PART II
DIARY – AINTREE FESTIVAL
GRAND NATIONAL THURSDAY
THURSDAY 12 APRIL 2018
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Grand Vision is fine following
his departure at the Canal Turn during the Fox
Hunters’ Chase Click here to read my Grand National Thursday Diary Part I It was soon time for the fourth race of the day,
the Aintree Hurdle. The
favourite for this race was Supasundae, trained by
Jessica Harrington and ridden by Robbie Power; price 11-10. There were two greys, Air Horse One and Diakali; also a French-raider Izzo,
ridden by Richard Johnson today. There
was no Buveur D’Air this
year, but the favourite had been the runner-up in Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle and The New One was also stepping back
down in trip, having been disappointing in the same race. My Tent Or Yours had missed the Festival
this year; the mercurial L’Ami Serge had won the
Grade 1 French Champion Hurdle, but can never be relied upon! I like Cyrus Darius; during the summer of
2018 he would be transferred to Colin Tizzard’s
yard. As this race was today’s feature event, having
exited onto the racecourse, the runners were paraded in front of the stands
before they headed to the starting gate, which was a third of the way along the
back straight; two of the three flights of hurdles being jumped before the
far turn.
And
then they were off and heading towards the first flight, led by Diakali from Clyne. The runners were already strung-out before
they’d even reached it; bringing up the rear were L’Ami
Serge, Cyrus Darius and Izzo. The horses cleared the obstacle in their
stride, with the lighter grey already half a dozen lengths clear of his
rivals as they continued towards the second hurdle. There
were no noticeable errors at this flight and the nine competitors headed into
the top bend, with Diakali now around ten lengths
clear of Clyne who, in turn, was six lengths clear
of The New One in third. Having
travelled along the side of the racecourse, the runners entered the home
straight, with Diakali still well clear of the Evan
Williams-trained runner. The New One
shifted to his right when jumping the first flight therein, nudging into My
Tent Or Yours in the process. Supasundae travelled behind these, ahead of L’Ami Serge, Air Horse One, Cyrus Darius and, finally, Izzo. Meanwhile
Joshua Moore’s mount had soon reached and skipped over the fourth flight; Izzo blundered at this one. The competitors continued down the home
straight, with the leader holding an advantage of 15 to 20 lengths over Clyne as he jumped the next. The second was still clear of the main
group, which was led by Supasundae and The New One
as they travelled down past the main grandstands with one circuit to
travel. The
leader continued to press on as he continued around the bottom bend and into
the back straight once more. He’d soon
jumped the first flight therein, with the others strung out like washing
behind him; Air Horse One made an error at this obstacle, and The New One
soon dropped back to fifth position.
The journey along the back straight continued, with the long-time
leader still well clear of his rivals as he cleared the seventh; Supasundae was currently leading the main group, from My
Tent Or Yours. The competitors crossed
the sanded track-way on their journey to the last flight in the back
straight; the long-time leader jumped it well, Clyne
less so. Air Horse One subsequently
received reminders as the runners headed into the top turn. As
they headed along the side of the racecourse, Clyne
had begun eating into Diakali’s lead with every
stride; however, the leading duo was still well clear of the remainder. Adam Wedge’s mount took over the running as
they rounded the home turn, and set sail for the third last. But the cavalry were coming, in the shape
of Supasundae, My Tent Or Yours, Cyrus Darius and L’Ami Serge. Clyne was five lengths clear of the tiring
Diakali as they jumped the three out; the latter
was collared by Supasundae and My Tent or Yours
shortly afterwards, and subsequently by Cyrus Darius and L’Ami
Serge. Clyne
remained ahead as they jumped the penultimate flight, but his rivals
continued to reduce the deficit, with the challenge led by Supasundae. Robbie
Power switched his mount to the far side as they approached the final flight
and took a narrow advantage; meanwhile, having initially been short of room
between My Tent Or Yours and Cyrus Darius, L’Ami
Serge suddenly burst through to mount his challenge as they jumped the
last. The latter was then driven into
the lead by jockey Daryl Jacob. On
this occasion, the mercurial L’Ami Serge was not
for catching and stayed on to win by 3 lengths from Supasundae
at the line. Despite
having chased Diakali for much of the race, Clyne hung on to third place as veteran My Tent Or Yours
had weakened and faded on the run-in to finish 4th. Cyrus Darius completed in 5th, Diakali in 6th and Izzo 7th and
last. The New One had been pulled up
before three out, as had Air Horse One. Although
the winner had finished 2nd in the Long Walk Hurdle, he’d been only 8th in
the Stayers’ Hurdle; today’s trip is his optimum
and the race was run to suit him too.
We chose to remain at our favourite
vantage point ahead of the next race. Race 4 - 3:25pm THE BETWAY AINTREE HURDLE (CLASS 1) (Grade
1) DIAKALI (FR), ridden by Joshua Moore, did not
parade in racecard order. Being satisfied that it
was due to circumstances beyond the rider’s control, no further action was
taken. It was soon time for the fifth race
of the day; the Fox Hunters’ Chase for amateur riders which is run over the
Grand National fences. The favourite for the event was the
beautiful grey Grand Vision, trained by Colin Tizzard
and ridden by Mr Jamie Codd. Captain Guy Disney had a ride in this race;
the amputee was aboard the Kim Bailey-trained Gallery Exhibition. However, his mount was playing up in the
tunnel and threw his rider.
Fortunately Guy was okay and followed his horse out onto the
racecourse on foot. However once
aboard, Gallery Exhibition proved reluctant to begin his journey to the
start; Sam Waley-Cohen subsequently gave him a
lead, and with the help of the stable-lass too, they got the Kim Bailey
runner started on his way. The second grey in the race was Unioniste. My
fancy for this one was Bear’s Affair; a horse formerly trained by Nicky
Henderson. Page Fuller, who is
attached to Jamie Snowden’s yard and who I often see when visiting the stable,
was riding Mon Parrain; she would turn professional
in the summer of 2018. The
start of the race was at the far end of the home straight, with two fences to
jump before The Chair; having reached the starting area, the riders took their mounts to look
at the first obstacle, before having their girths checked prior to the
race. Gallery
Exhibition was also reluctant to move away from the ‘viewing’ fence in order to join the others.
Having
congregated at the gate, the Starter told them to walk in but, even though a
number were jogging, he was happy and let them go first time. Having been an organised line-up, there
were a number of horses in the front line during the journey to the first
fence, including Grand Vision and the first one to land was Bound For Glory;
there were no casualties at this fence, so 21 runners continued to the
next. Prominent behind the leader were
Wells De Lune, veteran On The Fringe with Nina Carberry
aboard, and also Barrakilla. Wells
De Lune joined Bound For Glory at the head of affairs before the fence, but
he slowed on the approach and jumped out slightly to his right. Two from the rear, Page Fuller’s mount Mon Parrain made an error.
The only horse behind him was Winged Crusader and these two were both
detached from the main field. With
all runners still standing, they headed towards the third, which was The
Chair. Once again Wells De Lune had
assumed the lead but lost it in air as Bound For Glory out-jumped him once
more. Greensalt
made an error and Winged Crusader was extremely slow, but they all survived
to continue to the water-jump for the one and only time. Wells
De Lune had assumed the lead again and jumped this fence ahead of Bound For
Glory. This duo headed around the bend
and out into the country followed by Barrakilla, Lilbitluso and Sir Jack Yeats; Greensalt
and Balnaslow came next, from Bear’s Affair, On The
Fringe, Gallery Exhibition, Eddie’s Miracle, Grand Vision, Never Complain,
Rouge Et Blanc, Curraigflemens, Wonderful Charm, Distime, Unioniste, then there
was a gap to Warden Hill, Winged Crusader and Mon Parrain. The
horses continued over the Melling Road on their journey
to the fifth fence, still led by the hooded Wells De Lune representing last
year’s winning trainer Mickey Bowen. The
leader jumped to his right over the obstacle, and slightly across Bound For
Glory in the process. Further back in
the field, the favourite made a mistake when hampered by Eddie’s Miracle, but
they all cleared this fence and continued to the sixth obstacle. Eddie’s Miracle got a little bit close to
one of his rivals, Bear’s Affair, upon landing over this one. Having made an error travelling in rear,
Mon Parrain received a remainder. The
following fence was the big open-ditch; known as ‘Westhead’ after a former
course-builder. The leaders jumped this okay but, at the back of the main
group, 13-year-old Rouge Et Blanc blundered and Pippa
Glanville lost her left iron as a result.
She got it back, but the saddle had slipped and she was forced to pull
up before the next. Besides, it was
later discovered that the horse had bled from its nose. Meanwhile,
the leading group had already jumped the next, where Wells Du Lune made an
error. The trailing Winged Crusader
hit the top of this and, although he remained on his feet, Amie Waugh was
catapulted out of the saddle. This
left nineteen runners to continue to the fence before Becher’s;
although Warden Hill and Mon Parrain were tailed-off
badly in rear. There
were two departures at this one, namely Wells De Lune and Eddie’s Miracle;
the former unseated and the latter was recorded as fell. Grand Vision was also hampered by Eddie’s
Miracle’s departure and was subsequently ridden along for a few strides and
also received a couple of reminders. The new style of Aintree fence causes far
fewer falls these days; the jockeys just part company with their mounts! Having jumped the obstacle, Page Fuller
decided to call it a day aboard Mon Parrain. Wells De Lune’s jockey had walked away, but
Barry O’Neill remained down for a while following his mishap. With
three further runners out of the race, sixteen continued to the famous fence,
or should that be infamous fence. Bound For Glory flew over it, from Lilbitluso, the blinkered Sir Jack Yeats, Barrakilla, Greensalt, Bear’s
Affair, Balnaslow, Never Complain who got a little
bit close to Gallery Exhibition, followed by the also blinkered Wonderful
Charm, Distime, On The Fringe, Grand Vision, Unioniste with jockey David Maxwell re-gathering his
reins on landing, Carraigflemens and, finally,
Warden Hill. The
next fence was ‘Fionavon’; Distime
blundered here but survived. The
horses continued to the Canal Turn, with Bound For Glory carried a little bit
wide due a loose horse travelling up his inside. Lilbitluso got
too close to the fence and came down heavily on his forehand. Grand Vision caught his hind-legs in the
fence and also fell; the latter was soon on his feet and galloped after the
field. Phew! However, Lilbitluso
endeavoured to get to his feet but couldn’t. Meanwhile
the remaining fourteen runners continued to Valentine’s Brook; Bound For
Glory and Barrakilla jumped this in unison; further
back in the field, Wonderful Charm made an error. They continued to the next, a plain fence,
where Barrakilla blundered, enabling Bound For
Glory to go into an undisputed lead once more. Warden Hill departed here, whilst trailing
the field; he unseated his jockey. Tom
Chatfeild-Roberts kept hold of his mount’s reins
and led him away; race over. This
left thirteen horses to continue to the final open-ditch; four from
home. Bound For Glory led, from Barrakilla, Greensalt, Sir Jack
Yeats, Bear’s Affair, Never Complain, Distime, Balnaslow, On The Fringe, Wonderful Charm, Gallery
Exhibition, Unioniste and Curraigflemens. Never Complain blundered at this one, impeding
Distime slightly, and Bear’s Affair jumped across Balnaslow. There
was a loose horse too, and he also blundered! Having
jumped like a stag throughout the race, Bound For Glory blundered badly at
the next, having stepped through the fence.
The rider released the reins and the partnership survived; he remained
three lengths clear of his nearest rival, which was currently Greensalt. The
runners subsequently headed back across the Melling
Road with two fences remaining. Bound
For Glory was only a length clear, when he was hampered slightly by the loose
horse turning in. Hannah
Lewis’ mount still led narrowly as they cleared the second last, with Greensalt, Balnaslow and Bear’s
Affair launching their challenges as they continued to the final
obstacle. Greensalt
led over this one but, subsequently, he hung to the right as he approached
the elbow. Derek O’Connor switched to
the left and his mount, together with Bear’s Affair, came through the gap
between William Easterby’s mount and Bound For
Glory. Bear’s
Affair claimed the rail as they headed down the long run-in to the line, but
his rival began to assert as they reached the half furlong post. Last year’s runner-up wasn’t to be denied
this year and, although he may have slightly impeded Bear’s Affair at one
point, he galloped on to win by 2½ lengths at the winning post. Greensalt claimed 3rd
position, 4 lengths behind the runner-up, with Barrakilla
4th, On The Fringe 5th, Bound For Glory a gallant 6th,
Unioniste 7th, Distime
8th, Sir Jack Yeats 9th, Never Complain 10th,
Wonderful Charm 11th and Gallery Exhibition, under Guy Disney, the
last to complete in 12th; Curraigflemens
having been pulled up before two out when tailed off completely. Derek
O’Connor said that the horse had already had a hard season last year, before
finishing as runner-up but this year the preparation had been much better;
he’d finished 7th in the Cheltenham Festival’s Foxhunter the
previous month. He thanked connections
for keeping the horse in training, following the death of the owner the
previous November. The winning horse
was skittish when Olly Bell was interviewing the
jockey; he just didn’t like the ‘microphone
on a stick’! Derek
O’Connor has ridden over 1000 winners, as an amateur, despite only being
permitted as an amateur to ride for around 60 days a year; and this during a
10-year-period. Amazingly, despite his
record, this was his first winner over the Grand National fences. Guy
Disney thoroughly enjoyed his experience, despite his mount struggling in
today’s very soft ground at the far end of the course. He implied that it was surreal to ride
alongside the likes of amateurs Derek O’Connor, Nina Carberry
and Jamie Codd.
And
those which did not finish:
We remained beside the course-side
rails following the race. Sadly,
Lilbitluso proved to be a fatality, having
sustained a serious injury when falling at the Canal Turn. RIP Unfortunately
12-year-old Bound For Glory passed away following a run at Fakenham the following month. RIP It
was good news regarding Grand Vision, he returned safely although rider-less;
I met him during Colin Tizzard’s Open Day the
following August. J Race 5 - 4:05pm THE RANDOX HEALTH FOXHUNTERS' OPEN HUNTERS’
STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) Mr Derek O’Connor was suspended for 2 days for
failing to obey the Stewards’ instruction to attend a pre-race Jockeys
briefing. The favourite for the next race was King’s Socks,
trained by David Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore;
price 7-2. The horse had finished 5th
in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival the previous month. There were two greys in this race – Wisty and Theflyingportrait. One
of my favourite horses, Theinval was running in
this race, ridden by the cute Jeremiah McGrath; the partnership had been
runners-up in this event last year. My
well-priced each way fancy was Bentelimar priced at
10-1. The
starting gate for this event was in the far corner of the track; the cross
fence being the first obstacle.
Savello was a little
bit tardy in joining the others; they were already heading towards the
starting gate whilst he was walking in the opposite direction. However, Bridget Andrews tagged onto the
back of the pack as they passed by and then they were off, at the first time
of asking. Gino
Trail and Theflyingportrait led the runners towards
the cross-fence; they all cleared it well before heading around the bend and
into the home straight for the first time.
The flashy leader flew over the second fence, from Theflyingportrait
and Robinshill; Bentelimar
travelled in fourth position, from Tommy Silver, King’s Socks, Theinval, Bun Doran, Vosne Romanee, Baby King, Sizing Platinum, Noche
De Reyes, Overtown Express, Doitforthevillage,
Wisty and Savello. The
sixteen competitors continued to the third obstacle,;
it was the first of three open-ditches to be negotiated during the race. They negotiated it safely, although Robinshill took it more slowly than his rivals and Wisty had become detached at the back of the field. The horses continued across the
intersection with the Grand National course on their way to the fourth
fence. Gino Trail was out-jumped by Theflyingportrait at this one and Sizing Platinum wasn’t
fluent here. The leading duo disputed
the running as they headed down towards the winning post with one circuit now
to travel. These
two were well clear of their rivals as they headed around the bottom bend,
with Jamie Moore’s mount going on again as they travelled towards the
entrance to the back straight. Robinshill and Bentelimar led
the pursuing group. The leader got close to the next fence but remained
ahead; towards the rear of the field, both Overtown
Express and Sizing Platinum made errors here. Gino
Trail continued to set the pace as the competitors headed towards and over
the sixth fence; Sizing Platinum and Wisty now
disputed last position. The following
fence was an open-ditch, which the leader jumped well, his jockey having seen
a stride and ridden him into it. Theflyingportrait wasn’t fluent, having dragged his
hind-legs through the fence; Doitforthevillage made
a mistake here too. Sean
Quinlan’s mount had lost ground upon the leader as they headed across the
sanded track-way on their journey to five out. On the outside of the field, Savello made a bad error; Gina Andrews lost grip of the
reins, with both her hands, but her mount didn’t lose much ground,
initially! Gino Trail was well clear of his rivals as
he headed into the far turn and continued along the side of the track. Bentelimar overtook Theflyingportrait as they jumped the cross-fence and the
latter quickly lost his place. Gino
Trail led the competitors into the home straight but his advantage had been
reduced to a length as he jumped three out.
Not far behind the leading duo were Doitforthevillage,
Bun Doran, Baby King and Theinval. The Charlie Longsdon-trained
runner took over the lead as they continued to two out; the final open-ditch. Theival had moved
into third position by this point. The
leading five jumped it well, whereas the fading Baby King blundered
badly. Bentelimar was ridden
clear as they crossed the route of the Grand National course, with Jerry
McGrath’s mount moving into second spot whilst in hot pursuit of the
leader. Both Bentelimar
and Theinval flew the last; the latter around 3
lengths adrift. But, try as he might, Theinval could close no further and Jonathan Burke’s
mount was driven out to win by 3¼ lengths at the winning post. Despite setting a hot pace, Gino Trail
clung on to finish 3rd, 18 lengths behind the runner-up. Doitforthevillage
finished 4th, Bun Doran 5th and Sizing Platinum 6th. Theflyingportait
was last home in 11th position; Wisty having made
an error at the cross-fence was pulled up before the next, Baby King was
pulled up before the last, King’s Socks before 3 out too, as was Tommy
Silver. Robinshill
was pulled up 2 out. Yet
again this year, Theinval had to settle for 2nd
place, having lost out last year to Double W’s. Harry Derham, who
is Paul Nicholls’ Assistant, congratulated the winning jockey after the
line. Jonathan
said the flat track suited his horse, as did the strong pace today; Bentelimar stays well.
He also said the cheek-pieces helped the chestnut today; they ‘woke him up’ having become a little
clumsy with his jumping recently.
We decided not to return to the steppings above the Winners’ Enclosure to see the runners
return.
THE BETWAY RED RUM HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE
(CLASS 1) (Grade 3) Permission was given for GINO TRAIL (IRE) to go
early to post and DOITFORTHEVILLAGE (IRE) wore a hood in the Parade Ring
only. The favourite for the final race of the day was
Getaway Katie Mai, trained by John Queally and
ridden by amateur jockey Jamie Codd; price
15-8. Presumably she was the favourite
because she’d finished 2nd to subsequent Cheltenham Festival
bumper winner Relegate in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown
on soft ground in February. There
were two greys; namely Dissavril and Sparkling
Dawn. One runner of interest, namely
25-1 shot Midnightreferendum, trained by Alan King
and ridden by Wayne Hutchinson. The
starting gate was situated in the far corner of the track.
And then they were off, with Princess Roxy and Duhallow Gesture leading the way as they headed along the
side of the racecourse. They were
followed by Secret Escape, Cedar Valley and Jaxlight.
Duhallow
Gesture went on as they continued around the bend and into the home straight
on the first occasion; Ceara Be brought up the rear. The
twenty runners had soon passed through between the first set of empty hurdle
wings, the Anthony Honeyball horse continuing to
spearhead the field. They made steady
progress down towards the main grandstands, passing through two further sets
of empty hurdle wings as they did so. The
order, as they continued towards the winning post was, Duhallow
Gesture, from Princess Roxy, Jaxlight, Secret
Escape, Cedar Valley, Midnight Referendum against the inside rail, Posh
Trish, Sparkling Dawn, Kuragina, Rococo Style,
Darling Du Large, Meep Meep,
Paper Promise, Sea Story, Zakharova, Buildmeupbuttercup, Getaway Katie Mai, Dissavril, Maebh and Ceara Be. The
runners subsequently headed around the bottom bend and into the back straight
for the one and only time, with Duhallow Gesture
continuing to lead. There was no
change at the head of affairs as the mares and fillies continued through two
sets of empty hurdle wings, before crossing the sanded track-way and heading
through one further set of empty wings.
Having entered the far turn, Rococo Style was being pushed along in
mid-field. At the rear of the pack were
Maebh and Ceara Be, with
the held-up favourite Getaway Katie Mai just in front of them. Having
journeyed along the side of the track, the runners soon entered the home
straight with Duhallow Gesture continuing at the head
of affairs from Princess Roxy, Secret Escape, Jaxlight,
Posh Trish, Midnightreferendum and Cedar
Valley. The long-time leader remained
ahead as they travelled between the first two sets of empty hurdle wings,
with Midnightreferendum having improved into third
position and Getaway Katie Mai making good headway towards the far side. There
was a long run to the final set of empty hurdle wings and the favourite
continued to gain upon the leader, moving into runner-up position as they
approached them. Meanwhile, the Alan
King-runner had got the better of Secret Escape and now occupied third
spot. The long-time leader was
collared at the one furlong post by Jamie Codd’s
mount, which then edged to her right despite the jockey using the persuader
in his right hand. Duhallow Gesture plugged
on bravely in second, until overtaken in the final 75 yards by Midnightreferendum and, although the latter stayed on
under pressure, she finished 1¼ lengths behind
Getaway Katie Mai at the line. Duhallow Gesture finished a further 2¾ lengths away in
3rd; a neck ahead of Meep Meep,
with Buildmeupbuttercup and Secret Escape in 5th
and 6th respectively. However,
it has to be mentioned that the jockey administered at least 18 strokes with
his whip during the closing stages and received a long ban as a result; he
cheated, whereas Wayne Hutchinson aboard the runner-up did not.
After this, the final race, we chose
to return to the steppings above the Winners’
Enclosure to see the runners return. Race 7 - 5:15pm THE GOFFS NICKEL COIN MARES' STANDARD OPEN
NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 2) The Stable Inspecting Officer reported that
Anthony Honeyball, the trainer of DUHALLOW GESTURE
(IRE), had brought an unlabelled substance into the racecourse stables.
Anthony Honeyball, the Stable Inspecting Officer
and the Anti-Doping Manager were interviewed. Being satisfied that the mare
had received only normal food and water by mouth on the day of racing, the
Stewards allowed DUHALLOW GESTURE (IRE) to run and ordered that it be routine
tested. They further confiscated the substance, ordered that it be tested,
and referred the matter to the Head Office of the British Horseracing
Authority. It had been a good
day for the home team, with five of the seven winners; one for Northern
Ireland and one for Eire; Nicky Henderson had gained a treble today. The Irish had won the Fox Hunters and the
Mares’ Bumper. Wishing
to avoid the exit queues on day one, we stayed to watch a number of the
horses go through the Goffs UK sales ring after the
day’s racing had been completed. Here
are the results of the aforementioned sale: http://www.goffsuk.com/sales-results/sales/the-aintree-sale-2018 Better
safe than sorry, we popped to the ladies loo behind the Earl of Derby stand
before heading back along the concourse and crossing the home straight in
order to reach the bus which would take us back to the car park. Having
alighted, we walked along the sanded track-way and over the Melling Road, before heading through the ‘gazebo’ which sheltered the
entrance. We took a right turn upon
reaching the driveway to continue our journey back to Sandra’s car. We
subsequently set off along the driveway to reach the exit point just beyond
Anchor Bridge; there were no queues to leave. Once outside, we encountered a
barrier which made it difficult to turn right onto Aintree Lane as we’d
hoped. However, we were having none of
this, so took a right turn into the nearest residential road; Sandra did a
3-point turn, before heading back to the Aintree Lane and turning left. We
continued on our journey along Aintree Lane, passing the Blue Anchor pub and
negotiating numerous speed bumps, en route to a mini-roundabout where we
turned right into Wango Lane. Shortly afterwards we arrived at a set of traffic
lights which regulated traffic as it headed over the single-lane canal swing
bridge. As we headed over the canal, I
noticed it was clear of surface weed and rubbish this year. We
headed under a railway bridge, after which housing-related construction works
continued to the right-hand side of the road. Shortly afterwards we arrived
at a further set of traffic lights; these were situated at a crossroads upon
the A506. We turned left once the
lights had turned to green, heading along the dual carriageway to a large
roundabout located beneath the M57. We
negotiated this road island, and subsequently headed up the slip-road onto
the motorway, travelling for just one junction before leaving via another
slip-road which led down onto the A580. Our
journey continued eastwards, where we negotiated a number of traffic
light-controlled junctions, plus one roundabout, before reaching the M6. It travels through open-countryside for
much of the way, the exceptions being the industrial estate close to the M57
motorway, the northern outskirts of St Helens, and Haydock
too. It’s a pleasant drive, on a
dual-carriageway, with a speed limit of 60 mph for the majority of the
way. A
horsebox, belonging to Paul Nicholls, overtook us as we approached the M6
junction; we were surprised to see it head onto the northbound carriageway
thereof! Our
hotel, just beyond Haydock racecourse and close to Golborne, is only a short distance to the east of the M6,
with one roundabout to negotiate between the motorway bridge and the entrance
to Stone Cross. We
arrived back at the hotel at 19:20, with dinner booked for 20:00. This evening we were sat in the largest
room within the restaurant, but squeezed into a space between doorways. Today’s meal was a sweet potato and feta
lasagne, followed by a Cadburys Dairy Milk sundae. The
service was probably the worst we’ve ever had; the waiter even forgot to give
us a copy of the menu! However, there
was a group celebrating a birthday, sitting at the large table within the conservatory
area; this included the delivery of a large birthday cake. I think the waiter was so engrossed in
keeping that particular party happy, that he forgot about the other paying
customers within the room! Fortunately
the food was very good, apart from the ‘brain
freeze’ I suffered as a result of the coldness of the sundae. Having
returned to my room, I spent time making notes for my diary before dozing off
to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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