DIARY
Kempton Park – Boxing Day 26 December
2011
Winter Festival – King George VI Chase
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The victorious Ruby
Walsh and Kauto Star parade in front of the
stands following the King George VI Chase The
Boxing Day fixture at Kempton Park featuring the King George VI Chase is one
of my ‘must-see’ events, along with
Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup day, all four days of the Cheltenham Festival and
the final two days of the Grand National meeting. This means that, regardless of whether Choc
is in action or not, I will attend the event.
Sadly, this day, he was on the sidelines due to injury. On
Sunday 11 December Choc had travelled to a fixture at Hereford for just one
ride, for trainer Richard Lee. The
horse was called Western Whisky; Choc having been unseated from him at the
same course earlier in the season (on 07 November in fact). Unfortunately, today, his luck had not
improved ... in fact it had got a great deal worse. Choc
later admitted that the Hereford race had ‘gone
wrong’ from the start; he’d missed the break at the off, believing the
jockeys would take another turn before leaving the gate. Having started at the rear of the field,
he’d managed to get back in touch with the other runners by the time they
reached the first ditch, only for his mount to fall at the 7th fence. Choc hit the ground okay, but then
something landed on his arm (perhaps the Venetia Williams trained runner, Maraafeq, who they’d brought down) and he knew straight
away that it was broken. Halfway between his shoulder and elbow his arm was
bent 90 degrees. The
racecourse staff gave him painkillers and splinted his arm; he then walked to
the ambulance. Initially he was taken
to Hereford Hospital but it soon became apparent that they would be unable to
operate on his arm the following day, or perhaps even the day after that. Choc made two telephone calls and, as a result,
he was moved Oxford, to consult Richard Keys; the surgeon having operated on
Ryan Moore’s injured arm sustained during a ‘pile-up’ at Goodwood during the summer. Following
an operation on the afternoon of Tuesday 13 December, in which a plate was
inserted into his upper right arm (the scar running down the back of his arm
from the top to just below his elbow), Choc remained in hospital until the
following Friday. He received a very
special visitor on the day before he was released from hospital, son
William. Sadly, Choc and Meally’s marriage had broken down during the summer. The
initial prognosis on his injury was that Choc would be unable to do anything
for 3 months. As I write this diary, Choc
has a follow-up appointment with his surgeon scheduled for Wednesday 11
January, when he should discover the current prognosis. Prior to this appointment Choc reported that
he has full movement in his arm, the swelling has almost disappeared, and he’s
been lifting the occasional weight too!
With
Choc on the sidelines, his able deputy Wayne Hutchinson became first jockey
and his book of engagements took him to Huntingdon on Boxing Day. So it was highly unlikely that Choc would
have been at Kempton Park on 26 December and I might have been ‘torn’ between the Sunbury and
Cambridgeshire tracks, despite the far superior fare on offer at the
former! Kauto
Star or Choc? Ummmmm
... it was fortunate that I didn’t have to put it to the test, otherwise I
would have missed an exceptional history making event at Kempton Park!!! I
spent Christmas Day in Bedfordshire, at my younger brother’s house, along
with my mum, Neil’s wife Karen and children Kim and James; plus Karen’s
parents, and her brother and sister-in-law and their two children. Thinking along the lines of last season’s
King George VI Chase fixture, I recalled that the gates opened at 09:30. However I’d almost forgotten that the race
took place on Saturday 15 January 2011 and the card consisted of 9 races, the
feature race and Christmas Hurdle having been saved from the snow abandoned
card of 26 December 2010; an earlier start that day becoming a necessity. With
the spectre of an early start on Boxing Day, I left the Christmas Day
festivities in good time, arriving home before 21:00. Later that evening, whilst ‘half-watching’ Downton
Abbey on TV, I checked on the Kempton Park website – gates opening time was
10:00. In that case I needed to leave
home by 09:00; not 08:30 as originally envisaged. It takes around 50 minutes to drive to the
Sunbury track, so it would enable me to reach the course in plenty of time,
and far earlier than any possible racing-related traffic queues that might
arise in the vicinity. Boxing
Day arrived; I showered, washed and dried my hair, ate breakfast and applied
my makeup. I had a last minute change
of mind as regards my outfit.
Originally I was going to wear my long black handkerchief hem skirt
but, in the event, I decided upon trousers.
Not quite so easy a decision, as all the pairs I tried on were too
small around the stomach! Oh
dear. I’d not been able to exercise
properly since last May due to breathing problems related to blocked sinuses
and I’d put on a stone in weight. However,
I knew I had a pair of grey pinstripe trousers with turn-ups at the hem that
were one size bigger and which used to fit me really well ‘pre-Choc’! I lost over a stone in weight during
mid-2008, but not through dieting ... or exercise either! Needless to say, I’ve now put all those
pounds back on again. Eventually I
found the aforementioned long-lost trousers and I was all set for my day out
at the races. The
weather was still mild for the time of year, although there was a chilly
breeze today. I wore two thermal
vests, two black frilled edged cardigans, a purple fleece, a burgundy frill
edge cardigan (I love clothes with frill details ... you’d never have
guessed), woolly tights under my trousers, purple anorak, and black leather ‘engineer’ boots. And an M & S scarf, and
wrist-warmers. It had been so mild
this winter, so far, that as yet I’d not had to find any of my heavy duty hand-knitted
wool scarves to wear. Channel
4’s The Morning Line started at 08:30 today so I was able to watch the first
half of the programme before setting off at 08:55. The roads were very quiet as I headed for
Junction 21A of the M25. However, as
soon as I joined the motorway, it became apparent from the warning signs that
there had been a road accident. It had
resulted in the closure of the anti-clockwise carriageway between junctions
15 and 14 – the M4 and Heathrow Cargo exits.
I
don’t possess a satnav but, fortunately, I do have
an excellent sense of direction. So,
upon reaching Junction 15, where police vehicles were blocking entry to the
next section of the motorway and, being familiar with the route to Ascot, I
decided to take the westbound carriageway of the M4. Upon joining this motorway I noticed Jonjo O’Neill’s horsebox parked on the hard shoulder;
presumably the occupants were a little flummoxed by the change of planned
route and needed to re-assess a new one. As
I know my way to Ascot off by heart, I decided to drive to the Slough Central
junction, before heading southwards along the Windsor bypass. I was almost certain that if I headed along
the A308 in an easterly direction, towards Staines, I would eventually arrive
back at the M25. The road took me
through the outskirts of Windsor, through Windsor Great Park, Old Windsor and
Runnymede before I was able to re-join the M25 at Junction 13, although I
could have driven through Staines to reach Junction 1 of the M3 and shortly
thereafter Kempton Park. I
confess that I’d forgotten to bring a map with me today; which I usually do
as a back-up in case I need to take a diversion. My normal approach to an unfamiliar road
journey is to look at a map briefly, memorise the route and just drive
it. Simples!!! Upon checking the map on my return home I
did discover that I could have taken a shorter route via the B376 and Datchet, but at least my chosen diversion took me well
clear of any traffic chaos which might have occurred in the vicinity of the
closed motorway section. Having
decided to re-join the M25 at Junction 13, I drove one further junction and
then headed towards London along the M3.
Having purchased a ticket for the main car park (£15 - normally I’m
not that extravagant and try to park in the cheaper or free car parks) I was
directed by the yellow information signs to leave the dual carriageway at the
next junction, before re-tracing my route and taking the slip-road to join
Park Road. I drove over the railway
bridge and entered the main car park entrance to my left, showing my yellow parking
label to gain access to the adjacent area.
Having arrived early, I parked my car in the second row, the third car
away from the main gate. Despite the
unplanned detour into Berkshire, I arrived just before 10:00. Having
wrapped up against the elements, I set off to the Paddock entrance to gain
access to the racecourse; the Premier entrance through which I gain excess to
the racecourse on ‘run of the mill’
race days, was reserved solely for Premier ticket holders today. I had a voucher to obtain a race-card so,
once inside, I acquired one from the nearby kiosk. Having popped to the little girls’ room
within the ground floor of the grandstand I then went to sit on one of the
benches on the lawn in front of the stands.
I
remained sitting on the bench until spectators began to take up their
position at the course-side rails in preparation for the first race; at which
point I found a suitable vantage point about halfway between Gate Q and the
hedge separating the Paddock Enclosure from the Festival Enclosure. As
I had no reason to return to the Parade Ring today, Choc not being in action,
I remained beside the course-side rails until after the King George VI Chase
had been run. I
wore my glasses today, as opposed to my contact lenses. I think it helped; today I needed to take
off my glasses to take photos (as I’m short sighted) as opposed to putting on
reading glasses whilst wearing the lenses so that I can see the camera screen! I was in my late twenties when my eyesight began
to deteriorate – I attribute it to my knitting hobby when I was younger! I didn’t start cross stitching or jewellery
making until later, but that has probably exacerbated the problem in recent
years. Soon
it was time for the first event of the day. Race 1,
a Novices’ Hurdle. This event was won
by the Nicky Henderson trained Tetlami. Second favourite, the Paul Nicholls trained
Ruby Walsh ridden Plenty Pocket, was never a threat and finished tailed
off. Race 2
was a Novices’ Handicap Chase. Alan
King was represented by the Charlie Huxley ridden Bless The Wings. Choc had won aboard the horse at Exeter on
his debut over fences earlier in the month.
The Donald McCain Junior trained Our Mick won today’s race, Bless The
Wings hit 3 out when in third place but was promoted to second when That’lldoboy fell 2 out.
Race 3
was the Grade 1 Feltham Novices’ Chase over 3 miles. Grands Crus was the last competitor to exit onto the course; his
jockey, Tom Scudamore, trotted him down past the
stands and back to the starting gate without taking a look at the final fence
as the other runners had done. Presumably
he intended to ‘keep a lid’ on his
mount’s enthusiasm. Then
they were off. Mr Moonshine and Teaforthree tore
off ahead of the field and remained clear until the 10th; the latter the
first to succumb to the hot pace. Grands Crus took the lead from
Mr Moonshine at the 12th, remaining in command and going on to win by 2¼
lengths, easing down. Silviniaco Conti completed in 2nd, with Bobs Worth,
one-paced today, in 3rd. Race 4
was the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle over 2 miles. As is customary, confirmed front runner
Overturn led from the off. Sanctuaire misbehaved at the start, was led in but jinked
to his left and missed the break.
Overturn retained the lead until being headed by Rock On Ruby two out. AP McCoy then drove Binocular to challenge
as they approach the final flight, which he jumped more fluently than Ruby’s
mount. The two horses battled to the
line, with Binocular prevailing by a neck. It
was now time for the feature race of the day, the King George VI Chase, over a distance of 3 miles. Seven runners in this season’s event –
Captain Chris, Golan Way, four time winner Kauto
Star, last year’s winner Long Run, Master Minded, Nacarat
and Somersby. Diamond Harry was a
non-runner due to lameness. Ahead of
the race, the horses paraded in front of the stands, took a look at the final
fence, and then cantered to the start; the race taking place over 2 full
circuits of the track. Then
they were off. The grey Nacarat led to the 2nd fence, rank outsider Golan Way
then taking up the running. Kauto Star took the lead at the 8th. The 4 times winner, jumping boldly from the
front, was driven from 2 out but remained ahead of his rivals, claiming his
record breaking 5th victory in this prestigious event. Although last year’s winner, Long Run,
stayed on under pressure he was unable to reach the winner. The winning distance was 1¼ lengths. Captain
Chris was 17 lengths back in third; Somersby close up in 4th. Master Minded was pulled up before the last
fence and dismounted having gone lame.
He’d struck into a tendon; so much so, that his future racing career
would be in jeopardy. Following the
race, Master Minded was taken to Newmarket for his leg injury to be operated
on that same evening. Ruby
Walsh celebrated his victory as he crossed the line; shortly afterwards he
rode down past the stands so that the partnership could accept the applause
and congratulations from the spectators.
He trotted down to just past where I was standing before retracing his
steps (pictured above). I
left the course-side rails for the first time today. I reached the Parade Ring before Ruby and
his mount arrived back in the Winners’ Enclosure, the jockey standing up in
his irons as he was greeted by the applauding crowd; it was then five cheers
for Kauto Star as he was unsaddled; after which the
horse was led around two circuits of the Parade Ring before returning to the
stables. Choc,
who had spent Christmas with his family including William, watched the race at
his parent’s house and later described it as ‘spine tingling stuff’. Race 6,
a Handicap Hurdle. Alan King had a
runner in this race, Pantxoa. The horse was ridden by Christian Williams,
recently returned from over a year on the sidelines following serious injury
to both his arms. I waited for the
runners to leave the Parade Ring before heading back to the course-side rails
to view the race. Then
they were off. The David Pipe trained
My Brother Sylvest took a narrow lead which he held
until after 3 out. The favourite, Knight
Pass, led over the second last and went on to win by 2 lengths. There was a stewards’ enquiry, however,
involving the first, second (Frontier Dancer) and third (Like Minded) placed
horses following interference between the final 2 flights. After deliberation, the result stood and
the Warren Greatrex trained runner kept the race. After
seeing the final prize presentation of the day in the Winners’ Enclosure I
decided to pop to the loo; better safe than sorry, as I didn’t know how long
I would be queuing to leave the car park before journeying home. But, not surprisingly, there was a queue
for the ladies. Having spent a penny,
I returned to my car. Why is it that the birds poo
on my car when I visit Kempton Park?
Today there was bird poo (seagulls?) on the
bonnet, windscreen and roof; my car was poo’ed on
the last time I visited the track, despite me parking in a totally different
area. Lucky? No, I’m beginning to think those seagulls bear
a grudge against me! I was not
pleased, as I’d washed my car on Christmas Eve. Typical. As things always come in three’s, I’m not
looking forward to returning to my car on the next occasion I visit Kempton
Park racecourse! There was barely any queue to leave when I
reached my car but, by the time I’d eaten the cheese rolls I’d brought with
me, the vehicles stretched back as far as the eye could see; in fact there
were a number of different queues, all trying to exit via the main gate. Not only do vehicles from the main car park
exit through this gate, but also horseboxes from the stables and probably
around half the number of cars which have been parked in the centre of the course
too. Great. I waited.
And I waited. And I
waited. I would much rather park
further away from the entrance gates so that I can join the back of a queue,
rather than have to push my way into it.
I’m far too polite! Although I
have been known to get road rage too! The
only way I can park near the back is if I arrive later; but then I get
paranoid about getting stuck in traffic and missing the beginning of an
event. I can’t win. I have the same problem at Cheltenham. I arrive early, but then have to park in
the first field and invariably encounter a problem ‘pushing out’ into the queuing traffic at the end of the
day. Whilst I was waiting for the queues to disperse,
a number of horseboxes drove past on their way to the exit; these included
David Pipe’s horsebox, and I saw the head of a grey horse looking out through
one of the windows ... it must have been Grands Crus. One driver, who had become very impatient, had a
run-in with a policeman; the driver edged forward, the policeman indicated
for him to stop; the driver did it again, he was asked again to stop; but the
driver edged forward again ... by this time the policeman had lost his patience,
the driver’s registration number was recorded! It was amusing to watch. Finally the queues inside the car park had
dispersed and it was now time for me to leave. I was hoping for a clear run to Junction 1
of the M3, but vehicles were still queuing along the length of the road
outside. However, eventually I was on
my way down the aforementioned motorway, before joining the M25 and heading
back to Hertfordshire. I arrived home
at 18:20. Before parking my car under the carport, and under
the beam of the security light, I cleaned off the bird poo;
I understand if left it can damage a vehicle’s paintwork. As there’s not much room under the carport,
I have to drive in or back in so that my driver’s side wing mirror is just three
or four inches from the wall or fence.
This means that I have to climb in and out of the passenger door, not
always an easy task depending on the clothes I’m wearing. Another downside is that, because I’m not getting
out the driver’s door, the alarm won’t sound if I’ve left the lights on
accidently; fortunately I’ve not forgotten to turn them off yet. The carport is not on a slope, so I put the
car into first gear and release the handbrake when I park it under there;
useful in very cold weather, as I remember one occasion when the brakes were
frozen and the wheels were locked as a result! On reflection, and despite Choc not being at the
course today, it was a privilege to see Kauto Star
become the first horse in history to win the King George VI Chase on 5
occasions, beating Desert Orchid’s record of 4 wins in this race. There is talk that a statue of Kauto Star might be erected at Kempton Park, to join that
of Desert Orchid which currently overlooks the Parade Ring; Dessie’s statue having been re-located from its original
position near the clubhouse. In the
meantime, a statue of Kauto Star in planned for Haydock Park, to commemorate his four victories in their Betfair Chase. More |
