PART I
DIARY – AINTREE FESTIVAL
LADIES’ DAY
FRIDAY 08 APRIL 2016
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Native River, winner of the Mildmay Novices’ Chase I
had intended to rise at 05:30 but, in the event and having suffered from a
restless night, I reset my alarm clock to 06:15. In fact I was so laid back that I only just
managed to get ready in time for our agreed breakfast rendezvous at
07:15. I’d also chosen the wrong
pillow (there is always a choice of one soft and one slightly harder) – it
was too soft, so I ended up with a ‘clampy’ head. Breakfast
was bacon, fried egg and mushrooms, plus three yoghurts – blueberry, peach,
and raspberry. Perhaps that should be Yeogurt, as they were manufactured by Yeo
Valley. Also a glass of apple juice. Having
not had time to apply my make-up before breakfast, I did so after. Sandra drove us today, whilst I acted as
navigator. She’d gone slightly ‘off piste’
on her inward journey the previous morning and again in the evening when
negotiating the ‘weird’ junction at
the northern termination of the M57, so today I acted as navigator;
geographical directions being one of my specialities! She
had parked out the front of the Premier Inn, although her room was at the
back, and I’d parked at the back and my room was at the front! I recall going to my car to collect
something, possibly sweets and my scarf, and she picked me up near the
entrance to the car park. I was on
auto-pilot and, having got into her car, decided that I had to go back to
check that I’d locked the doors! We
set off at 09:30; I decided to hang the ‘Do
Not Disturb’ sign on my room door. Friday
is Ladies Day for some, but it is course-walk day for us. Today I wore three
thermal vests, a lagoon-coloured BHS cardigan, floaty
handkerchief hem M & S skirt over beige jeggings,
purple fleece and black fleece gillet, my favourite
River Island scarf, black and white horse design M & S snood, and dark
teal-coloured BHS jacket. I wore my
flint-coloured ‘Danville’ Hotter
boots, as the grass is always damp early in the day, even when it’s not
raining. Sandra wore boots too. |
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Lagoon
BHS cardigan |
Beige
and burgundy M
& S jeggings |
Floaty handkerchief hem M & S skirt |
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Black fleece gillet |
Purple fleece |
Dark-teal
coloured BHS jacket |
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Fired Creations necklace and earrings |
M & S snood and River Island scarf |
Danville Hotter boots, left |
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Having arrived at Aintree, we parked
in the steeplechase car park as always; today immediately behind a group of
bushes close to the Melling Road; security checks
went smoothly and we were soon on the shuttle bus to the grandstand side of
the racecourse. We purchased our
race-cards from the same kiosk as the previous day, before collecting our
wristbands. The wristband ‘operation’ went more smoothly than the
day before, although it was staffed by different people today. We
then set off for the course-walk. We
briefly diverted to Red Rum’s grave, although it was less than easy to get
close to. Firstly you had to head down
a track, duck under rails to cross the all-weather track, and then duck under
another set of rails before reaching the grave itself. We stayed to the nearside of the rails on
this occasion. A
new feature is the opportunity for those less fit, or just plain lazy, people
to have a close up look at the Grand National fences; a multi-person buggy
left at regular intervals to take them around the inner-perimeter road. A number of people were queued at a marquee
waiting for the next buggy to depart; we set off on foot to walk the
course. Our
route took us out over the Mildmay/Grand National
course, past a row of turnstiles and into Saturday’s Steeplechase enclosure,
a little further along we passed through a gate which led to a roped- off
pathway across the Grand National course between fences one and two, and onto
the inner perimeter road. It always
seems odd that we go through security, only to return to the same general
area as the steeplechase car park when undertaking the course walk. Anyway,
we headed along the roadway towards Becher’s Brook,
stopping off adjacent to the fence to take photographs of ourselves at this
point. We then headed past the Fionavon fence, to the Canal Turn. As we were taking pictures of the latter,
Barry Geraghty appeared around the side of the
fence; he was busy chatting on his mobile phone. Having finished his conversation by the
time he’d passed Valentines, he started to jog again, but that didn’t last
very long before he’d given up and was walking once more! We
completed our tour of the remaining fences before heading along the roadway
and back to the racecourse crossing point again; only owners, trainers and
jockeys are permitted to go beyond the third last fence. The route took us close to the heliport
area, where a number of helicopters were flying in and out. However, unlike the helicopter passengers,
we didn’t have a vehicle to pick us up to take us to the grandstand area; we
retraced our steps via the sign-posted route. Having
arrived back, we headed to the steppings above the
Winners’ Enclosure. The
pre-race Parade Ring attraction was a side-saddle riding demonstration ... as
it had been in previous years! Mindful
of reserving our favourite spot beside the course-side rails, next to the
exit walk-way, we set off in plenty of time to reserve it. Being the second day of the Festival, the jockeys
paid their regular visit to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to meet the
patients; the Hospital had moved to a new site recently. The visitors included the 2012 Grand
National winner Neptune Collonges and AP McCoy (he
is a patron), Champion-elect Richard Johnson, Andrew Thornton, Sam Twiston-Davies, Nick Scholfield,
Nico de Boinvillle, Paddy
Brennan, Wayne Hutchinson, Aidan Coleman, Daryl Jacob, Mick Fitzgerald, Harry
Skelton, Leighton Aspell, Tom Scudamore,
David Bass, Noel Fehily, and Richie McLernon. It was soon time for the first race of the
day. There were two co-favourites for
this one, namely Starchitect, trained by David Pipe
and ridden by Tom Scudamore and Tycoon Prince,
trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Bryan Cooper; their price 7-1. The
starting gate for this event was part way down the back straight, two flights
therein to jump before the first bend and with one and three quarter circuits
to travel.
And then they were off, with the twenty-two (yes
… 22) runners heading towards the first flight. At the head of affairs was one of the two
bottom-weights, Party Rock, which had finished 6th in last year’s race. Also prominent were Cardinal Palace, Foxcub, Ma Du Fou and Starchitect. There
were no significant jumping errors, although near the back of the field Sky
Khan had to be restrained upon landing to ensure he didn’t clip heels with
the wall of horses ahead of him. There was a strange incident as the runners
headed towards the second flight; the horse travelling behind the leader,
namely Ma Du Fou, attempted to jump the sandy path
which crosses the racecourse and leads to the car park! This didn’t affect the order however. All of the horses cleared the flight in
their stride, although Melodic Rendezvous at the back of the field received
reminders having jumped it. There was
a bumping incident as the field entered the far turn, with Tycoon Prince
barging through a small gap and hindering Starchitect
in the process. The former then tugged
his way into the lead. The horses were now heading along the stretch of
track at the top of the racecourse with the Gigginstown
runner leading the way. Party Rock
travelled at his quarters, from Foxcub, Ma Du Fou, Francis Of Assisi, Starchitect
and Curious Carlos grouped behind the leading duo; in mid-field were San Benedeto, Clondaw Kaempfer, Mad Jack Mytton,
Whiteout, Cardinal Palace, Box Office, Blazer and Ibis Du Rheu.
And in the rear group, Theinval, Qewy, Sky Khan, Champagne At Tara, Buiseness
Sivola, Virgilio and
Melodic Rendezvous. Tycoon Prince continued to lead the field as they
entered the home straight and jumped flight number three; Melodic Rendezvous
had now become slightly detached in rear.
As the pace was steady, the still keen Curious Carlos continued to
make ground on the outside of the field and joined the leader as they cleared
the next hurdle. At the rear of the
main group, Buiseness Sivola
was a little clumsy here, having got too close to the heels of Virgilio. Sean Bowen’s mount took the lead as they headed
down the final flight in the line of three; Foxcub,
which had drifted back through the field, received a number of reminders as
the runners continued to the winning post with one circuit now to
travel. Curious Carlos continued to
lead as the runners headed around the bottom bend, from Tycoon Prince and
Party Rock; behind these travelled Ma Du Fou,
Francis Of Assisi and Starchitect. Having lost touch with the field, both
Whiteout and Melodic Rendezvous were pulled up before the next flight. The first jump-related departure occurred at the
first flight in the back straight; Mad Jack Mytton
landed awkwardly and catapulted Richie McLernon out
of the saddle. Fortunately the jockey
had been travelling to the outside of the field so didn’t get trampled upon
by other runners. With the stronger
pace, the runners began to string out as they headed to the next flight; the
field was still led by Curious Carlos, from Party Rock and Tycoon
Prince. There were further departures
at this flight, when the outpaced Clondaw Kaempfer fell and he wiped out Qewy
in the process. The remaining runners,
seventeen, headed across the sand pathway on the journey to the eighth
flight; here, Ma Du Fou tried to jump the pathway
for a second time! The loose Mad Jack Mytton
stepped on his own reins when he jumped the flight; this jerked his head down
as he landed. Behind him, Tycoon
Prince blundered badly as he dragged his hind-legs through the hurdle,
flattening it. He lost a lot of ground
as a result and Bryan Cooper was unable to regain much momentum and the
partnership dropped to the rear of the field; having entered the far turn the
jockey pulled him up. He was later
reported as lame. Meanwhile, Curious Carlos continued to lead the
way, from Party Rock, Starchitect and Sky Khan as
they entered the home straight. The
Bowen-runner was still ahead as they jumped three out but a number of his
rivals were just commencing their challenges; leading this charge remained
Party Rock and Starchitect, with Sky Khan, Blazer, Virgilio and last year’s victor, Theinval. Both Party Rock and Starchitect
had swallowed up the tiring Curious Carlos as they cleared two out; but Starchitect has a tendency to throw in the odd jumping
error and, although he survived, he blundered at this vital moment. This left Party Rock in the lead as the
field headed down towards the final flight although, despite jockey Sean
Quinlan using his right hand to administer a number of slaps with his whip,
his mount still hung to the right under this pressure. However, Party Rock remained ahead of his rivals
as he jumped the last, although he did make an error at this flight. Starchitect
continued to hold the runner-up position, but the grey Champagne At Tara was
bearing down upon the leading duo.
Further back in the field, the tired Curious Carlos capsized on
landing over the last. The leader completed his drift towards the
near-side rails as he headed up the long run-in, but stayed on gamely nonetheless
to win by 5 lengths at the line.
Champagne At Tara had overtaken Starchitect
as they headed towards the winning post, although the latter did rally at the
death; the grey held onto 2nd by just a head.
Sky Khan finished a further 6 lengths away in 4th, with Virgilio just a short-head away in 5th. Fourteen of the twenty-two runners had completed,
as Ma Du Fou was pulled up before the final
flight. Party Rock, a stalwart in this
particular race, had claimed the prize at 33-1; today was finally his day!
We remained at our viewing point beside the
horse-walk exit/entry gateway following the race. Race 1 - 1:40pm THE ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S
CHARITY HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 3)
The favourite for the second race was the Willie
Mullins-trained, Ruby Walsh ridden, Limini; price
11-10. There were three greys in this race
– Bleu Et Rouge, Gwafa and Petit Moucher. The starting gate for this race
was at the top corner of the racecourse, with the runners entering the track
from within the in-field where they had been circling ahead of the race. This meant they would initially travel
along the short stretch of track along the top of the course, before turning
into the home straight with that and one full circuit to travel.
And then they were off. The runners were led away by Potensis Bloodstock’s Marracudja,
ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. He was followed by the keen Petit Moucher, from 100-1 outsider Altruism, followed by Argapart and Three Stars.
Behind these travelled the JP McManus-owned Bleu Et Rouge, pulling
hard, alongside Gwafa; to their outside travelled Limini, with the first string Potensis/Chris
Giles-owned Buveur D’Air
between North Hill Harvey and Gigginstown’s Ball D’Arc. Having entered the home straight on the first
occasion, the runners cleared the initial flight without incident. The hooded Marracudja
maintained a narrow advantage as the runners continued their journey towards
and over the second flight. Most of
the runners had settled by the time they jumped flight number three and
headed down past the winning post with one circuit now to travel. The Paul Nicholls representative led the runners
around the bottom bend and into the back straight, pressed by Petit Moucher; following this duo were Altruism, Agrapart and Three Stars.
There were two departures at the fourth flight, with Altruism crashing
through the top of it and losing his hindquarters upon landing; this gave
Brian Hughes absolutely no hope of remaining in the saddle. Unfortunately Gwafa
had been travelling in Altruism’s wake and was so badly hampered in the incident
that Richie McLernon also flew out of the
saddle. Richie was far from amused,
and slammed his whip on the ground; he’d also been unseated from Mad Jack Mytton during the first race. Meanwhile the remaining nine runners continued
their journey to the next, with Marracudja and
Petit Moucher still disputing the lead. Having cleared the next, Agrapart was briefly ridden along. The Willie Mullins-trained grey now took a
narrow advantage. Bleu Et Rouge lost a
little ground as they jumped the final hurdle in the back straight. None the worse for their exit, the two
loose horses continued to follow the field.
Heading into the far turn, commentator Richard Hoiles
pointed out that Petit Moucher means ‘small handkerchief’. I knew it was small something! Both Three Stars and Ball D’Arc had a problem cornering; they both went a little
wide. Agrapart
joined Petit Moucher as they headed around the home
turn, with Buveur D’Air
having improved through the field to take third position; all nine remaining
runners were closely grouped, until just after entering the straight where Marracudja quickly tired and dropped away. Petit Moucher led
the field over the third last flight, with a length advantage. The grey remained ahead of Buveur
D’Air as they continued down the straight, with the
mare Limini having improved into third position on
the near side; Ball D’Arc also appeared to be
travelling okay in her wake. Agrapart had back-peddled by this stage, with Rouge Et
Blanc unable to make any impression upon the leaders. Having jumped two out, North Hill Harvey
had plugged on into fourth, as Ball D’Arc’s
challenge petered out. Having appeared a danger earlier in the home
straight, Limini’s run began to falter and she was
unable to reduce the deficit as the leading duo headed down to the final
flight. Buveur
D’Air continued to press Petit Mouchoir
as they jumped it and the battle continued all the way to the line, with the
former finally getting his head in front to win by a close fought neck. They had pulled well away from the others at the
finish, with Limini claiming 3rd 8 lengths away and
North Hill Harvey just three quarters’ of a length back in 4th. Bleu Et Blanc was a close 5th, Agrapart 6th, Ball D’Arc 7th
and Three Stars a distance back in last place; Marracudja
was pulled up before the last. Meanwhile in the Trainers’ Championship, Willie
Mullins had now sneaked ahead of Paul Nicholls; it’s calculated on winnings,
but very worrying that a trainer from Ireland can get anywhere near the title
when only UK-based winners count. It
doesn’t bode well for the 2016/2017 season when, no doubt, the Irish trainer
will make an even more intense challenge.
Again
we remained beside the course-side rails rather than return to the steppings above the Winners’ Enclosure. Race 2 - 2:15pm THE IMAGINE CRUISING
FIRST IN THE FRAME TOP NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) The Stewards noted that
on the first bend, PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR), placed second, was running free and
changed leads causing the gelding to shift left resulting in the rider of
AGRAPART (FR), unplaced, having to take a check and, in turn, interfering
with BLEU ET ROUGE (FR), unplaced, but after viewing a recording of the
incident they were satisfied that it neither involved a riding offence nor
improved PETIT MOUCHOIR’s (FR) placing. . The favourite for the next race was Cheltenham Festival
handicap winner Un Temps Pour Tout, trained by David Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore; price 6-4.
Also taking part were two other Festival winners - RSA winner Blaklion, and Novices’ Handicap Chase winner Ballyalton; the latter is owned by golfer Lee Westwood’s
father, a gift from his son. And
4-mile National Hunt Chase runner-up Native River was also taking part. The
starting gate for this race was at the far end of the home straight, with
that and two full circuits to travel.
And then they were off. Native River led them away; a new tactic
being demonstrated by jockey Richard Johnson.
The horse definitely stays, having been the fastest finishing horse
when claiming 2nd in the 4-mile race at the Festival. He was a little ‘guessy’ at the first, however,
but very clever; Richard had to re-gather his knitting on this occasion! Un Temps Pour Tout travelled in second,
from Otago Trail, Henri Parry Morgan, Ballyalton to the wide outside, and Roi
Des Francs between Out Sam and Blaklion. The second fence was an open-ditch, with Un Temps
Pour Tout taking a narrow advantage having landed over it; Otago Trail hit this one.
The field then crossed the Grand National course before arriving at
fence number three; the flashy chestnut had now regained the lead. The runners headed down past the winning
post, now with two circuits to travel.
Out Sam was a little short of room to the inside of Roi Des Francs as they entered the bottom bend. The runners entered the back straight, with a
line of four fences ahead of them; the third of which was the second
open-ditch. There were no jumping
issues at the first of these, with Native River continuing to lead from Un
Temps Pour Tout, Henri Parry Morgan, Blaklion and Ballyalton. Otago Trail had already begun to drift back through the
field from his prominent early position and now travelled with Roi Des Francs and Out Sam at the rear of the field. The Gigginstown runner
blundered at the next, having taken off too early. The entire field cleared the open-ditch
well and they headed across the sandy walkway to reach fence number seven,
which Out Sam hit. Meanwhile, up
front, Native River continued to lead the well grouped field as they entered
the top bend; the sometimes tricky cross fence caught out Otago
Trail, who blundered and pecked badly on landing as a result. Jockey Aidan Coleman managed to survive the
error and re-gathered his reins, but he decided it was time to pull up; game
over. The remaining seven competitors entered the home
straight with Native River continuing at the helm. They jumped the next without incident but,
at the rear of the field, Roi Des Francs received
three reminders from his jockey. The
following obstacle was another open-ditch; this was cleared with a great leap
by the leader. Out Sam was pushed
along for a few strides as they began their journey across the Grand National
track to reach the final fence in the home straight. The fence was met with another bold jump
from Native River; Un Temps Pour Tout continued in second position, from
Henri Parry Morgan and Blaklion who matched
strides, Ballyalton to the outside and Out Sam to
the inside, with the sole Irish raider at the rear. Richard Johnson and his mount led the runners
down past the winning post, with one circuit now remaining and he retained
his advantage as they travelled around the bottom bend and into the back
straight for the final time. Native
River did get a little close the first therein, but he remained ahead; his
jockey did, however, need to push him away from the fence and administer a
reminder too. The leader was also
urged into the next, with Richard looking for a stride. Near the rear of the field, Out Sam was now
being pushed along and he, too, received a reminder having jumped it. The runners headed over the next without
incident; the penultimate open-ditch.
Having crossed the sanded track once more, the horses soon arrived at
the final fence in the back straight.
Out Sam hit this one and was lucky to survive the blunder, with Gavin
Sheehan in danger of being dislodged when the horse’s quarters rose up to
meet his backside! But, as a result,
he’d lost a lot of ground upon his rivals as a result. Ahead of him, Roi
Des Francs was also detached from the field.
This suggested the winner would be one of the five runners in the
leading group. Despite now being urged along by his jockey,
Native River was answering every call and remained at the head of affairs as
they successfully negotiated the cross-fence, and he continued to hold a
length and a halves’ advantage as they turned into the home straight with
just three fences to go. It was now Blaklion’s and Ballyalton’s
turn to come under pressure as they headed to the next, although Ryan Hatch’s
mount did respond. Henri Parry Morgan, Un Temps Pour Tout and Blaklion were almost on terms with the leader as they
cleared three out. However, Native
River was proving to be very game and just kept on giving; he remained ahead
as they cleared the final open-ditch, with Henri Parry Morgan now his closest
pursuer. Blaklion
battled on in third, whilst Un Temps Pour Tout could make no impression on
those ahead of him. In fact Native River began to find deep reserves
of stamina on the long run to the final fence and his lead extended once
more; he flew the obstacle in great style.
This gave him the momentum he needed to continue to the line and he
won by three lengths at the post from Henri Parry Morgan. Blaklion claimed
3rd, a further 3¾ lengths back, with Un Temps Pour Tout in 4th, 7 lengths
further away. Ballyalton
was 5th, Roi Des Francs 6th – which put another
£1,378 in the Willie Mullins coffers, and Out Sam last. The favourite Un Temps Pour Tout was reported to
have finished lame. It had been hard work
for Richard Johnson, but his mount’s stamina was never ever in doubt and he
continued to give more throughout the race and all the way to the line. I
like Native River, having first noticed him on 2015 Cheltenham Festival
Trials Day when he fell during the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management
Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) won by Ordo Ab Chao.
Again, following the race, we stayed put beside
the horse-walk rather than return to the steppings
above the Winners’ Enclosure. Race 3 - 2:50pm THE BETFRED MILDMAY
NOVICES' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) No Stewards Enquiry. Aidan Coleman, the rider
of OTAGO TRAIL (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the gelding made a
bad mistake at the tenth fence. That’s
it for Part One of my Ladies Day diary ... Click here to read my Ladies’ Day Diary Part II |
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