DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2011
DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2011
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Top weight, Kumbeshwar ridden by Charlie Huxley, finishes a very gallant runner-up in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Today, my alarm sounded
at the expected time of 04:30. I had a
shower, and washed and dried my hair.
Weetabix for breakfast, my food of choice when in a hurry. I then applied my make-up, which included
sun-block; I like to wear it regardless of the weather. My outfit today was two thermal vests, a bright
purple sweater, burgundy cardigan, purple fleece, grey skirt, patterned
tights, black wedge shoes (although I took a pair of ankle boots with me
too); my purple coat plus suede coloured chenille scarf.
Then onwards to
Bicester, where I arrived by 07:30, before setting off in a southerly
direction for Oxford. There was no hold-up
at the traffic lights at the junction with the M40 but, following this, there
were two periods of slow moving vehicles further down the A34. I exited at the Peartree Interchange as
usual, today traffic was moving freely around the A44 roundabout, so there
was no problem in joining the traffic queue on the slip-road down to the A40.
Once on the A40 the
journey across the Cotswolds went smoothly; I arrived in Cheltenham earlier
than the previous day, the queue of traffic tailing back from the ‘Six Ways’ junction was shorter than
yesterday. Having ‘discovered’ Greenway Lane on the previous evening I could have
turned right at this point but, as the traffic wasn’t particularly heavy, I
took the usual route, before turning right into Hales Road. As it was before 09:00, parents were
dropping their kids off at the primary school in Bouncers Lane, which caused
a small delay. Taking the same
route to the racecourse car park as yesterday, I parked up at 08:50. From then until 09:45 I sat in my car, listening
to Festival Radio and eating the cheese rolls I’d brought along with me. I then set off to join the queue outside
the turnstiles, today the spectators gained access to the enclosures a little
early, at 10:25. As usual I needed to
spend a penny, following which I purchased a race-card from the kiosk near
the Parade Ring. I then went to sit
on one of the benches located on the grass apron in front of the stands;
Cleeve Hill was not visible through the mist.
Shortly afterwards I was rewarded with my first glimpse today of Choc;
he had arrived to walk the course, exiting via the gate at the lower corner
of the Club enclosure. He was
accompanied by Wayne Hutchinson; Choc was wearing his black winter coat to
protect himself against the cold and, of course, his green Hunter
wellies. Racing UK’s Alex Steedman
spoke with them as they passed; it took around 30 minutes for Choc and Wayne
to walk the course, after which, they were interviewed by Alex whilst
standing beside the final hurdle. The Racing UK presenter
described Wayne as the ‘Cool Dude’
of the Weighing Room, because of his tidy hair and smart appearance. Alex tried to crack a joke about Wayne’s
tie, but I don’t think the jockey ‘got
it’! Choc had turned up his coat
collar to protect himself against the cold.
Alex asked Choc
about his win the previous day aboard Bensalem; Choc said the horse just does
what he has to do and would never be ‘spectacular’
in his triumphs. He said the current
thought was to put Bensalem away for the season and probably aim for
November’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
(Bensalem actually ran at Aintree on Grand National day before having
a summer holiday; he finished 5th in the handicap chase.) Alex then asked him about today’s riding engagements; Somersby – Choc said
his ride aboard the horse at Aintree last April had been a disaster. The horse had got ‘wound up’ going out onto the course so he had jumped off him;
then he managed to get Somersby kicked by another horse at the start! Today Choc said he would ride the horse to
the outside of the field, so he would get plenty of daylight to see the
obstacles. He would then ask the horse
for more ‘speed’ between the two
open-ditches. Choc said Somersby is a
good horse and he hoped to be placed at worst. The presenter questioned Wayne about the going; similar to yesterday
came the reply – the slow side of good, and probably good to soft down the
back straight. Wayne said it would ‘cater for all’, so there could be no
excuses today. Choc was questioned about Walkon’s chances. He said there were excuses for his slightly
disappointing run at Newbury last month, but it would be difficult to win
today off of top weight. Again, in the
Fred Winter, he thought Kumbeshwar might stuggle under top weight, so he had
chosen to ride stable companion Dhaafer who carried 10 stone 10 lbs
today. He was expecting a ‘big run’ from the latter. Alex asked Wayne about his ride in the same
race, Jubail; the jockey thought he might surprise a few, having beaten
today’s favourite, Plan A, at Kempton last autumn. Wayne was then asked about his mount in the bumper, the Warren Greatrex
trained and fancied runner, Knight Pass.
The jockey said he loves the horse – he oozes class, is professional
and has pace. Alex also asked Choc about
his ride in the bumper, the Harry Redknapp trained Bygones In Brid. Choc said he hoped some of Harry’s current
good luck might rub off on him too; the horse was ‘quick’ and he was hoping his mount would run well at a big
price. There was no mention of Choc’s
other ride of the day, Habbie Simpson, who would run in the second race on
the card, the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle; but that was
probably because he was a 25-1 shot! I knew I had to congratulate Choc on his win yesterday aboard Bensalem
so, as he walked back towards the Weighing Room and had finished a brief
telephone conversation on his mobile, I called to him. Choc stopped, and I trotted over. I told him the win was fabulous, and wished
him luck for the remainder of the week.
I was also permitted to give him a peck on the cheek! Choc returned to the Weighing Room accompanied by Wayne, and I set off
to find a vantage point beside the Winners’ Enclosure in preparation for the
Pre-Race Preview. As usual, the
presenters were Ian Carnaby and Jonathan Powell. The first item today was the presentation
of two cheques to charity – Heros and The Injured Jockeys’ Fund; monies
having been raised from the Cheltenham Festival preview evenings. Next, jockey Aidan Coleman was interviewed
regarding his rides today; it was also mentioned that he’d missed a day’s
racing following a bad fall from Fit To Drive at Sandown the previous
Saturday. Then it was the turn of Michael Dickinson, ex-jockey and trainer, famous
for training the first five horses home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having moved to the USA in 1987 to train
horses, he retired from this career 3 years ago, now devoting his time to his
business of synthetic racetrack surfaces.
Michael spoke about Sam Waley-Cohen, saying that he thought the
amateur was a very good pilot and didn’t deserve the criticism he had
received. He also wasn’t critical of
the trainers who race their charges sparingly, as he felt it was possible to
get horses fit by working them at home rather than running them in
races. Michael admitted that he loved
riding novice chasers when he was a jockey. Irish trainer Gordon Elliott was the next to be interviewed; he was
asked about Ireland’s economic crisis, has it affected the number of horses
in his yard? No, he has been okay so
far, he has around 60 to 70 horses in his care. Today was Ladies Day so, as part of the event, Liverpudlian Actress
Claire Sweeney was interviewed. She
was currently appearing in Tell Me On A Sunday at the theatre in the town,
and would be judging the Ladies Day competition entries later in the
afternoon. The final three interviewees were Colm Murphy trainer of Big Zeb,
Champion Chase entry and winner last year; Henry De Bromhead, trainer of
Sizing Europe, also a Champion Chase entry; plus a representative from
sportingbet.com, sponsors of today’s race.
As yesterday, I didn’t wait for the horses to arrive in the Parade Ring ahead
of the first race, instead I went to find a good vantage point beside the
course-side rails. Alan King had one
runner in this race, Double Pride, ridden by amateur rider Mr D Murphy. The start of this
race was in the mid-course chute, with this and the home straight plus two
full circuits to travel; thus the horses exited onto the course and cantered
up the all weather track around the top bend to reach it.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the Tim Vaughan trained Beshabar, to his inside
was Major Malarky, the latter soon reined back off
the pace. Sona
Sasta and the ex-Alan King trained Chamirey came to join Beshabar
as they cleared the second fence; Captain Americo
soon upsides too. Major Malarky unseated at the third fence. Around
the far bend Chamirey and Sona
Sasta now led, from Beshabar
and Captain Americo; they were followed by On His
Own, Alfa Beat, Be There In Five, Regal Approach, Some Target and Pearlysteps; held up were Chicago Grey, Arabella Boy, Aberdale, Double
Pride and Carlas Dream. Chamirey and Sona Sasta continued to dispute
the lead as the runners galloped up the straight and headed out onto the
first circuit; the latter putting in a short stride when taking off at the
13th fence, the second open-ditch; in mid-division Regal Approach made an
error. Sona Sasta
still led as the field headed downhill on the first occasion, followed by
Captain Americo, the keen On His Own, Beshabar, Chamirey, Alfa Beat, Pearlysteps and Be There In Five; Chicago Grey had made a little progress
from the back of the field. Sona Sasta and
Captain Americo led up the home straight for the
penultimate time, from On His Own, Beshabar, Chamirey, and Be There In Five. Captain Americo
hit the first in the back straight.
Double Pride made headway to become prominent on the outside of the
field. Arabella
Boy hit 4 out and the next too. Heading
downhill for the final time, the ‘flag-tailed’
Beshabar came to join the long-time leader and went
on 3 out. He led around the final turn
but Be There In Five and Irish raider Chicago Grey were tracking him; the
latter was travelling extremely well and came to challenge two out, taking
the lead soon after the last and staying on well to win by 4½ lengths. Be There In Five
completed in 3rd, with the second grey Alfa Beat in 4th. Never
mind, Beshabar’s time would come – the following
month he won the Scottish Grand National under Richard Johnson!
News from the Stewards’ Room following the race: The Stewards
called before them Mr Derek O’Connor, the rider of the winner, CHICAGO GREY
(IRE), and enquired into his use of the whip on the run in. Having heard his
evidence and viewed the video recording of the race, the Stewards found the
rider in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2, in that he had used his whip in an
incorrect place. They suspended Mr O’Connor for 2 days as follows: Thursday
31 March and Monday 4 April 2011. I remained beside the course-side rails in preparation for Choc’s first ride of
the day, aboard the Alan King trained Habbie
Simpson. The start of this event was in the mid-course chute; thus the horses exited onto the
course and cantered up the all weather track around the top bend to reach
it.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
Aikman, followed by Highland Valley and Tornado Bob; Megastar was held up in
rear, Ohio Gold under restraint. Choc
aboard Habbie Simpson travelled on the inside of
the field, also near the rear. Aikman led into the home straight on the first
occasion; the field cleared the next flight and began the long run to the
next hurdle. Tornado Bob was in second
place, then Highland Valley, First Lieutenant, Minella
Class, Accordingtolawence, the hard pulling Oscars
Well, Rock On Ruby, So Young, Habbie Simpson, Ohio
Gold and Megastar. Into
the back straight, having so far travelled at a comfortable pace, the speed
increased and the field stretched out; all the runners were jumping well,
apart from Accordingtolawrence who made a slight
error at the 4th and another at the 6th flight. The runners soon headed downhill, the
aforementioned, who was the first to drop out, fell at the 3rd last. The
long time leader was swallowed up by Oscars Well and Minella
Class as they approached 2 out; Habbie Simpson now close
up in 4th, blundered and flattened 2 out and lost his place. It was now a dash to the line. First Lieutenant chased Oscars Well and Minella Class around the final bend; they were pursued by
So Young and Rock On Ruby, the latter quickly closing on the leaders. However,
Oscars Well stumbled badly having jumped the last flight, handing the
initiative to Rock On Ruby; So Young also hit the last. This left First Lieutenant to be driven to
close on Rock On Ruby as they galloped up the hill towards the line, the
latter winning by a short-head. So
Young completed in 3rd; Oscars Well 4th.
Ireland 2 UK Nil. Habbie Simpson, having
been outpaced following the error, completed in 9th. Accordingtolawrence’s
jockey, Felix de Giles was taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray to an
ankle.
Choc having finished unplaced, once more I
remained beside the course-side rails. The next race on the card was the RSA
Chase; Choc had no riding engagement in this event. The start of this race was halfway down the home
straight, with just over two circuits to travel; thus the horses cantered up
the all weather track in front of the stands before cantering back down the
course to enter the lower section of the gallop and exiting part way down
thereof.
Then they
were off. The field was led away by Aiteen Thirtythree, to his
outside was Elysian Rock; they were followed by Bostons
Angel, Magnanimity, Master Of The Hall, Wayward Prince, Quel
Esprit, Mikael D’Haguenet,
Jessies Dream, The Giant Bolster and Wymott, with Time For Rupert bringing up the rear. Elysian
Rock soon went on as the runners headed down the back straight, Aiteen Thirtythree to the
inside of the track. Wymott was already being encouraged along in rear. The Giant Bolster unseated Rodi Greene at the 5th fence. Time For Rupert was a little slow at the
second open ditch. The
runners headed downhill on the first occasion, Elysian Rock still being taken
wide on the course, Aiteen Thirtythree
in second. Wymott
in rear. Turning into the home
straight on the first occasion there was no change at the head of affairs,
Elysian Rock led from Aiteen Thirtythree,
Quel Esprit, Bostons
Angel, Jessies Dream, Master Of The Hall, Wayward
Prince, Magnanimity, Mikael D’Haguenet,
Time for Rupert and Wymott. Favourite,
Time For Rupert, was already being urged along. Turning into the back straight for the final
time, Elysian Rock was now travelling to the inside of the track; the grey Quel Esprit soon came to join him and took over having
cleared the water-jump. Near the rear
of the field, Ruby Walsh’s mount Mikael D’Haguenet capsized having jumped the first of the
open-ditches on this stretch of the course.
Elysian
Rock, who was re-challenging for the lead, hit the second open-ditch and
dropped back again. Quel Esprit was at the head of affairs as the runners
travelled downhill; however, he stepped through 3 out and fell. Fortunately
the horse was okay following this mishap.
This left Bostons Angel in the lead from Jessies Dream and Master Of The Hall; the latter hampered
by the departure and soon fading out of contention. Jessies Dream and Bostons Angel disputed the lead around the final bend,
the former slightly ahead clearing two out.
Wayward Prince and Magnanimity were in pursuit; with Time For Rupert
under pressure to close on these four.
Jessies Dream was still ahead over the last,
but Bostons Angel regained the lead on the flat and
went on to win by a neck at the line.
It was now 3 – Nil to the Irish.
Once more I remained beside the course-side rails in order to retain a
good vantage point ahead of the next event. News from the Stewards’ Room following the RSA Chase: The Stewards called before them Timmy Murphy, the rider of JESSIES
DREAM, placed second, and enquired into his use of the whip from the last
fence. Having heard his evidence and viewed the video recording of the race,
the Stewards found the rider in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2, in that he
had used his whip with excessive frequency and without giving his horse time
to respond. They suspended Murphy for 6 days as follows: Wednesday 30,
Thursday 31 March, Friday 1, Saturday 2, Sunday 3, and Monday 4 April 2011. And
from the BHA’s ‘Why They Ran Badly’
page for this day: Will Kennedy, the rider of TIME FOR
RUPERT (IRE), which finished fifth, reported that the gelding was never
travelling. The Stewards ordered TIME FOR RUPERT (IRE) to be routine tested.
The Veterinary Officer subsequently reported that the gelding had bled. It
was now time for the feature event of the day, the Queen Mother Champion
Chase. Choc’s
mount, Somersby, was led out early and mounted on course. The remaining runners appeared a short time
later and were led around in a circle before sorting themselves into number
order prior to being paraded in front of the stands, after which they cantered
down to the lower stretch of the all weather track to the start, which was at
the far end of the home straight, with one full circuit and a straight to
travel.
Then
they were off. The race was led away
by the giant Mad Max; he’s been tubed to help his
breathing and also wore ear plugs today.
He was followed by Sizing Europe, French Opera to the inside, Somersby
to the outside; Choc taking him wide to get a clear view of the fences. After these four were last year’s winner
Big Zeb, then Master Minded, Captain Cee Bee, Woolcombe Folly, I’m
So Lucky, Golden Silver and Cornas. Travelling
away from the stands, the order remained more or less the same. Sizing Europe came to join Mad Max at the
head of affairs as they jumped the first fence in the back straight; Captain Cee Bee made an error here. Somersby, in third, was being tracked by
Master Minded. Sizing Europe, ridden
by Andrew Lynch, took up the running as the field cleared the water
jump. Mad
Max dragged his hind legs through the eighth, the first open-ditch; Captain Cee Bee hit the ninth.
Mad Max’s stable companion, French Opera, made an error at the tenth,
the second open-ditch, and lost his place. Heading
downhill for the one and only time, Sizing Europe still held the advantage,
from Somersby and Big Zeb; Master Minded had begun
to make progress. Choc’s
mount then hit 3 out and lost his place, leaving Big Zeb
and Master Minded as Sizing Europe’s nearest pursuers. But Ruby’s mount made an awful blunder 2
out, leaving last year’s winner as Sizing Europe’s sole challenger. However,
Andrew Lynch’s mount stayed on well to go clear on the run in, winning by 5
lengths at the line. Big Zeb completed in 2nd; Captain Cee
Bee completed in third, Golden Silver in 4th.
A clean sweep for the Irish; 4-Nil today. Somersby kept on to finish 5th. Following the error, Ruby eased Master
Minded and finished 8th. A
lady, who was attending the races with her boyfriend, asked if I’d been
standing by the rails all afternoon.
We got talking; she is a Ruby Walsh fan, I explained that I adore
Choc! We commented on how cold it was
today; we were absolutely frozen. It
was far colder than forecast; when I later watched a video recording of the
TV coverage for today, even the commentators were making a point about being
cold, having been lulled into a false sense that the temperatures today would
be almost spring-like!
Choc
having finished unplaced, once more I remained beside the course-side rails
to retain my good vantage point. It
was now time for Choc’s third ride of the day,
aboard the Alan King trained grey Walkon; also in
the race was stable mate Trenchant, ridden by Wayne Hutchinson. The start of this race was in the mid-course chute; thus the horses exited onto the
course and cantered up the all weather track around the top bend to reach
it.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the front running Dantari; he was followed by
For Non Stop, Bothy, Carlito
Brigante, Walkon
prominent on the outside of the field, then the second grey Arcalis. The third
grey, Tiger O’Toole, was held up in last place. Straw Bear made a mistake at the second
flight. Around
the far turn, Dantari was around 10 lengths clear
of the field; For Non Stop, in turn, a few lengths clear of the rest; they
were pursued by Carlito Brigante,
Walkon, Lightning Strike and Bothy. The horses headed up the straight, it was a
long run between the third and fourth flights; Dantari
pricked his ears as he approached the hurdle in front of the stands. Heading
into the country for the one and only time, Dantari
had a 6-lengths advantage over the field; the order thereafter being (it’s name check time!) For Non Stop, Carlito
Brigante, Walkon, Bothy, Lightning Strike, Solix,
Aachen, Call The Police, Arcalis, Battle Group, Ballyhaunis, Mohanad, Orsippus, Busker Royal, Aegean Dawn, Straw Bear, Tiger
O’Toole, Pistolet Noir, Lord Ragnar,
Song Of Songs and the blinkered Trenchant.
Dantari held just a
narrow lead as the runners cleared the first in the back straight; Aachen
made a mistake 5 out and lost his place.
For Non Stop soon came to dispute the lead, from Bothy,
Walkon, Carlito Brigante and Orsippus. In rear was Straw Bear. As the field headed downhill, the long-time
leader was swallowed up, For Non Stop now going on; his nearest pursuers were
Carlito Brigante, Bothy, Orsippus and, on the
wide outside, Walkon. Turning
into the home straight, Choc’s mount was in around
7th or 8th position. Carlito Brigante was travelling
the best at this stage and took over the lead just before the last, where For
Non Stop fell when in second position.
The Gordon Elliott trained runner stayed on well to win by 6 lengths
from the very consistent Bothy, Orsippus
completed in 3rd, with Battle Group in 4th.
Top weight Walkon completed in 7th;
Trenchant finished in 13th. Another
winner for the Irish; 5-Nil on the day; despite only 3 of the 22 runners in
this race being from the Emerald Isle!
A second victory today for the maroon and white colours of the Gigginstown House Stud’s owner Michael O’Leary, who is
the CEO of Ryanair.
Again, unfortunately, there was no need for me to return to the
Winners’ Enclosure, as Choc had been unplaced. News from the Stewards’ Room following the Coral Cup: On a
report from the Clerk of the Scales that Davy Russell, the rider of the
winner, CARLITO BRIGANTE (IRE) had weighed in 2lb heavier than the weigh at
which he had weighed out, the Stewards interviewed Russell, in the presence
of the Clerk of the Scales, and the trainer, Gordon Elliot. Having heard their
evidence the Stewards found Russell to be in breach of (B)67.7
and suspended him for 3 days as follows: Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 March
and Friday 1 April 2011. The start of this race was at the far
end of the home straight, with one circuit and a straight to travel; thus the
horses cantered up in front of the stands before heading back down the course
to enter the lower stretch of the all weather track to reach the starting
gate.
Then
they were off. The runners were led
away by Harry Hunt, from Lady Willa; the cheek-pieced Dhaafer
was prominent on the outside of the field.
Titan De Sarti and Mark Twain were in
rear. Kumbeshwar,
who was very keen, pulled his way into the lead having cleared the first
flight; Mr Muddle came through to take second with the other grey, L’Eminence Grise, now in third. The
runners headed up the straight, on the long run between flights one and
two. Near the rear, The Starboard Bow,
a little short of room having jumped the second, slightly baulked Rock Of
Deauville and Kayef. Choc, having dropped back through the field
a little, encouraged his mount to take closer order once more. Heading
out into the country the order was Kumbeshwar, Mr
Muddle, Harry Hunt, Dhaafer, L’Eminence
Grise, Paintball, Jubail,
What A Charm, Whitby Jack, Celtus, Kingdom of
Munster, and Looks Like Slim; held up towards the rear were Plan A, Tenor
Nivernais and Rock Of Deauville. Mr
Muddle, having hit the third flight, was ridden and had lost his place by the
next. Heading
towards the fourth, the Alan King trained top weight still led, from L’Eminence Grise, Harry Hunt, Dhaafer on the outside, Kayef,
Lady Willa, Jubail, Paintball, Celtus,
Looks Like Slim, What A Charm, Kingdom of Munster and The Starboard Bow. The first and second favourites, Plan A and
Tenor Nivernais, were now in midfield, the runners still tightly packed. Downhill,
Kumbeshwar and Paintball disputed the lead, from Dhaafer, Celtus, Whitby Jack, Jubail and What A Charm.
The stable companions were upsides 3 out, with Paintball in third,
from Celtus and Whitby Jack. What A Charm tracked these, with Plan A
cruising into contention on the outside.
Kumbeshwar turned the
final bend just ahead of Dhaafer; What A Charm took
the shortest route up the inside, Plan A went wide; the Irish mare coming to
challenge the long time leader, whilst Choc switched his mount left in their
wake. Paul Townend
drove out his mount on the run-in to triumph by a neck from the very gallant
top weight Kumbeshwar. Dhaafer kept on
at the same pace to finish 3rd, with Plan A in 4th. Jubail completed
in 5th. 6-Nil
to the Irish today. And, as pointed
out by Nick Luck on Racing UK, it was Alan King against the Irish in the
latter stages of the race – Ireland 1st and 4th, Alan’s runners 2nd, 3rd and
5th! It
was Ladies Day today, not St Patrick’s Day (tomorrow) – and the Irish had won
every race with just their speciality, the bumper, to go!
The
winner, What A Charm, still campaigns on the flat too and, in any other year
evidently, would not have qualified for this race having been too lowly
rated. Kumbeshwar
was very unlucky to meet her today. Also,
I did return to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc and Dhaafer
and Charlie Huxley and Kumbeshwar return. Being late in the day, on this occasion I
felt there was little risk of not finding a place beside the rails ahead of
the next race; it was a win/win situation! News from the Stewards’ Room following the Fred Winter: The
Stewards considered the running of the winner, WHAT A CHARM (IRE), ridden by
Paul Townend, and trained by A.L.T. Moore, which
had never previously been placed. They interviewed the trainer who stated
that the filly appreciated the better ground and the fitting of cheek pieces.
They forwarded his comments to the British Horseracing Authority so that the
performance of WHAT A CHARM (IRE) in its earlier races could be reviewed. It was now time for the final race of
the day; Choc’s ride being the Alan King trained
Bygones In Brid.
And, yes, I found space beside the rails to watch the event. The start of this race was at the far
end of the home straight, with one circuit and a straight to travel; thus the
horses cantered up in front of the stands before heading back down the course
to enter the lower stretch of the all weather track to reach the starting
gate.
The
horses ‘charged’ out onto the
course; then they were off. The field
was led away by The Tracey Shuffle, followed by Dynamic Approach, Dark
Glacier, Destroyer Deployed, Saint Luke, Cinders And Ashes, Star Neuville, Ericht, Knight Pass, Tusa
Eire, Cheltenian, Twentyfourcarat,
Felix Yonger, Raise The Beat, Cousin Khee, Devine Rhapsody, Lord Gale who ‘fly jumped’ at the
off, Go All The Way, Master Murphy, Oscar Magic, Aupcharlie,
Choc’s mount Bygones In Brid,
Knockalongi and Double Double. Around
the top bend and heading off into the country, The Tracey Shuffle continued
to lead, from the Tim Vaughan trained Destroyer Deployed, Dark Glacier,
Dynamic Approach, the white face and nosebanded
Cinders and Ashes, the Barry Geraghty ridden
Ericht, Richard Johnson aboard Cheltenian, Knight
Pass with Wayne Hutchinson aboard, Star Neuville, Saint
Luke, Felix Yonger, Ruby Walsh aboard Tusa Eire, Raise The Beat and Aupcharlie. Near the rear were Devine Rhapsody, Go All
The Way and Oscar Magic. Heading
down the hill there was no change at the head of affairs; Aupcharlie
had noticeably made up ground on the outside of the field. The
Tracey Shuffle was soon swallowed up by Aupcharlie,
Star Neuville, Destroyer Deployed and Cinders and
Ashes; AP’s mount Star Neuville was the first to
drop out, the other three neck and neck around the final bend. However, Richard Johnson drove Cheltenian to take the lead as room became available on
the inside having turned into the home straight. He went on to win by 5 lengths from
Destroyer Deployed. Irish raider Aupcharlie finished third, with Go All The Way, owned by
the Potts family (Sizing Australia and Sizing Europe) for Nigel Twiston-Davies in 4th.
6-1
to the Irish. Bygones In Brid was disappointing, having been outpaced 4 furlongs
out. He finished 18th; one in front of
the fancied Knight Pass.
The last race of the day having been
completed, it was soon time for me to leave.
I arrived back in the car park to
find my car was covered in dust; I’d been parked 3 vehicles from the gravel
roadway which runs through the middle of the field and, with no rain and a
strong wind blowing, all the airborne particles had adhered to the nearby
cars! I used the windscreen washer and
wipers to clean the screen so that I could see to drive home. Again I didn’t leave immediately,
eating a snack before I departed. It
was earlier than yesterday, but the roads outside the course were less busy
and, again, I travelled via my newly found exit route to reach the A40. It was off-putting that the car in front of
me from Cheltenham all the way to the Inn For All Seasons (3 miles west of Burford) braked each time a vehicle came in the other
direction. I never drive close to the
vehicle in front but, nonetheless, this was annoying. As I approached Oxford it was very
apparent that I was considerably earlier than on Tuesday, as heavy traffic
was exiting the City, presumably the tail-end of their rush-hour, it being
19:00. Again I chose to return via the
M40; as I headed towards London, traffic was also queued on the westbound
carriageway of the motorway approaching Oxford. High Wycombe certainly lives up to its name
and, it being a damp evening, the motorway in this area was very eerie with
the mist shrouding the central reservation lights. I soon reached the M25; taking the
clockwise carriageway to return to Hertfordshire. Once more, I dropped in at the local
filling station to top up the petrol tank of my car; it cost me around £26
per day to make the journey to Cheltenham and back. As I got out of my car at the petrol pumps
I noticed riverletts of dirt had run down the
bonnet; damn, I knew it wasn’t a sensible idea to wash my car last Monday. I arrived home at 20:25; half an hour
earlier than yesterday. Having eaten a
microwave meal, I logged onto my laptop to upload my photos and write my
blog. I also sorted through my clothes
to find a warmer outfit to wear on Thursday ... any attempts at glamour will
be ‘going out the window’
tomorrow! Having retired to bed, I
couldn’t resist watching a video tape recording of the interviews Choc had
taken part in yesterday; I have a VCR in my bedroom. However, it was too late in the evening to
spend time watching today’s interview with Wayne and Choc. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
