DIARY – ASCOT
SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER 2011
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Choc and Alan ‘hold court’ with the Million In Mind Partnership members I thought Choc would
be riding at this particular fixture, although I didn’t have time to confirm this
or the number of riding engagements until I checked the race-card displayed on
the At The Races website shortly before leaving work on Friday. Work ... another very stressful week, no
wonder I’d been feeling less than 100% for the past 7 days; and that’s in
addition to the ongoing sinus problems I’d been suffering since May. I want to win the lottery, so I can retire
from all this work-related stress ... it definitely isn’t good for my health. I’d also took the
opportunity to check the day’s results from Wetherby. Brilliant news, Choc had ridden two winners
and a runner-up! This and the
anticipation of going to Ascot the following day cheered me up no end. Anyway, I arrived
home, ate my evening meal, epilated my legs whilst watching Strictly It Takes
Two (you have to make an effort don’t you?)
Besides, as tomorrow’s weather was due to be 14 or 15 degrees with
sunny intervals, I intended to get my legs out and wear a skirt. My next task was to rummage through the wardrobe
to find my pink jacket, purple sweater, burgundy cardigan, purple fleece, and
grey tweed skirt ... yes, the latter still fitted despite my recent weight
gain. I also located my black
long-sleeved thermal vest - you can never be too careful, as Ascot is
notorious for being cold! Or at least
I find it so. Plus black wedge shoes
and patterned tights to complete the ensemble. I then logged onto
the internet to update my blog and winners page, and to tweet Choc to
congratulate him on his double and wish him luck with his rides at Ascot. I also set the VCR to record the following
day’s races before turning in for the night.
I woke before 07:00;
showered and washed and dried my hair, then applied my make-up. I ate a breakfast of toast and croissants
whilst watching The Morning Line.
Having then dressed I discovered it was far too early to set off, so I
pottered around doing a few chores; although, having said that, Ascot opens
its gates 3 hours before their first race rather than the more usual 2 hours
of most other racecourses. My Grand
National 2012 tickets also arrived, via special delivery, so I signed for
those too. I set off for the
races at 10:00. My journey took me
around the M25, then westbound along the M4 to the Slough Central
Junction. I then headed southwards
along the A355/A332, many vehicles heading down the slip-road to
Windsor. Having negotiated the
roundabout at the far end of the dual-carriageway, I joined a long queue
stretching the entire length of Imperial Road. The traffic was stop/start, stop/start
through two sets of traffic signals and slow all the way to the entrance of Legoland. The road was then clear for the remainder
of the journey to Ascot; I turned left at Swinley Bottom, driving through the
underpass to reach the lower end of Ascot High Street. I turned right at
the mini-roundabout and right again into the free car parking area. I was directed to park under the edge of
the outstretched boughs of the cedar tree ... damn, not near that tree
again! I’m paranoid about one of the
branches falling onto my car! Each
time I go to Ascot I try to arrive early in the hope that I won’t be parked
beneath the tree, but recently I always seem to be unlucky. I ate two of the
cheese rolls which I’d brought with me, and drank a cup of coffee before
setting off to walk up the High Street to the ticket office. How strange is this? Despite having visited the racecourse on
numerous occasions, and in recent times always parking at the far end of the
High Street, I’ve never noticed a parade of shops, a supermarket (Budgens)
and a petrol station on the opposite side of the road. A Budgens supermarket ... I’d have thought
that Ascot would have a Waitrose outlet!
Having purchased a
grandstand ticket for £17.00, I entered the turnstiles, purchasing a
race-card for £3.00 from the kiosk on the concourse opposite. After a quick trip to the little girls’
room on the lower level of the grandstand, I returned to the area above the
Weighing Room. It was sunny and warm
for the time of year. I thought I’d
put my sunglasses in my handbag, but couldn’t locate them (I later found them
lying on my bedroom floor!) ... damn. Whilst I was waiting,
Barry Geraghty arrived back from a jog around the course, passing the time of
day with Mick Fitzgerald who was presenting for ATR today, along with Zoey
Bird. The interview area having been
set up on the steps beside the Weighing Room. My first sighting of
Choc; he arrived at 11:45, chatting with Aidan Coleman who arrived at the
same time. Aidan was dressed in a
suit, Choc in casual clothes. Shortly
afterwards Aidan, having donned his Wellington boots, set off to walk the
track. Matt Howell, Alan King’s
Travelling Head Lad, arrived at midday to deliver the racing silks to the
Weighing Room. I remained on the
concourse above the Weighing Room until around 13:00, when I changed location
and went to stand on the steps near the ‘bridge’
over the horse-walk which leads to the stables and racecourse. However, when the spectators arrived to
view the horses ahead of the first race, I found my chosen spot a little too crowded
and rather claustraphobic! As usual, having
weighed out ahead of the first race, Choc sat on a chair inside the Weighing
Room to wait for Alan King to collect his saddle before returning to the
inner sanctum of the Weighing Room. I have to mention
the screams eminating from the fairground rides; these were set up on the
lawn near the pavilion. I’m convinced
that anyone who goes on these is absolutely crazy. It would upset my stomach and, besides, I
now dislike heights; a fact I only discovered around a decade ago during a
trip to Paris when I took a ride on a Ferris wheel in the Place De La
Concorde. I don’t even like standing
on a ladder these days ... and to think I used to ride horses, some over 16
hands! My first ride, at the age of 9,
was aboard a 15 hand horse. The drawback
of being tall for my age. Psi started as
favourite for the first race, Merehead was second favourite and Batonnier
third in the betting. The race began
in Swinley Bottom.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Arab League from Big Time Billy and Tom Wade. Batonnier taking
a keen hold on the inside, two from the rear. Turning
in and heading up the home straight on the first occasion, Arab League held
the advantage from Big Time Billy, Tom Wade, Merehead,
Oasis Knight, Airmen’s Friend, Richmond, Fontano, Marju King, Batonnier, Psi, Thoresby and Captain Sully. Big
Time Billy was a little slow at the 4th flight; Batonnier
was three from the back as they turned away from the stands. Heading for Swinley
Bottom, Arab League still held a narrow advantage, the other runners close on
his heels; Big Time Billy now beginning to find the pace too hot. The darker grey, Merehead,
blundered at the 7th flight. Around
Swinley Bottom the order was Arab League, Airmen’s
Friend, Tom Wade, Merehead, Oasis Knight, Thoresby, Richmond, Batonnier,
Psi, Big Time Billy, Marju King, Fontano and Captain Sully. Arab
League hit 4 out, Airmen’s Friend now taking a narrow lead; turning into the
home straight Batonnier was in 6th position, Choc
switching his mount to the outside to make his challenge. Arab League, Airmen’s Friend and Oasis
Knight were soon joined by Psi, Batonnier and Merehead. Psi and Merehead jumped the last flight in unison, the latter
going on to win by 3¼ lengths. Batonnier stayed on to take 3rd close home, with Airmen’s
Friend 4th.
Choc,
having finished 3rd, returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to unsaddle his
mount. I duly returned through the
lower level of the grandstand to find a vantage point on the steps above the
Weighing Room from which to take photos.
Once he had spoken with connections and returned to weigh-in I relocated
to the far side of the Parade Ring in preparation for the second race. Choc’s mount in this
event was the Million In Mind Partnership’s Torphichen. This race began near the end of the back
straight, with one fence to negotiate before the first turn.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by King Edmund from Baseball Ted, the latter hit the first fence. They were followed by Fiftyonefiftyone
and Anquetta; Choc aboard Torphichen
was on the inside near the rear of the field.
At the rear, Darcey’s Dancer made a mistake
at the first too. King
Edmund and Baseball Ted led the field into the straight on the first
occasion, from Fiftyonefiftyone, Anquetta, Panjo Bere, Safari Journey, Torphichen,
Takeroc and Darcey’s
Dancer. Fiftyonefiftyone
hit the second fence, Anquetta the third. King
Edmund was 5 lengths up passing the post with one circuit to go. Torphichen was
disputing 5th place around the top turn.
Takeroc made a mistake at the 6th, the
open-ditch, and wasn’t fluent at the next either; King Edmund got in close to
it. Panjo Bere, now in rear, was jumping out to his left. Around
Swinley Bottom the order was King Edmund, Anquetta, Baseball Ted, Fiftyonefiftyone,
Torphichen, Takeroc, Darcey’s Dancer and Safari Journey; Panjo
Bere had now lost touch. Torphichen had progressed
into third place by the next fence, although he was a little slow at the
following one. Anquetta
led after 4 out, from King Edmund and Torphichen. Safari Journey clobbered 3 out, although
near the back of the field at the time. Anquetta was clear from
2 out and went on to win by 5 lengths from the long time leader King
Edmund. Having been slow over the
penultimate fence, Torphichen lost third place on
the run to the line, Darcey’s Dancer staying on to
deny him. ATR’s
Matt Chapman was a little rude about Torphichen; he
said the 6-year-old, who had been purchased for the Million In Mind
Partnership via the sales ring out of the Edward O’Grady yard, already had a
lot of mileage, wasn’t well handicapped and probably needed blinkers
too.
Again, I initially located to the steppings area above the Weighing Room to take
photographs of Choc as he returned to the Winners’ Enclosure. As the horse was owned by the Million In Mind
Partnership, once unsaddled Alan and Choc ‘held
court’ with the group of owners who were crowded onto the steps beside
the Parade Ring, close to the area reserved for the 4th placed horse. Choc was particularly animated,
gesticulating to explain details of his ride aboard Torphichen.
When Choc returned to weigh-in, I relocated to
the far side of the Paddock in preparation for the next race. His mount in this event was one of my
favourite horses, Kumbeshwar. Today Choc was wearing the dark blue and burgundy
silks of co-owner Nigel Bunter. Max
McNeill and his family, the other co-owners were here today to watch their
horse; Kumbeshwar having run in their burgundy,
dark blue and white colours last season. The start of this race was at the far end of the
home straight, with one full circuit plus the home straight to cover.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Kumbeshwar, chased by Elsafeer. These were followed by Drill Sergeant, Baracas, Brampour, Nearby, Katies Tutor, Topolski, Third
Intention who made an error at the first flight, Harry Tricker,
Via Galilei, A Media Luz and Tarkari. Kumbeshwar was jumping
very well and continued to lead the field as they headed towards Swinley Bottom. A
Media Luz hit the flight before the turn; Harry Tricker
soon tailed off. Choc’s
mount still held the advantage from Elsafeer, Baracas, Drill Sergeant, Third Intention, Brampour, Nearby, Topolski, Via Galilei, Katies Tutor, A Media Luz, Tarkari
and Harry Tricker.
Elsafeer had his nose
slightly in front over 4 out; Topolski
who was already being pushed along, blundered 3 out. Kumbeshwar was
still ahead turning in, but his rivals were queuing up behind him and he was
joined 2 out and soon overtaken by A Media Luz, Brampour
and Via Galilei.
Brampour and Via Galilei
led over the last, the latter briefly taking the advantage on the flat before
Brampour, ridden by Paul Nicholls’ nephew and
amateur jockey Harry Derham, asserted and won by
half a length. A
Media Luz, having flattered to deceive earlier in the straight, weakened
after the last and just held on for 3rd ahead of Baracas. Once beaten, Choc eased Kumbeshwar
and they finished 8th.
I
returned to the Parade Ring, waiting for Choc to return having unsaddled his
mount in the enclosure reserved for unplaced horses. I then re-located to the far side of the
Parade Ring in preparation for the feature race of the day, in which Choc
would be riding one of the Irish competitors, Golden Kite. The horse was trained by Adrian Maguire, Choc’s most admired jockey; Adrian having been stable
jockey to David ‘The Duke’
Nicholson when Choc was a lad at the yard. It
was Adrian’s first runner, as a trainer, at Ascot. ATR’s Zoey Bird
interviewed the trainer prior to the race and he said he was pleased to have
a ‘great jockey’ riding his
horse. He also thanked the Ascot staff
for looking after them really well.
Noticing a family likeness, Adrian’s daughter and son had accompanied
him to the meeting. There
were 4 Irish representatives in the race – Golden Kite, The Last Derby, Muirhead, and favourite Bideford Legend. The race took place over 2 full circuits of
the track, the horses cantering down past the stands to take a look at the
final fence before returning to the starting gate. When
it was time to begin, the eager jockeys had to take an extra turn because the
Starter wasn’t on his rostrum yet.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Gentle Ranger; Golden Kite in second position dived through the first but,
thankfully, his partnership with Choc survived! However, Aidan Coleman wasn’t so lucky, as
he was unseated from Dover’s Hill when his mount blundered at the second
fence. Balthazar King blundered and
stumbled at the third, Niche Market made a mistake at the fourth. Around
Swinley Bottom on the first occasion, the order at
the head of affairs was Free World, Gentle Ranger, The Last Derby, Golden
Kite, Ostland, Promising Anshan, Balthazar King,
Bideford Legend and Exmoor Ranger. Air
Force One, Muirhead, Qulinton
and Life Of A Luso were at the rear of the field; Quinz was already in danger of losing touch with the
others. Turning
into home straight on the first occasion, Free World led, with Golden Kite to
his outside. They were followed by Ostland, Gentle Ranger, Promising Anshan, Exmoor Range
and The Last Derby. Air Force One was
now detached from the back of the field, along with Quinz. Free World led from Gentle Ranger around
the top turn, Ostland in third, Golden
Kite in fourth. Noel Fehily pulled up Air Force One before attempting a second
circuit, but Richard Johnson continued aboard Quinz. Free
World lost ground on the run towards Swinley
Bottom, Ostland taking up the running; Exmoor
Ranger making his customary one mistake per race at the fence just before
it. Golden Kite led around the turn, Ostland and Gentle Ranger in close contention; Razor
Royale soon making notable progress.
Bideford Legend fell 4 out, hampering compatriot Muirhead. Sadly, although struggling to his feet and
valiantly attempting to canter after the field, the Barry Geraghty
ridden favourite had suffered a fatal injury, his
near foreleg now useless. The
Sam Twiston-Davies ridden Razor Royale led around
the final bend from Exmoor Ranger and Promising Anshan; Golden Kite was now
in fourth. Promising Anshan became
Razor Royale’s closest pursuer after 2 out; however, after the last, Sam’s
mount appeared to idle and Exmoor Ranger stayed on to win by one length at
the line. Promising Anshan finished 3rd,
with Golden Kite 18 lengths back in 4th.
The very disappointing Quinz was pulled up
after 3 out.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc arrive back and unsaddle in 4th
spot. Adrian appeared very pleased
with the ride, putting an arm around Choc’s
shoulder to congratulate him. Again
I relocated to the far side of the Parade Ring once Choc had gone to
weigh-in. The runner of interest in
the next race was the Martin Keighley trained Court In Session, to be ridden
by Richard Johnson. The
start of this race was at the far end of the home straight, with one full
circuit and a home straight to travel.
Then
they were off. Court In Session led
them away, jumping well. In rear,
Giant O Murchu ballooned over the first and second
flights. Quix,
Tornade D’Estruval, and
Just Say Please all took a keen hold. The
order around the top turn was Court In Session, Quix,
Tornade D’Estruval, All
The Winds, Just Say Please and Giant O Murchu. Just Say Please blundered at the fourth
flight and was soon in rear. Quix hit the next. The
order around Swinley Bottom was Court In Session, Tornade D’Estruval, All The
Winds, Quix, Giant O Murchu
and the now tailing off Just Say Please.
Martin
Keighley’s charge led into the home straight and, although close enough if
good enough, his rivals were no match as he went clear of his pursuers from
the penultimate flight; staying on strongly to win easily by 14 lengths. All The Winds stayed on to finish 2nd,
Giant O Murchu 3rd, Tornade
D’Estruval weakened quickly after the last and
finished 4th.
I
returned to the Parade Ring to see Martin Keighley’s 18th winner of the
season arrive back in the Winners’ Enclosure. The
penultimate race of the day had just 3 runners, Tiger O’Toole being an
absentee. The start of the race was in
Swinley Bottom.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the Sam Twiston-Davies ridden Ackertac, although he did have a tendency to jump to his
left. Micheal
Flips breasted the second fence.
Megastar, taking a keen hold, was held up in third. Nick
Scholfield, noting Ackertac’s
penchant to jump away from the rail, decided to switch Micheal
Flips to the inside approaching the sixth obstacle. Sam, having earlier switched his whip to
his left hand, slapped his mount down the shoulder to guide him around the
top turn. Micheal
Flips took the lead at the seventh fence. Having
reached for the jump at the open-ditch, Megastar blundered and nearly
unseated his jockey, Jamie Moore, at the fence after Swinley
Bottom. Micheal
Flips and Ackertac disputed the lead down the back,
although the former hit 4 out and 3 out.
Sam’s
mount led into the home straight.
Megastar was being pushed along in third; however he did close on the
leaders as they approached the penultimate fence. But Ackertac
jumped out to his left and Megastar seemed to jump into the back of him,
which handicapped his progress. Ackertac again jumped
left at the last, Micheal Flips taking the
advantage to go up his inside to win by 2½ lengths. Megastar was eased on the flat once beaten,
finishing last.
The
light was fading as the time of the final race approached. Whilst I was waiting beside the Parade
Ring, Aidan Coleman set off for home. He
must have suffered an injury when being unseated from Dover’s Hill earlier in
the afternoon, as one of his sleeves hung empty by his side. A companion carried his possessions. A broken collarbone was the prognosis. Choc’s mount in the
last race was Jojabean, sporting the same orange
and black colours as Medermit. Having exited onto the course, the horse
was a little reluctant to set off for the start. The starting gate for this event was at the
far end of the home straight, with one full circuit and the home straight to
travel.
Then
they were off ... at a very sedate pace!
The commentator, Richard Hoiles, jokingly
said that the horses went to the start faster and that if they kept up this
speed they would be dead-heating with the fireworks display at 18:45! The
field was led away by Provo and Baroque Man, then Cecconi,
Stormy Gale, Crystal Swing, Barrakilla, Typhon De Guye, Population and Xaarcet; Jojabean was keen on
the inside in rear. As
they headed down the side of the course, Exaacet
and Jojabean remained at the back of the field; Baroque
Man and Provo still leading. Stormy
Gale, the favourite, suffered trouble in running and was shuffled back
through the field as they approach Swinley
Bottom. Jojabean
had an awkward moment, when he seemed to take a false step with his hind legs
on the turn. Martin’s
runner, Typhon De Guye
made progress down the back. Turning in and heading for the latter stages of
the race there were a number of runners in contention, Provo, Baroque Man,
Stormy Gale, Cecconi, Barrakilla,
Jojabean and Typhon De Guye. However,
Population burst through between the leading contenders and went on to win
easily by 6 lengths. Barrakilla was 2nd, Crystal Swing 3rd, and Jojabean 4th. Typhon De Guye finished 6th.
I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure
for the final time, to see Choc and Jojabean arrive
back. Choc’s
mount was reluctant to stand still whilst being unsaddled. Jojabean had also
been wearing earplugs, these were removed; as he was led around he shook his
head, the dangling plugs seemingly an irritant. Choc having returned to the Weighing
Room, it was time for me to leave. I
left via the racecourse turnstile exit and, as always, I did a route march
down Ascot High Street to the car park.
There were a number of vehicles entering the car park, presumably the
occupants arriving in preparation for the fireworks display which was due to
commence at 18:45. Having arrived back at my car, I then
had to find a way out. I was parked in
the back row of two but couldn’t reverse out and turn to my right because the
giant yew tree blocked my escape! I
glanced around but couldn’t see an obvious route through the row of cars
behind or in front. Somewhere there
must have been a gap between the vehicles because there was an empty space beside
me. Fortunately, however, after about 5 minutes,
the driver of the car parked immediately in front of me arrived back and
drove away, leaving a vacated space to allow me to exit from the car park onto
Ascot High Street. I then turned left, and left again,
driving through the underpass to reach Swinley
Bottom. My route took me back past Legoland, shortly after which I was again caught up in a
traffic jam. However, once through two
sets of traffic lights the road cleared and I encountered no problems on the
M4 until traffic slowed considerably on the slip-road leading to the M25
clockwise carriageway. Once on the M25, the traffic was
moving okay again, although it was quite heavy for a Saturday. Leaving the M25 at Junction 21A, I
travelled back via the North Orbital, arriving home at 18:40. A little later than hoped, as I missed the
first two celebrities ‘take to the
floor’ on Strictly Come Dancing – Russell Grant and Chelsee
Healey. I wish the programme was
broadcast a little later. After watching Strictly, eating my
evening meal and uploading my photographs onto my laptop, it was time for bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
