DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2012
DAY 3 – THURSDAY 15 MARCH 2012
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Choc and Medermit return to the Winners’ Enclosure having finished a very game third in the Ryanair
Chase; one length behind the winner, Riverside Theatre. With my alarm set for
04:30 as usual, I was very relieved to be awake already when it sounded; I
hate the panic and racing pulse when it wakes me from sleep! However, upon peering out into the
darkness, I discovered a thick fog had descended. Oh well, that’s a new experience during
Cheltenham Festival week, driving in fog!
Time to look in my car manual to discover the switch for the fog light
... yes, I know it’s unbelievable having owned this particular Fiesta for
four years. But that’s because I use
the car solely for recreation and can’t recall driving it in thick fog
previously! As always,
Cheltenham was turning out to be colder than expected, or forecasted for that
matter. Last week had been very warm
for the time of year and, initially, it was forecast to continue during this
week. However, Tuesday had turned out
to be just ‘okay’ ... Wednesday a
little warmer when the sunshine had appeared during the afternoon but today
it might be something else completely, having taken a look outside. It was time to wear my ‘Gold Cup Day’ outfit a day early! This outfit
comprised of my long black hankerchief hem skirt, burgundy woolley tights; I
decided against leggings underneath, surely it wouldn’t be that cold. Black leather ankle length engineers boots;
two thermal vests, one vest style, the other long sleeved; a short-sleeved
top; cerise frill-edged cardigan; purple fleece, burgundy cardigan; plus
black faux fur sheepskin jacket. I must have worn a
scarf too but, as I write this, I cannot remember which one having not made a
note! It just goes to show that I’ve
knitted far too many ... but I know that already!!! I cannot help myself, as I’m a creative
person and get a lot of enjoyment for the actual process, whether it be
knitting, cross-stitching or making jewellery. But, sadly, cooking has never inspired me
and remains outside this core skill set!
My department at
work won this year’s Head Office award for Excellence and, as a ‘prize’, we are to spend a day at Jean-Christophe
Novelli’s Cookery Academy. I will be totally out of my
depth, but Jean-Christophe is nice eye candy ... although not as nice as the
thoroughly adorable Choc! Having showered, washed
and dried my hair, I ate my usual Cheltenham breakfast of Weetabix; it’s
quick and easy when an early start is required. Realising that it would probably take a
little longer to reach Cheltenham today, due to the fog, I was ready to go
and set off at 06:23. My journey took me
around the local ring-road and along the A4147 to Leverstock Green and Hemel
Hempstead. There’s a steep hill down
to the ‘magic roundabout’; you have
to ensure that you keep an eye on your speed, 40 mph, as there is a camera
half way down the hill! Hemel
Hempstead love speed cameras, as there are also two on the A4147 as it
approaches Leverstock Green, warning of 50 mph and 40 mph limits
respectively. One day this week I was
daydreaming of driving to Aintree at this point in my journey and forgot to
slow down until I’d driven half-way over the white speed camera lines on the
road ... whoops! At the ‘magic roundabout’ I took the second
left, driving along Two Waters Way to cross the traffic signal controlled
junction with the A4251, to reach the A41.
Then it was onwards to Aylesbury.
Thick fog had accompanied me throughout my journey so far but it
cleared upon reaching the Tring junction, when the sun put in an appearance
and visibility greatly improved. There
were then just a few brief foggy patches before Aylesbury. It was beautifully
sunny in Aylesbury ... but it was not to last. Having driven around their ring-road to
reach the A41 once more, as soon as the urban sprall had been negotiated, the
thick fog closed in once more. In fact
it was even worse here, it was zero degrees and a frost was visible on the
grass verges too. Oh well, forever
onwards. I drove through
Waddesdon, and along the A41 to Bicester; at least road users were being more
cautious today on the stretch of road west of Kingswood, where the route
follows the line of the old Roman Road, Akeman Street, and is particularly
straight. Warnings are posted along
the entire length of the A41 between Aylesbury and Bicester regarding recent
casualties; drivers being inclined to drive far too fast and overtake without
care and attention here. In good
visibility I usually drive at 60 mph along this stretch, and that is plenty
fast enough ... besides that is the maximum speed limit, allegedly, on this
type of road! But you’d never know it! Having reached
Bicester, I turned southwards along the final stretch of the A41 towards
Junction 9 of the M40. With a new
housing development underway to the southwest of Bicester, there is a
recently constructed roundabout on this road and today, with the prevailing
weather conditions, the tailback from the traffic lights at the M40 junction
was considerable. I had to wait a
number of changes before I could continue my journey southwards along the
A34, where traffic was moving okay, if a little slow. The main problem on this stretch of the
road is traffic joining from a number of side turnings. I left the A34 at
the Peartree Interchange; and there was an even worse than usual delay
exiting onto the roundabout to drive stop start stop start along the short
stretch of the A44 to reach the A40, and then westwards towards
Cheltenham. I always feel sorry for
those drivers trying to enter Oxford on a weekday from the west, as there are
always horrendous tailbacks on the A40 ... sometimes these tailbacks reach as
far as the beginning of the dual carriageway of the Witney by-pass! It must be 5 or 6 miles. I couldn’t put up with that every working
day ... but that is probably because I have a one mile walk to work! The fog persisted as
I drove across the Cotswolds; not surprising really, due to the
altitude! It was very eerie in fact,
not being able to see far in front of my vehicle, or to the sides of the road
either. However, despite the necessity
to reduce my speed due to the poor visibility, I’d reached Burford by 08:25
and the outskirts of Cheltenham at 08:53 (I know this as I glanced at the
clock on the dashboard and made a mental note!). Unlike my
experimental inward route of yesterday, when upon reaching the Six Ways
junction I’d taken a right turning to drive up Greenways Lane, I followed by
usual route of heading along London Road before turning right at the traffic
lights into Hales Road and proceeding to the ‘longabout’; my alternative route joining here from my
right. I know I like to use the
Greenway Lane ‘escape route’ of an evening, but it is nightmarishly
potholed and bumpy and to be avoided when possible! I’ve noticed that the condition of
Gloucestershire’s roads has deteriorated during the time I’ve been visiting
Cheltenham; it’s now a close call between those in my home county of
Hertfordshire, those in Buckinghamshire and here. I continued my usual
route along Bouncers Lane; it was quiet here today, as it was now after 09:00
and the children had already arrived at the Infant School across the
way. Having negotiated the roundabout
at the junction of Prestbury Road and Deep Street, I entered Tatchley Lane,
moving forward into New Barn Lane to reach the Evesham Road roundabout
outside the main entrance to the racecourse.
It was then forward into
Swindon Lane and a right turn into the car park. It was 09:10, and I
was instructed to park on the final available row in the lower field; proof
that I had arrived a little later than usual today. But the good news again today was that I
was many cars distant from the dusty roadway!
Hopefully my luck would remain tomorrow, as I really can’t face the
embarrassment of having such a filthy car as last year; when, every day, my
vehicle had been coated in dust from the aforementioned roadway, with Friday
being particularly gruesome! I remained in my car
for around 20 minutes then, having consumed two or three of my pre-prepared
cheese roll lunch ... well, it seemed like lunch, having been awake since 04:30
... I set off for the temporary turnstiles situated close to the Centaur
building. It’s nice to queue early, as
bags and handbags are checked well ahead of the gates opening and one can
proceed immediately onto the concourse.
Today, the gates opened
at 10:20, ten minutes ahead of advertised.
Once inside, I followed my usual routine of firstly visiting the loo
... it must be my age as, having drank a cup of coffee before departing from
home, I always dying to go by the time gate opening time arrives! Although, having said that, I haven’t
needed to resort to Tena Lady products yet ... but it may not be long!!! I then went to purchase a race-card from
the kiosk on the concourse, before proceding to the course-side rails to
breathe in the atmosphere once again. Having had much
success spotting Choc returning from his course walks during last year’s
Festival, I was now expecting to catch a glimpse of him every day. However, so far this year I’d been
completely unsuccessful; culminating in yesterday’s farce when, upon
returning to the Parade Ring area, I’d not even noticed that he was being
interviewed in the Winners’ Enclosure by RUK’s Alex Steedman. Just how
short-sighted can I be? And to add
insult to injury, I’d even been visible in the background when it was
broadcast!!! However, I was a
little luckier on my return to the concourse area today, as Choc had been
accosted by RUK’s Rishi Persad and was being interviewed whilst he was
standing in the Parade Ring; he was wearing his long beige coat today. I can’t wear beige as it makes me look
anaemic. Nor can I wear yellow, as I have a sallow skin and it makes me look
jaundiced! Following the
interview, Choc jogged back to the Weighing Room. It soon became apparent as to why he was in
a hurry ... as a few minutes later he re-appeared, sporting green Hunter
wellies and carrying his going stick.
His dad accompanied him. It was
just after 11:00; it was time to walk Cheltenham’s New Course. Rishi also interviewed Martin Keighley,
trainer of today’s runners Champion Court and Benbane Head, stood on the area
outside the Weighing Room. I remained beside
the Parade Ring, wondering when Choc would return. Choc and his dad re-appeared around 40
minutes later; speaking briefly with Alan King’s Assistant Trainer Noel
Williams who they met as they were crossing the concourse, before they
returned to the Weighing Room. The
official going today was good to soft, good in places. On each day of the
Festival, at 12:15, a ‘Preview’ is
held in the Winners’ Enclosure. This
is presented by Ian Carnaby and Jonathan Powell, and they interview the day’s
leading contenders and other celebrities. It was St Patrick’s
Thursday today so 14-year-old Irish singer, Mark Boylan, who had appeared at
last year’s Festival, was a guest today; he performed the same song as he’d
performed last year. It being the third
day of the Festival, the seventh race was a charity event; The St Patrick’s
Derby, in aid of Cancer Research UK.
This being the case, a number of the participants were
interviewed. Firstly was Stuart
Parr, a Greater Manchester fireman, who had ridden racehorses since a
teenager. Stuart regularly rides work,
and this was to be his debut appearance on a racecourse. He had lost 2 stone ahead of the event, and
was riding in memory of his close friend, and racehorse trainer, Patricia
Caldwell, who died from cancer. His
mount today would be Kykate trained by William Kinsey. Jonathan Powell then
interviewed ATR presenter, Gina Bryce; she is also a Timeform radio presenter
and freelance journalist. Gina had
been riding out at the John Berry yard in preparation for this race; today
she would be riding On Khee, trained by David Pipe. RUK’s Niall Hannity
would also be competing in today’s race, having lost over 3 stone ... and was
still trying to sweat off a little more weight today! Frances Mercer representing Cancer Research
UK was also interviewed. Another guest today
was the owner of Big Buck’s, Andy Stewart; the horse would later be biding to
win the feature race of the day, the World Hurdle, for the fourth consecutive
year. Also, Countryfile’s Adam Henson,
who lives locally; he spoke about his filming schedule for the BBC1 show, and
his friend and neighbour, racehorse trainer, David Bridgewater, who would be
running The Giant Bolster in tomorrow’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Thursday’s ‘punter’s pal’ was David Williams,
Head of Consumer PR for Ladbrokes, the company being the sponsor of the main
event today, the World Hurdle; David spoke about Big Buck’s and Oscar Whisky,
the main protagonists. He said
Peddlers Cross was very uneasy in the betting for the Jewson Novices’ Chase;
Solix shortening in the betting now, presumably due to the success of the
Nicky Henderson yard so far this week. Bellflower Boy was
given a mention for the Pertemps Final; Riverside Theatre, Albertas Run and
Captain Chris all popular for the Ryanair.
Those fancied in the 5th race of the day, the Byrne Group Plate,
included Divers ridden by AP McCoy, Hector’s Choice, and last year’s winner
Holmwood Legend. Summery Justice and
Sunnyhillboy were very popular for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
for Amateur Riders. The final
interviewee today was Irish trainer Paul Nolan, responsible for Noble Prince,
a runner in today’s Ryanair Chase. He spoke about how nice it was to have a
winner at Cheltenham, the aforementioned horse having won last year’s Jewson
Novices’ Chase. Even being placed was
a good result, far better than having to unsaddle in the ‘Long Face Parade Ring’ where the unplaced horses are
unsaddled. I love that expression, and
may use it in future! A question asked
of many horses ... why the long face?
As well as disappointed owners displaying ‘long faces’! As is my preference,
I don’t wait for the runners to appear in the Parade Ring ahead of the first
race of the day; once the Preview has been completed, I head immediately to
the course-side rails in order to reserve a good vantage point ahead of the
first race. Besides, even when Choc is
riding in the first event, it is difficult to see him in the Parade Ring,
there being so many owners, trainers and jockeys obstructing the view. In fact, although I
play it a little by ‘ear’, most of
the time I will remain beside the rails unless Choc is fortunate enough to
win, or it is later in the day when I’m well able to regain a good vantage
point having left the area. Being on
my own can make it difficult, as there is no-one to reserve a place for me. This being the case, I’d missed returning
to the Winners’ Enclosure for Montbazon’s 4th placed effort in the first race
on Tuesday, but had been there to see Choc arrive back after finishing 3rd
aboard Vendor in yesterday’s sixth race of the day, the Fred Winter Juvenile
Handicap Hurdle. It was soon time for
the first race of the afternoon, the starting gate for this race being in the
mid-course chute, with two fences to negotiate before turning into the home
straight on the first occasion. This
being the case, the horses having exited the walkway, they cantered across
the course and up around the top bend upon the fibresand walkway.
Then
they were off; first time. It appeared
initially that Micheal Flips might cut out the
running but Champion Court and the almost white Zaynar
then went on. Martin
Keighley’s charge led over the 2nd, from Zaynar,
Sir Des Champs, Peddlers Cross, Duke Of Lucca wide
on the track, Micheal Flips now restrained, Solix, Red Tanber, Cristal
Bonus, and For Non Stop. Turning
into the home straight on the first occasion, Champion Court held a narrow
advantage over Zaynar. These two were 2 or 3
lengths clear of the remainder. Zaynar hit the 4th fence but held a very narrow advantage
over the next and heading out onto the final circuit. Peddlers
Cross jumped out to his right over the first fence in the back straight. He was closer to the pace over the 9th
fence, the first open-ditch. Champion
Court led at the second open-ditch, where Cristal Bonus made an error when
struggling in rear. Solix was being ridden along. The leader flew the fence at the top of the
hill; in contrast, Peddlers Cross received reminders. Champion
Court was travelling well at the head of affairs 3 out, but Sir Des Champs
was stalking him; For Non Stop was now in 3rd, Micheal
Flips 4th as Zaynar faded. Around the final bend, Champion Court had
two lengths in hand from the Willie Mullins trained Sir Des Champs. The latter closed on the leader heading
towards the penultimate fence, they jumped the final two obstacles in unison
and Davy Russell drove out his mount to win by 4½ lengths at the line. For Non Stop completed in 3rd; Micheal Flips in 4th. Shortly
afterwards it was announced that the disappointing Peddlers Cross, who
finished last of those who completed, would return to hurdling next
season. Cristal Bonus was pulled up
before 4 out; Red Tanber before 2 out. A
very gallant effort by Champion Court, who had jumped like a stag throughout
the race. When interviewed, Willie
Mullins stated that his charge was very much suited by the strong pace set by
the Martin Keighley trained runner and Zaynar. The
winner is a French-bred AQPS category horse, like Grand National
winner Mon Mome.
I remained beside
the course-side rails ahead of the next race.
I find it
interesting to read the comments from the Stewards’ Room during a big Festival
meeting like this, so I’ve included these notes too, along with the reports
into why horses ran badly. BHA: Why they ran badly: Ruby
Walsh, the rider of CRISTAL BONUS (FR), which was pulled up, reported that
the gelding was never travelling. The Stewards ordered CRISTAL BONUS (FR) to
be routine tested. Paul Nicholls, the
trainer of CRISTAL BONUS (FR), which was pulled up, reported that on the day
after the race the gelding was found to have a large abscess on its withers.
The starting gate
for this event was at the beginning of the back straight, with almost two
full circuits of the course to travel.
Then
they were off; first time. Initially
prominent were Rick, Palace Jester, Across The Bay, Sir Kezbaah,
Pineau De Re, Bellflower Boy and Our Father. In rear were Cape Tribulation, Catch Me, Scotsbrook Cloud and Reindeer Dippin. Palace
Jester soon had the lead, from the 2010/ 2011 winner Buena Vista; they were
followed by Rick, the 2009 winner Kayf Aramis, Pettifour, Ashkazar, Pineau De Re, Prince
Erik, Restless Harry, Houblon Des Obeaux, Sonovic and Bellflower
Boy. Cape Tribulation and Catch Me
were in rear. Heading
down the hill and into the home straight on the first occasion, Buena Vista
and Palace Jester continued to cut out the running; Kayf
Aramis tracked them in third, from Ashkazar, Pettifour, Rick, Pineau De Re, Houblon Des Obeaux, Prince Erik, Bellflower Boy, Thehillsofuisneach,
Sonovic, Cape Tribulation and Reindeer Dippin. In rear
were Across The Bay, Sir Kezbaah having lost
ground, and Russian War. Barwell Bridge hit the 6th flight. Palace
Jester continued to hold the advantage heading along the back straight, as
the Tom Bellamy began to push his mount along. Barwell Bridge
was pulled up before the 8th, which Scotsbrook
Cloud hit. No change to the lead at
the top of the hill, Kayf Aramis
now in 2nd spot, ahead of the ridden along Buena Vista; still in contention
were Houblon Des Obeaux,
Rick, Cape Tribulation, Sonovic, Cantlow, Reindeer Dippin, Sergent Guib’s and Our
Father. Kayf
Aramis, disputing the lead, hit 2 out. Exiting
out of the final bend Cantlow assumed the lead,
with the cruising Cape Tribulation challenging over the last. The latter was ridden out to win by ¾ of a
length from Catch Me, who kept on the take 2nd ahead of Cantlow
and Houblon Des Obeaux. Sonovic fell at
the last when disputing 4th position. Pulled
up were Across The Bay (before 2 out); Sir Kezbaah
(before 3 out); Thehillsofuisneach (before 3 out)
and Scotsbrook Cloud (before the last). Buena Vista completed in 13th.
I remained beside the course-side rails ahead of the
next race. There was a
Stewards’
Enquiry associated with the second race: The Stewards held an enquiry into the use of the whip
by Denis O’Regan, the rider of the winner, CAPE
TRIBULATION, on the run in. 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 after the post. The Stewards suspended O’Regan for 2 days as follows: Thursday 29 and Friday 30
March 2012. BHA: Why they ran badly: The Veterinary Officer reported that BARWELL BRIDGE,
which was pulled up, trained by Warren Greatrex,
was lame. The
Paul Nicholls trained Pocquelin, ridden by Daryl Jacobs, was withdrawn at the
start on vetinary advice. The
officials were checking the horse’s mouth, as blood was clearly visible. Had the horse bitten his own tongue?
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Great Endeavour, from Rubi Light, Albertas Run, Little Josh, Riverside Theatre, Captain Chris,
Forpadydeplasterer, Somersby, Medermit,
Kalahari King, Noble Prince and Blazing Tempo. The
AP McCoy ridden Albertas Run went on over the 2nd;
he then disputed the lead with Great Endeavour around the far turn and into
the home straight on the first occasion.
These were followed by Little Josh, Rubi
Light, Riverside Theatre, Forpadydeplasterer, Medermit, Captain Chris, Noble Prince, Somersby, Kalahari
King; the Ruby Walsh ridden mare Blazing Tempo not jumping fluently in rear. Riverside
Theatre jumped slowly over fence five; Noble Prince jumped to his right over
the 6th and 7th fences. Albertas Run and Little Josh bumped in mid-air clearing
the latter. Great Endeavour, Albertas Run and Rubi Light
were vying for the lead as the runners headed away from the stands; the
latter taking the advantage over the next fence, the 8th, when Great
Endeavour wasn’t fluent. Kalahari
King, Forpadydeplasterer and Noble Prince were all
slow at this fence. Blazing
Tempo, never travelling, was pulled up before the 10th fence, as was Noble
Prince. Medermit
hit this one. Rubi
Light led over the 11th, from Albertas Run, Little
Josh, Great Endeavour, the pushed along Riverside Theatre, Somersby, Captain
Chris and the ridden Medermit. Albertas Run took
over the lead, clearing the 12th in front.
As is his inclination, Captain Chris jumped to his right and continued
to do so over his obstacles; often to the disadvantage of Riverside Theatre
to his outside. Choc’s mount, having
responded to Choc’s urgings, made headway; although
he hit the 13th, hard. Riverside
Theatre also hit this fence, as did Forpadydeplasterer. Rubi Light got
his head in front once more 4 out. Over
3 out the order was Albertas Run, Rubi Light, Riverside Theatre; with Medermit
just behind these three. Turning into
the home straight, AP McCoy’s mount still held the advantage, from Riverside
Theatre to his outside, Rubi Light to his
inside. Choc drove Medermit
between horses; he was a very close third when he cleared 2 out. It
was anyone’s race as they cleared the last; Albertas
Run hung to his right, causing Riverside Theatre to drift towards the
stand-side rails. Medermit
ran straight up the far side rails and for a while it was neck and neck. However, Riverside Theatre stayed on best
under a strong drive from Barry Geraghty to take
the prize by ½ a length from Albertas Run, with Medermit a further ½ length away in 3rd. Captain Chris took 4th, having overtaken Rubi Light on the run to the line. Yet
another winner for this week’s all conquering jockey and trainer combination
of Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson. Riverside Theatre was Barry’s 5th winner of
the week following Sprinter Sacre (Arkle), Simonsig (Neptune),
Bobs Worth (RSA) and Finian’s Rainbow (Queen Mother
Champion Chase); and Nicky’s 6th winner this week having trained all of the
above plus yesterday’s Fred Winter winner Une
Artiste.
I made a decision to return to the
Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc and the gallant Medermit
arrive back. Choc’s
parents, Sally and Martin, had made their way to the steppings
to watch their son too, having viewed the race from the Owners and Trainers
area. Once I had seen Choc unsaddle and
return to the Weighing Room, I set off to find a vantage point beside the course-side
rails ahead of the next race.
Fortunately, it being a quieter day than Tuesday or Gold Cup day, I
had no problems with this. There was a Stewards’ Enquiry associated with the
third race and, unfortunately, it involved Choc:
BHA Why they ran badly: Davy Russell, the rider of NOBLE PRINCE (GER), which
was pulled up, reported that the gelding jumped right and felt wrong. It was now time for Choc’s second and final ride of the day, aboard the Alan
King trained Smad Place in the feature race of the
day. Being the main race of the day,
police officers and security guards were posted along the rails as a
deterrent to those who might wish to climb over the fence and stray onto the
course to disrupt the race. Upon exiting the course, the horses
were led in a circle and sorted into number order before parading in front of
the stands. The stable lads and lasses
having released their charges, the runners cantered back down past the
winning post then headed up around the top bend via the fibresand
strip. The starting gate for this event
was at the beginning of the back straight, with almost two full circuits of
the course to travel.
Then
they were off; first time. Choc set
off one from the rear. The field was
led away by Cross Kennon, from Five Dream, Mourad, Big Buck’s, Mikael D’Haguenet, Thousand Stars, Oscar Whisky, Dynaste, So Young, Smad Place,
and Voler La Vedette. At
the top of the hill Cross Kennon and Five Dream
were matching strides at the head of affairs.
The three grey runners, Thousand Stars, Dynaste
and Smad Place were grouped near the rear. There was little change in the order as the
runners progressed up the home straight on the first occasion. The order was Cross Kennon,
Five Dream, Big Buck’s, Mourad, Mikael
D’Haguenet, Thousand Stars, Oscar Whisky, So Young,
Dynaste, Smad Place and Voler La Vedette. Mourad led narrowly
crossing the 8th flight; Big Buck’s now in second, as Cross Kennon weakened.
Big Buck’s took the lead 2 out, from Thousand Stars, Oscar Whisky, Mourad, Smad Place and Voler La Vedette. Ruby
drove Big Buck’s around the turn and towards the last; switching to his
left. Andrew Lynch, travelling well
aboard the mare Voler La Vedette
switched to the nearside in response.
She held every chance on the run-in, but it was no surprise that Big
Buck’s had her measure and was well in command in the final 50 yards; winning
by 1¾ lengths. Although
initially outpaced, Smad Place stayed on to claim
3rd; Thousand Stars completed in 4th.
Oscar Whisky was well beaten in 5th. Jockey
Andrew Lynch was the first to congratulate Ruby, slapping him on the back as
they pulled up after the line; Ruby hugged his mount. It was then Choc’s
turn to congratulate the winning jockey; he shook his hand and said a few
words to his colleague too.
Having
been placed, once again I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc and Smad Place arrive back.
Once he had unsaddled his mount and returned to the Weighing Room, I
decided to visit the loo, hoping to gain a time advantage at the end of the
day and therefore leave the racecourse a few minutes early. However, the queue stretched out the door
... and I was amazed at the number of women who were inappropriately dressed
for a cold day! Even though I’d put on
more layers than earlier in the week, I was really cold today. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Having
not returned to the course-side rails, I watched the next race on the big
screen whilst standing on the concourse. The starting gate for this race
being in the mid-course chute, with three fences to negotiate before turning
into the home straight on the first occasion. Jockey Richard Johnson had been
stood down for the remainder of the afternoon; he was still suffering the
ill-effects following the fall from Wishful Thinking in yesterday’s Queen
Mother Champion Chase. His mount had
crashed out through the rails at the 4th fence, hitting and injuring a French
photographer too. He was replaced in
the next race by Michael Byrne claiming 5 lbs aboard top weight Tartak.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Salut Flo, from Radetsky
March, who jumped left and made a mistake at the first. Also prominent were Tartak,
Kilcrea Asla, Holmwood Legend and Fingeronthepulse. In rear was Life Of A Luso. The
Cockney Mackem hit the 2nd fence, as did Charingworth. Near
the rear of the field, Notus De La Tour fell at the
third fence; Georgio Quercus,
Crack Away Jack and Life Of A Luso were all
hampered as a result. The prominent Fingeronthepulse hit the fourth fence. Heading up the home straight on the first
occasion, Salut Flo continued to lead, from Fingeronthepulse, Holmwood
Legend, Gilbarry, Hector’s Choice, Divers, Tartak, Radetsky March, and Georgio Quercus. Radetsky March
hit the 7th obstacle and lost his place, soon tailing off. Proceeding
down the back straight, there was no change at the head of affairs, Gilbarry now in second, from Fingeronthepulse. Hector’s Choice, Mad Moose, Charingworth and Crack Away Jack all hit the 8th
fence. Niceonefrankie
made an error at the 10th, the first open-ditch. Hector’s Choice blundered at the 11th and
soon lost his place. The prominent Gilbarry clobbered 5 out. Still
Salut Flo led, although he hit 4 out, his first
significant error. Fingeronthepulse
his nearest pursuer, Divers in 3rd; the latter blundered 3 out, his jockey AP
McCoy clipping the wing of the fence.
Tom Scudamore’s mount was 3 lengths clear
around the final bend, from Divers, Fingeronthepulse
and The Cockney Mackem. However, Salut
Flo stayed on well to win by 6th lengths at the line, having made all. The Cockney Mackem
finished 2nd, Glam Gerry caught Divers on the line to take 3rd, Tartak in 5th; last year’s winner, Holmwood
Legend 6th. It
was trainer David Pipe’s 8th Festival winner.
Having
remained on the concourse, I was able to reach the steppings
above the Winners’ Enclosure with ease when the winning horse arrived
back. I then returned to the
course-side rails ahead of the next race. Alan
King had one runner in the next event, Midnight Appeal ridden by Mr Robbie
Henderson. Upon exiting the walkway from
the Parade Ring, the competitors for the next race cantered up the all-weather
track in front of the stands before returning down the course to the starting
gate which was situated between the two nearest steeplechase fences in the
home straight. Thus the race took
place over slightly more than two circuits of the track; with one fence to be
jumped three times. There was a problem at the
start, the jockeys manoeuvring their horses to be far too close to the
tape. Midnight Appeal was side on,
boxed in and stubbornly refused budge; the almost white Swing Bill was also
trapped, almost broadside on. The
jockeys finally turned their horses away from the tape, although barely
withdrew enough before coming in to line up again. This time Sona Sasta ended up with his
hindquarters resting on the tape; he was facing in the wrong direction! He, too, dug in his toes. Eventually the horse consented to turn
around ...
The starter had now had enough,
he released the tape and the runners were off from a standing start. However, Sona
Sasta had planted himself once more, almost
refusing to race and got left by a number of lengths at the start before finally
consenting to race. The
field was led away by Becauseicouldntsee, from
Start Me Up, Summery Justice, Fredo, Slippers
Percy, Exmoor Ranger, Frontier Spirit, Time For Spring, Be There In Five, Sunnyhillboy, Mostly Bob and Faasel. Adams Island made an error at the second
fence; Mostly Bob made a mistake at the third, the water-jump. Becauseicouldntsee
led the field down the hill on the first occasion, from the Martin Keighley
trained Benbane Head, Adams Island, Slippers Percy,
Fredo, Start Me Up and Time For Spring. Into the home straight, Sona
Sosta had progressed into mid-field. Into the back straight once more, Adams
Island made an error at the 14th, as did Slippers Percy. Gurtacrue and Brackloon High made errors at the fence at the top of the
hill. Benbane Head took the
lead 3 out, and led around the final bend; Becauseicouldntsee
regained it two out. Exmoor Ranger,
Time For Spring, Up The Beat, Start Me Up and Your Busy were still in
contention. The race favourite, Sunnyhillboy, continued to progress up the inside and was
in second position as they cleared the last.
His jockey, Mr Alan Berry, rode him to take the lead on the run-in,
winning by 4½ lengths from Becauseicouldntsee,
Exmoor Ranger and Up The Beat. Benbane Head faded on
the run to the line to finish 9th; Midnight Appeal, very tired, fell at the
last. I
think the problem at the start was caused by the fact that there is no
off-course ‘holding pen’ on the
inside of the course at this point, the runners being pretty much cramped for
room between the final two fences in the home straight. I’m not sure why they cannot use the space
to the outside, it being the already ‘discarded’
Old Course, enabling them to have a ‘rolling’
start and perhaps avoid the problems they encountered.
Once
again, it being late in the day, I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see
the winner and placed horses arrive back.
It
was now time for the final race of the day, the charity race in aid of Cancer
Research UK. There were 12 competing
in the event, Tina Cook (3-day event rider, sister of Nick Gifford, daughter
of Josh), Jelly O’Brien (wife of Fergal), Niall Hannity
(RUK presenter), Stuart Parr, Shan Cothi, Jo McCain
(daughter of Ginger), Candida Baker (wife of trainer George), Gina Bryce (ATR
presenter), James Hughes, Wendy Normile, Niall
Cronin and Lindsey Hunt. When
the horses had left the Parade Ring I set off to find a vantage point beside
the course-side rails for the final time today. The horses were circling on the racecourse,
at the point where the main circuit meets the home straight; the race being
run over one complete circuit of the racecourse.
Then
they were away; Prince Of Fire rearing slightly just before they set
off. The field was led away by On Khee, from Wild Desert, Langley, Not So Sure Dick, Akiem, Crunched, The Baler, Pillar Of Hercules, Kykate, Loden, the grey Pascha Bere and Prince Of
Fire. Crunched,
ridden by Racing UK presenter Niall Hannity, made
noticeable headway on the inside of the runners as the field travelled
towards the top of the hill; Prince Of Fire had made progress too. On
Khee still held the advantage as the field headed
downhill, from Wild Desert, Crunched, Langley, Prince Of Fire, The Baler, Kykate, Pascha Bere, Not So Sure Dick, Akiem, Loden and Pillar Of Hercules. Around
the final turn and into the home straight, Wild Desert went on, from the long
time leader On Khee, then came Crunched and Prince
of Fire, with Pascha Bere
staying on towards the inside of the track to get his head in front just
after the one furlong pole. Having
swept past the other runners, he went on to win by a number of lengths at the
line.
I returned to the steppings
above the Winners’ Enclosure to see the winner and placed horses arrive
back. Tina, her brother and the
horse’s owner were absolutely delighted to have won. It meant a lot to them; Tina and Nick
having lost their dad, ex-jockey and trainer, Josh just a few short weeks
ago. And yes, I do remember Josh
riding as a jockey ... I remember lots of things ... which means this particular
grey mare must be pretty old! Lindsey Hunting, who completed
in second, is staff nurse at the Worcester Royal Hospital, she rides out
regularly for trainer Fergal O’Brien and is the fiancée
of jockey Paddy Brennan. Each jockey received a memento
of their special day. Once the prizes had been
presented, it was time for me to leave.
I walked back up the concourse and exited via the gate located beside
the Centaur building. This year,
unlike previous ones, I’ve been leaving the car park shortly after arriving
back to collect my car. I usually hate
pushing out into the queue of cars ... I’m a bit of a scardy cat at
heart! Far too polite for my own
good!!! In fact I think it was a
little quieter today; perhaps a number of attendees had left prior to the
charity race taking place. Anyway, unlike the awful
problems I had encountered the previous day when trying to escape from the
town itself, today was a piece of cake.
It has to be said that each time the traffic police intervene, it
causes far more problems than are necessary; the prime example being
yesterday. After being directed to turn
right upon leaving the gate, today I was able to turn left into Tommy Taylors
Lane/Folly Lane and at the following T-junction turned left to travel along
St Paul’s Road and into Clarence Square.
Having waited briefly at the traffic lights, I turned left at the end
of Clarence Road, heading up Prestbury Road and taking a right turn at the
first roundabout. Having negotiated
Pittville Circus, I proceded to the end of Pittville Circus Road. I then turned left to travel along Hewlett
Road to reach the ‘longabout’. Instead of turning right and heading back
along Hales Road, I headed up Harp Hill, taking a right turn into Greenway
Lane to reach the Six Ways junction where, after the traffic lights changed
to green, I turned left onto London Road, the A40. I’d escaped Cheltenham in 15 minutes! That’s how it should be; not the 40 minutes
it had taken yesterday thanks to the interference by the traffic police. It being relatively early, darkness
didn’t fall until I was well on my way across the Cotswolds. As on the previous two days, once I’d
reached A44 junction on the western outskirts of Oxford, I decided to
continue around the city’s ring-road to reach the M40. The motorway is in darkness until after it
rises through the Chilterns escarpment but, after that, it is lit all the way
to the M25. The latter motorway is lit
too, which helps when one gets older, as it is a scientific fact that night driving
gets more difficult as one ages. Evidently pupils shrink with age, permitting
less light into the eye; and the cornea and lense also become less clear,
increasing glare and reducing contrast sensitivity. As I needed to fill my car’s
fuel tank before returning home, I proceeded to Junction 22 of the M25, a
Sainsburys petrol station being located on the retail park adjoining the
motorway. In fact I always fill up
here; the one exception being my annual excursion to Aintree when I have to
fill up once during my trip, at the Asda store a very short distance from the
racecourse! Having completed that task, I
drove home, arriving at 20:25. Time
for a quick snack; I then uploaded my photographs and wrote my daily blog,
whilst recording RUK’s highlights programme.
This particular taping making it easier for me to make race notes
without having to fast forward to find the sections I need! Whilst on-line I also tweeted Choc to wish
him luck for the final day of the Festival; he tweeted back to thank me for
my good wishes. And, having spent the day
shivvering at Cheltenham, I was gutted to discover that Hertfordshire had
been bathed in warm sunshine all day!
Typical. As had seemed the norm this
week, my good intentions of getting to bed in good time ahead of the next
day’s racing flew out of the window once more. It was nearer 23:00 than 22:00 when I
turned in. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
