DIARY – AINTREE
FRIDAY 08 APRIL 2011
FESTIVAL DAY 2 – LADIES’ DAY
|
Always Waining, this year ridden by Tom O’Brien, wins his second consecutive Topham Chase. This year, and in
order not to put too much pressure upon myself, I decided to book a day’s
holiday on Thursday 07 April, the day before my trip to Aintree. It would enable me to complete my packing
at leisure and allow time for me to purchase any last minute items I might
need ... and I’m not renouned for travelling light! Having mentioned to
mum that I might pop down to the local M & S Superstore, she asked if she
could accompany me, as she wanted to buy a few items of clothing for the
summer and valued my opinion on her choice.
M & S is a very ‘dangerous’
place for me to go shopping, especially if I take my credit cards with
me. Mum was searching
for a summer top or two and I just couldn’t resist perusing the rails, just
in case there was anything I fancied.
I found a burgundy coloured wrap front top which ideally suited the
skirt I was planning to wear the following day. Then I tried on two skirts, one which suited
but was a little large on the hips, the other I didn’t like at all once I’d
tried it on. So I went to find a size
14 in the former style ... and it fitted!
But not because I’d lost weight I fear, but because sizes are getting
bigger! Having decided upon
a skirt, I thought that perhaps I’d search for a new jacket too; the grey Per
Una one I subsequently tried on was too ‘wishy
washy’, especially now that my hair colour is ‘Saga Blonde’! There were
no black or dark grey ‘suit type’ jackets in my size, let alone ones I
liked. I eventually settled for a
reddish-pink unlined linen jacket in size 18 – there were no size 20s to be
seen – I’m top heavy. Mum purchased 3
tops, all approved by me! I couldn’t help but
feel that, despite liking and purchasing the jacket, it might not be quite
right for my trip north. So I then
thought I’d take a look in the Next store, which also has a shop on the same
Retail Park. Again, the biggest size
available in any of the styles was size 18 ... but I found a lovely mink
coloured jacket which I could jazz up with a bright scarf and which would go
with anything. Besides, style guru Gok
Wan recommends that a jacket should fit well on the shoulders and one
shouldn’t worry too much if it doesn’t button up. It has turned out to be one of my best and
favourite buys ever! The skirt is
pencil shaped with black/white/grey flowers printed on it – and I love that
too! I then popped into
Boots to buy a new tube of sun block factor 50 – not because I’ve got sun
sensitive skin but because I want to protect myself from developing wrinkles
for as long as possible. I replace my
sun block on a regular basis, as I understand the product may lose its
effectiveness over time. Besides, my
daily moisturiser doesn’t contain a sun protection factor as it is, in fact,
a ‘heavy weight’ night cream! Not surprisingly,
the afternoon was spent trying on more outfits from my collection at home as,
having purchased new items of clothing, my ‘wardrobe’ plans for Aintree had changed. Of course I also tuned into the TV coverage
of the first day of the Aintree Festival. I had planned to get
an early night but, in the event, it was gone 22:00 when I turned in, with
the prospect of the alarm sounding at 03:30; I wanted to leave home at 05:30
so as to arrive early at the races. I believe my alarm
initially sounded at 03:05; I switched it off and dozed for a while,
fortunately re-awaking at 03:30; there’s no snooze function on the
clock. I suppose it might be more
sensible to use the alarm on my mobile phone.
Anyway, I showered, washed and dried my hair, applied warpaint to fill
in the cracks, ate breakfast and loaded my suitcase plus two ‘grocery’ bags of items into my
car. One bag contained the overflow
from the suitcase, the other a number of bags of sweets, 4 cheese-filled
submarine rolls, and a flask of black coffee. I’d placed my
aforementioned mink coloured jacket and reddish-pink coloured jacket in the
car the previous evening. I also took
my winter weight cerise coloured jacked, just in case the weather proved
colder than expected. I’d been through
a selection of jackets and raincoats in the day or two before my trip;
choosing then discarding. My grey
frill edged raincoat which I’d worn to Towcester; then my mid-blue one. My denim blue jacket, my beautiful blue Per
Una jacket, as worn for my coursewalk with Choc at Newbury in March
2010. But, having decided upon my
grey/brown/maroon skirt for Ladies’ Day at Aintree and my new mono-coloured
skirt for Grand National day; plus my favourite grey tweed skirt and a pair
of grey trousers in reserve, I decided that blue wasn’t the right colour,
hence the new mink coloured jacket. I had two cardigans
in my suitcase (one red, one blue) but then decided to take a black one
too. I also had 3 tops in my suitcase,
a white one, a black one and a sea green one.
Where is the Sherpa when you need one?
I took 3 pairs of shoes ... wedges in black, wedges in burgundy, and a
pair of black sandals. I even left my
red Hunter wellies in the boot. And I
also packed a pair of jeans. The forecast for the
week had been wet and windy, then becoming sunny and warm at the weekend; but
you just can’t be certain about these things!
It was 05:32 and
still darkness as I pulled off the drive to set off for Liverpool. My route took me via my local ring road,
then to Harpenden Common, cutting through to Redbourn and joining the M1 at
junction 9. Road-works and a
contraflow system were in operation between Luton and Milton Keynes. The sun rose during my progress north and
it became apparent that it would be a nice day although, of course, it might
be different in the Merseyside area. As I prefer to avoid
motorway driving if at all possible, instead of taking the M6 at junction 19,
where bridge repairs were underway, I remained on the M1 until Junction 23A,
south of Nottingham, and headed along the A50 dual carriageway passing south
of Derby. The sun shone brightly and,
as I was heading westwards, it reflected in my wing mirror causing some
discomfort to my vision. My route took me
close to Uttoxeter and on to Stoke On Trent.
As I approached the latter, it clouded over and became a little
misty. I joined the M6 at junction 15;
it was 07:53. The motorway was clear
northwards to the M62; unlike last year when there had been a traffic jam on
this section of my journey. My last
opportunity for a service station ‘pit
stop’ before Aintree was at the Burtonwood Services at Junction 8 of the
M62. It was only 08:40; having brought
food with me, it was time for my second breakfast of the day, as I wouldn’t
eat again until almost 20:00! As I sat in my car,
a sole magpie flitted between the waste bins looking for scraps to eat. The sun had put in a reappearance and would
remain for the duration of the Aintree Festival. I continued my journey at 09:10; travelling
up the M57 to its termination a mere mile or two from the racecourse. Having used over half a tank of fuel, I
filled up at the Asda store before proceeding to the ‘Steeplechase’ car park; my route taking me over Anchor Bridge to
reach the centre of the course. As always, the vehicles
arriving centre course were checked by security. They looked under the bonnet, inside the
car, and in the boot, a spaniel ‘sniffer
dog’ jumping into the latter to check it out! I parked up at 09:40. Having changed into my burgundy coloured
shoes, I set off for the entrance.
Annoyingly, the grass in the car park had been recently mown, so
blades stuck to my shoes. I bought a
race-card, £4, from the kiosk before proceding to the security marquee
(gazebo?) where my handbag was searched and I was asked to step through the ‘airport’ style security arch before
being allowed to catch the shuttle bus to travel to the stands on the far
side of the track. As many of the
workers were arriving at this time, I wasn’t actually asked to show my
ticket; although I did have my badge attached to my handbag. Very remiss of the security staff. Having alighted from the shuttle bus, we
had to wait for a horse and its jockey to cross our path; as it was being
exercised on the all-weather gallop to the inside of the track. We’d waited for it to pass at the other
side of the track before we’d boarded the bus too! My first port of call was the ladies loos,
to clean the blades of grass off my shoes!
I then went to buy a bottle of water from one of the catering outlets,
before heading for the Parade Ring.
When I’m alone at a fixture, the Parade Ring area is where I feel most
at ease before racing begins. As there had been
dew on the grass, I shouldn’t have been too surprised that the seats around
the Parade Ring were also damp.
Eventually I dried one off with a tissue so that I could sit
down. I chatted with one of the litter
collectors as she passed by; and we spoke again when she returned for a
second circuit of the area. Today being Ladies’
Day, there were the usual ‘sights’
... it is a Ladies’ Day like no other!
A Matalan fashion show was one of the spectator events; and also
included a ‘Best Dressed’
competition. I also chatted with
a group of local ladies; they wondered if I owned horses, as my ‘demeanour’ had suggested to them that
I was more interested in the racing side of the event than in Ladies
Day. No, I can’t afford to own a
horse; but yes, my sole interest is in the racing (I didn’t mention my
fascination with Choc) ... although I do ‘scrub
up well’ and always make an effort to look my best when I go to the
races, even when I’m dressed in smart casual.
Having waited
patiently, the horses eventually began to arrived in the Parade Ring ahead of
the first race of the day, in which Choc would be riding the Alan King
trained Iolith. The jockeys appeared
and were legged up; once Choc had left the Paddock aboard his mount, I set
off to find a good vantage point inside the nearby enclosure. As Ladies’ Day is
quieter than Grand National Day, I was able to easily move between the Parade
Ring, the Earl of Derby enclosure area, and the steps above the Winners’
Enclosure. A couple of times during
the afternoon, when I was viewing from behind the horse-walk exit gate, young
Willie Twiston-Davies was stood beside me.
I was tempted to congratulate him on the previous day’s Foxhunters’
win, but my introvert nature prevented me from doing so! The start of this
race was at the far corner of the track, the horses initially heading along a
short stretch of the track before turning into the home straight for the
first time. Choc wishing to gain an
inside berth, Iolith was barely moving as the field circled in an
anti-clockwise direction at the start.
The Andrew Tinkler
ridden Irish raider Maggio was reluctant to join the others; an assistant
initially leading him in. However he
soon decided to set off at a trot and found himself at the head of
affairs.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the outsider Maggio, from First In The Queue, Brampour, Polisky, on the
inside was Iolith, then Desert Cry, Andhaar, and Oilily. Held up were Alarazi,
Topolski, Perfect Smile and A Media Luz. In mid-field Sire De Grugy
was slightly awkward at the second flight. Maggio had set up a
clear lead of around 5 lengths as the field passed the winning post with one
circuit to go. Chasing the leader was Brampour, First In The Queue, and Polisky. In rear, Alarazi
was slightly squeezed for room on the turn.
Andrew Tinkler’s mount had stretched his
lead as they headed down the back straight, the prominent Brampour
hit the 4th and the next too, 5 out.
Maggio had come back
to the field as they crossed the final flight in the back straight; which the
hard pulling Oilily didn’t jump particularly
fluently. Brampour,
Polisky and First In The Queue joinied
the long-time leader around the top turn; Iolily
was short of room around this bend, checking her initial progress. Choc’s mount, Iolith, had lost ground and was being pushed along in
rear. Maggio still held a
slight advantage over 3 out, Brampour, Polisky, First In The Queue, and A Media Luz in close
contention; Oilily, on the wide outside, took over
the lead before two out. Choc pulled
up his mount before this flight. Sire
De Grugy now took second, with Topolski
in third and closing. Over the last,
stand side, Oilily still led, Sire De Grugy centre, Topolski far
side. The former and latter then came
clear of Jamie Moore’s mount on the run-in, Topolski
winning by ¾ of a length on the line; three wins in a row for the David
Arbuthnot trained horse.
It
was now time for the second race of the day; Choc didn’t have a mount in this
event. The start of this race was at
the far end of the home straight, with that and two full circuits to
travel.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
The Giant Bolster with Master Of The Hall in rear. Three runners almost abreast over the second,
the open-ditch; nearside The Giant Bolster, far side Golan Way, between them
was Sarando.
Golan Way and Sarando disputed the lead over
the next, followed by Wayward Prince, The Giant Bolster, Radium, Quito De La Roque, Robinson Collonges and
Master Of The Hall. Golan
Way gained a slight advantage around the home bend, having got the inside
berth, and held a narrow lead over the first fence in the back straight. The Giant Bolster fell at the next, jockey
Tom Scudamore dislocating a shoulder as a
result. Very bad luck for Tom who,
along with Jason Maguire, had earlier been cleared to ride following painful
falls the previous day. Golan Way continued
to lead, from Wayward Prince and Sarando, Radium,
Master Of The Hall, Quito De La Roque, with the
grey Robinson Collonges in rear. Golan
Way ploughed through the cross-fence but retained his advantage; jumping out
to his right at the next two fences.
Radium and Wayward Prince now disputed second, with Sarando close in 4th position. The long time leader remained ahead as the
field passed the post with one circuit to go; from Wayward Prince and Radium,
Sarando, Quito De La Roque,
Master Of The Hall, and Robinson Collonges still
bringing up the rear. Wayward
Prince hit the first fence in the back straight and lost ground; both Golan
Way and Quito De La Roque hit the next. Sarando took the
lead having cleared the open-ditch and continued to hold the advantage, from
Golan Way, Wayward Prince and Quito De La Roque. The
latter came to challenge Sarando as they cleared
the final open-ditch two from home, but stumbled on landing. However, Davy Russell drove his mount to
lead as they approached the final obstacle; Sarando
rallied but couldn’t quite get to Quito De La Roque,
who won by a neck at the line. Ruby
Walsh had pulled up Robinson Collonges after the
13th fence; in rear the tailed off and tired Master Of The Hall had fallen 2
out. Despite lying on the ground for a
while, Barry Geraghty’s mount recovered, got to his
feet and was led away. It
was reported that Golan Way had lost two shoes during the race, one from a
front hoof and the other from a rear.
I returned to the Parade Ring to see Choc arrive ahead
of his ride aboard the Henrietta Knight trained Somersby in the next. Being of an excitable temperament, Somersby was
led out onto the course to be mounted in the enclosure in front of the Earl
of Derby/Lord Sefton stands; Choc exiting on foot
to join him. The horse was also
permitted to miss the pre-race parade, Choc cantering him alone to the
starting gate. The start of this race was at the beginning of
the back straight. For the third
outing in a row (which included a race at Aintree yesterday), Chaninbar refused to take part; however he did go to
Sandown Park later in the month and finished a very creditable second to
French Opera in the Grade 2 Celebration Chase! On that occasion he wore cheek pieces,
rather than the blinkers of today.
Proving that when he consents to race, he is not without talent.
The
field was led away by the giant Mad Max, with stable companion French Opera
to his outside. Continuing along the
back straight, Mad Max still held the advantage, Albertas
Run up into second position following a couple of good jumps, French Opera
now in third, Choc taking Somersby wide in 4th, then Tranquil Sea, Tartak, Master Minded, Kalahari King and Made In Taipan. The
Paul Carberry ridden Mad Max led over the cross
fence from Albertas Run, French Opera, Somersby, Tartak and Tranquil Sea.
The field was still well grouped as it headed down the home straight
for the first time. In rear, Made In Taipan was a little slow at the final fence therein. Around
the bottom bend the order was Mad Max, from French Opera, Albertas
Run disputed third with Tartak, Tranquil Sea was
alongside Somersby, then Master Minded, Kalahari King and Made In Taipan. The
long time leader jumped the next with speed, but his stable companion was
slow at the fence; Tartak came to take the lead
with a good leap at the following obstacle.
However, the latter hit the final fence in the back straight, Mad Max
reasserting to lead once again. AP
McCoy was soon pushing Albertas Run along. Somersby
came to join Mad Max at the head of affairs as they turned in for the final
time; Master Minded had cruised through the field and was now in their
slipstream. Ruby’s mount drew
alongside the leaders as they cleared three out; Somersby got a little close
to it and lost ground. Ruby
held onto his mount until he’d jumped two out, which he did upsides Mad Max,
and then he went clear with ease; sailing over the last and being pushed out
with just hands and heels to the line to win by 9 lengths from Albertas Run and the staying on Somersby. Tartak completed
in 4th. Mad Max faded to finished
6th. Having been outpaced before
making an error 5 out, Kalahari King was pulled up before 2 out. Choc
chatted happily to Ruby after they’d pulled up following the race; he and the
other jockeys pleased that Master Minded had returned to form. Master
Minded’s price was 11/2, according to Graham
Cunningham on Racing UK, his biggest price in 3 seasons! Another fact relayed was that Master Minded
had started as ‘odds on’ 11
times. It was also pointed out that
Master Minded is still only 8 years old.
Both pundits and connections believe that he might be suited by
December’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc arrive back in the place
reserved for the horse finishing third.
Choc chatted to Henrietta Knight and her husband Terry Biddlecombe, in addition to the horse’s owners. Noticeably, Albertas
Run was very keen to drink from a bucket of water when he returned! It
was then time for the fourth race of the day; the Topham
Chase which is run over the Grand National fences. The start of the race was at the far end of
the home straight, with 2 fences to jump before The Chair. Fortunately no ride for Choc in this event;
as, try as I might, I knew I would worry about him as he set off in the Grand
National the following day, so a second trip over the ‘big fences’ would not have been welcomed by me. In
this race, Jason Maguire deputised for the injured Tom Scudamore
aboard the David Pipe trained Consigliere.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Dev; upsides the exuberant Frankie Figg. Postmaster, in mid-division, fell at the
first fence; and Gansey unseated near the
rear. Polyfast
fell at the second, hampering Calusa Caldera who
unseated Richard Johnson. The
runners headed for The Chair; Frankie Figg taking a
slight advantage as they cleared this obstacle and then jumped the
water. Turning the corner a loose
horse (Gansey in fact) preceded the field as it
headed for the line of 6 fences going away from the stands, at the end of
which was Becher’s Brook. The next to depart was Fine Patchment, who unseated jockey Peter Toole
at the 6th. There
was near carnage at the 8th, where 6 runners departed. In second place, Dev fell; Buffalo Bob in
third pecked and unseated Sean Quinlan; near the rear, Passato,
Seigemaster and Bible Lord fell; Nevada Royale was
brought down. Bible Lord would suffer
a serious neck injury requiring prolonged veterinary treatment, and the fall
left his rider Harry Haynes concussed.
These departures left Frankie Figg clear of
his pursuers. The
horses headed down to Becher’s Brook, where the
grey Pickamus took a nasty looking fall but he got
up and galloped away. Free World, near
the rear, also departed here; one of the loose horses took another
tumble! Frankie Figg
led over the Canal Turn; in rear Isn’t That Lucky was hampered by another
loose horse. Last year’s winner,
Always Waining, had begun to make progress through
the field. Another of the greys, Alfa
Beat fell at the 15th. As
the field turned back towards the final two fences, Ruby Walsh aboard Mon Parrain appeared to be travelling the best and duly took
over the lead from Frankie Figg before two out;
also in the leading group were Always Waining, Gonebeyondrecall, Scotsirish
and Swing Bill. However,
as they approached the elbow, Always Waining put
his head in front, Ruby’s mount unable to respond
once ‘off the bridle’; the former
staying on to win by 4 lengths. Irish
raiders finished 3rd and 4th, Scotsirish and Gonebeyondrecall; a neck behind was Swing Bill, who beat
Frankie Figg by a nose. There were 16 finishers from the 30
runners. Having
pulled up after the line, Brian Hughes, the jockey of Frankie Figg, lent across and patted the winning horse. Brian had been aboard Always Waining when they won the event last year. Peter Bowen’s charge ‘came alive’ over Aintree’s Grand National fences, having recently
shown little form elsewhere. He had
been one of the reserves for the Grand National, but it had been decided that
he would take his chance in the shorter distance race instead; besides it was
doubtful he’d stay the longer distance of tomorrow’s race!
The
third victory in the race for trainer Peter Bowen; Dunbrody
Millar having triumphed in 2007, and Always Waining
last year and this. A memorable double
too, it having occurred only twice in the past – Roughan
in 1957 and 1958 and, before that, Culworth in 1950
and 1951. I
returned to Winners’ Enclosure to see the winner arrive back; I saw Choc
enter the Parade Ring ahead of the next race, as I was still standing of the
steps viewing the presentations. I
decided to head immediately to the Earl of Derby enclosure to wait for Choc
to make his appearance aboard the David Sewell owned Jetnova. Pre-race,
Alan King mentioned the post-fall incident at the Cheltenham Festival, when Jetnova had suffered a few cuts having fallen over on the
course crossing ‘pontoons’ when
loose. The
start of this race was half way down the home straight, with just over 2
circuits to travel. Richie McGrath
replaced the injured Harry Haynes aboard Aikman.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Aikman, then Fists Of Fury, Basford Bob, Back In
Focus, Yurok, For Non Stop, Cloudy Too, Mossley, Cantlow, Saint Are, Russian Song, Handy Andy, Jetnova, Listenlook, Court In
Motion, Westmeath, Indian Daudaie, Sparky May who
was pulling hard, and Muldoon’s Picnic.
Aikman
continued to lead as the runners progressed along the back straight; Back in
Focus wasn’t fluent at the third, Muldoon’s Picnic made an error at the final
flight therein. Saint Are made headway
as they galloped around the far bend.
On the outside near the rear of the field, Sparky May was still
pulling hard. Turning into the home
straight on the first occasion Jetnova was in
mid-field, taking a mid line. Sparky
May made ground as they headed towards the winning post with one circuit to
go. Listenlook,
Russian Song and Yurok were not travelling particularly well. Around the bend in front of the stands, the
order was Aikman, Fists of Fury, Saint Are, Back In Focus, Basford Bob, For Non Stop, Jetnova,
Handy Andy, Mossley, Court In Motion, Cantlow, Sparky May, Westmeath, Cloudy Too, Indian Daudaie, Yurok, Russian Song, Listenlook
and Muldoon’s Picnic. The
long time leader continued at the head of affairs as the field set off down
the back straight on the second occasion; Basford
Bob was untidy at the first flight therein.
Sparky May had pulled her way into third position, although she made
an error at the last flight, 4 from home. Fists
of Fury took over the lead briefly, before Saint Are went on. Sparky May coasted into second position,
following these were Jetnova upsides Fists Of
Fury. Mossley,
having loomed up on the outside soon came under pressure, weakened quickly
and was pulled up before 3 out. Sparky
May came to challenge Saint Are at the third last, Jetnova
was in third, Fists of Fury fading into fourth, then Cantlow,
the latter clipped the top of this flight. Saint Area wasn’t fluent two out, but
continued to lead. When closing in
fifth, Court In Motion appeared to bump into the rear of Cantlow
as they cleared this flight, the former stumbled and fell as a result; Indian
Daudaie, who was close on his heels, fell here
independently. Despite
pricking his ears, suggesting he was idling in front, Saint Are ran on to win
by 4 lengths from Cantlow; Sparky May completed in
third, Fists Of Fury was 4th; then the staying on Muldoon’s Picnic, after
which were Aikman and Jetnova. A 33-1 winner.
It
was Tim Vaughan’s first ever Grade 1 winner.
A very good end to the season for the trainer, who subsequently
trained Beshabar to win the Scottish Grand
National, again ridden by Richard Johnson, later in the month. The
‘Face of the Racing Lottery’, ‘model’ Lystra
Adams, who was the partner of the owner of the horse, led him in. However, it was very ill judged of her to
enter the ‘Best Dressed’
competition, which she duly won; because it solely appeared to be a publicity
stunt. With £5,000 and a 10-day ‘exclusive’ holiday to St Lucia as the
winning prizes, surely it is meant for members of the ordinary general public
to take part in? It was indefensible
to high-jack the competition. Having
seen Choc unsaddle his unplaced mount on course, I returned to the Parade Ring
in preparation for the next race. His mount in this event was Sir Harry Ormesher, again owned by David Sewell. However, as the horse has a ‘fiery’ temperament, like Somersby
earlier in the afternoon, he was led out onto the course for Choc to mount before
cantering to the start. Barry
Geraghty replaced the injured Tom Scudamore aboard Battle Group. Like
the previous race, the event started in the home straight, with just over two
circuits to travel.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Buena Vista. In midfield Son Of Flicka, ridden by Henry Brooke, fell at the first flight;
bringing down Giles Hawkins aboard Barnhill Brownie. The top weight and bottom weight out of the
race. Pistolet
Noir was badly hampered as a result; Ringaroses and
Cloudy Spirit too. Choc was also fortunate
to side-step the fallen horse. Around
the grandstand bend, the order was Buena Vista, Swingkeel,
Kilcrea Kim, Mr Moonshine, Mobaasher,
Super Wisdom, Viking Blond, Ackertac, Souffleur, Carpincho, Golden Chieftain, with Sir Harry Ormesher
nearer last than first. Buena Vista
stepped on the fourth flight, Cloudy Spirit wasn’t
fluent here either. Leading
into the home straight on the first occasion, Buena Vista lead, from Mr
Moonshine, Swingkeel, Viking Blond, Superior Wisdom
and Kilcrea Kim.
Sir Harry Ormesher wasn’t particularly
fluent over the next flight, perhaps a little unsighted due to the closely
packed field. The
runners were waived around the last flight in the home straight; green
screens had been erected around a prostrate jockey on the landing side of the
hurdle, with medics in attendance. It
was Henry Brooke, who had been concussed when Son Of Flicka
fell on the previous circuit. Buena
Vista and Mr Moonshine disputed the lead around the grandstand bend, the
field heading off into the country for the final time; Viking Blond was being
driven, Mobaasher was struggling, Souffleur was pulled up before the next flight. Kilcrea Kim
flattened the middle flight in the back straight. Buena Vista led the field into the home
straight; Golden Chieftain and Battle Group close on his heels. Sir Harry Ormesher
was being driven in around 7th or 8th position. Buena
Vista led from Battle Group over what turned out to be the final hurdle, Sir
Harry Ormesher close in third having responded to Choc’s urgings. Ringaroses also mounting a challenge under AP McCoy. Having
bypassed the fallen jockey and nearby hurdle, Battle Group took up the
running and went on to win by 5 lengths from Ringaroses,
the latter overtaking Choc’s mount on the
run-in. Cloudy Spirit completed in
4th. Long time leader, Buena Vista,
completed in 6th, behind Golden Chieftain.
I
returned to the steppings above the Winners’
Enclosure to see Choc unsaddle his mount.
And a little later I realised that Choc’s
mum and dad were standing on the steps just a couple of levels below me! I
headed back out to the course exit point to wait for Choc to appear aboard Tante Sissi. The
start of this race was in the far corner of the track. There was an amusing moment as the runners
circled at the start; when the amateur rider James Banks (who is attached to
Alan King’s yard) attempted to get his mount, the Nick Lampard
trained La Belle Au Bois, to move. She
eventually put her head down, and he toppled off over her right
shoulder. How embarrassing? But it was funny! Two horses had their saddles adjusted at
the start, the aforementioned La Belle Au Bois and Miss Hippy.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Sharlene’s Quest, from Zhakiera
Spirit, Baby Shine, With Grace, Elegant Touch, Sparkling Hand, Thynetocatcher, Tempest River, Monnow Made, Heather
Royal, Miss Hippy, Ceol Rua,
Keyaza, the keen running Tante
Sissi, Lady Knightess, La
Belle Au Bois, last year’s winner Big Time Billy, and Eyesontheprize. Charlene’s
Quest was well clear of her pursuers around the grandstand bend and led along
the back straight. Elegant Touch
jumped the path 6 furlongs out (that’s the one which leads to the
Steeplechase car park!). Charlene’s
Quest had come back to the field by 5 furlongs out, Zhakiera
Spirit going on from Baby Shine around the far bend, the latter subsequently
taking the lead. Choc’s
mount, Tante Sissi, was
in 5th place turning into the home straight. Tempest
River, Big Time Billy and Ceol River came to join
Baby Shine two furlongs out. The
former running on to win by 2¼ lengths at the line. Ceol Rua got the better of Big Time Billy to take 2nd, with
Baby Shine finishing in 4th. Tanta
Sissi completed in 11th place.
Following the race, I headed for the steppings in front of the Weighing Room overlooking the
Winners’ Enclosure. When Choc returned
from briefing Alan, having unsaddled his unplaced mount on course, he took a
detour up the side steps to reach the Weighing Room, thus avoiding the
crowded area immediately beside the Winners’ Enclosure. I waited a few minutes after racing
before setting off to catch the bus.
The green carpet protecting the course was strewn with litter and
plastic glasses. A woman had dropped
her handbag, the contents strewn around and she was busy picking up the bits
and pieces as I passed by. I was
surprised that there was no wait to catch the shuttle bus, as I had been
fully expecting a long queue. The bus
took a clockwise route around the ‘in-field’
to drop its passengers at the far side of the park course. I crossed over the all-weather track and took
the pathway across the course, over Melling Road,
to reach the Steeplechase car park. Having returned to my car, I set off
for the hotel at Golborne where, like the previous
year, I’d be staying overnight. My
route took me back over Anchor Bridge, the extremely impatient driver behind
me ‘tooted’ a group of pedestrians
who were ambling towards the canal bridge and obstructing our path. I turned left and drove along Aintree Lane;
and encountered a lengthy delay as there was a tailback at the traffic lights
at its junction with the Ormskirk Road. The phase timing on traffic signals is
unbelievably slow in the Merseyside area!
They have longer ‘stops’ and
longer ‘goes’! But perhaps it’s the slower pace of
life! Anyway, I eventually turned right onto
the Ormskirk Road, headed past Asda
and through another couple of sets of lights and then headed south along the
M57. Upon reaching its junction with
the A580 I turned eastwards, heading for Golborne,
which is just to the east of the M6. My friend Lesley had travelled up by
train from Milton Keynes; she had already arrived at the hotel. I arrived a little before 07:00, checked in
and found my room, number 38, on the second floor. Having unpacked a few bits an pieces, and changed into my
jeans, I went to call upon Lesley, who was ensconced next door in room 40. Dinner was booked for 19:45, so we
went to the adjacent restaurant to eat.
I ordered fish and chips – the meal was not as good as last year – and
the service was slow too; probably because the pub/restaurant seemed busier
than on my previous visit. We couldn’t
resist ordering puddings too – mine was, perhaps appropriately, ‘Chocolate Tart’! This year I had a north facing room
and, having returned following the meal, I noticed a horse transporter in the
car park. It was signed ‘James Motherway’. I have to confess that my finger hadn’t
been on the Grand National ‘pulse’
this year, so I wasn’t sure which horse or horses he would be running at the
fixture. It had been a long day, so I turned in
early, initially watching ‘Have I Got
News For You’ and a few minutes of ‘QI’
before I dozed off to sleep. I awoke
again just before 23:00; switching off the TV and lights too! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
