PART II
DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2018
DAY THREE
FEATURING THE RYANAIR CHASE
THURSDAY 15 MARCH 2018
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Missed Approach, winner of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup for Amateur Rider’s Handicap Chase Click here to read my Day 3 Diary Part I The favourite for the Stayers’
Hurdle was Sam Spinner, trained by Jedd O’Keeffe
and ridden by Joe Colliver; price 9-4. One runner of interest, namely Yanworth trained by Alan King and ridden by Barry Geraghty. There
was one grey, Donna’s Diamond. The starting gate was at the beginning of the
back straight, so the horses cantered up the all-weather strip in front of
the Best Mate enclosure to reach it.
As I wasn’t standing beside the course-side rails, I have no
recollection as to there being a pre-race parade ahead of this one ...
especially as the Ryanair Chase had been promoted
to the position of feature race on Day 3 this year! Nor can I can’t recall if there was a
pre-race parade for the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase in
its stead. The jockeys took their mounts to look at the
first flight before heading back along the course to the starting gate. Girths checked,
they headed down the hill towards the home straight, before beginning a very
sedate walk towards the tape.
And then they were off with two full circuits of
the course to travel. Sam Spinner led
them away, from the grey Donna’s Diamond and last
year’s runner-up Lil Rockerfeller. Yanworth was keen
in 4th position, and he was followed by The New One and Supasundae;
Unowhatimeanharry had to be restrained in 7th place
and he kicked out the orange stripe when jumping the first flight. Sam Spinner continued to lead, but the pace being
set was steadier than expected. The
runners cleared the second flight safely, with Penhill
and L’Ami Serge bringing up the rear. They progressed along the back straight,
jumping the third flight without incident, before reaching the dog-leg
turn. Joe Colliver’s
mount spearheaded to field, from Donna’s Diamond,
Lil Rockerfeller, Yanworth,
The New One, Unowhatimeanharry, Supasundae,
Wholestone, Augusta Kate, Bacardys,
Let’s Dance, Colin’s Sister, The Worlds End, Penhill
and L’Ami Serge. The fifteen runners continued over the fourth
flight on their journey to the top of the hill and, subsequently, swung
left-handed to travel downhill to the next.
There was little change in the order as Sam Spinner remained at the
head of affairs. There were no
noticeable errors at the hurdle and, shortly afterwards, they entered the
home straight; the pace remained steady and the runners well-bunched. The leader got in a little bit close to the hurdle
in the home straight and the grey drew almost alongside. However, he extended his lead once more as
they swung left-handed to travel up in front of the Best Mate enclosure; Penhill and L’Ami Serge
continued to bring up the rear. Having
entered the back straight for the final time, Sam Spinner continued to lob
along at the head of affairs, ears pricked. Having jumped the seventh, the order was Donna’s Diamond in second position, from Yanworth, Lil Rockerfeller, The
New One, Unowhatimeanharry and Supasundae. They continued their journey, with Donna’s Diamond jumping more fluently than the leader as
they cleared the next flight. The
horses progressed along the back straight to the ninth flight; where Sam
Spinner was again less than fluent. At
the rear of the field, the mare Let’s Dance crashed through the flight and
belly-flopped on landing. It was a
horrible crunching fall, but fortunately the ground being soft, she quickly
sprang to her feet and appeared unscathed; Danny Mullins was her jockey. Meanwhile the remaining fourteen runners soon
encountered the dog-leg turn on their way to the third last. Both Lil Rockerfeller
and Penhill were less than fluent at this
flight. Sam Spinner was still leading
as the horses began to swing left-handed at the top of the hill; however,
owing to the steady pace to date, his rivals were queuing up behind him. Penhill made
eye-catching progress down the outside of the field as they headed down the
hill towards the second last. The favourite held a slight advantage as they
crossed this flight, with Donna’s Diamond, Yanworth, Supasundae and Penhill appearing to be his main dangers. There was a wall of horses across the track
as they turned into the home straight, Sam Spinner held the inside line, with
Donna’s Diamond, Yanworth,
Supasundae, Worlds End and Penhill
all in a position to challenge if good enough. The runners charged down to the final flight,
with Penhill now grabbing the lead, hotly pursued
by Supasundae, the enigmatic L’Ami
Serge, Yanworth and Sam Spinner. It was left to Penhill
and Supasundae to continue their challenge for the
lead as they cleared the last flight. Bacardys, having continued to stay on from the back of
the field, over-jumped at the hurdle when challenging for third position and
slithered to the ground; Lil Rockerfeller had to
side-step around him. Meanwhile, the leading duo were
locked together in combat as they headed up the hill towards the winning
post. Last year’s Albert Bartlett
winner finally asserted and went away from Supasundae
to triumph by two lengths at the line; the winning jockey, Paul Townend, punched the air in celebration. Wholestone
stayed on to claim 3rd, 3 lengths further back. Colin’s Sister stayed on too to take 4th,
with Sam Spinner 5th, Yanworth 6th, and The Worlds
End 7th; L’Ami Serge faded into 8th. These were well ahead of the 9th, Augusta
Kate. None were pulled up, with Lil Rockerfeller the last to cross the line. Bacardys
was fine, he stood up and amateur jockey Patrick Mullins grabbed his
reins. The winner hadn’t run for 323
days and, following injury, it had been doubtful that he might ever race
again! It was Paul Townend’s
7th Cheltenham Festival winner.
Joe Colliver reported
that the favourite had been “distracted”
throughout the race. Sam Spinner
didn’t jump well enough to set up a lead on today’s ground; perhaps the
partnership was just tentative.
I remained on the upper steppings
overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure. Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of this page The favourite for the fifth event was
The Storyteller, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Davy Russell; price
5-1. There were two greys in this
race, namely Viconte Du Noyer
and Guitar Pete. Having
left the horse-walk, the runners headed out across the track to canter up the
all-weather strip in front of the Best Mate enclosure before journeying
across the back straight to reach the mid-course chute.
The
runners exited the in-field at the beginning of the chute and then they were
off and heading towards the first fence.
Prominent on the inside was Village Vic, also Ballyalton,
Mercian Prince, Midnight Shot and Splash Of Ginge. Towards the inside, the first-time
blinkered Quite By Chance blundered at the first; this had a knock-on effect
with one or two, including Romain De Senam, which were travelling closely behind him. Following the fence, Paddy Brennan checked
behind before easing his mount further out, to give him more daylight on the
approach to the second. Splash Of Ginge held a
very narrow advantage over Village Vic and Willie Boy as they cleared the
fence; at the rear were the urged-along dark grey Guitar Pete, also Oldgrangewood, Ballybolley and
the light grey Viconte Du Noyer. The twenty-two runners continued over the
sanded track-way, before heading across the Old Course intersection to reach
the third obstacle. Village Vic led
over this one, from Splash Of Ginge, Willie Boy,
Midnight Shot and Ballyalton. The runners subsequently swung left-handed as
they headed down the hill on their way to the entrance of the home
straight. They continued over the
next, where Willie Boy and Oldgrangewood weren’t
particularly fluent. Village Vic held
a clear advantage as the runners headed over the next; they joined the
circuit of the New Course moments later, before heading over a sanded-trackway on their way to the sixth fence. Richard Johnson’s mount continued to lead, from
Splash Of Ginge, Ballyalton,
Midnight Shot and Willie Boy. Behind
these travelled the favourite The Storyteller, Mercian Prince, King’s Odyssey
and the blinkered Last Goodbye. Also
in midfield were Traffic Fluide, Shanahan’s Turn, Movewiththetimes, King’s Socks and Romain
De Senam.
After these were Pougne Bobbi, Guitar Pete, Ballybolley, Ultragold, Quite
By Chance now very much towards the outside of the field, Drumcliff,
Oldgrangewood and Viconte
Du Noyer. The runners headed over the next two fences
without any serious jumping issues before swinging left-handed to continue up
the hill in front of the Best Mate enclosure; Village Vic continued to lead,
with Oldgrangewood bringing up the rear. Having entered the back straight, the
horses headed downhill towards their eighth obstacle. Again there were no errors at this
one. They continued to the next fence,
which was the water-jump and they all cleared this well. The runners were becoming strung out as they
headed towards the first of the two open-ditches; near the back of the field,
Jeremiah McGrath was riding Pougne Bobbi
along. Mercian Prince made an error at
this one, Traffic Fluide also hit it. Having negotiated the fence, the majority
of runners towards the rear of the field were now being pushed along. The field continued their progress down the back
straight to fence number eleven; a plain one.
There were a number of untidy leaps at this one, from the backmarkers;
the JP McManus second-string, Drumcliff, hit it
hard and Niall Madden decided to pull him up shortly afterwards. This left twenty-one runners to negotiate the
dog-leg turn on their run towards the final open-ditch. Village Vic continued to hold the advantage
as the runners headed over this one, followed by Splash Of Ginge, King’s Odyssey and Ballyalton. All of the remaining runners cleared the
fence, although JP’s other runner, Movewiththetimes
stumbled badly on his near fore when landing and Barry Geraghty
decided to pull him up. Meanwhile the others continued their journey to
the top of the hill where Splash Of Ginge jumped
into the lead at the next fence.
Willie Boy, currently travelling in fifth position, hit this one hard
and lost a few places; jockey Bryan Cooper had to re-gather his reins having
gone to the buckle end when landing. Having reached the top of the hill, the leaders
swung left-handed on their way to four out.
Splash Of Ginge now held the advantage from
King’s Odyssey, Village Vic, Ballyalton, King’s
Socks, The Storyteller, Midnight Shot and Willie Boy. The leaders cleared it well, but Willie Boy
hit it and came down; his luck had run out.
Further back in the field, Guitar Pete hit the fence, as did Romain De Senam; Viconte Du Noyer was hampered
here. Splash Of Ginge
spearheaded the field as they continued down the hill to the third last,
King’s Odyssey remained his nearest pursuer; Village Vic narrowly retained
third position, from Ballyalton, The Storyteller
and King’s Socks. At the back of the
field, having not jumped fluently throughout the race and always been behind,
the tailed-off Oldgrangewood was pulled up. Having cleared three out without incident,
bottom-weight Splash Of Ginge continued to lead
from the pushed along King’s Odyssey as they headed towards the home
turn. Ballyalton
and King’s Socks were in hot pursuit from the tiring top-weight Village Vic,
also The Storyteller, Midnight Shot and Shanahan’s Turn. Following these there was a gap in the
field to Last Goodbye and Guitar Pete. Jamie Bargary’s mount
remained ahead as they entered the home straight and crossed the sanded
track-way on their run to two out; there was a wall of five horses still in
hot pursuit. The leader got a bit
close to this one and hit it, which wouldn’t have helped, but he remained
with the advantage. King’s Socks now
hanging to his left, squeezing up The Storyteller as they jumped it too. However, the very game Splash Of Ginge continued to fight on as they headed down to the
final fence and he remained around two lengths up on his rivals as he cleared
it. Meanwhile Davy Russell had finally
got a response from the favourite on the approach to the last and he’d begun
to close, heading through a gap between King’s Odyssey and King’s Socks. The first five having landed safely, The
Storyteller continued to close upon the leader; Splash Of Ginge
initially drifting to his left before running straight and true, The
Storyteller drifting to his right and coming towards the stands-side
rails. Both jockeys were switching
whip hands in an endeavour to keep their mounts on the straight and narrow. Splash Of Ginge kept on
all the way up the run-in to the line, but The Storyteller was staying on too
strongly and triumphed by 1¾ lengths at the winning
post. King’s Odyssey claimed 3rd
place, 5 lengths further back, with Ballyalton 4th,
King’s Socks 5th and Guitar Pete stayed on into 6th having been
outpaced. Pougne
Bobbi completed in 7th, Midnight Shot 8th, Shanahan’s Turn 9th and Last
Goodbye 10th. Seven others completed,
including Village Vic in a tired 15th.
Viconte Du Noyer
having also been pulled up after 3 out when tailed off. Yet another winner for the Irish and for Davy
Russell too. Thursday was becoming a
white-wash, as it had been last year …
When interviewed, the winning jockey explained
that Gordon Elliott had decided to skip the JLT Novices’ Chase for The
Storyteller and come for this handicap race instead.
I remained on the upper steppings
overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure. Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of this page The odds-on favourite for the next race was Laurina, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend; price 4-7.
One runner of interest in this race, namely Spice
Girl trained by Martin Keighley and ridden by Richard Johnson. There were no
greys in this event. The starting gate for this event
was at the far end of the home straight, with that and one complete circuit
to travel. This being the case, the
horses cantered up all-weather strip in front of the grandstands before
heading down the turf and re-entering the all-weather strip to complete their
journey to the gate.
It was an orderly start, with the
mares walking forward very quietly and then they were off at the first time
of asking. Prominent heading to the
first flight were Spice Girl, Maria’s Benefit, Cut The Mustard and Ellie
Mac. Maria’s Benefit jumped into the
lead at the obstacle, where the Ricci-owned Salsaretta
made a mistake. The Stuart Edmonds-trained runner continued to
lead as the horses headed up the home straight towards flight number
two. She was followed by Cut The
Mustard, Spice Girl, Ellie Mac, the keen Salsaretta,
Rouergate, the favourite Laurina,
Angels Antics, the JP Mcmanus-owned Countister, Gigginstown’s High
School Days, Dawn Shadow, Cap Soleil, Pietralunga
and Champayne Lady.
Cut The Mustard joined the pace setter as they
neared the flight, with all fourteen runners clearing it in their
stride. Maria’s Benefit went on again
as they swung left-handed to head up the hill in front of the Best Mate
Enclosure; one circuit now to travel.
The leading duo was five or six lengths clear of the third, Spice
Girl, as they entered the back straight, with Cut The Mustard soon alongside
Maria’s Benefit once more. The two leaders continued to extend their
advantage over the main group as they headed down the hill to flight number
three. They all cleared this one well,
although Cap Soleil jumped out to her right over it, slightly hampering Pietralunga who travelled in her wake. The fourteen runners progressed along the
back straight to the next flight; there were no jumping errors apart from Cap
Soleil’s continuing preference to jump out to her right. Maria’s Benefit held a narrow advantage over the
Sullivan Bloodstock second-string as they jumped the next flight, before
continuing around the dog-leg turn.
The main group had slightly closed the gap upon the leading duo; Spice
Girl spearheaded this, from Ellie Mac, the Sullivan Bloodstock first-string
and favourite Laurina, Salsaretta,
Countister, Dawn Shadow, High School Days, Rouergate, Cap Soleil, Angels Antics, Champayne
Lady and, finally, Pietralunga. Ciaran
Gethings’ mount held a half-length advantage over
this long-time companion as they jumped the hurdle on the uphill stretch of
the track. Spice Girl continued over
the obstacle in third position, but the seventh-placed mare, Dawn Shadow
stepped at the flight and fell. She
somersaulted over, catching High School Days across the hind-legs as she did
so. Having lost her back-end from
under her, the Gigginstown-runner was pulled up by
Davy Russell shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, having reached the far turn, Cut The
Mustard had taken the advantage; Laurina moved
smoothly into third position and began to bridge the gap as they headed down
the hill towards two out. Countister pursued her, with Ellie Mac next, then Salsaretta, Champayne Lady,
Spice Girl, Cap Soleil, Rouergate and, finally, Pietralunga. Maria’s Benefit had her nose in front as they
jumped the penultimate flight, with Cut The Mustard diving out to her right
and losing ground over this one; Laurina was over
in third. Further back in the field,
Cap Soleil jumped across Rouergate, causing the
latter to make an error. Maria’s Benefit led the runners into the home
straight, but Laurina had already cruised up to her
quarters, with Cut The Mustard to her outside. Countister was
endeavouring to get on terms with the leading three. The favourite took the lead as they headed
over the sanded track-way, and she went clear effortlessly on the run to the
final flight. The leader got a little bit close to the obstacle
but perhaps she was losing concentration because she was so far ahead of her
rivals. All that was left for Paul Townend was to ride up the hill to the line; he didn’t
even have to push her out for the final half a furlong! Laurina won by a
staggering 18 lengths. Maria’s Benefit
chased her up the run-in, but she was tired; this resulted in Champayne Lady (an 80-1 shot) and Cap Soleil staying on
past her; with the latter claiming 2nd by a short head. Maria’s Benefit crossed the line 1¾ lengths
behind them in 4th. Countister had also tired latterly and finished 5th. Salsaretta
came down at the last, a tired fall as she’d jumped it okay, when holding 6th
place. Spice Girl made an error at the
last too; I think her eye had been caught by Robbie Power who had just stood
up having taken the tumble. The Martin
Keighley runner completed in 8th; 10 finished. The Ricci-owned mare was down for a while,
her sides heaving following the exertions of the race, but she was okay. The French-bred winner is not a ‘looker’ but
she’s big, with a very good engine.
There was speculation that she could have given the Supreme Novices’
entries a run for their money had she taken part in the race in receipt of a
mares’ allowance. Oh dear, it was now 6-0 on the day to the Irish …
with just one race to go, although the Kim Muir had been our Thursday saviour
in 2017.
I remained on the upper steppings
overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure. Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of this page The favourite for this race was Mall Dini, ridden by Mr Patrick Mullins and trained by Patrick
G Kelly; price 4-1. There were two
greys – Actinpieces and Squouateur. Whilst
still an amateur jockey at the start of his career, Choc won the Kim Muir in
1997 aboard King Lucifer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulke_Walwyn_Kim_Muir_Challenge_Cup He
also won the Hamlet Cigarette Gold Card Handicap Hurdle final aboard Pharanear – that’s the equivalent of the current Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertemps_Final Being a 3 mile 2 furlong event,
having reached the top end of the all-weather strip, the horses cantered back
down the turf to re-enter it and head part way down the home straight before
exiting back onto the course close to the starting gate.
And then they were off, and crossing the sanded
track-way on their journey to the first fence. The field was led by the blinkered Missed
Approach, with the also blinkered Pendra to his
inside and admirable Double Ross to his outer. All of the twenty runners cleared the first
fence, although to the inside the grey Squouateur
made an error, and Mall Dini jumped to the right
immediately behind this Gordon Elliott runner; West Wizard was held up
towards the back of the field. The runners continued to the second fence; Millanisi Boy, who was tracking the leaders, hit this
fence. Towards the back of the field, Marinero also made a mistake. The competitors subsequently swung
left-handed to head up the hill in front of the Best Mate enclosure. Missed Approach, Pendra
and Double Ross held a four lengths advantage over the remainder. The Warren Greatrex-runner
spearheaded the leading trio as they headed down the hill to the third
fence. Leading the main group was Millanisi Boy, the blinkered Band of Blood and the grey
mare Actinpieces.
The leader hit the fence but remained ahead of his rivals. Very First Time made an error whilst
travelling near the rear of the field. The next fence was the water-jump; they cleared this
without incident, although Very First Time was ridden away from it. The following obstacle was the first
open-ditch where, to the inside in mid-field, Wild West Wind caught his
hind-legs on the fence and catapulted Noel George over his head. The remaining runners progressed along the
back straight and over a plain fence; Very First Time, Sugar Baron and
Pressurize were all being pushed along as they headed towards the dog-leg
turn. Missed Approach continued to lead as they gained
sight of the second open-ditch, from Pendra and
Double Ross. Behind these travelled Actinpieces, Band Of Blood and Millanisi
Boy. Next in the field was Aubusson ridden by
Lizzie Kelly’s brother Chester, also The Young Master with Sam Waley-Cohen sporting the familiar orange and brown silks,
but not those advertised in the race-card.
Arctic Gold travelled to the outside of runners, along with Marinero. Further
back were Final Nudge, Mall Dini, Captain Buck’s, Tintern Theatre, Squouateur,
Sugar Baron, Pressurize, Very First Time and, finally, West Wizard. Having all cleared the open-ditch safely, the
remaining nineteen runners continued up the hill to the next; there were no
noticeable jumping errors at this one.
Missed Approach led the field into the far turn, swinging left-handed
in order to reach the eighth fence. Actinpieces stood off from the fence but cleared it
safely. Millanisi
Boy hit it, as did Tintern Theatre; they both
survived their errors. Having travelled down the hill, the runners
arrived at the next fence; the leader brushed through the top of it and
pecked on landing slightly; he remained ahead of his rivals. Pressurize was now at the back of the field
and being pushed along. There was no
change at the head of affairs as they turned into the home straight; the
leader continued to bowl along happily a couple of lengths clear of Double
Ross. The latter was ridden by Zac Baker, brother of retired jockey George. With nineteen horses still in the race, the
horses headed over the next without incident; Sugar Baron, who never gives
more than he has to, was being pushed along near the back of the field. The runners subsequently headed over the
fence which would be the last one on the next circuit, before swinging
left-handed to head up the hill in front of the Best Mate enclosure once
more. Missed Approach led the runners into the back
straight, from Double Ross, Pendra, Millanisi Boy, also the strong travelling favourite Mall Dini under Patrick Mullins. Captain Buck’s made an error at the first
fence therein, and Very First Time collided with the hindquarters of Final
Nudge as they landed over it. The horses continued to the water-jump, with the
majority of the field now closely packed.
The following fence was the penultimate open-ditch, which Aubusson hit and subsequently dropped back a number of
places. Squouateur
had made progress through the field and was amongst the leading contenders
now. The next fence was a plain one, where Millanisi Boy and Tintern
Theatre were less than fluent. At the
rear of the field both Sugar Baron and Pressurize were still being driven
along, and West Wizard had been relegated to last place once more. The runners negotiated the dog-leg turn and
continued up the hill to the final open-ditch. They all cleared this one okay, and continued
their climb towards five out. Tintern
Theatre clobbed this one, as did Sugar Baron; the
latter almost lost his jockey as a result.
Having reached the top of the hill the runners swung left-handed and
had soon arrived at the fourth last.
Missed Approach remained ahead as they crossed this one and none of
the horses made a serious error. Marinero had been relegated to last place by this stage
of the race and his jockey decided to call it a day as his rivals continued
down the hill to the third last fence. The long-time leader was half a length up on Mall
Dini as they cleared this fence; Actinpieces and Double Ross just behind these. Squouateur now
joined the leading three, as Double Ross began to lose his place. Missed Approach was being ridden as Mall Dini loomed up to his outside upon turning into the home
straight; Squouateur was clinging to their
coat-tails, ready to take advantage if either of the leading duo made a
mistake. Missed Approach flew over the penultimate fence,
still a length up on the favourite.
The battle continued as they headed to the last, with the brave Missed
Approach refusing to relinquish the lead.
The Warren Greatrex-runner nodded slightly
on landing but continued to dig deep into his reserves as Mall Dini endeavoured to close in upon his rival. However, Missed Approach proved too strong
and, although his challenger reduced the margin, Noel McParlan’s
mount triumphed by a well-earned half-length at the line. The jockey stood up in his irons to
celebrate as he passed the post; it was his first Festival success. The winner had made all. Phew ... GB had finally got a winner! Squouateur
came home in 3rd place, 5 lengths further back, under Jamie Codd. Double Ross
stayed on gamely to finish 4th, with Actinpieces
5th and The Young Master claimed 6th on the run-in having lost his place
earlier in the race. Pressurize, who
was pressurised for much of the race, stayed on past beaten horses to finish
7th, with West Wizard also passing beaten horses to claim 8th. There were 16 finishers. Millanisi Boy was
pulled up before two out and Arctic Gold fell at the last, but was reported
to be fine following his mishap.
The winner was running for the first time since a
wind operation.
Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of this page Phew,
Missed Approach had saved the day from becoming an Irish whitewash. But it was too late to win the Prestbury Cup, as Ireland had already gained an
unassailable lead having now won a total of 15 races out of the total of 28
available.
To avoid the problem of the traffic jams
encountered on the previous two days, I decided to stay to watch the Tattersalls Ireland Festival Sale; it began at 18:15 in
the Winners’ Enclosure and I stayed until Lot 14 arrived in the sales
ring. Here is a link to the results of the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Festival sale; Highflyer
Bloodstock and Tom Malone were able to secure two horses for Alan King – The
Glancing Queen (by Jeremy) and Kootenay River (by Dubai Destination). Both cost £80,000 and, having not realised
the results at the time, of the 14 Lots I saw, I was very taken with the
flashy 4-year-old The Glancing Queen: http://www.tattersalls.ie/ascot-cheltenham/sales/cheltenham-festival-sale/4DCGI/Sale/CFS%2018/Main Kootenay River (Lot 25) was purchased for Mrs Prowting; her Racing Manager, Hannah Bishop, reported
that he is a lovely, uncomplicated horse, having looked after him during his
2018 summer break. I felt that I walked to the car park too quickly
on this evening; bearing in mind the pelvis issues I’d been suffering since
the beginning of January, and which remain un-diagnosed as I complete this
diary in mid-August! It was approximately 19:00 when I drove out of
the car park and, having stayed later than usual, I was able to travel to the
exit gate with no delay. Prestbury high street was clear again today; I’m
convinced last year’s issues were caused by traffic police giving too much
priority to vehicles exiting from Tatchley Lane
onto the second mini-roundabout. I’m
also pleased to report that my car’s engine fan, which was replaced last
month at much expense, functioned well during my queuing delays; it was so
noisy last year, it was embarrassing! And just when I thought my journey back to my
hotel was going well, I encountered a road closed sign in Witney; the
Woodstock Road was blocked due to an accident. My only option was to take a right at the
mini-roundabout in order to head into the great unknown ... but there just
had to be a left-hand turn further along which would take me in the direction
I wanted. I arrived at a set of
traffic lights and, as hoped, there was a signpost indicating Bladon (that’s where Winston Churchill is buried) and Bicester. It was
in fact Jubilee Way, exactly the road I needed. Further along Jubilee Way, the entrance to the
other end of Woodstock Road was closed too, with emergency vehicles parked
along it. I got back to my room, in
the Lodge, at 20:15. It was Pot Noodle
again tonight! It was on this evening that I discovered that my
phone was able to connect to the internet when I was in my hotel room. I’d been completely lost without a
connection last year, but hadn’t even bothered to re-try it until now. Doh! |
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