DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2011
DAY 3 – THURSDAY 17 MARCH 2011
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Once again the alarm
on my clock was set to go off at 04:30; after which I showered, washed and
dressed and applied my warpaint. Having got partially
dressed, I put on a coat and went outside to sponge down my car under cover
of darkness, as I was rather embarrassed by its dirtiness; caused yesterday
by having parked too close to the dusty entrance track in the Swindon Lane
car park, the airborne dust particles adhering to the paintwork throughout
the day. Having
felt extremely cold on day two of the Festival, I decided to wear my navy
blue cords today ... with a pair of 40 denier tights underneath! I also wore my cold-weather mainstay, a
black longer length faux sheepskin coat.
My neon blue Snowball scarf, two thermal vests, turquoise knitted
tunic, navy blue cardigan, burgundy cardigan, purple fleece and grey faux fur
body-warmer! Plus my black leather ‘engineer’ boots. Notably,
there were an unusually high number of magpies seen during my journey today –
perhaps 9 or 10. As on the previous
two days, I remained in my car until around 09:50 before setting off to join
the queue at the turnstiles. My
handbag was searched by security staff in advance of the gates opening. Once inside, I popped to the loo, and then
went to purchase a race-card from the kiosk on the concourse above the Parade
Ring. Following that I went to sit on
one of the benches on the front lawn.
Cleeve Hill was visible through the early mist today; unlike yesterday
when low cloud had shrouded it completely.
As Choc had only one
ride today, the mare Call Me A Legend in the Byrne Group Plate at 16:00, I
presumed he wouldn’t arrive early to walk the course; I therefore had plenty
of time to relax and ‘people watch’. The first person of note to set off for a
jog around the course, at 10:50, was Barry Geraghty. Shortly afterwards Andrew Thornton did the
same. Andrew must have caught up with
Barry, as they jogged back together 15 minutes later! Wayne Hutchinson set off to walk the
course, alone today, and he was suited and booted. The competitors, of course, would be
competing over the new course today and tomorrow. I watched as the
course-builders dismantled the portable second last steeplechase fence on the
old course; two vehicles were employed to do it, one of a forklift
nature. The ground where it had been
located was raked over afterwards. Choc
arrived at 12:05 to walk the course; he was accompanied by a lady and a
gentleman. Today Choc wore a tan
coloured suit and green Hunter wellies. The walk took 30 minutes, and he stopped
briefly to speak with Racing UK presenter Lorna Fowler before he returned
through the gate and headed back to the Weighing Room. Despite my many
layers of clothing, and the sun appearing and shining for much of the
afternoon, I can’t actually say I was too warm! I remained on the front
lawn to watch the Pre-race Preview on the big screen. The first interviewee today was Richard
Johnson; he spoke about his rides today – Wishfull Thinking and Duke of
Lucca. Richard also mentioned that
Choc had told him that Medermit had become flustered due to the strong pace
during yesterday’s Arkle Chase.
Richard had won that race aboard Captain Chris. Jonathan Powell then
interviewed special guest racehorse trainer Henry Cecil. Henry was an ‘old hand’ at using the microphone and eventually commandeered
it! He spoke about Twice Over, who
would be running in Dubai; also about his 2,000 Guineas hope, Frankel, and
about his admiration for last year’s Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander. The next guest was
Barry Geraghty, who had 5 riding engagements today. His first ride would be Mr Gardner, who had
finished behind Medermit and Captain Chris at Sandown on his last
outing. Then he spoke about Lush Life,
who would be running in the ‘wide-open’
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle. His
third ride of the day would be the ex-Alan King trained Voy Por Ustedes, who
had been going well at home, having been schooled over jumps. Barry’s mount in the World Hurdle was
Zaynar, who’d had a breathing operation; his final ride of the day was You’re
The Top in the Byrne Group Plate. Next onto the podium
was Jules Tate from Cancer Research UK; speaking about the fundraising
activities of the amateur jockeys taking part in the final race of the day, a
flat race, the St Patrick’s Day Derby.
In order to take part in the race, each jockey had to raise at least
£5,000 in sponsorship; therefore with 12 participants, a minimum of £60,000
would be raised. Alice Plunkett of
Channel 4 Racing had raised in excess of £27,000. Alan King had loaned 2 horses for the race,
Devil To Pay, to be ridden by the aforementioned Alice Plunkett, and Kings
Troop to be ridden by Liz Ampairee. Rodger Sargent, who
was due to ride the Tim Vaughan trained Nemo Spirit, had been taught to ride
at Gary Moore’s yard, and had lost a staggering amount of weight to ride in
the race as he originally weighed 17½ stone!
An amusing comment was made that he’d lost the equivalent of ‘Ryan Moore’ in weight. The next interviewee
was David Pipe. He spoke about Grands
Crus who would be running in the World Hurdle; then about Buena Vista, who
was having his seventh annual visit to the Festival, seeking to repeat his
win last year in the Pertemps Final.
Chartreux, who would also be running in the race, had improved, but David
was concerned that more rain might be needed to enhance his chance; Tom
Scudamore had chosen to ride the grey.
Mr Thriller, who would run in the Jewson Novices’ Chase had better
form on softer ground. The stable had
two runners in the Kim Muir; Faasal off the same mark as last year but he was
difficult to ‘predict’; his number
one string in this race, Junior, held his best chance of winning today, and
the better ground would suit him greatly.
Then Chloe Bowkett
was interviewed; she works as an Events Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse (not
on the racing side of the organisation) and would also be taking part in the
Charity Race, her mount being Ambrose Princess. Finally, David
Williams of Ladbrokes was interviewed, his employer being the sponsors of
today’s World Hurdle. He mentioned that
Ruby Walsh was favourite to win the Festival’s Top Jockey award; especially
after ‘Ruby Tuesday’ (day one) when
he had won 3 races. Irish winners and
AP McCoy were fancied to win today (the Irish having won 6 of the 7 races
yesterday!). Hey Big Spender was a
very popular choice in the Ryanair Chase; and so was Galant Nuit who was due
to run in the Kim Muir later in the afternoon. It was soon time for
the first race of the day; ahead of which I found myself a good vantage point
beside the course-side rails. The start of this
race was in the mid-course chute; on this occasion only two fences being
jumped before heading around the far turn and into the home straight, instead
of the usual three. Therefore upon
exiting the walkway from the Parade Ring, the horses cantered across the home
straight and up the all-weather track around the top bend to reach it.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the Barry Geraghty ridden Mr Gardner, almost
upsides was Bouggler; Robinson Collonges,
with Ruby Walsh aboard, was at the back of the field. Around
the far bend the order was Mr Gardner, Bouggler, Wishfull Thinking ridden by Richard Johnson, Loosen My
Load, Mr Thriller, Mr Cracker (that’s a lot of ‘Mr’ horses in one race), Noble Prince
ridden by AP McCoy, Radium, Cootehill, Blazing
Tempo and Robinson Collonges. Into
the home straight with four fences to jump on this stretch of the track,
Barry Geraghty’s mount got a little close to the
4th and 5th fences; then a blunder at the 6th resulted in him being headed by
Wishfull Thinking.
Heading away from the stands, Richard Johnson’s mount retained the
advantage over Mr Gardner, Loosen My Load, Noble Prince to the inside of Mr
Thriller, followed by Radium, Bouggler, Mr Cracker,
Blazing Tempo, Robinson Collonges and Cootehill. Wishfull Thinking
remained at the head of affairs, jumping well as the runners galloped down
the back straight. Mr Gardner was a
little awkward at the water-jump and was pulled up not long afterwards. Cootehill hit the
10th; Robinson Collonges, having made an error at
the first of the open-ditches, was pulled up before the 12th. Over
the final open-ditch Wishfull Thinking still led,
with Noble Prince and Loosen My Load in close order; however, AP’s mount made
a mistake 4 from home and lost a little ground. Downhill, Loosen My Load came to join Wishfull Thinking at the head of affairs, Radium now to
the outside of Noble Prince, the pair tracking the two leaders. Loosen My Load hit 3 out and lost momentum,
allowing Wishfull Thinking to regain the advantage
around the final turn. He retained the
lead over the penultimate fence, although still closely pressed by Loosen My
Load, Noble Prince and Radium. It
was Noble Prince who came to join Wishfull Thinking
as they cleared the last, which the former jumped more fluently and AP drove
him on to win by 4 lengths. Wishfull Thinking finished 2nd, Loosen My Load 3rd and
Radium 4th. The
‘record equalling’ tenth winner at
this year’s Festival for the Irish, there having been 3 winners on Tuesday,
and an almost whitewash of 6 yesterday; the first winner at this year’s Festival
for AP, and the 200th winner of the season for him too.
I
remained beside the course-side rails to retain a good vantage point ahead of
the next race. The start of this event was at the beginning of the back straight,
with almost two complete circuits to race.
Therefore
upon exiting the walkway from the Parade Ring, the horses cantered across the
home straight and up along the all-weather track around the top bend to reach
it.
Then
they were off. The initial order was Knockara Beau, Viking Blond, Buena Vista, Alfie Spinner, Pause and Clause, Barafundle,
Lush Life; last year’s Grand National winner, Don’t Push It was in
midfield. Buena Vista, last year’s
victor in this race and a confirmed front runner, came through to take the
lead as the field cleared the first flight. Heading
for the far turn the order was Buena Vista, Knockara
Beau, Lush Life, Kayf Aramis,
Gwanako, Barafundle,
Viking Blond, Chartreux, Alfie
Spinner, Pause and Clause, Tarablaze, Mr Moonshine,
Don’t Push It, Rivage D’Or, Essex, Duke of Lucca, Mobaasher, Sivota, Barwell Bridge, Micheal Flips,
Son Amix, Heavenly Blues and Queiros
Bleu. Heading
downhill for the first time, Buena Vista still held the advantage from Barafundle, Kayf Aramis, Lush Life, Knockara
Beau and Viking Blond. Into the home
straight with one circuit to go, Sivota, Heavenly
Blues and Queiros Bleu were at the rear of the
field. Heading
away from the stands, having held a good early position, Lush Life had
dropped out and was now being pushed along.
Into the back straight it soon became apparent that the horse was lame
and jockey Barry Geraghty pulled him up. Buena
Vista still ahead; in mid-field rider Daryl Jacob’s foot slipped out of the
iron when his mount Alfie Spinner cleared the 9th,
the jockey reaching down to regain it but having lost ground. Into the dog-leg section of the track, no
change at the sharp end with Buena Vista retaining the lead from Knockara Beau, the grey Chartreux,
Barafundle, Viking Blond and Tarablaze. The
leader had opened up a 4 lengths advantage as the field travelled downhill
for the final time; Chartreux hit 2 out. Buena Vista led from Tarablaze
around the final turn; the iron grey Son Amix soon
becoming the long time leader’s nearest pursuer as Tarablaze
began to fade, Knockara Beau plugging on in 3rd,
with Ruby Walsh driving his mount, Sivota, up the
far side to mount his challenge. However,
Buena Vista was not to be denied and, having cleared the last flight, he
galloped on strongly up the hill to win by 4 lengths from Son Amix; the latter just holding off the fast finishing Sivota by a head. Knockara Beau completed in 4th. It
was young conditional jockey Conor O’Farrell’s
first ride and win at the Festival, having taken 5 lbs off the horse’s back. And,
of course, a second win for last year’s victor Buena Vista. The 10-year-old has appeared at 7 Festivals
– he finished 6th in the Bumper in 2005; 3rd in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
in 2006; 6th in the Arkle in 2007; and 5th, 2nd,
1st and 1st in the Pertemps in subsequent
years. Buena Vista is the first horse
to retain this race since Willie Wumpkins in
1979/1980 in its previous re-incarnation as the Coral Golden Hurdle; the
latter also returned to win it in 1981 as a 13-year-old, his final race
before retirement. Conor O’Farrell followed up by winning the
Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter the following
Saturday, aboard ex-Alan King trained (but subsequently ill-fated) Minella Four Star, who was then trained by David Pipe.
Once more I remained beside the course-side rails
ahead of the next race. There was one Stewards’ Enquiry associated with
race 2: The Stewards considered the apparent improvement in form of the
winner, BUENA VISTA (IRE), ridden by Conor
O’Farrell, and trained by David Pipe, compared with its previous run at Kempton
on January 15, where it finished last of fifteen, beaten 144 lengths over 2
miles 5 furlongs, but having received a report of the trainer’s explanation
that the gelding was better suited by the better ground, they decided not to
hold an enquiry. The Stewards ordered BUENA VISTA (IRE) to be routine tested. It was now time for
the first Grade 1 race of the day, the Ryanair Chase. The start of this race was in the
mid-course chute. Upon exiting the
walkway from the Parade Ring, the horses cantered across the home straight
and up along the all-weather track around the top bend to reach it. The Sir Robert Ogden
owned Voy Por Ustedes, having left the Alan King yard to join Nicky
Henderson’s stable, was making his seasonal reappearance and first appearance
since the transfer; today he was ridden by stable jockey Barry Geraghty.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by last year’s winner Albertas Run under AP
McCoy. Almost upsides were Rubi Light, Gauvain and Tartak, then Poquelin, Voy Por Ustedes,
Hey Big Spender, Roberto Goldback, J’y Vole, Breedsbreeze and
Kalahari King. Both Gauvain and Roberto Goldback
made slight errors at the second fence. Into
the home straight on the first occasion, line across the course approaching
the next fence, the lead was disputed by Rubi
Light, Gauvain and Albertas
Run. Roberto Goldback
blundered at the 5th fence; Voy Por
Ustedes was prominent on the outside of the
field. Rubi
Light was a little awkward at the 7th obstable. Heading
out into the country the order was Rubi Light, Poquelin, Albertas Run, Tartak, Voy Por
Ustedes, J’y Vole, Gauvain, Hey Big Spender, Kalahari King, Roberto Goldback and Breedsbreeze. Hey Big Spender hit the first in the back
straight, as did Breedsbreeze. Rubi Light and Albertas
Run led over the water-jump, Breedsbreeze hit the
next, the first open-ditch. Tartak made a bad error at the second open-ditch. Hey Big Spender made a mistake at the
13th. Rubi
Light led the field downhill but hit 3 out and was headed by Albertas Run.
Around the final turn the order was Albertas
Run, Rubi Light, J’y
Vole, Voy Por Ustedes, Poquelin, Kalahari
King and Tartak. There
were a number of runners in close contention between the final two fences but
the only horse gaining on the leader at this stage was Kalahari King; but Albertas Run had a bit left in the tank and stayed on to
win by a length from Graham Lee’s mount.
Rubi Light completed in 3rd and Poquelin finished 4th, Voy Por Ustedes was a neck behind
in 5th. On
viewing the replay it was soon apparent that a protestor had breached
security and run onto the course 100 yards before the winning post; the ‘idiot’ had been close to being
knocked down by any one of the horses as they galloped to the line. Having completed the race, the jockeys
seemed incredulous that someone had put lives at risk by straying into the
path of the runners. It transpired
that it was a protest against race sponsors Ryanair.
Once more I stayed beside the course-side rails in preparation for
viewing the next race. There was one Stewards’ Enquiry associated with
race 3: The Stewards
considered the apparent improvement in form of the winner, ALBERTAS RUN
(IRE), ridden by A.P. McCoy, and trained by Jonjo
O’Neill, compared with its previous run at Kempton on January 15, where it
was tailed off and pulled up over 3 miles, but having received a report of
the trainer’s explanation that the gelding was better suited by Notably,
4 of the 13 runners were greys – Grands Crus, Any Given Day, Zaynar and
Fiveforthree.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Cross Kennon, from Berties
Dream, the keen running Restless Harry, Ashkazar, Zaynar, Powerstation, Big
Buck’s, Mourad, Rigour Back Bob, Fiveforthree, Souffleur, and
Any Given Day; Grands Crus
was nicely settled at the back of the field. Downhill
on the first occasion, Cross Kennon still led from Berties Dream, Big Buck’s and Restless Harry. The leader was 1½ lengths
clear up the straight, Big Buck’s, Restless Harry and Berties
Dream disputing second. Grands Crus travelled at the
back of the main group, with Any Given Day slightly detached. Away
from the stands the order was Cross Kennon, Berties Dream, Big Buck’s, Restless Harry, Ashkazar, Powerstation, Mourad, Zaynar, Rigour Back
Bob, Fiveforthree, Grands
Crus; two from the rear, Souffleur
blundered at the first flight in the back straight, Any Given Day remained at
the back of the field. Ashkazar got squeezed up
on the inside as the runners galloped around the dogleg turn, dropping back
as a result. Rigour Back Bob was then
short of room at the far corner. Cross
Kennon led the runners downhill on the final
occasion; Big Buck’s and Restless Harry were tracking him. Grands Crus had progressed into contention, stealthily up the
inside, taking the shortest route.
Restless Harry lost his place having been bumped and hampered shortly
after two out. Big Buck’s cruised up
alongside Cross Kennon as they turned into the
final straight; Mourad, Fiveforthree
and Grands Crus in a line
across the course behind them. Ruby
sent his mount on soon afterwards, giving his mount two or three reminders
approaching the last ... although he lost his whip in the process! Clearing the final flight, Big Buck’s was
one length up on Grands Crus
but the latter couldn’t close the gap and Ruby’s mount went on to win by 1¾
lengths. Mourad
finished 3rd, with long time leader Cross Kennon in
4th. A third consecutive win for the
Paul Nicholls’ trained superstar.
After the
race I remained beside the course-side rails once more. Big Buck’s, having returned to the Winners’
Enclosure, was given three cheers by the spectators surrounding it. It was mentioned that the World Hurdle
trophy was to be retained in perpetuity by owner Andy Stewart, the horse
having now won the race in three consecutive years. There was one Stewards’ Enquiry associated with
race 4: The Stewards held an enquiry into possible interference at the top of
the hill. They found that POWERSTATION (IRE) unplaced, ridden by Davy
Russell, had interfered with MOURAD (IRE) placed third, ridden by Paul Townend, who in turn interfered with BERTIES DREAM (IRE)
placed sixth, ridden by A.E. Lynch, who in turn interfered with RIGOUR BACK
BOB (IRE) placed fifth, ridden by Andrew McNamara,. They found Russell in
breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding
in that he allowed his horse to drift left handed. They suspended Russell for
3 days as follows: Saturday 2, Sunday 3 and Monday 4 April 2011. The starting gate
for this event was in the mid-course chute.
Therefore upon exiting the walkway from the Parade Ring, the horses
cantered across the home straight and up the all-weather track around the top
bend to reach it.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Aimigayle; prominent were Bible Lord and Just Smudge;
Bible Lord clipped the top of the first, Just Smudge got a little close to
the second and soon began to lose ground.
At the rear of the field were Beautiful Sound and Storymaker. Into
the home straight on the first occasion, the order was Aimigayle,
Bible Lord, Edgbriar, Plein
Pouvoir, Holmwood Legend,
Gansey, Quartz De Thaix,
You’re The Top, Peplum, I’m A Legend, Aigle D’Or, Tatenen, Just Smudge, Consigliere,
Choc aboard Call Me A Legend, Matuhi, Hollo Ladies, Storymaker, Piraya and Beautiful Sound (that’s all 20 runners
name-checked!). Heading
away from the stands with one circuit to go, Aimigayle
continued to lead; with Bible Lord just to her outside. At this stage the favourite, Beautiful
Sound, appeared to be in danger of becoming detached from the rear of the
field; Piraya was struggling and soon pulled up. Aimigayle and Bible Lord
disputed the lead down the back straight, Peplum was being driven along. Call Me A Legend was on the outside of the
field and well in touch. The field had
begun to string out by the time they reached the dogleg turn; the order at
the head of affairs was Aimigayle, Bible Lord, Gansey, Edgbriar and Holmwood Legend; Plein Pouvoir made an error at the second open-ditch. By
the far turn, Gansey now disputed the lead with Aimigayle; Choc was in 7th position. You’re The Top when in 6th, fell 4 out; as
did Just Smudge further back in the field.
Gansey held a narrow advantage 3 out; from Holmwood Legend, Bible Lord, Aimigayle,
and Consigliere.
Around the final bend, jockey Keiran Burke
sent his mount into the lead; Aimigayle and Call Me
A Legend taking the shortest route up the inside. Gansey fading
quickly; Consigliere still in with a chance. Holmwood Legend led over
the final two, although he did put in a short extra stride at the last. He went on to win by 3½ lengths from the
game Aimigayle, Beautiful Sound had made late
progress to claim 3rd, with Consigliere in
4th. Choc’s
mount had got in a little close to the 2nd last and hit the last but claimed
5th. Matuhi
was 6th. The
jockeys were keen to congratulate Keiran Burke on
his winning ride; Choc was one of those, and he shook the winning rider’s
hand as they pulled up at the top of the course.
A deserved victory for
Pat Rodford’s small stable; his charge, Sparky May, having finished as
runner-up to Quevega on Day One of this year’s Festival. When interviewed, Pat mentioned that he’d
had just one runner at the Festival prior to this year ... and that the horse
had fallen at the first fence! Pat, having turned
70, was due to retire later in the summer, with Keiran then taking over the
trainer’s licence; however, this had to be postponed for a few months, the
jockey having subsequently suffered a ruptured spleen when kicked by a horse
at home. Notably, the sire
Midnight Legend had 5 representatives in this race – Holmwood Legend,
Aimigayle, Call Me A Legend, Storymaker (10th) and I’m A Legend (15th). For the first time
today, I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the placed horses arrive
back; before returning to view the following race. Choc, having been placed 5th, unsaddled his
mount in the paddock reserved for unplaced horses, which is situated to the
side of the Weighing Room. Upon exiting the walkway
from the Parade Ring, the competitors for the next race cantered up the
all-weather track in front of the stands before returning down the course to
the starting gate, which was situated between the two nearest steeplechase
fences in the home straight. Thus the
race took place over two circuits of the track; with one fence to be jumped
three times.
Then
they were off. The field was initially
led away by Burren Legend; Massini
Man taking over after the first, where Galaxy Rock pecked on landing. Heading out into the country for the first
time, the order at the head of affairs was Massini
Man, Deal Done, Burren Legend, Alderley
Rover, Palypso De Creek, Faasel,
Junior, Khachaturian, Cornish Sett, Sherriff Hutton, Galaxy Rock, Den of
Iniquity, in rear were Can’t Buy Time, Minella
Theatre and Dance Island. Massini Man made an
error at the water-jump and lost the lead to Deal Done; Saddlers Storm and Faasel hit the 8th fence.
Downhill on the first occasion, Deal Done led from Palypso
De Creek, Burren Legend, Junior, Massini Man and Alderley Rover;
Minella Theatre was in rear. Up the home straight and heading away from
the stands with one circuit to go, Deal Done led from Junior, Palypso De Creek, Alderley
Rover and Burren Legend. Palypso De Creek
and Burren Legend were soon ridden along. Deal
Done led from Junior as the runners headed down the back straight for the
second time, the former setting up a 6 lengths advantage as the runners
cleared the penultimate open-ditch.
Junior hit 5 out; Richard’s Sundance made a mistake at the 4th last
when in 6th place and unseated his jockey.
Deal Done having also hit 4 out, began to lose his advantage and was
subsequently headed by Junior after 3 out. As
they turned into the home straight for the final time, Junior held a 4
lengths lead over his nearest pursuer.
Stable companion Faasel took 2nd position
before 2 out. Having established an
advantage over his rivals, Junior stayed on well to win by a ‘huge’ margin of 24 lengths. Faasel completed
in 2nd place, ahead of long time leader Deal Done, with Galaxy Rock in 4th. Junior,
although described as a quirky character, has proved to be extremely
versatile, having won at Royal Ascot last year and now at the Cheltenham
Festival over fences. Trainer David
Pipe envisaged that his charge might run in the Aintree Grand National at a
future date. Junior was the favourite
for this race at 10-3.
Once again I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure
to see the placed horses arrive back, before returning to the course-side
rails once more. There was one Stewards’ Enquiry associated with
race 6: The Stewards called before them Mr R. Mahon, the rider of FAASEL
(IRE), placed second, and enquired into his use of the whip from the top of
the hill. Having heard his evidence and viewed the video recording of the
race, the Stewards found the rider in breach of Schedule (B) 6 Part 2, in
that he had used his whip with excessive frequency. They cautioned him as to
the future use of his whip. It
was now time for the seventh and final race of the day – the St Patrick’s Day
Derby – a charity flat race over a distance of approximately 1 mile and 5
furlongs; the start of the race being in front of the grandstand with one
circuit to travel. There
was a rumour that trainer Gordon Elliott was originally supposed to be a
competitor in this race ... but he couldn’t lose enough weight to do so!
Then
they were off. The field got off to a
slightly ‘ragged’ start, the
runners led away by Sounds Of Jupiter, from Fool’s Wildcat, Plato, Ambrose
Princess, Dormouse, Nemo Spirit, Warcraft, Silent Jo, Kings Troop, Super Collider, Devil
To Pay and Paramount. Having
raced keenly, the grey Nemo Spirit took up the
running after two furlongs. By the far
turn Fool’s Wildcat had taken the lead and by the home turn he was 3 or 4
lengths clear of the field. Henry Cecil’s
runner, Plato, tracked the leading horses.
Upon entering the home straight Fool’s Wildcat begun to hang left and
faded entering the final furlong; Plato came through to win by 1¼ lengths
from Nemo Spirit who had regained 2nd inside the
final furlong, Super Collider ran on to take a close 3rd, with Alan King’s
Devil To Pay under Channel 4 presenter, Alice Plunkett, in 4th. Alan’s other runner, Kings Troop, completed
in 8th. A
win for Racing UK presenter, Lorna Fowler, and trainer Henry Cecil (Sir Henry
Cecil as he now is, having been awarded the title in the birthday honours
list in June 2011).
I returned to
the steps above the Winners’ Enclosure for the final time today. Then, having watched the presentation, I set
off to collect my car from the Swindon Lane car park. However, I was
to have a nightmare journey home on this evening. I knew I’d left Cheltenham earlier than on
Tuesday, although later than yesterday, so envisaged my ETA to be 20:40. But disaster must have struck for someone,
as traffic came to a complete standstill on the A40 when I was around 3 miles
west of Burford.
After waiting in line for around 10 minutes and there being few
vehicles coming from the other direction, and perhaps these could have been
drivers who had already turned around, I did the same and headed back towards
Cheltenham; as I did so, a police car with blue light flashing light sped
eastwards. I had actually noticed
that, in hindsight, the traffic on the westbound carriageway had been
noticeably sparser than on the previous two evenings. As I don’t know
the area well, I couldn’t leave the main road; so I headed back to the
Cirencester to Stow On The Wold road and turned northwards towards the latter
town. It was like being on a ‘roller-coaster’, as the road
traversed many hills and valleys, but I soon reached Stow. At the traffic lights situated at the top
of the town I turned eastwards, heading past the lane to the village of Adlestrop where Richard Phillips trains. Having reached
the A44 Evesham to Oxford road, I drove through Chipping Norton, and then
headed in a south-easterly direction towards Oxford before setting off ‘across country’ at Enstone to reach Bicester. And I certainly wouldn’t have chosen this
latter part of the route if I didn’t already know the road from previous
excursions to the area! The B4030 took
me through Middle Barton and across the A4260 beside the ‘haunted’ Hopcrofts Holt.
I had to stop for a red traffic light at the western end of the
causeway across the River Cherwell near Rousham
House; before travelling through Lower Heyford, and
the crossroads at Middleton Stoney. My route then took me over the M40 and to a
new roundabout on the outskirts of Bicester where a
housing estate is being constructed. After Bicester I headed eastwards along the A41, which took me
through Waddesdon to Aylesbury. However, I was to suffer another delay on
the western outskirts of the town; the road was being re-surfaced, and I had
to wait for around 10 minutes before the queue of traffic was given the green
light to proceed. I suppose I should
have known there might be a delay, as I had noticed on my outward journey
yesterday, that the white road markings had been painted in on the westbound
carriageway, having been absent on Tuesday!
After travelling
around the northern section of the town’s ring-road at a sedate 30 mph, there
being speed cameras in operation, I rejoined the A41; and subsequently the
A41 bypass road, and journeyed onwards to Hemel Hempstead.
I headed for the ‘magic roundabout’ and up the steep hill, passing the
lane to the infamous Buncefield Terminal and
onwards to Junction 8 of the M1. It
must be years since I drove on the slip road to this junction, as the
carriageway has now been constructed in an anti-clockwise direction as
opposed to a clockwise direction!
However, I didn’t join the motorway and instead took the A414 (which
used to be designated as the M10) before heading for the Park Street and
London Colney roundabouts respectively. Instead of
entering St Albans, I drove down the dual carriageway towards Junction 22 of
the M25 in order to top up the fuel in my car at the petrol station situated
on the nearby Retail Park. I am
paranoid about the petrol stations I use, and have been so ever since one of
my credit cards was ‘skimmed’ a few
years ago; so, when at home, I always use the same retailer. Having topped up
in preparation for the final day of the Festival, I headed for home, arriving
back at 21:30. That’s 50 minutes later
than I’d expected when I’d left the racecourse! However, after eating a micro-waved meal, I
still found time to upload the photographs I’d taken today onto my laptop and
write a blog before turning in for the night. It may have been a
quiet day on the ‘Choc’ front, but
it was definitely a day for stories associated with the winners; in recap: Race 1 – Jewson Novices’ Chase – AP’s 200th winner of the season and first of this year’s Festival; and
a record equalling 10th winner at any one Festival for the Irish
representatives. Race 2 – Pertemps Final – Buena Vista won the Pertemps Hurdle for the second year running; the
seventh consecutive year he had competed at the Festival. Race 3 – Ryanair Chase – Albertas Run won the Ryanair Chase for the second year running; and the
third Festival win for the horse. Race 4 – Ladbrokes World Hurdle – Big Buck’s retained his crown, having won the event for the past two
years; this is a better record than Inglis Drever who also won the race 3
times but his sequence was broken by Choc aboard My Way De Solzen. And I must mention that the latter won a
Hunter Chase at Hereford on 23 March! Race 5 – Byrne Group Plate – A triumph for trainer Pat Rodford and Holmwood Legend, after a slight
disappointment on Tuesday when Sparky May finished 2nd to Quevega in the
David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle; a dream realised as Pat was due to retire in a
few months’ time. Race 6 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – A victory for the David Pipe trained
Junior; the horse having also won at Royal Ascot in 2010, prior to which he’d
been trained by Alan King. Race 7 – St Patrick’s Day Derby – Won by Plato, trained by possibly the most popular
current trainer (Sir) Henry Cecil. And I still had the Cheltenham Gold
Cup to look forward to on the fourth and final day of the Festival! |
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