DIARY – ASCOT
– SATURDAY 22 JANUARY 2011
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My trip to Ascot
came as a complete surprise, even more so than my visit to Sandown Park
earlier in the month which, I suppose, had to be classed as a last minute ‘change of heart’. Choc was due to ride Walkon at Haydock Park
on this particular Saturday, so I went to bed with absolutely no plans and
looking forward to a quiet weekend with plenty of time to complete the ‘extended’ diary of my day at Kempton
Park the previous weekend. In fact I’d
gone to bed really late, at 01:30 in the morning to be precise, having waited
for my laptop to complete its scheduled security scan of all my files, a task
which now takes over 4 hours! But, as
it found and removed 16 ‘cookies’
(and it rarely finds any) it was a job well done. I woke up at 08:00
on Saturday, immediately tuning into Channel 4’s The Morning Line (this
week’s guest was Nicky Henderson), and having missed the first 5 minutes of
the programme. I then noticed a ‘banner’ scrolling along the bottom of
the screen informing the viewers that the Haydock Park fixture had been
abandoned; that came out of the blue, as the previous day the Clerk of the
Course seemed pretty positive that the meeting would go ahead. I believe temperatures had dropped lower
than expected, but it appeared that precautions had not been taken were this
to happen. I immediately
realised that Walkon would be re-routed to Ascot, having been declared, as
2nd preference, for the Limited Handicap Hurdle race which, of course, meant
that Choc would be there to ride him too.
An instant decision was made that I would go to the Berkshire course,
so I had yet another rush to get ready!
So it was goodbye to the bacon rolls I’d planned to eat for my
breakfast, and hello to a couple of Weetabix, my food of choice when I’m in a
hurry to leave the house of a morning! Following a shower
and washing and drying my hair, I rummaged through my ‘raceday’ clothes to see what I could find; preferably warm, as
Ascot always seems colder than your average racecourse! The obligatory thermal vests (one long
sleeved, the other sleeveless), turquoise tunic, navy blue cords with thermal
tights underneath, black frilly-edged cardigan, purple fleece, and I put my
long black faux sheepskin coat and outerwear fleece in the car. The colour of the fleece is described as ‘Sea’, I’d call it viridian,
especially as I won’t wear green to the races as it may be unlucky, although
viridian is classed as more green than blue!
The scarf chosen this week was my neon blue ‘Snowball’ one. And footwear? My M & S ankle length ‘engineer’ boots which I’d worn last
weekend. I love M & S, especially
their Per Una collection; but a visit to any of their shops can prove
expensive! I’m attracted by colour,
especially purples, turquoises and, possibly, berry shades. And I love frills too. But I dislike appliqué on clothes, and Per
Una seem to sell a lot of that too! And I had to pack my
raceday handbag too; as I have a raceday handbag and an everyday handbag I
take to work. So I needed to transfer
my purse and my mobile phone, and find my camera too. I must be getting better at ‘last minute’ racing trips as, today,
from stepping into the shower to leaving home it took me a mere 50 minutes,
and that included applying my makeup.
I set off at 09:45,
deciding to join the M25 at junction 19, Watford. It was a smooth journey around to the M4,
where I took the westbound carriageway, leaving at the Slough Central
junction. I then headed south down the
Windsor bypass, where there was currently a speed restriction of 40 mph, as
the central reservation barriers were absent and presumably in the process of
being replaced. The roundabout at the
far end of the bypass was also subject to roadworks, as the junction was
being completely redesigned. Having negotiated
the traffic lights, I headed towards Ascot, the road taking me past
Legoland. Then around the ‘longabout’ and on towards Swinley
Bottom, where I turned left, drove through the underpass and just before
reaching Ascot High Street turned into the free car park on the right-hand
side. It was 10:45, gate
opening time. There had been a few
showers of light rain on my drive down, and another arrived now, so I waited
in my car for a few minutes before setting off on a ‘route march’ up the High Street to purchase a ticket. The lady in the ticket office complimented
me on my nice scarf! Tickets were £17
today, with £3 for a racecard. It appears
that Ascot increase their winter ticket prices by £1 each year; but they are
still cheaper than many Saturday fixtures. Once inside I popped
to the loo (more information than you needed), before taking a look at the
paintings displayed at one of the stands situation on the concourse of the
main grandstand. Following this I went
to stand at the top of the Parade Ring steps overlooking the Weighing
Room. It was now 11:40. Young Willie Twiston-Davies was ‘loitering’ nearby; and not long
afterwards he would join Assistant Trainer Carl Llewellyn, who was looking
after Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horses at the track today. A few minutes later
the jockey changes were announced; notably Choc would replace Wayne
Hutchinson aboard Gold Reef and Suburban Bay; although his colleague would
retain the ride aboard Mister Stickler in the first. Whilst waiting for
the horses to appear ahead of the first race I spent time ‘people watching’ – today I saw
trainers Nick Williams and Ferdy Murphy; jockeys Andrew Tinkler, Tom
Scudamore and Andrew Thornton, the latter was returning from a jog around the
course; ATR’s Robert Cooper; retired jockey, and now racing presenter and
author, John Francome; and presenter Stewart Machin. The horses began to
arrive in the Parade Ring ahead of the first race; so I went to stand on the ‘bridge’ overlooking the exit
walkway. I like to stand in this area,
as you get a good view of the horses as they are led out to the course and,
prior to races in which he is competing, Choc invariably sits just inside the
glass-sided Weighing Room area to await the arrival of the trainer or their
representative so that he can hand over his saddle having weighed out! Not only is Choc easy to spot because of
his beautiful blonde hair, but also from his racing colours! Wayne Hutchinson was
riding the Trevor Hemmings owned, Alan King trained, Mister Stickler in this
event. Having put my racecard away, it
was a matter of elimination to identify the horse as, instead of the usual
navy blue ‘Schroders Private Banking’
rug, he was wearing a red ‘Blackpool
Tower’ rug, a venue which Mr Hemmings owns. Once the six runners
had left the Parade Ring I set off through the grandstand to find a good
viewing position on the steppings. It
transpired that the upper rows of steps where I usually prefer to stand to
watch the races, next to the Owners and Trainers section, have been removed;
so they are obviously portable! Never
mind, instead I went to stand on the steps in the adjacent section.
The
start of this race was down in Swinley Bottom, with
one and a half circuits to travel. Then
they were off. Rougham
and Frontier Dancer stealing a led on the four remaining runners. They were followed, at some distance, by Kellystown Lad, Osric, Master
Stickler and Lordsbridge, the latter having a
tendency to jump out to its left (not advantageous on a right-handed track). Into
the home straight for the first time Rougham had
established a lead over Frontier Dancer who, in turn, held an even bigger
advantage over the other four runners; the latter getting close to the 7th
fence. The field progressed down the
side of the course, Lordsbridge in rear still
jumping out to its left. Osric made a significant mistake at the 10th when in
third position. The field had closed
up by the time it reached Swinley Bottom; Rougham still leading, Frontier Dancer in second, Osric in third, Mister Stickler in fourth, then Lordsbridge; Kellystown Lad now
struggling at the back of the field. Mister
Stickler hit the open-ditch (4 out), briefly shooting Wayne Hutchinson up his
neck. Around the final bend Rougham still led, Osric was
close up in second and it looked like jockey Barry Geraghty
only had to ‘press the button’ for
him to overtake the long-time leader.
Mister Stickler in third and Frontier Dancer under the whip in fourth. However,
Rougham proved to be very game and kept finding
more; both he and Osric jumped the last well, Rougham holding on by ½ a length at the line.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the placed horses arrive back. I
was then time for the second race of the day; and when the horses had left
the Parade Ring I set off to find a vantage point in the stands from which to
watch the race.
The
start of this race was at the far end of the home straight, with just over
one circuit to travel. The
field was led away by Two Kisses under AP McCoy, with the grey L’Eminence Gris in second; Plenty Pocket running in the Kauto Star colours was pulling hard in rear; Singapore
Storm, also in rear, hit the second. Down
the side of the course and heading towards Swinley
Bottom, Two Kisses still led, from Magic Prospect and L’Eminence
Gris. These were followed by Grandouet and Plenty Pocket, both now taking closer
order, then Looks Like Slim, with Whitby Jack on the inside, and a gap to
Ostentation and a bigger one to newcomer Singapore Storm; the latter soon
tailing off. Having
pulled hard early in the race, Plenty Pocket lost his place after 3 out. Two Kisses led the field into the home
straight, behind her were Magic Prospect, L’Eminence
Gris and Grandouet, the latter travelling
particularly well. Two Kisses jumped
the penultimate flight ahead; however Barry Geraghty’s
mount came to cruise alongside the long-time leader, taking over at the final
flight and running on well to win by 6 lengths. Two Kisses completed in 2nd, staying on
well to take 3rd was the Wayne Hutchinson ridden Looks Like Slim, L’Eminence Gris was 4th having been just headed on the
run-in.
I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure; it would
soon be time for Choc’s first ride of the day,
aboard the Alan King trained mare, Gold Reef; a flashy chestnut with a broad
white blaze. Whilst I was waiting for the placed horses to
arrive back, from my vantage point above the entrance/exit walkway I could
see Choc sitting inside the Weighing Room, waiting for Alan King to collect
his saddle ahead of the next race. A
lady approached Choc and I believe asked him to sign a couple of autographs
in a book (presumably on pages on which his photograph was published). Alan soon arrived to collect the saddle,
and he chatted with Choc for a few minutes before setting off to the saddling
boxes. Choc then returned to the inner
sanctum of the changing room. Soon the mares competing in the next race arrived
in the Parade Ring; the jockeys, including Choc, appeared, chatted with their
respective connections, mounted their horses and set off down the walkway to
the course. I set off through the grandstand to find a
vantage point from which to watch the race.
The
start of this race was down the side of the track, with two flights to
negotiate before Swinley Bottom. The
field was led away by Fit To Drive and Alverstone;
followed by Carole’s Legacy, L’Accordioniste, Gold
Reef, Alasi, Seren Cwmtudi, with Sparky May at the back of the field. L’Accordioniste
was awkward at the third. Turning into
the home straight with one circuit to go, Sparky May had made ground into
fifth. The order into the straight was
Alverstone, Fit To Drive, Carole’s Legacy, L’Accordioniste, Sparky May, Gold Reef, Alasi and Seren Cwmtudi. Another
jumping error by L’Accordioniste at the fifth; and
Fit to Drive flattened the last flight in the home straight with one circuit
to go. A further mistake was made by L’Accordioniste at the first flight down the side of the
course; both Sparky May and Alasi were now taking
closer order. Sparky
May, going strongly, took up the running as they jumped the flight before Swinley Bottom. Seren Cwmtudi was pulled
up. Barry Geraghty,
wary that Sparky May was travelling extremely well, soon sent Carole’s Legacy
in pursuit. Alasi
had now moved up into third. Fit to
Drive made a mistake 4 out and L’Accordioniste
began to tail off; Gold Reef also struggling by this stage. Soon
Sparky May, Carole’s Legacy and Alasi were well
clear of the remaining runners. Sparky
May led into the final straight, followed by Carole’s Legacy and Alasi, both under pressure and neither making much
impression on the long-time leader. Jockey
Kieren Burke steered Sparky May up the standside rails and jumped the last two flights well,
holding on to win by 4 lengths from the relentless challenge of Carole’s
Legacy. Winning jockey, Kieran Burke,
punching the air as he passed the line.
Alasi finished 3rd, the bandage on her
near hind flapping around as she galloped home. Alverstone
completed in 4th, Fit To Drive 5th and L’Accordioniste
6th. Choc pulled up Gold Reef before 2
out. A very disappointing run from the
Alan King trained mare. A
well-deserved win for a small yard with a cheaply bought horse; and now with
the hope of fulfilling a Cheltenham dream at the Festival in March.
As
Choc’s mount was unplaced, he returned to the
enclosure for the ‘unplaced’
horses; this is located behind the main grandstand, to the right-hand side of
the walkway. Having returned through
the grandstand concourse, I went across to take a peek as Choc returned to
unsaddle, before I went to stand in my favourite spot above the Parade Ring. After
a few minutes Choc returned to the Weighing Room, carrying his saddle over
his left arm, and holding his number cloth in his right hand (my memory is
not that brilliant ... but I have photos!); however, I’m always worried that
he will trip over the trailing girth! Soon
it was time for the feature event, the Victor Chandler Chase ‘starring’ Master Minded! Due to Ruby Walsh’s injury absence, AP
McCoy took the ride aboard the Clive Smith owned racehorse. Master Minded had 8 rivals today; last
year’s race was won by the late Twist Magic, with Master Minded having won it
in 2009. When
the horses had left the Parade Ring, once more I set off to find a good
vantage point in the grandstand.
The
start of this race was in the back straight, with one fence to negotiate
before turning into the home straight for the first time. The
field was led away by I’m So Lucky, a very keen Somersby, and Mad Max; Tchico Polos hit the first
fence, Kalahari King brought up the rear.
Crack Away Jack made a mistake at the second fence, impeding Gauvain slightly. Guavain put in a slow
jump at the last in the home straight with one circuit to go. Somersby was still keen. Around the top turn, Mad Max led from I’m
So Lucky, Somersby, Master Minded, Tchico Polos, Petit Robin, Crack Away Jack, Kalahari King, with Gauvain still in rear. Heading
towards Swinley Bottom, Mad Max still held the
advantage, Gauvain jumping to his left and slightly
losing touch. Master Minded was racing
on the outside of the field, just behind the three leaders, I’m So Lucky,
Somersby and Mad Max, following him was Petit Robin. Five lengths back were Crack Away Jack, Tchico Polos, and Kalahari
King, with Gauvain alone at the back. Petit
Robin unseated Barry Geraghty 5 out (it was almost
a fall rather than an unseat, as the jockey had no chance of survival), the
loose horse heading to the outside of the course, almost taking Kalahari King
out of the race. Master
Minded had been sent on five fences out by AP; and he led around the final
bend, 2 lengths up on Somersby, and he looked like he would win. However, Somersby’s stamina kicked in and
he gradually gained on AP’s mount as they cleared the final two obstacles
until, at the line, Master Minded held on to win by a mere short-head.
I
returned to see Master Minded enter to the Winners’ Enclosure; photos were
taken, and the prizes presented. But
when I went to take up my preferred position on the bridge above the horse
walkway, I discovered that all the viewing spaces had already been taken. Not a problem, as I decided to walk around
to the far side of the Parade Ring, where hardly anyone stands. It
was now time for my particular highlight of the day (apart from seeing Choc
of course) – the return of the talented grey Walkon! He’d been missing from racecourse action
since sustaining a serious injury at Aintree in 2009, when he partially
severed a tendon. Walkon
appeared in the Parade Ring and was looking very well and, the biggest
surprise of the day, he’s now got a tail!
When previously seen on the racecourse his tail had been threadbare,
evidently caused by his habit of rubbing his rear end against the wall of his
stable. I think Donna Blake, Paul
Nicholls’ Travelling Head Girl, may have commented on his now beautiful and
mainly white tail when she spoke briefly with Matt Howells (Alan King’s
Travelling Head Lad). Alan
King had a second runner in this race, Shalone,
ridden by Wayne Hutchinson; returning from an absence of 406 days. Choc
was the first jockey to arrive in the Parade Ring, with no sign of owners or
trainer. Whilst he waited, he chatted
with one of the official photographers.
Alan King then arrived, along with owner Max McNeill (article by Eddie Fremantle from December 2008)
and his family, and Choc joined them.
Having taken numerous photos today, the battery warning indicator on
my camera started to flash ... time to swap it with the fully charged spare
which I always carry with me. Once
Walkon had left the Parade Ring I set off at ‘top speed’ in an anti-clockwise
direction around the Parade Ring in order to find the best possible vantage
point in the stands and before everyone else had taken the best places.
The
horses cantered down past the stands to reach the start, which was over in
the far corner of the track, heading uphill out of Swinley
Bottom. Then
they were off. The 2008/2009 winner of
this event, Lough Derg, sporting red blinkers, led
them away, followed by the keen Frascati Park, Lucaindubai, Spear Thistle, Warne’s Way wearing blue
blinkers, Sophies Trophy, Bygones of Brid, Advisor, Sire Collonges, Shalone on the inside, with Walkon
tracking his stablemate, Notus
De La Tour, Soldatino and, bringing up the rear
Tiger O’Toole. On
the run to the third flight, Frascati Park had
assumed the lead. Shalone
made an error at the first down the side of the track. Walkon and Soldatino both made progress approaching Swinley Bottom; the former now in around seventh
place. At this point, Tom Scudamore sent his mount, Lough Derg,
into the lead; Frascati Park now losing his
position. Going with the leader were Lucaindubai, Soldatino, Spear
Thistle, Sophies Trophy, Walkon
eased to the outside of the field to get a clear run, and Notus
De La Tour. Tiger O’Toole began to
make progress from the back of the field.
Turning
into the home straight, Walkon was in fourth
position. When still close up, Lucaindubai fell at the penultimate flight; as did Sophies Trophy, independently; Soldatino
having to nimbly step over the former’s leg to avoid falling too. Lough
Derg came up the standside
rails and still held a narrow advantage at the last, which he flattened, Choc
steering his mount to the inside to avoid too much of a battle. It looked certain that Walkon
would win but then a fast finishing Tiger O’Toole came through between the
two leaders, ‘mugging’ Choc’s mount and winning by half a length. A
brilliant run from Walkon, carrying top weight, and
following 660 days off the track. Alan
King’s other runner, Shalone, finished a promising
fifth.
I
returned to the steps above the Winners’ Enclosure to see Walkon
and Choc arrive back; and I have to confess I hardly noticed Tiger
O’Toole! Once unsaddled, Choc spoke
with the McNeills, as Alan King was absent,
presumably occupied with unsaddling Shalone. However, he appeared in the Winners’
Enclosure a short while later, and was interviewed by members of the press;
Choc was ‘accosted’ by ATR’s Robert
Cooper to be interviewed. He said that
Walkon ‘felt’
better than ever; the owners were delighted, but he was disappointed not to
have won. Once
the brief interview was completed, Choc jogged back to the nearby Weighing
Room. I
remained to see the horses arrive ahead of the next race, the jockeys then
mounted and set off down the walkway; I headed through the grandstand to find
a vantage point from which to watch the race.
The
start of this race was down the side of the track, the competitors with their
backs to the open ditch; and one fence to negotiate before Swinley Bottom. I
recall the jockeys cantered down the course to take a look at what would be
the final fence, before heading to the start. Pickamus set off in
front, with Soulard taking over briefly, before The
Sawyer assumed the lead. Breedsbreeze hit the first when in rear; Mahogany Blaze
hit the fourth (the open ditch), unseating Sam Twiston-Davies. Into
the home straight for the first time, the runners were led by The Sawyer,
then Soulard, the grey Pickamus,
with Tatenen on the outside of the field, jumping
well. Panjo Bere slowly cleared the last in the home straight and was
pushed along, endeavouring to keep in touch with the field. Down
the side of the course, it appeared for a moment that Tatenen
might follow the loose Mahogany Blaze around one of the obstacles; however
his jockey, Andrew Thornton, was wise to this and ensured he stayed on track,
soon going into the lead following a good jump, and travelling very
well. In second was Soulard, then I’m A Legend, and Edgbriar. Tatenen got close to
the first in the back straight but it didn’t impede his momentum and he
retained the lead. I’m A Legend hit
the fourth last. Andrew
Thornton’s mount travelled strongly around the final bend, his only possible
dangers being I’m A Legend and Edgbriar. However, between the last two fences, Tatenen was driven even further clear, and he went on to
win by 16 lengths from I’m A Legend, Breedsbreeze
in 3rd and the grey Piraya in 4th having made
moderate headway late in the race.
I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure
to see the placed horses arrive back. Another
Saturday winner from Andrew Thornton.
However, as a postscript, he was fined £290 for speaking to the absent
winning owner, Andy Stewart, on trainer Richard Rowe’s mobile phone outside
the designated area. It
was now time for the final race of the day, in which Choc would be riding the
Alan King trained Suburban Bay; this particular horse was returning from a
794 day absence! Again
when Choc arrived in the Parade Ring, Alan King was nowhere to be seen. Choc looked lost ... AP McCoy joining him
shortly afterwards, his connections having not yet arrived either! However Choc was soon reunited with his
trainer, and legged up aboard his mount in due course. Suburban
Bay, a chestnut like his sire Karinga Bay (although
I think that all horses with ‘Bay’ as part of their name should be bay in
colour too!), was excited and very much on his toes as he exited the Parade
Ring and headed for the course. Once
again I headed through the grandstand concourse, to find a vantage point from
which to watch the race.
The
horses cantered down past the grandstand to reach the start, which was over
in the far corner of the track, and heading up the hill out of Swinley Bottom. Airmen’s
Friend was a little reluctant to start and had to be led in. Then they were off. No Secrets took the lead, from Carribs Leap, Amroth Bay
pulling hard, Poungach, Master Fiddler, Victoria Rose,
Frontier Spirit, Lord Kennedy, Eldred, Wise Move, then Choc aboard a keen
Suburban Bay, then Fontano, with Airmen’s Friend
and Well Refreshed bringing up the rear.
Victoria
Rose lost a little bit of ground at the first down the side of the course. By Swinley Bottom,
both Airmen’s Friend and Well Refreshed were losing touch at the rear of the
field. Suburban Bay was at the back of
the main group as they travelled around the turn. Climbing
up the hill towards the final bend, No Secrets still led from Carribs Leap and Amroth
Bay. Lord Kennedy soon lost ground, as
did Suburban Bay, Choc pulling him up before 2 out. Around
the final bend, No Secrets led from Carribs Leap; with
the Paul Nicholls runner Pounach cruising in third
under Daryl Jacob. No Secrets held the
lead over the penultimate flight, Pounach soon
challenging and taking over the running.
He cleared the last and went on to win by 8 lengths from No Secrets,
with Victoria Rose a further 15 lengths away in third, having stayed on to
beat Carribs Leap on the line.
I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure
to see the horses arrive back following this final race, and to watch for
Choc to return to the Weighing Room, which he did shortly afterwards (accompanied
by a guy unknown to me). Having had my
final glimpse of Choc today, it was now time for me to go home. After exiting through the gates, I
took another route march down Ascot High Street, overtaking numerous people
in my quest to reach my car as quickly as possible. There was no queuing whatsoever to leave
the car park, so I set off at 16:30 to drive home. My route took me back to Windsor, with just
a minor delay at the traffic lights situated at the ‘redesigned’ junction at the southern end of the Windsor
bypass. I decided to take the quickest
route home – which is M4 eastbound and clockwise M25. There were no delays on either motorway. I arrived home at 17:30. As I can see to read and type far better
when I’m not wearing contact lenses I like to remove them as soon as I
can. However, I did have a scary
moment, when one of my disposable contact lenses split in half as I was
trying to remove it; half came out and half stayed in my left eye, causing
discomfort. Fortunately I managed to
locate the errant half and removed it too.
Whew. In all the years I’ve
been using disposable lenses that has only ever happened to me once
before. I decided that my tea today would be
the bacon rolls I’d not had time to eat for my breakfast. After which I uploaded my photos, wrote my
blog, and finished proofing my Kempton Park diary, before uploading it and turning
in for the evening. And it was only
just short of midnight! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
