PART II
DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2013
DAY ONE
FEATURING THE CHAMPION HURDLE
TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013
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Hurricane Fly becomes the first horse to regain the
Champion Hurdle title since Comedy of Errors in 1975 Click here to read my Day 1 Diary Part I It was now time for the feature event of the day,
the Champion Hurdle. As with each of the feature events, there was a
pre-race parade; the horses exited onto the course and formed into number
order before the parade began. Two
mounted members of a local hunt preceded the racehorses; the sole Alan King
runner today, Balder Succes leading the
competitors. Although he was the
outsider; a 100-1 shot! The 13-8
favourite today was the 2011 winner, Hurricane Fly, who was wearing
earplugs. Last year’s winner, Rock On
Ruby, was wearing first-time blinkers today. Members of the police force and a number of
stewards had already lined up along the edge of the racecourse, upon the
all-weather strip, to deter anyone from escaping the confines of the
enclosures to run out onto the track; in protest or just to cause a scene of
any sort. Though I think I can safely
say it would not be a suffragette, a la Emily Davison! Once the parade had been completed, the runners
cantered down past the grandstands and entered the all-weather strip to
continue their journey to the start which was located at the far end of the
home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Rock On Ruby, following by Zarkandar, the
diminutive Countrywide Flame, Grandouet, Hurricane
Fly, Cinders And Ashes, Binocular and Balder Succes;
Kyber Kim in rear.
Having cleared the first flight, the runners travelled up the home
straight towards the grandstands, the leader setting a good pace. All the runners were jumping slickly, apart
from Kyber Kim in rear. Having
cleared the second flight, the horses set out into the country, Rock On Ruby still cutting out the pace,
from Zarkandar, Countrywide Flame, Grandouet, Hurricane Fly, Cinders And Ashes, Balder Succes and Khyber Kim, the latter slightly detached from
the others. The first four travelled
easily within themselves, but Hurricane Fly didn’t appear to be going as well
as those ahead of him, nor was he fluent at the 4th flight. However,
at the 5th obstacle it was Grandouet who exited the
race, when he stepped at the flight and fell.
Unfortunately he hampered Balder Succes, who
unseated Wayne Hutchinson; Binocular was also hampered but continued. Just seven runners now remained. Having
travelled around the far corner, Rock On Ruby still led, from Zarkandar and Countryside Flame; Hurricane Fly now much
closer. Binocular was being urged
along in an attempt to close the gap between himself and the three ahead of
him. Khyber Kim continued adrift of
the field; Cinders And Ashes having now tailed off, was pulled up before
three out. So then there were six. Rock
On Ruby was still ahead over three out, Zarkandar
being ridden along as both Countrywide Flame and Hurricane Fly challenged him
for second place. Having cleared the
next, Hurricane Fly loomed up on the outside of the long-time leader, and
went on as they turned into the home straight. The 2011 winner held a two length advantage
as they cleared the last, and galloped on to win by 2½ lengths at the line. Rock
On Ruby stayed on up the hill to claim 2nd, with Countrywide Flame 3rd and Zarkandar 4th.
Binocular completed in 5th, with Khyber Kim claiming prize money of
£4480 for finishing 6th. Grandouet had taken a horrible fall but fortunately was
okay, as was Balder Succes.
The
hunters preceded the victorious horse as he was led back down the walkway and
began the journey back to the Winners’ Enclosure. As
you know, I stayed beside the course-side rails to await the next event in
which Quevega would attempt to equal Golden
Miller’s record of winning the same event in five consecutive years. The latter having completed the feat in the
Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1932 to 1936.
She was the 8-11 favourite for this race. The
starting gate for this event was in the mid-course chute; upon exiting the
horse walkway, the runners cantered across the home straight and headed up
the all-weather track around the top bend.
They then crossed the racecourse to enter the chute; this race began
further along the track than is standard, with just one flight to negotiate
before the far turn.
Then
they were off. The runners were led
away by Swincombe Flame, from Epee Celeste, Kaffie, Shop DJ, Miss Milborne,
Une Artiste, She Ranks Me, Kauto
Shiny, Lady Kathleen and, just behind these in
midfield, was Quevega; last year’s runner up, Kentford Grey Lady, was at the rear. Having
cleared the first flight, Epee Celeste went on around the far bend, setting
up a lead of around four lengths over Swincombe
Flame. Heading up the home straight on
the first occasion, there was no change at the head of affairs, although the
main body of the field had almost bridged the gap between themselves and the
leader. Ears
pricked, the chestnut Epee Celeste led the runners over the third flight,
from Swincombe Flame, Kaffie,
Miss Milborne, Lady Kathleen, Shop DJ, Une Artiste, Shadow Eile,
French raider Sirene d’Ainay,
Kauto Shiny, Quevega, She
Ranks Me, Swing Bowler, Cloudy Spirit, Stone Light, Alasi,
Prima Porta, Mae’s Choice and Kentford
Grey Lady. Mae’s Choice hit the fourth
flight and unseated her jockey. Having
fallen off and landed on his backside, a pained Paul Carberry
had to be helped off the course. The
horses galloped up around the top bend and began the journey along the back
straight. Having cleared the fourth
flight, Swincombe Flame took over the lead heading
towards the next. Quevega
appeared to be further back in the field than previously. Heading for the dog-leg turn, Sirene d’Ainay was now the
leader’s closest challenger; Epee Celeste soon dropped back through the
field. Over
the sixth flight, Daryl Jacob’s mount still led, from the French challenger, Une Artiste now in third position, from Miss Milborne, Shop DJ and Shadow Eile. Travelling down the hill, Sirene d’Ainay went on heading
to the third last, from Swincombe Flame, Une Artiste, Shop DJ and Shadow Eile. Quevega was in
10th position at this stage, having been hampered and stumbling on the bend
as a result after 4 out. The
French runner led over two out, from the improving Shadow Eile,
then Swincombe Flame, Une
Artiste and Kentford Grey Lady; Quevega
was still only in 8th place. However,
upon straightening up and under a strong ride from Ruby Walsh, the latter
begin to pick off those ahead of her and by the final flight disputed second
position, upsides Swincombe Flame and Shadow Eile; the leader a mere two lengths in front of them. As
they continued up the run-in, Quevega gained upon
and then overtook Sirene d’Ainay,
going on to win by 1½ lengths at the line; Ruby
waved his whip in celebration as he crossed the line. Swincombe Flame
completed in 3rd, with Shadow Eile just holding off
Kauto Shiny for 4th.
Why
do people have to shriek when their betted upon horse wins? It’s so annoying for those around
them. My sole outburst would be the
following day, during the finish of the Coral Cup ... but more about that in
tomorrow’s diary!!! The
starting gate for the next event was in the mid-course chute; upon exiting
the horse walkway, the runners cantered across the home straight and headed
up around the top bend upon the all-weather track. They then crossed the racecourse to enter
the chute; three fences would be negotiated before the far turn. The
9-2 favourite for this race was Colour Squadron ... although I’m not sure
why!
The
jockeys taking part in the final race were keen to begin, so keen in fact
that they set off without Fourjacks, only to be
recalled by the starter. Although,
technically, it appeared as though Brian Harding wasn’t keen on his starting
position within the pack as they approached the exit point onto the track, so
held back his mount rather than be at a disadvantage from the off. The
runners set off at the second attempt.
The field was led away by one of my favourites, the flashy Forgotten
Gold, from Kruzhlinin, Shangani
and Restless Harry sporting first-time blinkers. Nataani and
Vulcanite brought up the rear. Having
cleared the first three fences safely, the horses headed into the far turn;
Forgotten Gold disputed the lead with Shangani and
The Druids Nephew; they were followed by Kruzhlinin,
Ohio Gold, Saved By John, Ackertac, Restless Harry,
Rajdhani Express, Carlito
Brigante, Fourjacks,
Colour Squadron, Howard’s Legacy, Arthur’s Pass, Bob Owen, Klepht, Hazy Tom, Vulcanite, John’s Spirit and Nataani. The
horses headed up the home straight towards the grandstands; no major errors
at the obstacles from any of them; although Kruzhlinin
had begun to drop back quickly through the field because he was not jumping
as quickly as his rivals and, in rear, Johns Spirit made an error at the 7th,
the last in the line of 4. There were
a few untidy jumps at the uphill fence from those towards the back of the
field; Kruzhlinin was now in last position. The
runners now began their journey down the back straight; Vulcanite made an
error at the first therein. The Druids
Nephew took a narrow advantage as the horses cleared the water-jump, from Shangani and Forgotten Gold. Having cleared the jump, the tailed off Kruzhlinin was pulled up by Jason Maguire. Arthur’s Pass blundered at the 11th, the
first open-ditch; Saved by John fell here when just behind the leaders, badly
hampering Carlito Brigante,
the latter’s jockey lost an iron and much ground on those ahead of him and
was soon pulled up . The
Druids Nephew and Shangani continued to cut out the
running as they headed towards the last fence on the far side, from Ackertac, Ohio Gold, Forgotten Gold, and Johns Spirit;
the latter blundered at the second open-ditch and lost a few places as a
result. Having
turned the far corner and set off down the hill heading for the third last
fence, there was no change up front, with Shangani
and The Druids Nephew still disputing the lead. Just behind them were Ohio Gold, Ackertac, Forgotten Gold, Colour
Squadron who carried his head to the right, Rajdhani
Express, Vulcanite and Johns Spirit. Ohio
Gold drew alongside the hard-driven Shangani and
The Druids Nephew as they approached the home bend; Ackertac
in their slipstream, with Rajdhani Express now to
his outer. Into the home straight and
approaching the penultimate fence, a group of seven horses were closely
bunched at the head of affairs. Ohio
Gold rose very slightly ahead of Sam Waley-Cohen’s
mount, with Shangani and Ackertac
a whisker behind, then The Druids Nephew, Vulcanite, and Colour
Squadron. Forgotten Gold wasn’t far
behind these, although he stumbled on landing, then came Johns Spirit. Rajdhani Express took
the lead and jumped the last a length or so up on both Ackertac
and Ohio Gold. It was then a driving finish between the two Sams, Waley-Cohen and Twiston-Davies, as they approached the line, the former
holding on by a neck from the closing Ackertac. Ohio Gold completed in 3rd; Shangani battling on bravely to retain 4th spot ahead of
Colour Squadron and The Druids Nephew.
Forgotten Gold finished 9th.
The
last race of the day having been completed, I finally returned to the Winners’
Enclosure to see the placed horses arrive back. NEWS FROM THE
STEWARDS’ ROOM FOLLOWING THE RACE: The
Stewards considered the apparent improvement in form of the winner, RAJDHANI
EXPRESS, ridden by Mr S. Waley Cohen, and trained
by Nicky Henderson, compared with its previous run at Cheltenham on 20
January 2013 where the gelding finished seventh, beaten 151 lengths. They
noted the trainer’s explanation that RAJDHANI EXPRESS jumped poorly in the
heavy ground on that occasion. They ordered the gelding to be routine tested. WHY THEY RAN
BADLY: The course covers were re-laid immediately after the
last race; but not before they’d rescued a loose horse which was in danger of
being trapped out on the racecourse by the impending cover-up! I guess it must have been Saved By John,
the sole faller in the final race! I
usually wait a while before departing in order to avoid the worst of the
queues, however today I decided to set off up the concourse towards the main
exit at around the time the prizes were being awarded in the Winners’
Enclosure. It was tough going, weaving
in and out of the throngs of spectators, most heading for the exit, some
crossing my way as they walked between buildings. I had decided against going to the loo
before departing; hopeful I’d last until home! The
following day it would be announced that today’s crowd was a record number
since the Festival was increased to four days, of 56,284 attendees ... it
certainly felt like I’d encountered most of them on my way out! Having
returned to my car, I ate the two remaining cheese rolls and drank a cup of
black coffee before reversing the vehicle out of its spot and heading across
to join the queue to exit onto Swindon Lane.
As always seems to be the case these days, no-one was keen to let me
out into the aforementioned queue. I’m
obviously not wilful enough ... nor young and attractive which would have
helped too. L Eventually someone was kind enough to
permit me to join the queue and leave; it was 18:10. However,
having turned right onto Swindon Lane, the traffic police solely allowing
this manoeuvre, I turned left into Tommy Taylors Lane which morphs into Folly
Lane further down, only to discover that vehicles were tailing back the
entire length of the road! In all my
visits to the Cheltenham Festival, I’d never seen the traffic so bad along
this particular route. The reason, all
the vehicles appeared to be turning right at the far end. A signpost directing traffic towards the M5
had been sited at the mini-roundabout at the northern end of Tommy Taylors
Lane but the majority of drivers appeared to have ignored it. Were they were relying on their satnav, rather than on common sense? I
finally reached St Paul’s Road, turned left and drove towards Clarence
Square. I don’t particularly like this
stretch of road, as parked vehicles restrict the road to a single lane in a
number of places. Traffic lights at the crossing on Evesham Road soon changed
to green, however pedestrians heading for Cheltenham town centre were
determined to ignore the fact that vehicles wished to cross their path and
were jaywalking across the road. I was
not amused, and fortunately managed to avoid hitting any of them! Traffic
was also tailed back from the roundabout in Prestbury
Road. However, whilst waiting in
Clarence Road I did notice the Holst Museum
situated to my right! I like a bit of
classical music now and again! It
seemed to take ages to reach the aforementioned roundabout; I believe the
hold-up was caused by a traffic policeman (when isn’t it?) directing a stream
of coaches leaving the racecourse as they travelled down Albert Road and turned
right along Wellington Road to join the Evesham Road. Eventually
I was able to take a right, navigator around one side of Pittville
Circus, before entering Pittville Circus Road and
turning left onto Hewlett Road. To
avoid any queues which might have formed in Hales Road, upon exiting the ‘longabout’
I travelled up Harp Hill, before turning right into Greenway Lane and driving
back to the traffic lights at the Six Ways junction. The lights having eventually turned to
green, there being five phases which can cause long delays, I turned left
onto the A40 and headed up past the Dowdeswell
Reservoir and into the Cotswold hills.
It was 18:40 when I left Cheltenham.
I
recall that on one of the evenings this week, there was a crazy driver who
decided to overtake the line of traffic as we approached Burford. There was absolutely no way he could have
seen any vehicles heading from the opposite direction had they appeared
around any of the bends in the road.
What a nutter ... they shouldn’t have been allowed
on the road! As
is always the case these days, having reached Oxford, I decided to drive
around the bypass to reach the M40.
The motorway is in darkness until having driven up through the
Chiltern escarpment, after which there is lighting as the road travels past
High Wycombe. There are no lights once
again until reaching Junction 3, Loudwater. I continued to head eastwards until I got
to the M25, after which I took the clockwise carriageway. There were signs displayed on both the M40
and M25 warning of salt spreading in operation. Having
used over half a tank of fuel today, I left the motorway at junction 20 to
visit the petrol station located on the nearby retail park. It was 20:25, so the majority of pumps were
still being used. On this occasion I
pulled into the nearest lane and used the rear of the two pumps; I think it
is number 22. Having paid for the
petrol, it was just a further 10 minutes until I reached home at 20:40. Time
for a quick microwave meal, a Morrison’s Penne Mozzarella. I also discovered that I’d left my early
morning cup of tea un-drunk!!! I had
time to upload my photographs and write my daily blog before turning in at
23:30. I was not looking forward to
another 04:30 alarm call!!! Finally,
before I sign off, I have to have a ‘grumpy
old woman’ moan about the dreadful state of the roads. I used to enjoy driving to Cheltenham, or
at least the outward non-motorway route but, this year, the number and
severity of the pot-holes was unbelievable.
Admittedly Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire have always had poorly
maintained roads, but this year Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire were equally
as bad. It’s just ridiculous, no wonder it cost me over £900 to have my car
fixed before it passed its MOT this year; and its only five years old, with
23,000 miles on the clock. The
notably poorest section of road is the A40, either side of the roundabout
where it crosses the Stow-On-The-Wold/Cirencester Road; with little chance of
missing them when travelling in the dark.
Okay, it’s high up in the Cotswolds and will suffer badly when the
weather is poor like it has been this winter, but there really is no excuse
for not spending collected road taxes on maintaining the highways. Much of the problem is the fact that
makeshift repairs aren’t ‘sealed’
properly and therefore water can still penetrate, the holes opening up even
more when the next lot of bad weather arrives. And,
frequently, it’s not the roads which are in need of urgent repairs which are
the priority. Many main roads in
Hertfordshire need to be completely re-done but, as in a recent example close
to my home, why was a lightly used residential road stripped back and
completely resurfaced when main roads through the city have been ignored. But maybe someone of influence owns a house
in the aforementioned road! Needless
to say, I will not be happy if next year, once again, I am asked to pay an
extreme amount to have my car fixed before it will pass its MOT. The
AA’s President Edmund King, who lives in St Albans, had recently been quoted
for speaking about the pot-hole problems.
Then, just days afterwards, his Mercedes suffered a car suspension
failure when he pulled into the local Morrison supermarket’s petrol
station. Evidently one third of all AA
members have suffered damage to their vehicle in the past two years due to
hitting a pot-hole! |
