DIARY – ASCOT – LADBROKE HURDLE DAY
SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER 2012
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Jane’s
jumper, knitted by yours truly ... Another opportunity to go racing
presented itself today. Choc had three
riding engagements at Ascot, all of which were fancied runners – Smad Place,
Hold On Julio and Balder Succes. And I’d been hoping that Choc
would guest on Channel 4’s Morning Line having not appeared since the final
day of last year; on that occasion he’d been on the sidelines due to a broken
upper right arm. Come to think of it,
his three previous appearances had all been during injury timeouts. I’d checked the Morning Line’s twitter
account the previous evening, but no mention of the identity of their guest
but, having tuned into the programme at 07:55 on Saturday I’d not been in the
least bit surprised when it turned out to be Choc! Lesley Graham, making her final appearance
before the Racing Team’s 2013 restructure, also pointed out the injury
coincidence saying it was a change for him to be fit and healthy! And Choc scored 8 in the ‘Guest Test’, an improvement of one
point over his previous effort. And
the questions have been a lot more difficult this year. After a cold end to November and
beginning of December, the rain had returned with a vengence. Meetings had been abandoned due to
waterlogging, the Peterborough Chase had been lost twice; first at its usual
Huntingdon base and then again at its re-arranged Exeter venue. At the time of writing, I gather its now due
to take place at Kempton Park on 27 December; the second day of their Winter
Festival. Towcester’s fixture a couple of
days ago had gone ahead, but flippers and snorkels were in order that
day! The first day of the Ascot
meeting had been dry, but the going was heavy, soft in places. Today, Saturday, when it rained overnight
and continued until lunchtime, resulted in the heavy ground description
remaining and three fences on the steeplechase course being omitted due to
standing water on the take off and landing sides of these obstacles. They were the first and third fences down
the side of the racecourse, the latter being an open-ditch, and the final
fence in the back straight. In
addition, there would be no pre-race parades so as to preserve the racing
surface as much as possible. Having showered, washed and
dried my hair before the Morning Line had begun, I’d eaten my breakfast of
toast and croissants whilst watching TV, then applied my make-up and decided
what to wear. As it was raining I
would take my purple anorak, as I really don’t wish to ruin my best coats by
getting them wet. I wore my grey
treggings, so that I could tuck them into my recently purchased black
waterproof boots. Yes, bought from M
& S and, being ‘thinsulate’
lined, they keep my feet roasty toasty too.
I also wore a pair of purple tights under my treggings. Temperatures were quite mild,
but I still wore three thermal vests, a purple sweater and my Capricorn
sweater, which I must have knitted at least 20 years ago but rarely
wear. Not because I don’t like it, but
because it’s usually sealed in a bin bag at the bottom of my wardrobe,
protected from Woolley Bear carpet beetles – it would be susceptible to
damage due to its high wool content! I
chose to wear a black gillet over the sweater and a Rico Can Can scarf in
shades of red. To protect my hair from
the rain, I wore my Australian bush hat; although I also had a umbrella for
the heavier periods of rain. Gates opened at 10:45 and,
today, I actually left home at the planned time of 09:45. My journey took me to Junction 22 of the
M25, conditions on the motorway were quite treachorous, with much surface water
and spray. I kept to the inside lane
for much of the journey, travelling at around 55 mph for the main part. Even so, just past the Kings Langley
junction I felt the car aquaplane for a short distance, which was a bit
scary. Having reached Junction 15, I
turned westwards along the M4, leaving at the Slough Central junction. I had been worried that people would begin
their Christmas journeys during the morning, but the roads where no busier
than on a normal Saturday. My route then took me southwards
down the A355/A332 to the large roundabout, at which I got delayed by one of
the sets of traffic lights before proceeding along Imperial Road. At the far end, I turned right and took the
road past Legoland, the theme park now closed for the winter. It was straight ahead at the next
roundabout, then up Mounts Hill to the longabout. I took the third exit heading for
Ascot. Upon reaching two
miniroundabouts, it was a left turn at the second of these, close to Swinley
Bottom. With all the recent rain, I’d
half been expecting a flood on the underpass beneath Ascot’s straight mile,
but was pleased and surprised to find no standing water whatsoever! The side entrance to the free car park was
still closed, so I continued to the High Street before turning right, then right
again to pass through its main entrance.
Cars are normally instructed to park on the area close to the large
cedar tree but today, due to the wet conditions, I was guided to the area
over to the far right, beside the nearby houses. Having once been stranded in a
field during the Lambourn Open Day due to heavy rain, I checked in my glove
compartment just in case I needed to locate my towbar attachment! It’s been in there ever since that day,
just in case. Not that it would have
been of much use, initially, as the front of my car faced the fence! Anyway, having eaten one of the cheese
rolls I’d brought with me and sipped some black coffee, I changed into my
waterproof boots, put on my anorak and scarf and set off to purchase a ticket
from the office close to the turnstiles.
Before I’d left the car, I did notice that mud and grass were
plastered along the sills and lower doors.
I had a cleaning job for Sunday! Having bought a grandstand
ticket for £18 at the East Ticket Office, I set off for the main
entrance. As my black shearling
handbag is quite large, I was called over by one of the security guards to
have its contents examined before they would permit me to enter the
turnstiles. I did, however, refuse to
place it on the waterlogged table as I didn’t wish to get its bottom
soggy! Having been given the all
clear, I entered the racecourse, purchasing a racecard and an Ascot ballpoint
pen for £3.50 and £0.50 respectively. I then walked across the
concourse to stand beneath the overhang of the grandstand; being sheltered
from the rain I was able to close my umbrella. During fine weather I tend to lean upon the
railings at the top of the steppings above the Parade Ring until racing
begins. But, as it was very damp
today, I remained close to the building, loitering in front of the
planters. As the first race was not
due to be run until 12:55 it was a very long wait!!! This period is the loneliest when I’m by
myself at the races; I like to arrive early to avoid any possible queues or
delays but I hate having no-one to talk whilst I’m waiting. Once the runners had left the
Parade Ring ahead of the first race of the day, I set off through the ground
floor of the grandstand to find a good vantage point within the ‘Iron Stand’. The starting gate for this race
was in the side straight, with two flights of hurdles to negotiate before
Swinley Bottom; a circuit and three quarters in fact.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the yellow and grey silks of Richard Johnson aboard De La Bech, from Cornish Ice, Oscar Papa, Cheat The Cheater and
Wings of Icarus; in rear were Bally Sands and Call
Me Sir. Cornish Ice made an error at
the second flight. Koultas
King, having required two handlers when being led around in the Parade Ring,
was noticeably keen on the outside of the field. Heading
around the turn at Swinley Bottom the order was De
La Bech, Cheat The Cheater, Cornish Ice, Oscar
Papa, Wings Of Icarus, Kaylif
Aramis, Okafranca,
Highland Retreat, Top Dancer; the rear group consisted of Tothemoonandback,
Bally Sands, Koultas King and Call Me Sir. Again, Cornish Ice was awkward at the third
flight. Oscar
Papa, already being chivvied along, had drifted back through the field. Richard Johnson’s mount led the runners
into the home straight on the first occasion; Oscar Papa, having responded to
his jockey’s urgings was now travelling in 4th position. The field continued to be closely grouped
as it headed up towards the ‘lollipop’
for the first time; De La Bech still at the head of
affairs, Call Me Sir remained held up in rear. The
horses and jockeys were already far from pristine, mud flying as the horses
galloped through the heavy ground; apart from De La Bech
who had not been headed yet! Going out
into the country once again, there was no change at the head of affairs;
Oscar Papa had begun to drop back through the field once more as the runners
headed towards Swinley Bottom, hitting and
flattening the 9th flight. De
La Bech led into the back straight, from Cheat The
Cheater, Highland Retreat, Wings Of Icarus, Okafranca, Tothemoonandback and
Kaylif Aramis; Oscar Papa
now struggling at the rear. Cheat The
Cheater and Highland Retreat came to dispute it with the long time leader
heading over 4 out, but Richard Johnson’s mount was not for passing and the
former soon dropped back. Highland
Retreat, to the outside, remained upsides the leader, with Kaylif Aramis challenging to
the inside as the field headed around the final bend. However,
De La Bech gamely fought off all comers, Okafranca the final challenger beaten by 1¼ lengths at the line.
Highland Retreat, although unable to quicken up the home straight,
stayed on after the last to finish 3rd.
Tothemoonandback claimed 4th close home, Kaylif Aramis fading into 5th,
ahead of Cheat The Cheater and Call Me Sir.
I
headed back through the ground floor of the grandstand to reach the concourse
above the Parade Ring. The placed
horses soon arrived back in the Winners’ Enclosure; the jockeys covered in
mud from head to foot; the horses from ears to hoof! However, Richard Johnson’s grey and yellow
silks were barely marked, having led from start to finish! It
was Richard Johnson’s 100th winner of the season; and his 17th consecutive
century too. Jason Maguire, riding at Haydock Park today, also rode his 100th winner of the
current campaign when scoring a treble. It
was then time for the second race of the day.
The starting gate for this event was also in the side straight, with
one fence to negotiate before Swinley Bottom.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the AP McCoy ridden Brass Tax, from Cedre Bleu, Solix and On Trend.
All the runners were jumping well as they headed along the back
straight; a black and white checkered flag waived
by one of the course staff to remind them to bypass the last fence in the
line of four. The
front three horses were well grouped as they entered the home straight on the
first occasion, On Trend slightly off the pace. Ruby’s mount, Cedre
Bleu, had a slight preference to jump to his left, and he skewed a little
when jumping the next fence. All the
runners were going well within themselves. Another
checkered flag was waved as the field proceeded
around the top turn, warning them to bypass the first in that straight. Solix made an
error at the next one they jumped, their 7th.
The runners then steered around the open-ditch; On Trend gaining on
the others. However, he hit the next
but didn’t lose any ground. Heading
along the back straight for the final time, the order remained unchanged –
Brass Tax, Cedre Bleu, Solix
and On Trend. Solix
hit the open-ditch and soon dropped back.
The horses bypassed the next and then turned into the home straight. Brass
Tax and Cedre Bleu jumped the penultimate in unison;
Solix overtaken by On Trend on the approach to it,
but lengths behind the front two. Both
AP and Ruby were working hard on the approach to the last, which again they
jumped in unison. However, Cedre Bleu asserted on the run-in, Ruby drawing his whip
through deftly from his left to right hand to prevent his horse from interfering
with the runner-up close home. On
Trend completed in 3rd, 15 lengths behind these two. Solix was pulled
up before the last.
I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the
horses arrive back. It was now time for Choc’s
first ride of the day, aboard the grey Smad
Place. The horse had disappointed at Wetherby on his seasonal re-appearance and had
subsequently been an absentee from the long distance hurdle run on Hennessy
Gold Cup day. However, he’d since been
working well at home and was installed as 15/8 favourite for this race; the
king of long distance hurdles, Big Buck’s having been ruled out for the
remainder of the season having sustained a leg injury since winning the
aforementioned race at Newbury. Alan King and the connections were late arriving
in the Parade Ring, so Choc chatted with Highflyer Bloodstock agent Anthony
Bromley whilst they both waited for them to appear. When I was climbing up the Parade Ring steps,
Choc having just departed for the racecourse, I overheard a couple of punters
ahead of me talking about Choc. They
were saying that he’d been around for years and were trying to guess his age
... despite this they thought he must be in his late twenties. I didn’t tell them he is now 34, bless him. If
only I was that young too ... The starting gate for this event was at the
beginning of the side straight, with two circuits of the track to race.
The
runners circled in an anticlockwise direction at the start; it was obvious
that Kayf Aramis’ role
was to be that of pacemaker but, initially, he appeared reluctant to set off,
preferring to remain with the others. After
encouragement from his jockey Sam Twiston-Davies,
he consented to run, taking an inside line to lead them away. To the outside of the track was Reve De Sivola; Cucumber Run,
Master Of The Hall, Trustan Times, Smad Place and Prospect Wells. This group of five also took an outside line,
a few lengths behind the Nick Williams trained representative. Kayf Aramis was
at least 10 lengths clear as he galloped around Swinley
Bottom on the first occasion, Reve De Sivola, in second position, a bigger distance ahead of
the main group. Heading up the home
straight Kayf Aramis
continued to lead, but Reve De Sivola
was now almost upsides. Master Of The
Hall led the main group, which was still a number of lengths behind, Cucumber
Run and Trustan Times matching strides, then Smad Place and Prospect Wells. The
runners proceeded around the top turn, all bar Kayf
Aramis keeping to the better ground on the outside
of the track. Prospect Wells made an
error at the next flight. By the
following flight, Reve De Sivola
held a one length advantage over Sam Twiston-Davies’
mount. Choc had encouraged Smad Place to make progress and now joined Master Of The
Hall at the head of the pursuing group; they had soon breached the gap between
themselves and the leader, as Kayf Aramis began to drop back through the field. Having
negotiated Swinley Bottom once more, Reve De Sivola led the runners
along the back straight, from Master Of The Hall, Smad
Place and Trustan Times. A gap had now opened between these and the
struggling Prospect Wells, Cucumber Run and Kayf Aramis; the white blaze of the former almost completed
obscured by mud! Reve De Sivola
had a 3-lengths advantage over Smad Place as they
turned into the final straight who, in turn, had a couple of lengths
advantage over Trustan Times and Master Of The
Hall. Having cleared two out the
leader continued to extend the distance over his nearest rival, seemingly not
inconvenienced by the ground. Choc was
now hard at work to maintain his lead over Trustan
Times. Richard
Johnson’s mount flew the last and galloped on to win by 14 lengths from Smad Place. Trustan Times was a further 6 lengths back in 3rd. Despite having been tailed off after 3 out,
Ruby Walsh rousted his mount to snatch 4th in the last few strides, as Master
Of The Hall faded into 5th. Cucumber
Run completed in 6th, with Kayf Aramis
in 7th.
With
Big Buck’s absence, Reve De Sivola’s
connections had made the most of this unexpected opportunity. The horse had been a very good juvenile, a
double Grade 1 winner in fact, of Newbury’s Challow
Hurdle in 2009 and the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown
in 2010. His chasing career had been
patchy, having been error prone, and this was followed by a leg injury. He had returned to racecourse action at
Newbury on 01 December, when chasing home Big Buck’s in their long distance
hurdle. It was now time for Choc’s
second ride of the afternoon, aboard Hold On Julio. His mount started as 9/4 favourite. The starting gate for the next race was at the
start of the side straight, with two complete circuits to travel. Upon arrival at the start, the jockeys took
their mounts to look at the dolled off fence, as it was their nearest one.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by bottom weights Wyck Hill and Katenko. These were followed by Hey Big Spender, Hold
On Julio, and Ackertac; Roberto Goldback
under Barry Geraghty brought up the rear. The runners jumped the second and fourth
fences in the side straight before heading around Swinley
Bottom. They were all fencing well, and completed
clear rounds over the next three obstacles, before being waived around the
final fence one in the back straight too. Travelling
well within themselves, the field entered the home straight and cleared the
next fence. On the run to the next, both
Joe Tizzard and Sam Twiston-Davies
pulled down their mud splattered goggles, endeavouring to get a better view
of the proceedings. Heading around the
top turn there was no change at the head of affairs, Wyck
Hill and Katenko still led the way, from Ackertac, Hold On Julio, Hey Big Spender and Roberto Goldback. Again they were waived around the next
fence, a checkered flag ensuring the instruction
was followed. Good
jumps by all the runners at the initial downhill fence, the jockeys then steering
their mounts around the open-ditch.
However, at the next, the first horse to make a noticeable error was
Hold On Julio. He decided to take an
extra stride before take-off, hitting the obstacle and forcing Choc to the
buckle end of the reins. In fact, I
heard about the error before I saw it on the big screen, as the commentary
was broadcast fractionally ahead of the picture! The
front two horses had pressed on and set had up a clear led as they travelled
into Swinley Bottom. Choc administered reminders to his mount
following the error and Hold On Julio, as always, responded quickly to close
the distance. As a result, he was
almost upsides as they crossed the next fence; a gap now opening up between
these three and the remaining half of the field. However,
to the outside of the Wyck Hill and Katenko, Choc’s mount wasn’t travelling
as well as those two and, as a result, Hold On Julio hit the open-ditch,
firing Choc over his nearside shoulder as he landed. Fortunately, the ground being heavy meant
that my favourite jockey received a relatively soft landing and was soon on
his feet. Roberto
Goldback was continuing in the race, but both Ackertac and Hey Big Spender were pulled up before this
open-ditch. The remaining runners
headed past the final dolled off fence; Hold On Julio, none the worse for his
mishap, swerved around the fence too, fortunately he didn’t hamper Barry’s
mount in the process. Wyck Hill held a half length advantage
over Katenko as they headed around the final turn,
top weight Roberto Goldback initially appearing to
gain on them. However, although the
leaders were tiring as they cleared two out, their pursuer merely clambered
over it, all chance now gone. Wyck Hill drew a few lengths clear of his
rival between the final two fences and, although Katenko
put in a better leap at the last, Tom Scudamore
drove his mount out to win by 4 lengths.
A very tired Roberto Goldback trailed home
35 lengths back in 3rd.
I
returned to the Parade Ring to see the placed horses return ... and, of
course, with the hope of seeing Choc too, following his mishap. He was perfectly fine, and he’d been able
to unsaddle Hold On Julio; the horse having been caught by the travelling
head lad Matt and/or the stable lass. In
fact he jogged back in through the Winners’ Enclosure to return to the
Weighing Room. It
was now time for Choc’s third and final ride of the
day, aboard Balder Succes in the valuable Ladbroke
Hurdle. His mount was a 7/1 shot; the
favourite being Cash And Go at odds of 11/2. Choc
having left the Parade Ring, I wasn’t quite quick enough to reach the
grandstand steppings before he cantered past aboard
Balder Succes; the starting gate for this race
being at the far end of the home straight, with this and one full circuit to
travel. The
field was ready to depart ahead of time, undertaking a circuit of the corner
rail before the starter consented to let them go; Bar De Ligne
initially trailing behind the others but soon trotting up to join them.
Then
they were off. The runners were led
away by Double Ross, from Urbain De Sivola, Bar De Ligne who was
not fluent at the first, stablemate Into Wain, Bothy and Dan Breen. Balder Succes was
two-thirds of the way down the field, hidden amongst runners. Double
Ross continued at the head of affairs around the top bend, from Urbain De Sivola, Dan Breen,
Petit Robin, Bothy, Bar De Ligne,
Into Wain, Lyvius, Ranjaan, Princeton Plains, Rattan, Balder Succes, It’s A Gimme, Kazlian, First In The Queue, Cause Of Causes, Cash And
Go, Olofi, First Avenue, Thomas Edison and last
year’s runner-up Rigidity (that’s all 21 of them named!) Bar
De Ligne was again less than fluent as he cleared
the 3rd flight. The favourite, Cash
And Go, near the rear of the field, blundered and unseated his jockey at the
4th. Barry Geraghty
departed out the back door, but he soon got to his feet and walked away. Double
Ross, Dan Breen and Urbain De Sivola
were still at the head of affairs as the runners headed around the far turn
at Swinley Bottom; Balder Succes
already labouring as Choc ‘bumped’
him along now four from the rear of the field. Heading along the back straight, Dan Breen
held a narrow advantage from Double Ross and Urbain
De Sivola. The
leading group of runners were still travelling okay; but 8 runners were
detached and struggling in rear, including Balder Succes. Double
Ross and Dan Breen led the field into the home straight, Urbain
De Sivola now fading. Having cleared two out, Petit Robin took
the advantage from Dan Breen; Irish raider Cause of Causes making noticeable
progress on the stand-side as Double Ross steadily faded. Petit
Robin led over the final flight from Dan Breen, but under a strong drive from
jockey Davy Condon, for which he would receive a four-day ban, Causes of
Causes collared them on the run-in, the latter triumphing by 4 lengths from
the very game Nicky Henderson runner.
Dan Breen was 1¼ lengths back in 3rd. Double Ross 11 lengths away in 4th. Having
given up the unequal battle, Choc eased Balder Succes
and finished 16th. It was reported
that his mount had lost a near hind shoe during the race. It was a great shame the day had ended
without a winner for Choc, especially as he must have had such high hopes
before racing began. L
Whilst
I was waiting for the placed horses to return to the Winners’ Enclosure, the
commentator Richard Hoiles, asked for quiet amongst the course-side spectators. Evidently the loose horse, Cash And Go, had
been spooked by the noise and I believe completed an additional circuit of
the course as a result. Quietness now
restored, I think the ‘escapee’ was
captured close by the second last flight.
A
mud-splattered Choc soon trailed in, saddle in hand, and returned to the
Weighing Room. I
decided it was time for me to set off home.
Although I would miss the possibility of seeing Choc depart, I knew
that daylight would soon fail and it was due to commence raining once more as
darkness fell. Better safe than sorry,
as the journey to the racecourse hadn’t been particularly pleasant. But
I will describe the final race of the day, despite not seeing it, apart from
at home on the replay! The starting
gate for this event was towards the end of the back straight, their usual
first fence was omitted; the initial obstacle now being the first in the home
straight, with that and one complete circuit to travel. Although there was no bumper at the end of
today’s card, the hurdles had already been removed from the track.
Then
they were off. It was now a long run
to the ‘new’ first fence. My Brother Sylvest
led the way, followed by Falcon Island, Vino Griego, Ulck Du Lin, Gus Macrae and El Lobo; with Nozic
bringing up the rear. The latter not
particularly fluent at the first, jumping out to his left. In
rear, on the run to the second, AP McCoy switched his mount out from the
inside rail. It was a fortunate manoeuvre,
as when Vino Griego fell
heavily at this fence; he badly interfered with Gus Macrae
who lost a number of lengths as a result, but El Lobo avoided the stricken
horse. Fortunately there were no
injuries incurred, as the animal galloped away, reins flapping; jockey Jamie
Moore was soon on his feet too. My
Brother Sylvest continued to lead as the runners headed
down the side straight, missing the first and third in the line of fences. Falcon Island was in second position,
followed by Nozic, Ulck
Du Lin, and El Lobo; the pennant tailed Gus Macrae
playing catch-up in rear, although he did brush through the top of the fence
before Swinley Bottom. Tom
Scudamore’s mount led around Swinley
Bottom; Falcon Island and Nozic matching strides in
second. Ruby aboard Ulck Du Lin a close up 4th, with El Lobo and Gus Macrae alongside each other at the rear. My Brother Sylvest,
Nozic and Falcon Island soon shared the lead, Ruby
then taking third when the latter drifted off the pace. My
Brother Sylvest and Nozic
led into the home straight; Ulck Du Lin seemingly
pushed along in third. However, these three
cleared the penultimate fence in unison, with Ruby’s mount soon taking the advantage;
Nozic making an effort to go with him. Ulck Du Lin
cleared the last and was driven out to win by 1½ lengths
from Nozic.
Falcon Island completed in 3rd, with the unlucky Gus Macrae in 4th.
There
were a few groups of people already setting off home as I exited the main
gate. It’s always noticeable that
punters often leave before the final race, hoping to miss the traffic. My
walk down the High Street was unhindered, as there were very few people
milling about. I soon reached the car
park and was glad that I’d worn my waterproof boots as they protected me from
the mud as I crossed the grass to reach my car. The vehicle next to mine was just warming
up ahead of departure and it left shortly before I did. Having changed into my driving shoes I
started the car, backed out of the parking space and set off for the side
entrance, which was now open. However,
there were a series of big puddles on the driveway so I decided to head back
to the main entrance instead. I turned
left onto the High Street then left again at the mini-roundabout. This took me through the underpass and
returned me to Swinley Bottom. I
re-traced my journey to Windsor, and then joined the M4 heading
eastwards. As forecast, it did begin
to rain once more. I travelled around
the M25 to Junction 22; I needed to fill up my car’s petrol tank before the
Christmas break but, as it was still only 16:25 and the car park at the
adjacent retail park was ‘choc-a-bloc’,
I decided against it. I’d undertake
that task the following morning instead, when most people were still asleep in
bed! I
arrived home at 16:40. I had intended
to have spaghetti on toast for tea but, in the event and with plenty of time
before the final of Strictly Come Dancing began, I decided upon eggs, chips
and cold bake beans instead. The
final was brilliant but, sadly, the wrong person won. Actress Dani
Harmer was the first celebrity to be voted off, with Denise van Outen, Kimberley Walsh and Louis Smith then undertaking
their final routines. Taking note of
their ‘form’ during recent weeks, I
thought Kimberly deserved to win but, on the night, Denise was brilliant and
I was rooting for her instead.
However, as the general public was responsible for casting 100% of
today’s votes, as opposed to previous weeks when the judges’ votes also contributed
to the scores, it was Louis Smith who was declared the winner. Rubbish.
It’s a dance competition not a gymnastics routine or a popularity
contest. I hate it when the most
accomplished dancer doesn’t win. Knowing
that I’d be heading to Kempton Park on Wednesday, I needed to make the most
of my evening and gain a head-start by uploading my Ascot photographs before
turning in for the evening. I also
wanted to finish the book I was currently reading; The Ghosts of Sleath by James Herbert.
I managed the former but not the latter. I
finished the book early Sunday, before beginning the task of writing this
diary. Although not progressing as
quickly as hoped, I’d handwritten the race comments by 19:00 and then settled
down to top and tail it on my laptop, still minus the typed up race comments,
shortly before midnight! Christmas
Eve was a half-day at work, so I was able to come home at 13:00. My afternoon and early evening being spent typing
up and proofing this diary before uploading it onto my website. Success; my website was up-to-date prior to
my next trip to the races on Boxing Day.
Busy, busy, busy ... |
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