Stars was led back in, it was apparent that he had a cut on one of
his hind legs. Blood from the wound
dripped onto the rubberised path; one of the handlers threw a bucketful of
water onto the path to wash the blood away.
The horse was led straight back to the stables; without entering the
Winners’ Enclosure. Still
mindful of retaining our places in the Earl of Derby enclosure, we remained
there instead of returning to see Choc arrive back in the Winners’ Enclosure
having been placed third. It
was now time for Choc’s second ride of the
afternoon, aboard his Cheltenham Festival winner, Bensalem. The start of this race was at the far end
of the home straight, with that and two full circuits to travel.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
Carrickmines, followed by Rare Bob, Reve De Sivola and Saphir Des Bois. Reve De Sivola, jumped to the right over the second fence, the
open-ditch, possibly hampering Crescent Island, who fell. In their wake, Take The Breeze, was
hampered and unseated Ruby Walsh. Hey
Big Spender made a mistake and was hampered too, Silmi
was hampered; even Bensalem was slightly hampered, as was Prince De Beauchene! Carrickmines continued to
lead over the third, from Saphir Des Bois, Rare
Bob, Reve De Sivola,
Prince De Beauchene and Bensalem. Hey Big Spender, confidence shattered by
the events at the open-ditch, made a bad error at this fence. Setting
off along the back straight on the first occasion, Carrickmines
and Saphir Des Bois disputed the lead; the latter hit
the 5th fence; Hey Big Spender was pulled up before the sixth. Bensalem was slightly untidy at the last in
this line of fences. Around the far
bend Saphir Des Bois went on, from Rare Bob, Reve De Sivola and Carrickmines.
Great Endeavour prominent on the outside of the field. Dropping
back, Carrickmines received reminders; and he
subsequently hit the last in the home straight and launched jockey Paddy
Brennan into space! Heading out onto
the final circuit, Prince De Beauchene and Rare Bob
disputed the lead, from Saphir Des Bois, Reve De Sivola, Tarablaze, Bensalem, Invisible Man, Great Endeavour and
Categorical, with a break to Silmi and Just
Smudge. Bensalem was a little clumsy
at the 12th. Prince De Beauchene had now gone on; Choc’s
mount was also wrong at the 13th. Rare
Bob hit the open-ditch. Prince
De Beauchene continued to lead, Tarablaze
now in second, from Saphir Des Bois, Bensalem and Reve De Sivola. Great Endeavour, in sixth place, was being
urged along on the wide outside.
Bensalem was in fourth position as the field entered the home
straight. Rare
Bob hit the open ditch, two out, unseating his rider. Bensalem badly blundered at this fence but
the partnership survived. Reve De Sivola headed Prince De
Beauchene on the run to the last, but the former
was tired, and lost ground over the fence, jumping to his right, possibly
putting off Bensalem, who made another error.
Meanwhile Categorical had run on from the back of the field and came
to take second, beaten 1½ lengths by Prince De Beauchene at the line.
Reve De Sivola
completed in 3rd, Tarablaze in 4th, Bensalem in
5th, and Great Endeavour in 6th.
Presumably
Bensalem’s Cheltenham Festival victory had taken its toll. But, looking on the bright side, the horse’s
instinct to survive jumping blunders had developed greatly since last season! *
* * *
* * * As
my diary for Grand National Day is rather large, I decided to split it into
two sections: Click here for photos – Parade of Champions and Legends Charity
Race |
