DIARY – AINTREE
SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2012
GRAND NATIONAL DAY – PART II
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And the
winner is ... Neptune Collonges Soon
it was time for the feature race of the day.
Each year, a short ceremony takes place when the Grand National trophy
is carried out onto the racecourse, accompanied by members of the Household
Cavalry acting as security. I have to
say that the more times I see this ritual happen, the more bazaar and
pointless it appears! Having
found the best vantage point within my particular enclosure earlier in the
day, I remained there throughout the Grand National. However, I was able to view the Parade Ring
proceedings on the big screen positioned across the racecourse from me. The
jockeys exited the Weighing Room, led down the steps by last year’s winning
jockey, Jason Maguire. There was a
photo-call for the riders in the Winners’ Enclosure, whereby they were
arranged around the podium for the shot.
The jockeys then went into the main area of the Parade Ring to meet up
with their respective trainer and owners before being legged up onto their
mounts and exiting onto the racecourse. Ruby
Walsh had been stood down for the remainder of the day following a heavy fall
from Zarkandar earlier in the afternoon; Paul Townend replaced him aboard On His Own, the ride aboard
The Midnight Club then being taken by Andrew Tinkler. Once
the horses were out on the racecourse, the stable lads and lasses sorted
their charges into number order; those numbered 1 to 20 in the first
vanguard; those 21 to 40 in the second.
The competitors were then led up in front of the stands before heading
across the Melling Road to examine the first fence prior
to returning to the starting gate. It
was at this point that AP McCoy’s mount, Gold Cup winner Synchronised, jinked
when passing under the starting gate, depositing his jockey on the grass
before disappearing at the canter along the back straight of the park
course. Upon reaching the far bend he
turned to his right and began to canter in the reverse direction along the
Grand National course. However,
instead of bypassing the first fence he reached via the safety chute, he
headed for a gap in the fencing to the inside of the course and was quickly
caught by an official press photographer.
AP
climbed into one of the service cars and was driven to collect his
mount. One of the vets checked the
horse was okay, listening to the horse’s heart too, before AP was reunited
with Synchronised to canter back to rejoin the others. Having reached the junction with the main
Grand National course, AP turned left to take his mount to look at the first
obstacle. Initially Synchronised
seemed a little spooked by the fence.
The partnership then cantered back to join the other 39 runners at the
start. West
End Rocker, who was very much on his toes, was led around at the start by
Travelling Head Lad Matt Howells. Then
they were off ... or rather they weren’t!!!
Hello Bud, Midnight Haze and Alfa Beat broke the tape. It was restrung across the course and they
tried lining up again; too close and the runners were asked to take a turn as
a number of them were too far behind the others. They tried again. Still no success; West End Rocker, on the
outside of the runners, plunged through the tape and it got caught around his
saddle, Wayne Hutchinson unable to free himself. Matt Howells went to assist and unstrung
him. The tape was stretched across the
course yet again; a further unsuccessful attempt, the runners were requested
to turn once more.
And,
finally, they were off! As always the
runners headed away from the grandstands and across the Melling
Road with gusto; Becauseicouldntsee ahead over the
first. Also prominent were Giles
Cross, Seabass, and According To Pete; Alfa Beat
over-jumped the fence and sprawled on landing but jockey Davy Russell
survived the blunder. However, Viking
Blond fell, the only casualty at this fence; the jockey reportedly suffering
a badly cut cheek, and possibly a fracture thereof too. Over
the second fence; the fancied Junior and, very surprisingly, West End Rocker,
both fell. The latter continued
rider-less to the next, the open-ditch, and just managed to scramble over
that before running loose around further obstacles. The almost white Swing Bill led to the
third, after which the Barry Geraghty ridden Shakalakaboomboom took over at the head of affairs. The
next to depart was State Of Play, who unseated jockey Noel Fehily at the 5th fence.
The prostrate jockey brought down Rare Bob, and the latter brought
down Chicago Grey. The remaining 34
runners headed down towards Becher’s Brook. The next to depart was Gold Cup winner Synchronised,
the only casualty at this fence; fortunately the horse appeared okay and,
having got to his feet, he continued after the other runners. The
seventh fence is the Foinavon fence, the smallest
on the circuit. However, it caught out
Alfa Beat who fell when in mid-division, hampering Cappa
Bleu. Onwards to the Canal Turn where,
despite there being a false rail on the inside leading up the fence, the
runners bunched up towards the inside.
Black Apalachi fell, whilst four unseated
their riders; Organisedconfusion, Tatenen, Killyglen and Becauseicouldntsee.
Others hampered here were Neptune Equester,
Mon Mome and Treacle. Shakalakaboomboom
continued to lead, from Planet Of Sound and the Katie Walsh ridden Seabass. Treacle
fell at the 10th fence; Arbor Supreme unseated his
jockey when he refused here.
Synchronised could be seen to the rear of the runners but, instead of
taking the bypass route around the fences, he continued to jump. However, by the 11th, the open-ditch, the
horse had run out of momentum and struggled to clear the obstacle; his
off-hind appearing to get caught on the fence as he scrambled to the landing
side. He then disappeared from
view. Giles Cross had been pulled up
before the 11th. Planet
Of Sound, having joined the leader, took over at the head of affairs at the
12th; he continued to lead as the field headed back over the Melling Road and cleared two further plain fences before
reaching the biggest fence on the course, The Chair. Always Right blundered here and unseated
his pilot, James Reveley, hampering Swing Bill in
the process; Deep Purple also made an error. Heading
out into the country once more, Planet Of Sound continued to lead. Quiscover
Fontaine fell at the first fence on the second circuit, the 17th, when in
mid-field. The order at the front of
the field was Planet Of Sound, from Shakalakaboomboom,
Seabass, Own His Own and veteran Hello Bud. Deep Purple was pulled up before the
open-ditch; Vic Venturi refused here. The
runners were diverted around the fence before Becher’s
Brook; it later transpired it was not an injured horse, it was jockey Noel Fehily who had sustained a broken leg. One of the loose horses jumped the fence,
fortunately towards the outside wing so that he missed the team of medics
working to the far side of the obstacle near the inside of the course. Both Mon Mome and
Postmaster were pulled up. There
were two more casualties at Becher’s, On His Own
fell when disputing third place, bringing down According To Pete in the
process. Hampered at the fence were Tharawaat and Weird Al.
Neptune Collonges hit the Fionavon fence; Shakalakaboomboom
briefly retook the lead as the field cleared the Canal Turn, Planet Of Sound
regaining it at Valentine’s Brook. Planet
of Sound blundered 4 out, Barry Geraghty’s mount
ahead once more; the final faller was Weird Al, who departed here when in
rear. Heading across the Melling Road for the final time there were 8 horses in
the leading group - Shakalakaboomboom, Seabass, Hello Bud, Sunnyhillboy,
Ballabriggs, Neptune Collonges,
In Compliance and the fading Planet Of Sound.
Cappa Bleu was making progress in behind
these. Seabass led over 2 out,
Sunnyhillboy jumping the last in unison with Katie
Walsh’s mount. These two then set sail
for home. Neptune Collonges
then began to stay on as Shakalakaboomboom, Ballabriggs and In Compliance began to tire. Sunnyhillboy
appeared to have victory within his grasp as Seabass
dropped away. However, under a strong
drive from Daryl Jacobs, the grey began to close as the line approached. Photo finish. The judge would decide. In
third place was Seabass under Katie Walsh; the
highest ever placing by a female jockey in the race. Staying on to claim 4th was Cappa Bleu. It
was a tense wait for those involved whilst the judge deliberated. Then it was announced. Neptune Collonges
had won by a nose! The first grey to
win since Nicolaus Silver in 1961 and the third in
history (The Lamb having won it in 1868 & 1871); also the highest weight
carried to victory since Red Rum carried 12 stone in 1974! Jockey
Daryl Jacob was delighted; raising his eyes and arms to heaven; Assistant
Trainer Dan Skelton was ecstatic too.
The victory meant that Paul Nicholls retained the Champion Trainer
title. Neptune Collonges
was either the trainer’s 52nd or 53rd runner in the Grand National. (The former according to RUK, the latter
according to the Sunday Times!) There
had been 15 finishers this year. The
full finishing order and details of each competitor’s fate are as
follows:
And
those which did not finish:
* fatalities The
owner, John Hales, was delighted and promptly confirmed that it had been his
intention to retire the horse, win or lose.
He said he felt that Aintree owed him one, having lost his beloved
grey One Man during the running of the 1998 Melling
Chase at the course. Noland, who had run
in the previous race on the card and also owned by John Hales, was retired
too. He’d pulled up in that event. There
was prize money for the runners, up to and including the 10th placed horse,
which was Swing Bill. Instead
of returning to the beginning of the horse-walk and being led down in front
of the grandstands, the winner was led in through the main gateway and back
to the Winners’ Enclosure. As
I didn’t fancy experiencing the crush which would no doubt occur around the
Winners’ Enclosure, I remained in my vantage point on the top step of the
Earl of Derby Terrace. I would collect
my Tote winnings later. Following
the race, Wayne Hutchinson and Alan King met up near the finishing line; both
searching for West End Rocker, Wayne shrugged his shoulders. Eventually the horse was found, being led
back along the course from the direction of Becher’s
Brook. However, he was still very full
of himself and neither Alan nor Wayne could persuade him to stand still long
enough to be unsaddled, as he lashed out at them a number of times. Finally the saddle was released and the
horse was led back to the unsaddling enclosure. The
starting gate for the following race was located in the far corner of the
track. The organisers were trying to
catch up the time lost due to the delay encountered before the Grand
National. However, it didn’t help that
Lightening Rod arrived at the start some way behind the others.
Then
they were off; first time. There was a
certain amount of bumping and barging as the runners headed towards the first
bend; Paintball clipping heels and stumbling; he then nudged the plastic rail
and dislodged it from the uprights. Leading
was Constant Contact, from Kealigolane and Dream
Esteem. In rear were Lifestyle, Helium
and Lightening Rod. The grey Kealigolane led over the second, from Dream Esteem, Dee Ee Williams, Constant Contact and Akula. Slow over the third was Gibb River. Heading
around the grandstand bend, Kealigolane continued
to lead from Dream Esteem, Constant Contact, Dee Ee
Williams, Akula, Conquisto,
Saute, Idarah, Jubail, Paintball, Ericht, Sire De Grugy,
Ubi Ace, Inis Meain, Ciceron, Redera, Gibb River, Lifestyle, Helium, Kazlian, and Lightening Rod. Helium flattened the 5th flight; the grey Idarah hit the next.
Dream
Esteem took over the lead 4 out and continued at the head of affairs around
the far bend, from Dee Ee Williams, Ubi Ace, Akula, Constant
Contact, Kealigolane, Lifestyle, Conquisto, Sire De Grugy and Jubail. Into the home
straight her challengers were Dee Ee Williams,
Lifestyle, Conquisto and Sire De Grugy. Lifestyle
continued to gain on the leader, challenging approaching the last and taking
the lead having cleared it. She galloped
on to win by one length from the running on Conquisto. Gibb River snatched third on the line from
Dream Esteem. Dee Ee
Williams completed in 5th.
I
decided to return to the concourse to collect my Grand National
winnings. Unfortunately, due to the
short odds of both Seabass (joint favourite) and Cappa Bleu, my each-way payout was a mere £14.40, including
stake; a loss of £9.60. Having
visited the Tote office I walked back towards the entrance to the Earl of
Derby enclosure but, with my badge having been checked, I decided to stand
beneath the shelter of the stairwells as it was now raining. I watched the runners for the final race
exit along the horse-walk before braving the elements to stand beside the
course-side rails to watch it. The
starting gate for this race was located in the far corner of the track; with
one and a half circuits to travel.
Three jockeys were substituted following mishaps during the Grand
National. Aidan Coleman replaced AP
McCoy aboard the favourite Population; Dougie
Costello replaced Brian Hughes aboard Big Water; Brendan Powell Junior
replaced Noel Fehily aboard Stock Hill Fair.
Then
they were off; first time. The runners
were led away by Howaboutnow, from stablemate Ifyousayso, Sir
Johnson, Kaysersberg, The New One, My Tent Or
Yours, Stock Hill Fair, Lataradud, Il Presidente, My Inheritance, Devon Drum, Minella For Fitness, Population, Nemi,
Big Water, Ballyvogue, Yes Daddy, Many Clouds and
Court Minstrel. The
runners had made sedate progress down the home straight. Ifyousayso was
now leading from Kaysersberg, Lataradud,
Sir Johnson, Howaboutnow, My Tent Or Yours, Stock
Hill Fair, The New One, My Inheritance, Il Presidente,
Devon Drum, Population, Minella For Fitness, Nemi, Big Water, Ballyvogue,
Yes Daddy and Many Clouds; Court Minstrel still in rear. Ifyousayso continued to
lead as the runners headed up the back straight and around the far bend, the
favourite Population and Many Clouds forced out wide. The always prominent Sir Johnson took the
lead three furlongs out, My Tent Or Yours and The New One his challengers as
they galloped between the wings of two out.
Barry
Geraghty’s mount assumed pole position before the
furlong marker and initially it looked like he would win. But Sam Twiston-Davies
aboard The New One asserted close home to claim the prize by 1¼ lengths. Sir
Johnson completed in 3rd, Court Minstrel taking 4th.
For the first time today, I returned
to the steps above the Winners’ Enclosure to see the placed horses
return. The presentations having been
completed, I then waited a few minutes hoping the crowd had begun to
disperse. Hoping not to make a ‘pit stop’ during my trip home, I
popped to the loo before walking through the betting ring to reach the
racecourse crossing point. As usual,
the litter problem at Aintree post racing is unbelievable! I crossed the racecourse to join the back
of a long queue waiting to catch a bus back to the car park. I suppose I could have changed my shoes and
walked back across the infield to reach the Melling
Road crossing, but on this occasion I just couldn’t be asked! Having waited for around 15 minutes,
it was my turn to board a bus; it drove slowly in a clockwise direction
around the perimeter road to decant me opposite the entrance to the
Steeplechase car park. I walked across
the back straight via the all weather crossing point, over the Melling Road and out into the car park. Having returned to my car, I ate a quick
snack and spoke to my mum via my mobile phone; she’s a bit of a worrier and
likes me to call her to let her know that everything is okay when I’m away
from home on my own. I think it’s even
more important to keep in touch since dad passed away early last year. She watched the big race on TV and told me
two horses had died during the event; Synchronised and According To
Pete. I was shocked; I’d heard nothing
in the aftermath of the race. Although
I suppose I may have been enlightened had I owned a smart phone, which would
have enabled me to check for news. Putting the news behind me, I set off
for home. I started my journey at
18:50; it took 30 minutes of queuing to reach the beginning of the M57. Having joined the M62 eastbound carriageway
I overtook a horsebox; it was Tim Vaughan’s box. It was not long before I was heading
southbound down the M6. There was a
long tailback on the other carriageway, near Crewe I think, there had been an
accident. Darkness gradually fell. As always I took the M6 through Birmingham,
not the Toll Road; I pay enough road tax without contributing any extra! Despite it being dark, the closeness to the
motorway of the electricity pylons made an impression upon me. I then entered the worst part of my
journey, the section between Birmingham and the M1. There are no lights on this section of the
motorway and, being of advanced years, my eyesight is not at its best during
the hours of darkness. Having reached the M1, the remaining
stretch of my journey upon the motorway would be lit. There were road repairs being carried out
just north of Watford Gap, the motorway being reduced to just one lane, the
outside one. I managed to move into
the middle lane before vehicles began to queue, but not into the outside
one. So, moving at a snail’s pace, the
lines of traffic merged, then after a short distance the bottleneck
disappeared and everyone was on their way again. As with my journey up to Liverpool,
there were long standing roadworks from Milton
Keynes to Luton, a 50 mph limit being in operation. Having reached Junction 12, which is Toddington, I almost feel on home territory as my younger
brother lives in Bedfordshire and when visiting his home I leave the motorway
at this junction. Come to think of it,
both my brothers live in Bedfordshire!
I left the motorway at Junction 10,
Luton; driving back through Harpenden to reach my home city of St
Albans. I entered my driveway at
22:45. Having not eaten properly for
two days I prepared a snack before logging on to my laptop to write my daily
blog; two days to catch up on. Too
tired to upload my photographs though; that would have to wait until the
following day. I finally turned in at 02:00 in the
morning. Fortunately, this year, there
was no expedition to the races the following day. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz *
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* * *
* * Having checked my Lotto ticket the next
day, I discovered that I’d won £10 on the previous day’s draw. So, all in all, I was £0.40 in profit for
the day! I’d love to win the Lotto
jackpot (wouldn’t we all) so that I can retire from work and move to the
country. *
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * During the Punchestown
Festival, the Irish photographer who caught the loose Synchronised was interviewed
by one of the ATR presenters. He said
the horse was just like an old donkey, very calm following his escapade. He confirmed that the veterinary staff
carefully checked the horse over before AP remounted to head back to the
starting gate. The photographer remained at his
chosen location so saw as the rider-less Synchronised attempted to jump the
open-ditch, fence 11. The horse jumped
it awkwardly he said, catching his off hind; the photographer said the horse
came to a standstill shortly afterwards, his injured leg hanging,
broken. The photographer became upset
when recalling the tragic scene. Jonjo
O’Neill had suffered unbelievably bad luck; the horse surviving the original
fall at Becher’s Brook, only to be fatally injured
when running loose. Especially when
recalling the loss in 1979 of Gold Cup winner Alverton;
who died when falling in the Grand National that same year, at Becher’s Brook on the second circuit. His jockey was Jonjo. Click here for photos – The Grand National Click here for photos – Parade of Champions,
Legends Charity Race & Races 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7 |
