DIARY – SANDOWN PARK
– SATURDAY 05 FEBRUARY 2011
|
In the
Parade Ring, Choc aboard
Medermit prior to the Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) Today was a ‘planned’ visit to the races, as for a
number of weeks I’d been aware that Alan King intended to run his Cheltenham
Festival prospect, Medermit, in the Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park. January had been a very busy month for me,
with four consecutive Saturdays spent at the races; so February started off
in the same vein. Fortunately,
however, and having ‘burnt the candle
at both ends’ on numerous days (especially weekdays), my website diaries
were up to date and I was thus raring to go!
The only time I expect to have a backlog on my website is following
the Cheltenham Festival and continuing through until after Aintree. Last year’s delay was worse than the
previous year; in 2009 I had just one outstanding Cheltenham diary to
complete when I set off for Aintree; but last year there were 3 outstanding
and I believe it took until mid-June to get both the Festival and Grand
National meeting diaries up to date! The forecast today
was for mild but very blustery weather, certainly not the freezing cold and
windy conditions experienced at Chelteham last Saturday. A decision on clothes ... I think I’m due
to wear a skirt to the races but, currently, I’m more of a trousers person,
if you know what I mean? Although I
keep my legs epilated at all times! Midweek I’d begun by
thinking that I’d wear my black and white checked skirt, but as the day
approached I thought better of it, as the style is not conducive to windy
weather; as I’m a bit past it for ‘flashing
my bloomers’ to all and sundry! My
next choice was my favourite grey skirt (the one I wore in August when
interviewed by ATR regarding my website).
Then I thought that perhaps I would feel more comfortable in jeans;
then I was going to wear my grey skirt again ... however in the event, I wore
dark blue jeans! I becoming very
indecisive in my old age!!! To brighten up the
dull day, I chose my short cerise coloured coat, and Tutti Fruiti coloured ‘Snowball’ scarf; the latter is
absolutely perfect to team up with this coat, a purely accidental
discovery. I’m unsure when my Vivid
Violet scarf is going to get an outing ... I keep taking it out of the
cupboard ... and putting it away again, as a different coloured one always
seems to better fit the bill! I still
wore two thermal vests, one long-sleeved, one sleeveless; then a purple
sweater, a burgundy coloured cardigan with the ubiquitous frills around the
edge, and my purple fleece. Plus my M
& S ‘Engineer’ boots once
again. As the gates opened
at 11:30, I didn’t need to leave home until 10:30; permitting me to watch
Channel 4’s The Morning Line from the comfort of my bed before I showered,
washed and dried my hair, applied make-up and set off for Esher. I joined the M25 at
junction 21A, initially travelling through the 50mph contraflow system. I left at the motorway at junction 10,
travelling up the A3 towards London and leaving at the Esher turning. The first delays I encountered were as I
approached the first set of traffic lights on the road into town. I admired the
beautiful houses currently under construction in a development along this
road – Princess Square – evidently the dwellings cost in excess of £2.5
million each ... not quite in my price bracket, unless I win big on the
lottery! But, if that happens, I’d
like a smallholding in the country, rather than a house within the M25. And to still be handy for my favourite
racecourses, I think the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire border would probably be
the best location for my ‘dream abode’. And more indecision
... do I go centre-course for the free parking, or spend £5 to park just off
the Portsmouth Road? I choose the
former. I thus headed along More Lane,
turning right and driving across the racecourse; the crossing is awkward on
the steering, as the wheels always go against the grain! When I first visited Sandown Park, it was
possible to park on the tarmac area if you arrived early; unfortunately, this
area is now reserved for the Members, so I had to park on the grass instead. And I’m never keen on this, when my car is
clean! Oh well; at least the parking
is free of charge. Huntingdon has the
worst route to reach a car park, as the road comprises of gravel strewn with
deep potholes; unless, of course, these have been filled in since my last visit. I waited in my car
for a few minutes, ate the cheese rolls I’d prepared, and drank some black
coffee from a flask ... it’s weird, until last November I was a confirmed ‘tea’ person, I only occasionally
drank coffee, and then always black. However, following a cold, I found that
I couldn’t get rid of the catarrh and dairy products only excarbated the
problem. Hence I’m currently a black
coffee drinker! Whilst I was sitting
in the car, I noticed one magpie fly across my view. Drat, was it going to be an unlucky day I
wondered? Soon I set off to
purchase a ticket from the tent situated alongside the course crossing
gate. There was a long queue at one
ticket seller, but no queue at the other.
The latter asked if anyone wished to purchase a grandstand
ticket? Yes, me; so I was able to jump
the queue. He remarked how strange it
was that everyone wished to join a queue.
Yes, it’s very British I told him! Having bought a
grandstand ticket (£18) I crossed the home straight on the plastic pontons;
these are laid down to protect the course from the pedestrian footfall. Once at the other side, I purchased a
race-card, £2.50 today; I then went to sit beside the Parade Ring, with my
back facing towards the Weighing Room.
The day was dull and blustery, but not particularly cold. I read through the
race-card, but it seemed that one of my contact lenses was causing my vision
to be slightly blurred, and it was uncomfortable too. Soft lenses are malleable, so can be
inserted with either side against the cornea.
I know soft lenses used to have a right and wrong side; is this still
the case? If so, perhaps the lense
offending lense was inside out. Anyway, being a ‘kitchen-sink’ kind of girl, I just so
happened to have a spare set of disposable lenses in my glasses case; yes, I
carry my glasses with me, and my reading glasses ... and sometimes I carry
sunglasses too! So I popped to the
ladies loo and, when I got there, took out the offending lense from my right
eye, and replaced it with a spare one.
It was far more comfortable than before; in fact I was no longer aware
that I was wearing them. I returned to the
Parade Ring to await the competitors prior to the first race. Today I spotted jockey Aidan Coleman; Clerk
of the Course Andrew Cooper; trainer Charlie Mann; plus Paul Nicholls’ daughter
Megan and his nephew Harry Derham.
Nick Luck and Steve Mellish were representing Racing UK at the course
today. Before racing, there was a
punters panel ... come to think of it, hardly a panel, it was solely
totesport’s George Primarolo speaking with raceday presenter Anthony Kemp! Choc would have 5
rides today: Race 1: Kumbeshwar,
a juvenile having his first run over hurdles, but a winner on his last 3 runs
on the fibresand at Southwell. He is
jointly owned by Nigel Bunter (Alan King’s landlord) and the McNeill family;
running in the colours of the latter, which are better known for their
association with Mille Chief and my favourite horse, Walkon. Race 3: The
aforementioned Medermit; racing over 2 miles and 4½ furlongs today, with the
hope of enabling Alan King to make a decision between the Grade 1 Arkle Chase
or the new 2 mile 4 furlong Grade 2 Jewsons Novices’ Chase at the upcoming
Cheltenham Festival. Race 4: Choc’s third
ride of the day would be aboard Like A Hurricane in the Handicap Hurdle; the
horse being most notable for having visited four racecourses hoping for a
run, but each time the fixtures were called off! Race 6: His fourth
ride of the day would be aboard Call Me A Legend in the 2 mile Handicap
Chase, the mare having won over fences at her first attempt last season, only
to be grounded having fractured her pelvis.
Since her return, she’d been placed at Newbury (4th) and then won at
Warwick. According to the racecard,
Alan King was very hopeful of her chances today. Race 7: Choc’s final
ride of the day would be aboard Hong Kong Harry in the Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle; the horse was lightly raced, presumably following problems. Soon it was time for
Choc’s first ride of the day. Once the
horses had begun to leave the Parade Ring, I set off to find a good vantage
point beside the course-side rails, just alongside the half furlong post ...
this seems to have been put in place recently; or perhaps I’ve just never
noticed it before! The horses cantered
down past the stands to reach the start, which is at the far end of the home
straight and, as I’d ‘route marched’ through
the grandstand, I was in time to see Choc and Kumbeshwar canter by. Unfortunately,
however, jockey Liam Treadwell was unshipped from his mount, Lucky Breeze, on
the way to the start; the filly proceeded to canter around the bottom bend
and up the back straight. Her stable
lads were waiting for her to reach them, which she eventually did, but she
took fright, turning around to canter back from whence she came. However, she was eventually cornered and
caught near one of the steeplechase fences as she stopped to take a pick of
grass. As a result, the race had been
delayed; and the filly was withdrawn.
Finally
they were off. The field was led away
by Professeur Emery with Jason Maguire aboard; the same
tactics used as when running at the Sandown fixture 4 weeks ago. Choc’s mount
wasn’t fluent at the first. Youm Jamil had pulled his way
up into second spot by the 2nd flight; and he was followed by Moose Moran
leading the main group of runners. Around
the top bend Kumbeshwar had 4 runners behind
him. Down the hill and around the bend
into the back straight, on the outside of the field Mountrath
crashed through the wing, unseating his jockey. Professeur Emery
had by now set up a lead of 15 to 20 lengths; Youm Jamil and Moose Moran disputed second, followed by Magic
Prospect and Not In The Clock. Heading
into the final bend, Kumbeshwar was in around sixth
position, then improved on this as Choc began to galvanise his mount. Into the home straight Professeur
Emery still led by some distance, chased by Moose Moran, Not In The Clock,
and Kumbeshwar.
The
long time leader began to tire; Choc’s mount
closing, taking the penultimate flight in third position. He continued to gain ground towards the
last, taking second in the process. Professeur Emery still had a two lengths advantage over
the final flight, but gradually Kumbeshwar reeled
him in, and won by 3½ lengths on the line.
Not In The Clock finished 3rd and Moose Moran, the evens favourite, 4th. Choc’s 24th winner of
the season.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc arrive back. Once he’d unsaddled and spoken with Alan
King and the horse’s connections, Max McNeill and Nigel Bunter, Choc returned
to the Weighing Room. After
the prizes were awarded I returned to the Parade Ring in preparation for the
horses arriving prior to the next race, the Contenders Hurdle. It was noticeable that reigning Champion
Hurdler, Binocular, was already beginning to sweat up. Once
the horses had set off down the horse-walk to the course, I went to find a
good vantage point in the stands, as I only venture course-side if Choc is
competing in the race. The
start of this race, as with the first event, was at the far end of the home
straight with just over one circuit to travel.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by the mare, Ruthenoise;
followed by Siberian Tiger, the restrained Dorabelle,
and Binocular in rear. Around
the top bend, nothing had changed, apart from the field closing up; Ruthenoise wasn’t fluent at the third; Siberian Tiger hit
the fourth. Dorabelle
wasn’t fluent at the fifth flight, and subsequently trashed the final one in
the back straight, 3 out. The
runners were closely packed around the bottom bend; Binocular on the inside
disputing last place with Dorabelle. Into the final straight AP McCoy brought
his mount for a run up the inside; Dorabelle soon
dropping out. Binocular
was shaken up and closed on the leader, soon taking second place. Ruthenoise still
led over the last, but put in an awkward jump; thus losing the lead to AP’s
mount. Binocular, although not
impressive on this occasion, won by 1¾ lengths.
I returned to see the horses arrive back in the
Winners’ Enclosure, before walking across to the Parade Ring in preparation
for the third and feature race of the day, in which Choc would be riding Festival
contender Medermit. Having been interviewed later in the afternoon,
AP McCoy said Binocular’s run was okay; in his own
words he wasn’t ‘over the moon’ about
it. But the horse had won this race
last year, even less impressively, and had still gone on to win the Champion
Hurdle at the Festival a few weeks later. Choc arrived in the Parade Ring, and the bell
soon rang to indicate that jockeys should mount. Once the horses, or rather Medermit, had set off down the horse walk-way, I set off
through the grandstand to find a suitable vantage point beside the
open-ditch, hoping to take a photograph as they cleared the fence with one
circuit to travel. I was in time to
see Choc canter by on his way to the start, which was in the back straight,
the 3 railway fences being the initial obstacles in this race. The horses cut across the centre of the
course to reach the starting gate. When the competitors headed out onto the final
circuit, I would move further up the course in order to view the race upon
the big screen; and to make my journey to the Winners’ Enclosure shorter and
quicker! And obviously, at this stage,
with the hope that Medermit would be among the
placed horses! Choc’s
mount started as the race favourite.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
the Felix de Giles ridden Mr Gardner and the ‘other’ grey Hidden Keel, Cois Farraig in third; Captain
Chris in rear. Medermit
was mid-field taking a centre line. Mr
Gardner led into the home straight with just over one circuit to go. At the back of the field, Captain Chris
blundered at the open-ditch, having taken off too early. Past the winning post with one circuit to
go, the order was Mr Gardener, Hidden Keel, Rebel Du Marquis, Nadiya De La Vega, Rock Noir, Medermit,
Reve De Sivola, Captain
Chris and the already struggling Cois Farraig. Hidden
Keel took the lead as the field travelled towards the downhill fence,
although he made a mistake at the ninth; Medermit
noticeably closer and now disputing third place. Rock Noir hit the first of the railway
fences; the leader Hidden Keel wasn’t fluent at the 13th. Detached from the other runners were Reve De Sivola, Nadiya De La Vega and Cois Farraig. The
leading six contenders approached the Pond Fence; Mr Gardner briefly assuming
the lead. But Medermit
soon overtook him on the inside (or perhaps that should be undertook!); Felix
de Giles’ mount stumbling after two out.
Captain Chris was making steady progress and moved into second
approaching the last, he gained on Choc’s mount as
they approached the line; but Medermit held on by ½
a length. A
Grade 1 winner for Alan King and Choc; their first since Voy
Por Ustedes’ victory at
Aintree in April 2009. And, of course,
Choc’s 25th winner of the season.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc arrive back following his
victory aboard the grey. Again I was
one of the first to get there and had a clear view for taking photographs. Medermit’s owners
joked with the official photographer, saying that their horse didn’t like
having his photo taken, but would have to get used to it now! Unfortunately,
despite there being a prize for the winning jockey, Choc was unable to return
to collect it, as he had to do a mere 10 stones 2 pounds aboard Like A Hurricane
in the next race and needed to return briefly to the sauna to lose additional
weight. Damn, that’s such a shame, as
it would have afforded the perfect photo opportunity for me. The
next day, and after discussion with Choc and the owners, Alan King decided
that Medermit would be aimed at the Grade 1 Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Soon
it was time for the fourth race of the day; once Choc was aboard his mount
and had set off down the horse-walk I went to find a vantage point beside the
course-side rails. The race began near
the beginning of the back straight (the jockeys with their backs to the first
flight therein) with three to jump before exiting it; the horses headed up
around the top bend to reach the starting gate. Upon
arrival at the start, it was discovered that Lush Life had spread a plate;
the farrier being called upon to replace it. However, having been trotted out the back
of the field once re-shod, the Nicky Henderson runner was still 4 or 5
lengths behind the other runners, when the starter let them go!
They
were off ... Lush Life detached in rear.
The field was led away by Dantari and Alfie Spinner.
Into the straight for the first time, the former was clear of the
field; a newspaper blew across the course in front of him as he approached
the next. Over the sixth the order
was, Dantari clear, then Alfie
Spinner, followed by Quartz De Thaix, Kilcrea Kim, Gee Dee Nen,
National Trust, Supreme De Paille, Dansimar, Prince Tom, County Zen, Mister Hyde, Arkose, Pause And Clause, Miss Overdrive, Like A
Hurricane, Numide, Mr Jay Dee, Altilhar,
Lush Life having gained a place, with Roll Along now in rear. Sadly
disaster struck for the Let’s Live Racing’s Dansimar,
who stumbled shortly after landing over the next flight; she’d broken her
off-fore. The jockey pulled the mare
up quickly and dismounted; the grounds staff running across the course to
erect the green screens around the stricken horse. Heading
around the top turn and then downhill, Dantari had
set up a 15 length lead; still chased by Alfie
Spinner. The leader dived at the
second flight down the back but retained his advantage. Gee Dee Nen
blundered badly 3 out. By the end of
the back straight, Like A Hurricane had lost touch with the main body of the
field and was struggling. Dantari led the field
into the home straight, from Kilcrea Kim, Alfie Spinner, County Zen, Mister Hyde, Numide, Prince Tom, Quartz De Thaix
and Supreme De Paille; the long-time leader drifted
over towards the stand side of the course, and was tiring. Kilcrea Kim assumed the
lead 2 out, Alfie Spinner rallying to retake
second. The horses jumped the final
flight; the injured Dansimar stationary behind the
screens over by the far side rails. Kilcrea Kim ran on to win by 1¼ lengths
from the closing Alfie Spinner, with Dantari in 3rd and County Zen in 4th. Choc
pulled up his mount before two out. A
bad three days for the Venetia Williams yard, which also lost A French Horse at
Towcester on Thursday.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the placed horses arrive back
therein. Shortly afterwards, Choc returned
to the Weighing Room having unsaddled his mount in the area reserved for
unplaced horses. Following
the race, there was a Stewards’ Enquiry into the incident at the start;
resulting in the matter being referred to the BHA for further enquiry! No
ride for Choc in the next event. Once
the horses had set off down the horse-walk, I went to find a vantage point in
the stands from where to watch the event.
The competitors headed directly to the start, travelling around the
top bend to reach it; the first obstacle being the downhill fence.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by one of the greys, Beat The Boys; who was soon overtaken by Aimigayle; Chief Yeoman, Free World, and Burren Legend were in rear. Eric’s
Charm clouted the second, but survived.
The field remained closely grouped down the back straight, apart from
Free World who was slightly detached at the rear. Aimigayle hit the
first of the railway fences, Theatrical Moment the following one. Aimigayle led as the
field entered the home straight for the first time. Soulard hit the
fence before the open-ditch. As the
field headed past the winning post with one circuit to go, Free World again
detached from the field, Jamie Moore becoming animated in an effort to
galvanise his mount. Down
the back straight, Beat The Boys disputed the lead with Aimigayle. Khachaturian departed at the first of the
railway fences, Jason Maguire catching the horse as it rose to its feet. Leading Contender blundered at the final
railway fence, unseating Richard Johnson.
Beat
the Boys led the field around the final bend and jumping the Pond Fence;
however the veteran Eric’s Charm rallied, coming on the wide outside to take
over at the head of affairs before the last and staying on well to win by 6
lengths from Beat The Boys, Burren Legend and Take
The Breeze.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see 13-year old Eric’s Charm
return. Coincidentally, the horse’s
half-brother Monkerhostin (who was trained by
Philip Hobbs and is now retired), had won last year’s race, also as a 13-year
old. Eric’s Charm’s trainer, Oliver
Sherwood, said he’d earlier decided that the horse would be retired should he
win or be placed in this race. So,
having done just that, he’d need to discuss possible retirement with the
owners, who were currently aboard. Choc’s mount in the
next race was Call Me A Legend, Alan King hopeful that she’d take well to the
shorter 2 mile trip and thus earn a place in the Grand Annual at
Cheltenham. She started this race as
favourite. Once
Choc had left the Parade Ring, I set off to find a position beside the open
ditch, again with the intention of moving back up the rails once the horses
had set off into the country. Being
a two mile event, the race began at the far end of the home straight, with
just over one circuit to travel. But,
being the kind of day it was, the Venetia Williams trained Zacharova dug his feet in when the horses are instructed
to come out onto the track. The horse
was led in, or rather as the commentator said ‘dragged in’, to join his fellow competitors.
Then
they were off; but Zacharova was not with them,
he’d refused to jump off with the other runners. The field was led away by Blacktoft, followed by Edgbriar,
Anquetta, My Moment, Sambulando,
and Nomecheki; in rear was Riguez
Dancer. Turning
into the back straight, Call Me A Legend was slow at the downhill fence,
losing her place in mid-division. Moon
Over Miami hit the 6th obstacle; Anquetta assuming
the lead; Blacktoft dived at the 8th, the first of
the railway fences. King Edmund chased
Anquetta around the final bend, followed by Blacktoft, Nomecheki, and Noble
Alan. From
the Pond Fence, Nomecheki came to take second, with
Edgbriar soon rallying. However, Anquetta
was now in command of the race and, despite hanging left and swishing her
tail on the run-in, she went on to win by 2 lengths. Having
lost touch by the ninth fence, Call Me A Legend came home in her own time,
finishing 9th.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the placed horses arrive back and, or course, Choc return to the Weighing Room having
unsaddled his mount in the area reserved for the unplaced horses. It
was later reported that Alan King wasn’t too despondent with Call Me A
Legend’s run; the distance proved too short for the mare as she couldn’t go
the early pace; he decided that a 2 mile 4 furlong race at the Festival might
be more suitable for his charge. Soon
it was time for the Choc’s fifth and final ride of
the day, in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
Choc’s mount, Hong
Kong Harry, got very excited in the Parade Ring, so much so that the horse
was led up the rampway and onto the horse-walk for
Choc to mount. The horse’s sire, Sir
Harry Lewis, often passes on the ‘excitability’
trait to his offspring. Following
another ‘route march’ I arrived in
time to see Choc canter by. The
start of this race was on the far side of the track, the horses cantering
down past the stands and then proceeding along a track across the ‘in-field’ golf course to reach
it. Dusk
was fast approaching, the race due off at 16:40. However, there was another delay when the
runners charged the tape; jockeys Edward Glassonbury
and Sam Drinkwater became entangled in it and were unseated as a result. Edward
kept hold of Henry Hook; although the valiant Sam was eventually forced to
let go of Wyck Hill’s reins as the horse gained
momentum. But, fortunately, his mount
stopped when faced with a chase fence in its path, and he was promptly caught
by the ‘false start’ flag
person! The jockey jogging down the
course to retrieve his mount. Once
back on board, horses and jockeys were checked over, and again they prepared
to race. On
the replay, Nick Luck and Steve Mellish of Racing
UK pointed out that the starter hadn’t even been on his rostrum when the
jockeys initially charged the tape!
Then
they were off. The field was led away,
almost in line across the course, by Dusky Bob, Firm Order, Wyck Hill, Royale’s Charter, Regal Approach, and the
first time blinkered Henry Hook, the latter soon going on. Marleno was in
rear. Around
the bottom bend, Henry Hook led, followed by Royale’s Charter, Wyck Hill, Firm Order, Regal Approach, Heez A Cracker, Call It On, Representingceltic,
Dusky Bob, Peqeno Diablo, Amirico,
Pro Pell, Hong Kong Harry, Legion D’Honneur, and
Souter Point; Smooth Classic and Marleno bringing
up the rear. Firm
Order soon came to the fore to chase the leader, Henry Hook. Heading down the back straight, Dusky Bob
lost further ground and dropped to the rear of the field. Wyck Hill
flattened the 6th flight; Hong Kong Harry, tiring and beginning to lose
touch, did the same at the next, which was 3 out. Firm
Order, under Will Kennedy, went on around the final turn; although Henry Hook
briefly regained the advantage as he came across to the stand side rail and
cleared the penultimate flight. Representingceltic, just behind the leaders, blundered at
this obstacle. The
fast pace had taken its toll, the novices appearing to finish the race in
slow motion. However Firm Order
started to stay on, as did Legion D’Honneur; the
former retaking the lead before the last flight, the latter taking second
after it, and gaining; but was held at the line by a neck. In third was
Royale’s Charter and 4th the game Henry Hook.
Despite Choc having pulled up his mount
before two out, I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure in order to see him
return to the Weighing Room following the final race. The call for ‘horses away’ having been given, I set off back through the
grandstand and down across the tarmac area in front of the stands to reach
the course crossing, duly returning to my car. I waited around 20 minutes for the race-day
traffic to clear, although it appeared that many had already left or,
perhaps, were remaining to attend the Comedy Store show after racing. The road outside the course was clear, my
first delay being at the traffic lights exiting onto the Portsmouth Road, and
again at those on the road leading to the A3.
The crowd numbers had definitely been
up on those attending on Saturday 08 January; although it was the most ‘traffic free’ trip back through Esher
that I’ve experienced during my nine visits to the course. And, currently, I feel that Sandown Park is
vying for the role as my favourite racecourse, and may possibly supersede Cheltenham
which currently holds that title. My journey took me back to the A3,
then onto the clockwise carriageway of the M25 and around to junction 21A and
home. I reflected that it was my fifth
M25 trip in as many weeks – Sandown Park; Kempton Park; Ascot; Cheltenham and
Sandown Park again ... with Newbury M25/M4 planned for next Saturday too! When I arrived home at 18:30, I
noticed someone had broken one of the posts on the verge outside my
neighbour’s house; the verges along my road are a constant nightmare. For years and before everyone owned
vehicles, the grass verges were in pristine condition. However, as neighbours moved out, to be
replaced by multiple car owners per abode, the grass has been gradually
ripped out by the roots and become very sparse; this has not been helped by
builders parking their lorries on the verges and never putting right the
damage they have caused. Then, last Autumn, my local Council
decided that the ruts in the verges would be levelled out and new grass sown,
with a threat of heavier penalty fines for anyone found parking thereon (it
used to be £5 – hardly a deterrent!)
To protect the verges during the initial days, they were cordoned off
to prevent vehicles from driving across them; however, this protection was
soon removed and, within 3 days, every single verge resembled a ploughed
field! So now it was even more of an
eyesore than before. And I hate
walking on the muddy paths which have arisen as a result. Subsequently wooden posts were
installed around each verge, to offer protection, although the deep ruts have
not yet been removed. Sorry to sound
like a ‘grumpy old woman’ ... but
does no-one respect their environment anymore? And it wasn’t me who broke the post, nor
made any ruts either! Roll on next Saturday – totesport Super Saturday at Newbury; where my favourite
horse, Walkon, may make an appearance in the
feature race. And I’ve promised to pop
in to see my friend Denise, who lives in Caversham,
on my way home. Denise texted
following today’s racing, to say she saw me on Channel 4’s racing coverage;
she said it appeared that I was feeling the cold ... no, I don’t recall
feeling cold today, despite fewer layers and a short coat! If the weather could always be this mild,
then attending the races would be a pleasure at all times. And I believe I’m due to have the
following Saturday off (19 February) ... for good behaviour! ... with Choc
riding Mille Chief in the Kingwell Hurdle at
Wincanton; although it has now been mentioned that Peddlers Cross may run in
this race having missed the Welsh Champion Hurdle due to a concern about
coughing. |
