PART I
DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2013
DAY FOUR - FEATURING THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP
FRIDAY 15 MARCH 2013
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Irish raider Our Conor, ridden by Bryan Cooper, is a very impressive winner of the JCB Triumph Hurdle The alarm sounded at 04:15 today; a relief that
this would be the final very early morning for a few weeks, or at least until
the day I set off for Aintree when I will need to wake up at 03:30! After showering and washing and drying my hair, I
ate breakfast; two Weetabix again, plus two slices
of buttered toast and a cup of tea. I
was dressed and ready to depart at 06:25.
Friday’s outfit was a black thermal vest,
burgundy thermal long-sleeved vest, black thermal long-sleeved vest, black 40
denier tights, black treggings, black handkerchief
hemmed long skirt, cerise frill hemmed cardigan, plain black cardigan as
frills can be rather bulky, new purple fleece, purple frill-edged cardigan,
black gillet, M & S horse-print cowel, Thinsulate M & S
boots (as expecting rain today), Thinsulate gloves,
wrist-warmers, black faux sheepskin coat, burgundy M & S scarf, and brown
brimmed hat. Magic branches Chaotic
Rainbow pendant. As today was forecast
to be wet in Cheltenham there was very little point in getting a new skirt
out of the cupboard! My route took me up through St Albans City centre
before heading to Hemel Hempstead. I
then joined the A41 dual carriageway bypass to reach Aylesbury, travelling
around their ring-road to rejoin the A41 west of the town. It was one of those days when slow moving
vehicles had a habit of pulling out in front of me; the first from a right
turning as I was approaching Waddesdon, a dumper
truck. Fortunately there is a short stretch of dual
carriageway just to the west of Kingswood, so I was able to overtake the
vehicle and then had a clear run to Bicester. Turning south-westwards and heading towards
the M40 junction, the queue tailing back from the traffic-lights was longer
than Wednesday, but not as bad as Tuesday and, of course, far better than
Thursday when an accident had caused chaos.
Traffic was initially moving along okay down the
A34, although the nearer I got to Oxford, the more it showed down; I was
relieved to leave the road at the Peartree
Junction. At first, vehicles were
queued around the roundabout but these soon cleared and I was able to exit
the slip-road and join the slow moving traffic as it headed down the A44
Woodstock Road to join the A40. I was soon heading west across the
Cotswolds. However, I was stopped by a
red light at the second set of traffic lights and what should pull out
immediately in front of me from the Standlake
Road? A dumper truck! Fortunately it wasn’t that far until the
beginning of the Witney bypass, so I overtook it when the opportunity
arose. It was a clear journey from there, past Burford, and continuing to the roundabout where the
Stow-On-The-Wold/Cirencester road crosses the A40; at this point a car
heading from the direction of Stow took a right turning and I was then stuck
behind a vehicle travelling at 45 mph on a 60 mph section of the road. I followed this car until we reached the
dual carriageway section at the escarpment just before Andoversford,
when I overtook it. Upon reaching Charlton Kings I chose to turn
right to travel up Greenway Lane, thus bypassing any delays further along the
A40. Bouncers Lane was busier today,
as parents were delivering their children to a nearby school. Having negotiated the twin-roundabouts at
the far end of it, I headed along New Barn Lane and into Swindon Lane, taking
a right turn into the car park. It was
09:00. Having shown my pre-paid parking ‘docket’ to one of the stewards I was
directed towards the parking area.
However it was Gold Cup Day with more people due to attend and each of
them were arriving earlier too, just like me.
There was no room in the bottom field today, so I had to drive up the
slope and into the next field, where I was directed to turn left into a
sunken track in order to reach a space within the second row of parked
cars. In places, the area was more mud
than grass ... I would have to keep my fingers crossed that I’d be able to
either reverse the car out under its own steam at the end of the day, or hope
that the vehicle in front of me had moved already so that I could just roll
forward to exit. Having been raining when I left home, although
dry now, my car was filthy. No
surprise there then. I ate a couple of cheese rolls which I’d brought
with me and inserted my contact lenses before putting on my coat and boots
and setting off for the turnstiles. I
also remembered to put my umbrella in my handbag and wore my brimmed hat
too. It has a cord to place under my
chin ... I’d need it today, for it was windy again. I was closer to the turnstiles in the queue
today and had a chat with the guy from Taunton who I’d spoken with last year
whilst waiting for the gates to open!
Being close to the beginning of the queue, my handbag was searched
quite some time prior to the turnstiles being opened which, I believe, was at
around 10:20 today. Once inside the confines of the racecourse, I
headed to the loo, then to buy a race-card from the kiosk on the concourse,
as I always do; after which I relocated to my favourite spot on the steps
above the Winners’ Enclosure. Whilst
there, I noticed Alan King’s Travelling Head Lad, Matt Howell, arrive with
the silks at 11:05. I spotted Alan
himself and Assistant Trainer Noel Williams arrive at the Weighing Room 15
minutes later. However, having stood there for a while, I decided
that I’d head down early to the course-side rails; well before the Paddock
Interviews began today. The rain was
forecasted to arrive at noon and last until 15:00 ... it arrived at 11:45. After standing out in it for a little
while, I headed to the shelter of the grandstand steps; where I waited until
the rain became lighter. I returned to
the rails. But it then began to rain
heavily again. I had a choice ... to
stay dry but get a distant view of the action, or remain at the course-side
rails, get soaked but also have a better view. Being slightly mad by this stage of the
game, I choose the latter! Whilst I was waiting at the rails, comedian Alan
Carr and a film crew walked up the course towards the winning post ... then
back again. I presume they were
filming a segment for one of his Channel 4 shows. However, despite the weather, he was
dressed for Royal Ascot not for the Cheltenham Festival! Tweed, Alan ... Tweed!!! There are two large screens, one
situated close to the winning post; the other to the far side of the home
straight, close to the final steeplechase fence. So, when the Paddock Interviews began, I
was able to listen to and view them on the nearest screen. The first guest today was Irish
teenage singer/songwriter Mark Boylan; he has become an annual ‘fixture’ at the Festival. This year he performed a song that he’d
written about Campbell Gillies and Brindisi Breeze, the jockey having died in
a swimming accident whilst on holiday last summer and the horse having lost
his life in a freak road accident shortly before that. Mark was introduced to the viewing
spectators by Lucinda Russell, trainer of Brindisi Breeze. The next guest was ex-jockey and
trainer Michael Dickinson and ex-jockey Graham Bradley. This year commemorated 50 years since Mill
House won the Gold Cup (being far too old, I remember Mill House) ; 40 years
since The Dikler won the race (yes, I remember him too – a huge bay with a
large white blaze); and 30 years since Michael trained the first five home in
the Gold Cup - Bregawn, Captain John,
Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House.
Michael spoke about the run-up
to the 1983 Gold Cup; including training 12 winners on Boxing Day 1982. He revealed that he lost a stone in weight
due to the worry in the lead up to the Gold Cup; Graham Bradley told how the
trainer had lost his temper when a horse had galloped across the newly laid
turf in the stable yard when Graham had fallen off one of his charges. Originally Michael was unsure whether
he’d even have a runner in the race, then he’d been hopeful that he might
have three but, in the event, he ended up with five. He recalled giving six sets of instructions
to each his jockeys, covering all eventualities. He was nervous, proud, well aware of the
dangers involved, and was pleased to count them all out and count them all
back in again. After the race, as a
special dispensation, he was permitted to bring all five into the Winners’
Enclosure to be unsaddled. The next guest was Sam Waley-Cohen,
looking ahead to his ride aboard Long Run in the Gold Cup. He mentioned that his first child, Max, was
born just a few days ago; he was thankful that his son had arrived early,
thus not interrupting his Festival!
His wife, Bella, was allowing him to bypass daddy duties at the moment
to concentrate on his racing. He mentioned that although Long
Run has raced numerous times, he’s still only 8; the same age as Bobs Worth,
Monbeg Dude, and The Giant Bolster. Silviniaco
Conti and Sir des Champs being 7, the others older. Sam described Long Run as a superstar –
having won the King George VI Chase twice, and this being the fourth
consecutive year he’s run at the Festival.
Long Run would be running in
cheek pieces for the first time today – it was hoped that they would keep him
sharp and focused, enabling him to gallop to the line. Sam thought they all had Bobs Worth to
beat. “Is Bobs Worth tough enough to
win the race?” he questioned himself.
The answer is probably yes he said. Next up was Michael Scudamore,
trainer of Monbeg Dude, together with one of the owners, James Simpson-Daniel; two other owners being
fellow rugby players Mike Tindall and Nicky
Robinson. James recounted the story
behind them buying the horse for 12,000 guineas at the Cheltenham bloodstock
sales; the bid being made by Mike when a little worse for wear. Paul Carberry had been
persuaded to ride the horse in the Welsh Grand National; all he demanded was
for the owners to pay for the flight across from Ireland (in addition to the
riding fee of course). Carberry was a genius he said, the horse having won the
race at odds of 10-1, despite having nearly fallen at the last. He also mentioned that Paul had never sent
him the invoice for the flight! The next person to be interviewed was Paul
Nicholls. He spoke about his hopes for
his Gold Cup contender Silviniaco Conti; he felt
fortunate to have experienced some great days having won the blue ribbon
event four times in the last 13 runnings – See More
Business (1999); Kauto Star (2007 & 2009); and
Denman (2008). He stated that this
year’s representative has class, jumps well, stays and is tough; he’d done
nothing wrong this year; beating Long Run when he won at Newbury. The only downside being that Silviniaco Conti had not run at Cheltenham before. Also, the rain will have helped Long Run,
with Bobs Worth being unbeaten at the track. Paul had three runners in today’s Triumph
Hurdle. Firstly, Far West (Ruby
Walsh), who he described as having done nothing wrong, stays well and is
jumping bred; it would be a tough race but he was happy with his
preparation. The horse works with Zarkandar at home, and has more speed than the older
horse. Paul was hopeful of a good
run. His second runner was Lac Fontana
(Daryl Jacob); he lacked experience having had just two runs. A third representative, Sametegal
(Ryan Mahon), needed decent ground. Next he spoke about his entries in the County
Hurdle - Edgardo Sol (Harry Derham),
Brampour (James Cowley)
and Ranjaan (Ruby Walsh) – none wanted the rain to
arrive. His representative in the
Albert Bartlett was Aaim To Prosper; he was
expected to benefit from the step up in trip to 3 miles, but he wouldn’t like
the soft ground. Also, being a nine
year old, age was against him when beginning a hurdling career. Paul’s runner in the Martin Pipe Conditional
Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle was Salubrious, ridden by his nephew Harry Derham. Again, he
felt the horse would not appreciate the arrival of the rain, which would
affect the going. The final race of the day had two Paul Nicholls
entries; Shooters Wood (Daryl Jacob) and Ulck Du
Lin (Ruby Walsh). The trainer was
hopeful that the latter would run well as he likes soft ground, with his
other representative having the benefit of winning 3 times at the racecourse. Paul spoke about how proud he was of Celestial
Halo who finished as runner-up in yesterday’s World Hurdle; the horse would
now head to Aintree for the 3 miler. Finally, he thought his best three chances of the
day were Far West, Silviniaco Conti and Ulck Du Lin. Following the ‘pattern’
of the previous three days, the final interviewee must have been a
representative from Betfred, sponsors of the Gold
Cup, but ... by this time ... I’d almost given up the will to live and can’t
recall who is was, and I’ve no note of his name either! At this point, and before launching into the
detailed descriptions of the races, I need to mention that there was a very important
jockey change announced for later in the afternoon, when AP McCoy switched to
Gold Cup entry Sir des Champs; following the withdrawal of Sunnyhillboy. He
replaced the injured Davy Russell, who was recovering in Cheltenham General
Hospital after he’d been diagnosed as suffering from a punctured lung. Davy had sustained the injury on Wednesday
afternoon when his final mount of the day, Un Beau Matin,
fell at the last flight during the Coral Cup.
However, Davy had ridden in the Jewson Novices’ Chase and Stonemaster in the Pertemps
Final on Thursday, before he had been forced to give up his remaining rides
after suffering from shortness of breath!
They were very important rides he missed too, being First Lieutenant
in the Ryanair and Bog Warrior in the World Hurdle;
Bryan Cooper taking the ride on both, the former to finish 2nd to Cue Card,
the latter 5th to Solwhit. The going for the first and second races was
described as good to soft. Following
the rain, races 3 to 7 were run on soft ground. It was soon time for the first race on the final day of the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. Being run over a distance of 2 miles, the horses cantered up the all-weather horse-walk in front of the grandstand before heading back down the turf and re-entering the all-weather strip to continue their journey to the starting gate at the far end of the home straight. Notably,
French jockey Jacques Ricou, took the ride aboard
one of Nicky Henderson’s representatives, Vasco Du Ronceray. Also, Alan King had a runner in this race,
King Of Dudes, ridden by super-sub Wayne Hutchison. The
very keen Cape Explorer arrived at the start some minutes behind the other
runners; in fact he was still having his girths checked, after which his
jockey took him to look at the inspection hurdle within the enclosure, as the
horses had already exited onto the course in preparation for the off! The
Nicky Henderson trained, Barry Geraghty ridden,
Rolling Star was the favourite for this event at odds of 5-2.
Then
they were off, to the cheers of the crowd ... although not as loud as those
experienced on Day 1. Perhaps because all
those sensitive souls were hiding out in the bars rather than venturing out
into the ‘horizontal’ rain. The
field was led away by one of the two greys, Diakali,
from the white faced Our Conor, then Stocktons Wing and Far West; the latter making an error
at the first flight. The horses
proceeded up the straight in chevron formation; near the rear of the field
were Masters Blazing, Swynymor, Vasco Du Ronceray and Somemothersdohavem. The Alan King representative, King Of
Dudes, was on the inside of the runners, in mid-field. This
may well turn out to be a ‘muddy nightmare’ for me, spotting the silks when
I’m viewing the DVD re-run ... oh well ... on we go ... Diakali led over the
second flight with a two lengths advantage over Our Conor,
from Rolling Star, Stocktons Wing, Far West, Cape
Explorer, Lac Fontana and King Of Dudes; there were no significant errors at
this hurdle. The
runners galloped up around the top bend and began their journey down the back
straight. The grey continued to hold a
clear lead over the remainder of the field, Our Conor
still leading the vanguard. None of
the horses had yet begun to tail off, although some were a little clumsy at
their obstacles. Diakali’s advantage grew
steadily during the gallop towards the far corner of the track, Our Conor still travelling comfortably in second position,
Far West and Rolling Star disputing third.
The first to display distress signals was Masters Blazing, and he
began to tail off as they approached this bend. Swnymor
had soon progressed on the outside of the field to join Rolling Star and Far
West; these were being tracked by Sametegal, Stocktons Wing and Gassin
Golf. But King Of Dudes was losing
touch with the leaders. Our
Conor was upsides Daikali
as they jumped two out and began to cruise clear as they swung the turn into
the home straight; disputing third were Rolling Star and Sametegal,
three lengths adrift. As our Conor drew clear, Far West began to stay on the best of
the remainder, passing through beaten horses to challenge Sametegal
at the last flight. However,
the leader had already flown the coup; the only whip action displayed by his
jockey Bryan Cooper was to wave the implement as he crossed the line 15
lengths clear of his nearest pursuer Far West! Samategal
completed in 3rd, with long-time leader Diakali
just holding off the late challenge of Vasco Du Ronceray
to claim 4th. The favourite, Rolling
Star, completed in 6th. King of Dudes
finished 13th, last of those who finished; the remainder having been pulled
up.
Because
it was raining so hard, and I was getting soaked despite having an umbrella,
I decided to head back to the Winners’ Enclosure once Our Conor
had been led back down the horse walkway.
However,
a terrible bottle-neck had developed in the passageway beneath the stands ...
because no-one wished to step out into the rain. By the time I’d reached the Winners’
Enclosure I’d almost given up the will to live. Anywhere and everywhere which provided
shelter had been taken up by spectators.
I cut my losses and returned to the course-side rails. NEWS FROM THE
STEWARDS’ ROOM FOLLOWING THE RACE: The
Stewards held an enquiry into the use of the whip by Jacques Ricou, the rider of VASCO DU RONCERAY (FR), placed fifth,
from the second last flight. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings
of the race, they found him in breach of Schedule (B)6
Part 2 in that he had used his whip above the permitted level. The Stewards
suspended Ricou for 4 days as follows: Saturday 30
and Sunday 31 March, Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 April 2013. It
was soon time for the next race. Once
again being run over a distance of 2 miles, the horses cantered up the
all-weather horse-walk in front of the grandstand before heading back down the
turf and re-entering the all-weather strip to continue their journey to the
starting gate at the far end of the home straight. Before
the start of the next race there was an announcement for those with
umbrellas, including the bookmakers, to put them down during the races so
that people behind them could see ... many ignored the instruction on this
occasion. Besides, the crowd was only
around five deep on the lawn because the weather was so foul! If they wanted a good view, they should
have got to the rails and stood in the rain like me! As you may have gathered, I didn’t feel
particularly charitable by this point ...
Alan
King had a runner in this event, Manyriverstocross,
who had performed okay to finish 10th in Newbury’s Betfair
Hurdle the previous month, having been off the racecourse for 818 days due to
injury. Having
exited from the enclosure out onto the racecourse, Richard Johnson decided he
wasn’t keen on his position within the pack, so briefly turned his horse
around to head back through the assembled throng before lining up again. The joint-favourites for this race were
Cotton Mill and Ifandbutwhynot at odds of 8-1.
Then
they were off. Being the maximum 28
runners, they were spread across the width of the track as they headed over
the first flight; one of the Irish raiders, Tennis Cap taking the lead from Hisaabaat, Cotton Mill and Kian’s
Delight. At the rear of the field was Ifandbutwhynot, who’d been a little tardy in joining the
other runners at the start. Travelling
up the home straight on the first occasion, Tennis Cap continued to hold the
advantage, from Kian’s Delight, Kings Lad and
Knight In Purple; behind these were Dan Breen, Hisaabaat
and Cotton Mill. Manyriverstocross
travelled on the inside of the runners, in mid-field. There
were no serious jumping errors as the experienced handicappers cleared the
next and headed off into the country for the one and only time. Tennis Cap still leading, with first-time
blinkered Brampour slightly detached at the rear of
the field. The
closely packed field cleared the third flight, Brampour
slow in rear and losing even more ground.
The runners jumped the fourth flight with no difficulty; however, at
the next, Hisaabaat stepped on the flight, his nose
almost touching the turf as he struggled to remain on his feet. Jockey Micheal
(Me-Hall) Nolan fortunate not to be catapulted over the horse’s right
shoulder; but he lost his position within the field. All
the flights in the back straight having been negotiated, the runners headed
around the far turn; Tennis Cap still at the head of affairs, followed by Dan
Breen and It’s A Gimme
progressing into third position, as Kings Lad began to lose his place. Not surprisingly, by this stage it was the
jockey wearing the red and white silks ahead of the muddy brown coloured
silks, followed by the muddy brown coloured silks ... and, of course, the
muddy brown coloured silks! Actually
it was Tennis Cap, followed by Dan Breen and Ted Veale, then the very dirty
grey in the McNeill Family colours Olofi, Princeton
Plains and It’s A Gimme. Heading towards the final flight, Ted Veale
cruised up alongside Tennis Cap; they jumped the hurdle in unison and,
although he didn’t seem to find as much as expected on the run-in, he went on
to win by 1˝ lengths at the line from the long-time
leader. Having made progress
approaching the penultimate flight, Manyriverstocross
stayed on well to finish 3rd, 4˝ lengths back. Shadow Catcher claimed 4th. It
had been an attritional end to the race, with
Princeton Plains only managing 7th, Olofi 10th and
It’s A Gimme pulled up before the last. The only faller was Cotton Mill, who
departed at the final flight when behind; no reported injury to either the
horse or jockey.
Although the rain was still falling ...
horizontally and, strangely enough, very wet ... I decided that I’d remain at
the course-side rails. Besides, there
must be a limit to how wet one can get!
My feet were dry, my skirt, although muddy around the hem, protected
my leggings from becoming damp, and the rain although settling on the surface
of my coat, couldn’t penetrate the material.
I was also wearing a hat, the rain solely forming droplets on the
brim, and I had an umbrella too. I’ve been out in far worse when walking to or
from work and when I used to walk in the countryside. And I’ve been muddier too, having fallen
over a couple of times when rambling.
I used to trip over and my friend Mark used to slip over! And we always used to poke fun at each
other when it happened ... as you do!
Soon it was time for the third race of the
day. The starting gate for this event
is at the beginning of the back straight, with almost two complete circuits
to travel. Upon exiting the walkway,
the horses crossed the home straight to canter along the all-weather strip
which runs to the outside of the top bend to reach it. The 11-8 favourite for this race was At Fishers
Cross.
The
runners walked in from far behind the starting gate and tape; initially
no-one seemed keen to begin. Then they
were off ... at barely more than a canter.
O’Faolains Boy took up the mantel as leader,
close to his outside and in the front line were Virginia Ash, At Fishers
Cross, Le Bec and I Shot The Sheriff. In behind, to the inside was Utopie des Bordes, to her
outside Return Spring; then African Gold, Aaim To
Prosper, Superior Quality, Our Vinnie, Inish Island
and Bucking The Trend. The
field progressed along the back straight, the pace steady; all the
competitors cleared the first four flights without any problems. Heading down
the hill on the first occasion, there was no change at the head of affairs, O’Faolains Boy leading from Le Bec,
Virginia Ash, Utopie des Bordes,
At Fishers Cross and I Shot The Sheriff; still bringing up the rear were Inish Island and Bucking The Trend. I Shot The Sheriff, on the wide outside of
the field, made an error at the 5th flight.
Turning
into the home straight on the first occasion, the pace remained steady. The runners cleared the next flight, all
bar I Shot The Sheriff who knuckled on landing over the flight despite not
appearing to touch a twig. Our Vinnie,
who unluckily was travelling in his slipstream, was brought down as a
result. Both horses were fine after
the incident, having got up and galloped away; the riders walked away too. So
then there were eleven. The
horses headed up around the top bend and began their final journey down the
back straight. O’Faolains
Boy still led the way, from Le Bec and Virginia
Ash. Close to their outside travelled
At Fishers Cross, followed by African Gold and Aaim
To Prosper. All the jockeys were
choosing to take their mounts wider than usual on the course; apart from Barry
Geraghty who hugged the inside aboard Utopie des Bordes. African
Gold jumped the third last with much fluency and closed upon the leader and
Le Bec; At Fishers Cross not far behind him, soon
narrowed the widening gap again, and Barry Geraghty’s
mount closed up on their inside too.
The runners headed down the hill to clear the penultimate flight. Sam Twiston-Davies
stealing a peek behind to ascertain any dangers as he closed in upon the
long-time leader ... he was probably looking to see where Ruby was. O’Faolins Boy succumbed
to the challenge as they approached the final flight, African Gold and At
Fishers Cross clearing the obstacle in unison; Inish
Island following along in their slipstream.
AP’s mount got away from the hurdle with more momentum and soon drew
away on the run-in to win by 4˝ lengths at the line. African Gold was hard pressed by Ruby
Walsh’s mount as they headed toward the line but just held on by a nose. The long-time leader, O’Faolins
Boy, finished in 4th. After
a long wait, AP McCoy had finally ridden his first winner at this year’s
Festival. He would have only had two
more chances – in the Gold Cup and the Johnny Henderson. There is always an expectation for AP to
win at the Festival, so it must be a relief to get the ‘monkey off his back’.
I
remained beside the course-side rails, and saw the winning horse and jockey
pass by on their way back to the Winners’ Enclosure. That’s
it for the first half of the diary, please ... |
