DIARY – ASCOT
– SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2009
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Today was my first visit to Ascot of the current season. Money is a little tighter this year, so I
have to choose my fixtures with care.
However, Ascot is less than 40 miles away from home, entry prices are reasonable
at £15 for a Saturday Grandstand ticket, and parking is free if I use the
farthest facility. Besides, both Katchit and Voy Por Ustedes were making their
seasonable reappearances today. Choc
had a total of 4 rides at the fixture. Okay, so I had a
pretty bad cold, which took an age to come out, but with the help of a cold
and flu remedy I didn’t feel too ill and the fresh air would do me good,
provided I didn’t get drowned if the rain arrived earlier than forecast! My voice tends to almost disappear when I
get colds but, as my friend Denise was unable to take up my invitation to
come to Ascot today, I wouldn’t be required to hold any long conversations
with anyone either! The gates were due
to open at 10:45, so I left home at 09:55, having disguised myself as
mini-Michelin woman – that’s 6 layers (thermal vest, camisole, long sleeve
cotton top, jumper, cardigan and gillet) plus coat. I took one of my lighter weight scarves and
my mittens too. My route took me
around the M25, along the M4, leaving at the Slough Central turning. I headed through the outskirts of Windsor,
past Legoland, to Ascot. At Swinley
Bottom, I turned left to reach Car Park 6.
Despite it being quite early – 10:50 – there were many cars already
parked, and I was directed to park beneath the outstretched arms of a large
cedar tree. I was thus hoping that the
breeze wouldn’t get up, as I’d prefer not to return to find that a branch had
fallen and perhaps dented my car! Having pulled on my
long brown boots, I trotted up the road to the ticket office. No, perhaps trotted is not quite the word
at present, as I’m still paranoid about slipping over on a damp pavement, so
I don’t walk as fast as I used to. I
entered the ticket office, purchased a grandstand ticket and headed for the
turnstiles. Once inside, I bought a
programme and headed for the steppings above the Weighing Room to wait for
the horses to arrive in preparation for the first race. Whilst I was waiting
I noticed Christian Williams return from taking a jog around the course. A little later, William Kennedy and a
colleague, both dressed in jogging gear, also set off for the walkway out
onto the course. Luke Harvey was in
attendance for At The Races and Lesley Graham and colleagues arrived to
present the Channel 4 coverage too. Choc was not riding
in the first race of the day, which was due off at 12:20. I remained on the steppings above the
Parade Ring until the horses for this race were exiting onto the course. I then walked through the grandstand
concourse to reach the stands to view the race. There’s no point walking down to the rails
at Ascot, as the steeplechase course runs inside the flat course and the
railings, in the grandstand enclosure, are at the wrong level to get a good
view of the proceedings!
The
start of this race was in the side straight, heading immediately into Swinley Bottom. The
field was lead off by Peachey Moment, followed by Qianshan
Leader, Possol and Arkose. Bringing up the rear was Irish raider, Grangeclare Gold.
Peachey Moment had relinquished the lead to Qianshan
Leader by the time they reached the first flight, but remained
prominent. South Leinster
was a bit sketchy at the 2nd flight. Oamaru Stone, ridden
by Christian Williams, was not travelling as well as his jockey would have
liked as they passed the stands for the first time. The first of those prominent to drop back
was Peachey Moment, and Oamaru Stone was soon
struggling too. Possol led Qianshan Leader and Arkose
around the final bend. Possol, still travelling easily, ran on to beat Arkose by 9 lengths.
Back Exit and South Leinster dead-heated for
3rd. Henry Daly hopes to aim Possol at this season’s Grand National.
I
returned to the steppings above the Weighing Room
to see the horses arrive back in the Winners’ Enclosure. It was then time for the 2nd race. Again Choc had no ride in this race. Once
the horses had exited from the Parade Ring I made my way through the
grandstand concourse to the stands.
The
start of this race was at the beginning of the straight leading to Swinley Bottom.
Initially Flaco didn’t seem keen and was led
in. At the second attempt they were
off. River Ripples went into the lead,
with the grey Pure Genius a close second, Senor Shane third. The Brendan Powell trained Plane Painter
blundered at the first, unseating Paul Carberry out
of the side door. The loose horse
chased after the runners as they galloped around Swinley
Bottom. Flaco
was pulling hard in rear. Pure
Genius took over the lead at the 4th fence.
Senor Shane was close up, jumping better than the leader. The field was still closely packed as they
headed towards Swinley Bottom for the 2nd occasion,
the loose horse still in pursuit. Pure
Genius quickly dropped back and was pulled up. Senor Shane assumed the lead, soon pursued
by Skipper’s Lad and Knighton Combe. Senor Shane was challenged by the latter as
they approached the penultimate fence.
The two horses collided in mid-air, both remaining on their feet but
Senor Shane weakened from this point. Despite
getting close to and clouting the last fence, Knighton
Combe held on from a closing Skipper’s Lad. Senor Shane was only 5th at the line.
In
preparation for Choc’s first ride of the afternoon,
I returned to the Parade Ring, but positioned myself on the bridge above the
walkway exit point. From there I could
view the horses arriving in the Winners’ Enclosure and see into the Weighing
Room. I
noticed a jockey sitting in one of a row of seats situated around the circumference
of the Weighing Room and it suddenly dawned on me that it was Choc. He was wearing his silk cap so I couldn’t
see his hair but, having earlier consulted the programme, I remembered the
colours he was due to wear in the next race.
He was chatting to someone seated beside him whilst he was waiting for
Alan King to arrive to collect the saddle, Choc having weighed out. Cap now in hand, he stood up and briefly
chatted to Alan when he arrived, before returning to the inner sanctum of the
Locker Room. It
was now time for the 3rd race of the day, in which Choc would be riding the
chestnut mare, Gold Reef. The jockeys
appeared in the Parade Ring, spoke with their respective owners and trainers,
were legged-up and set off down the walkway to the course. Once they had left the Paddock, I set off
for the stands to watch the race.
The
start of this race was over in the corner, running down into Swinley Bottom. Then
they were off. Ambrose Princess led
them away, followed by Speed Bonnie Boat, Zaffarella,
Daraz Rose and Ravello
Bay. At the back were Easter Legend,
which sported a broad white face and stockings on her rear legs, and Another
Storm. Choc aboard Gold Reef was
travelling on the inside just in front of these. Zaffarella was jumping
poorly and soon dropped back to dispute last place. Choc made a little progress as they ran up
the straight past the stands for the first time. Having rounded Swinley
Bottom for the second time, Gold Reef made steady progress into 3rd place,
and was followed through by Easter Legend.
Ambrose
Princess led the field into the final straight, Choc pursuing her aboard Gold
Reef. Easter Legend was travelling
well. Ambrose Princess still held
advantage at the last, but Easter Legend overtook her on the run-in to win by
1¼ lengths, Gold Reef was third by a head.
The Nicky Henderson trained Ravello Bay
pulled up lame before 2 out.
I
returned to the Parade Ring to watch Choc arrive back in the Winners’
Enclosure, unsaddle his mount and speak to connections. He removed his helmet as he returned to the
Weighing Room, he already had ‘hat-hair’! As Choc wasn’t riding in the 4th race, I
remained at my vantage point until the horses exited the Parade Ring for the
next race. I
walked through the grandstand to take up my position in the stands. As I arrived there, AP McCoy and Felix De
Giles were dropped off centre course having arrived hotfoot from Huntingdon. They walked across the track on their way
to the Weighing Room.
The
start of this race was in the back straight.
Then they were off. The field
was led away by Fix The Rib, from Santa’s Son, Omeyade and Qrackers. Bringing up the rear was Lord Henry. In
mid-field, Master Medic was soon ridden along. Qrackers made a
bad mistake at the 9th fence, catapulting his jockey up his neck and they
soon pulled up. Fix
The Rib was still leading from Master Medic, Oumeyade
and Santa’s Son, and had established a big lead turning into the final
straight. Despite Master Medic staying
on under pressure, Fix The Rib held on to win by 4½ lengths. A
victory for Jamie Moore, who had recently returned to riding having sustained
a broken ankle in a fall at Southwell.
I
returned to my vantage point above the walkway exit in preparation for the
next race. Jamie Moore came out to
accept his memento as winning jockey and he was slightly lame at the
walk. Later in the afternoon I noticed
Jamie jog in from the unsaddling area reserved for the unplaced horses, and
noticed that he was still very lame at the faster pace! Glancing
across, I noticed that Choc and AP were sitting just inside the Weighing
Room, chatting to each other, having weighed out. Choc’s saddle was
placed on the seat beside him. Alan
King soon arrived, briefly chatted to AP, after which he set off for the
saddling boxes, a saddle under each arm.
Choc’s mount in this
race was Katchit, the former Champion Hurdler. AP would be riding Alan’s other runner, the
JP McManus owned Karabak. Choc met up with the owners in the Winners’
Enclosure area, later directing his group out into the main Parade Ring. Once Choc and AP had been legged up and had
exited the Parade Ring, I set off for the stands.
The
start of this race was over in the far corner of the track. Then they were off. Confirmed front runner, Lough Derg, led the field away.
Today he was ridden by Richard Johnson, as Tom Scudamore
was at Haydock to ride Madison Du Berlais in the Betfair
Chase. Time for Rupert was in second,
with Elusive Dream third. Last
season’s Triumph Hurdle winner, Zaynar, was in
fourth, inside him was Choc aboard Katchit, with Karabak tracking Zaynar. Straw Bear brought up the rear. Katchit had improved
into 3rd as they passed the winning post first time, but he made an
uncharacteristic mistake when flattening the hurdle before Swinley Bottom.
Having led until shortly after this point, Lough Derg
was headed by the strong travelling Zaynar, Karabak stalking them.
Turning in, Katchit was disputing fourth
place with Red Moloney. Zaynar went on to win
very impressively by 6 lengths from his nearest challenger, Karabak. Red Moloney was 17 lengths further back in third, with Katchit 2¾ lengths behind in 4th.
I returned to the Parade Ring to see
Choc return to unsaddle Katchit. Once he’d spoken with Alan and connections,
Choc jogged back to the Weighing Room, eager to get changed in preparation
for the next race. I then returned to
my vantage point above the walkway exit point. Again I spotted Choc within the confines of
the Weighing Room, in the pink, mauve and white colours of Sir Robert
Ogden. His ride in this race was Voy Por Ustedes. Soon
all the jockeys riding in the next race appeared in the Parade Ring, Choc
heading across to meet up with Alan King and Barry Simpson, Sir Robert’s
Racing Manager. On the big screen at
the far end of the Parade Ring, the Betfair Chase
was being broadcast from Haydock Park. Choc, Alan and Barry were all showing an
interest in the proceedings. Even as
the jockeys were exiting the Parade Ring, a number of them were glancing over
at the screen (including Choc) to view the developing race. I
remained Parade Ring side for a minute or two to discover the result of the Betfair event, as there was a photo-finish between Kauto Star and Imperial Commander. The former seemingly the winner, until
Imperial Commander rallied in the dying moments of the race to almost snatch
victory, Kauto Star holding on by a nose. I
then proceeded through the grandstand to reach the steppings
in order to watch the next race. The
horses were already well on their way to the start, which was at the
beginning of the back straight.
Then
they were off. The grey, Monet’s
Garden, led them away, followed by Gwanako and Albertas Run.
Although starting off nearer the inside, Choc began to angle towards
the outside of the field, Voy Por
Ustedes making an error at the 3rd fence. Unfortunately he appeared to get close to a
number of his obstacles, although he did put in a fine leap at the fence in
front of the stands. Medicinal
was soon trailing the field. Planet of
Sound, ridden by Richard Johnson, made a bad mistake at the 9th fence and
dropped back through the field. Albertas Run with AP aboard took up the running at the
10th fence. However, as the field
turned into the final straight, 6 horses were in with a chance, AP’s mount
still leading. One of those 6, Gwanako, unshipped Christian Williams at the second
last. Albertas Run ran on to
win by 3 lengths from his nearest challenger, Planet of Sound. Despite his poor show of jumping, Voy Por Ustedes
finished 3rd, with Irish raider Schindlers Hunt in
4th.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc return aboard Voy Por Ustedes,
unsaddle, speak with Alan King and Barry Simpson and walk to the Weighing
Room. I
remained on the steppings above the Weighing Room,
as it was now too dark to take photos (hence there being none available of
Choc aboard his final mount of the day, Mister Chancer). When Choc came out into the Parade Ring he
seemed a little lost at first, as he couldn’t see Alan and the owners,
despite them being quite close by ... perhaps he couldn’t recognise them in
the impending gloom! Once
the horses had exited onto the course, I set off for the stands for the final
time.
The
start of this race was at the far end of the home straight. The field was slowly away, led off by This
Masquerade, followed by Lush Life, Scampi Boy, Any
The Wiser and Wyck Hill. Choc and Mister Chancer
were near the back, in rear was Lost Glory.
By
Swinley Bottom, Choc had dropped back to 2nd
last. The runners soon quickened, with
the eventual winner, Dunraven Storm, taking over
the lead over a furlong out, fighting off the challenge from the AP McCoy
ridden Lush Life as they pulled away from the remainder of the field. Choc had to push his mount from a long way
out, but the horse responded, making steady progress up the home straight to
finish a head 5th. I think the horse
will definitely improve for the run.
Having
finished in 5th position, Choc would have unsaddled in the area reserved for
the unplaced horses. I returned to the
steppings above the Winners’ Enclosure to get my
final glimpse of Choc for today and waited for him to appear through the
walkway and return to the Weighing Room before setting off to collect my
car. It
was raining quite heavily now, light rain having started earlier in the
afternoon. I sheltered under my
umbrella as I walked down through Ascot High Street to Car Park 6. Having arrived at my car, I took a few
minutes to eat a snack before starting my journey home. I
decided that I would avoid the M4/M25 so, after driving back through Windsor,
I took the road through central Slough, and then headed for Stoke Poges and Gerrards Cross. After that I went through Denham and Maple
Cross, and on to Rickmansworth. There
was heavy traffic in Watford, as their football team must have been playing
at home - I noticed a number of scarf bearing Hornets’ fans walking along the pavements. After
a slight mishap in my direction finding, when I missed the underpass through
Watford town centre, I ended up on the Hemel Hempstead road, where traffic
was very slow moving indeed. However,
I re-directed myself along the A41 and then the A405 heading for St Albans. I
arrived home at 17:50. |
