DIARY – ASCOT
– SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2010
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More worries about
the weather this weekend, but Ascot, Haydock Park and Uttoxeter passed their
precautionary inspections. However,
Wincanton was lost. Ascot is so easy
for me to drive to and, as Choc had 5 riding engagements, I spent another
pleasant Saturday afternoon at the races.
Having ordered an
item just after Christmas from the Next catalogue, I had finally received an
email to say it was ready for me to collect in store, so for the second week
running my journey took me via the local retail park. Needless to say, I like to have a quick
look around the store whilst I’m there ... but I did resist buying
anything. But I was not so lucky in
the nearby Marks and Spencers, as I came away with a top (which I’d noticed
last Saturday) and a skirt (in a style which I’d seen and liked a few weeks
ago). As I needed to get on the road
to Ascot I didn’t try them on in the fitting room before purchase ... but,
thinking about it, that usually makes my purchase easier, as more often than
not the item will fit perfectly and then I have no option but to buy it! No wonder I never have any spare cash! I need to cut up my credit cards ... I left the car park
at 10:30, joining the M25 at the nearby junction. The longstanding roadworks between
junctions 18 and 16 were still in operation, although fortunately this week
the contraflow lane was not shut due to an incident. Mind you, at one point it did slow down to
a crawl between junction 17 and the
M40. Once again I took the M4
westbound, today exiting at the Slough Central junction. My preferred ‘scenic route’ would have
taken me off at Junction 17 of the M25, through Denham, Gerrards Cross and
Stoke Poges, then Slough ... although the last part of the journey is
definitely NOT scenic ... and finally joining the Windsor bypass, which
exiting at the Slough Central junction takes me onto anyway. Both routes take me
past Legoland, around the ‘longabout’ and then left at the mini-roundabouts
at Swinley Bottom. The lane goes
through an underpass, the straight mile of the racecourse being overhead, and
usually I turn right into the side entrance of the free car park. Unfortunately that gate was closed, so I
had to exit onto Ascot High Street, and then turn right at the main entrance
to park. I parked up at 11:25. There were far more cars already parked
than I had expected ... perhaps the gates opening time was earlier than the
11:40 published on The Morning Line. Before leaving the
car I piled on even more layers ... my purple cardigan, turquoise gillet, and
faux sheepskin jacket (I was already wearing a thermal vest, long sleeved
t-shirt, red cardigan, and bright purple fleece). As I was wearing a skirt today, I also
pulled on my long grey boots. Donning
my sunglasses and wrapping my Glamour Red ‘Snowball’ scarf around my neck, I
set off on a brisk walk along Ascot High Street to reach the main gate. It’s a bit of a standing joke that walking
with me must be similar to going on a ‘route march’ because I walk so
fast! Expecting queues to
form at the ticket office, Ascot had positioned a member of staff outside it to
sell grandstand tickets, so I purchased one from the lady. She remarked that I’d got the right change
ready ... £16 now, as the entry price has been increased by £1 this
year. Having passed through the
electronic barrier, I purchased a racecard from the kiosk, plus 2 Ascot
ballpoint pens, total price £4 – which saved me asking for change. As it was a pleasant
day, sunny but cold, I went to stand on the concourse above the Weighing Room
to enjoy the walmth of the sun. To
pass the time before the first race, I read through the racecard and made
notes in my notebook in preparation for this diary ... as my memory isn’t
what it once was! Warren Marston arrived
with a colleague, shortly before noon.
Wincanton having been abandoned, he came to take the ride aboard Wham
Bang in the first. There were a number
of jockey changes today, due to the loss of Wincanton. I then noticed Alan King heading for the Weighing
Room area shortly after noon. Liam
Treadwell was another jockey I saw arrive, and around an hour before racing
both Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh arrived too. You can always spot Ruby because of his
grey hair! Before the first
race, I walked around to my vantage point close to the walkway ‘underpass’,
where I like to take photos as the horses exit the Parade Ring. The first race
commenced at 13:40, so it was soon time for the horses to arrive in the
Parade Ring. There were 7 runners in
this event, Llama Farmer being the non-runner due to a preferred engagement
at Haydock Park. Choc’s mount in this
event was Spirit of Adjisa, trained by Alan King, as were all his mounts
today. Once the jockeys were aboard
and heading down to walkway to the course, I set off through the concourse of
the grandstand to reach the grandstand steps on which to view the race. The start of this
race was at the beginning of the straight coming away from Swinley bottom, so
the horses galloped past the stands to reach it.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Arkose, followed by Finian’s
Rainbow, Sereth, Priors Glen and Spirit of Adjisa, Choc’s mount was held
up and taking a strong hold on the inside.
Spirit
of Adjisa wasn’t particularly fluent at the 6th
flight, and he didn’t jump the next perfectly either, this time Choc being vigorous
with his encouragement. In rear, Max
Milano flattened this flight, and again blundered 3 out; Wham Bang began to
tail off. Arkose was still in
the lead as they turned in, Spirit of Adjisa in
third position. Having tracked the
long-time leader throughout, Barry Geraghty brought
Finian’s Rainbow to challenge 2 out, glancing
behind for dangers. The horse soon drew
clear and won on the bridle. Arkose stayed on to finish 2nd, with Choc’s
mount in 3rd. Sereth,
having blundered at the penultimate last flight, finished 4th.
I
returned through the grandstand concourse to reach the steps above the
Winners’ Enclosure (which is part of the Parade Ring). Choc unsaddled and spoke with connections
before returning to the Weighing Room, removing his helmet on the way in. I
remained where I was, until the horses competing in the next race left the
Parade Ring, as Choc didn’t have a ride in this event. I then set off for the grandstand
steps. The
start of this race was at the beginning of the straight running away from the
stands.
Then
they were off. Diablo led, ears
pricked enjoying himself. He was
followed by Pettifour and Burton Port, with Knockara Beau on the inside, the latter not jumping
fluently. Ballygulleen
was soon in rear, eventually tailing off.
Later
in the race, Jan Faltejsek decided to switch Knockara Beau to the outside, but blundered at the 9th,
challenging for the lead at the 13th, but then jumping left and blundering at
the next obstacle. Burton Port was
slow at the 12th. As
they turned in, Diablo still led, Burton Port driven along in his
slipstream. The two leaders jumping
the second last together. Burton Port
had a one length advantage when Diablo blundered at the last, thus allowing
the rallying Knockara Beau to come home in second,
behind the Trevor Hemmings owned, Nicky Henderson
trained, Barry Geragthy ridden Burton Port. Diablo finished 3rd, with Pettifour in 4th, also having hit the last fence. Ballygulleen
completed the course in a distant 5th.
I returned to my favourite vantage point above
the walkway ‘bridge’ in preparation for the next race of the day. Choc’s mount in this
race was Midnight Sail, who hadn’t seen a racecourse since last April when
he’d been Choc’s penultimate winner of last season
– his 118th! The jockeys arrived early
in the Parade Ring, and a number of the owners and trainers hadn’t arrived
yet, including Alan King and connections.
It is quite amusing to see the jockeys looking a little lost when they
can’t find anyone to speak to, so they just have to chat amongst themselves
for a few minutes! Once
Choc had disappeared through the walkway tunnel, I set off to find my usual
place in the grandstand – in the standard section, but it is immediately next
to the Owners and Trainers section, and they are situated below the Royal
Box! There
were 2 non-runners, Lough Derg and Souffleur, both ran at Haydock
Park, the latter winning his event! The start of this
race was at the beginning of the straight coming out of Swinley bottom.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the grey Benfleet Boy, following by Beshabar, Majaales, Dee Ee Williams, and
El Dancer. In rear were Mutual Friend,
Martys Mission, and Ashkazar. Choc took an outside line aboard Midnight
Sail, near the back of the field. The
field was closely packed as the runners rounded the top turn, Benfleet Boy
knocking the top bar out of the 6th flight.
Around Swinley Bottom, Secret Tune had
joined the leaders, who were still Benfleet Boy, Beshabar
and Majaales. Along
the back straight, Beshabar just led, with Chief
Yeoman closing up under young Rhys Flint.
Turning in, Beshabar was being pushed along
by Ruby, with Chief Yeoman now putting in a challenge for the lead, with Consigliere closing on the inside. At the last flight, Beshabar,
having responded to his jockey’s urgings, held the advantage over Consigliere and Chief Yeoman, but having repelled their
challenges, he still had to fight all the way to the line to hold off the
fast finishing Tender Falcon. A
victory for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh in the purple colours of Margaret
Findlay, mother of Harry. Having
tailed off, Choc decided to pull up his mount, bypassing the final two
flights.
Having
unsaddled his mount in the area reserved for unplaced horses, Choc jogged
through the ‘underpass’ and back to the Weighing Room, keen to get changed in
preparation for the next event, the feature race of the day. Choc
came into the Parade Ring to speak with Alan King and the horse’s
connections, before being legged up into the saddle. Being the main event of the afternoon,
there was a pre-race parade, the horses being sorted into number order whilst
still in the Parade Ring, which meant Choc had to be led around for an extra
circuit! Once they’d reached the
course, Albertas Run led the way, Choc aboard Oh
Crick at number 4, there being 6 runners.
The competitors then turned and set off for the start, which is
located just before Swinley Bottom.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Herecomesthetruth, followed by The Sawyer,
Monet’s Garden, Albertas Run and Planet of Sound,
with Oh Crick in rear. However, the
12-year old Monet’s Garden soon took up the running, ears pricked, thoroughly
enjoying himself. Second favourite,
Planet of Sound, was in touch when crashing out at the 5th obstacle. The horse was fine, as he rose and galloped
after the other runners. However, having
passed the walkway exit point, he turned around and started to trot back down
the course towards the final fence.
Luckily he then turned back again and, although escaping capture at
that point, he was caught by his stable-lad once he reached the exit point
for the second time. Past
the post with one circuit to go it was still Monet’s Garden in the lead, then
Herecomesthetruth, Albertas
Run, The Sawyer and still Choc on Oh Crick in rear. Oh Crick didn’t meet all his obstacles
perfectly, birch flying at the 9th. He
also got a little too close to a couple down the back, which affected his
momentum. At one point, Herecomestetruth dropped back to last place. The field was waved around the third last,
as Richard Johnson (rider of Planet of Sound) was being wheeled off the
course aboard a trolley stretcher. Into
the home straight, Monet’s Garden was still leading, Albertas
Run was in second, Herecomesthetruth
had rallied into third, and then came The Sawyer, with Oh Crick close in rear. However, it was Monet’s Garden’s day, as he
never looked like being caught, keeping up the gallop to win by 1¾ lengths, easing down, from Albertas
Run. The Sawyer finished 3rd, with a
gap of 14 lengths to Oh Crick, who only managed to overtake one, the tiring Herecomesthetruth.
The
popular grey had won this event in 2007 too.
I
returned to the steps above the Weighing Room to see Choc arrive back in the
Winners’ Enclosure. Having
taken photographs of Choc, I returned to the area above the ‘underpass’ so as
to get a good vantage point for taking photographs of him as he arrived in
the Parade Ring ahead of the next race.
Whilst standing there, I glanced across to the Weighing Room, noticing
two blonde ladies sitting on the seats along the perimeter of it. It did occur to me that perhaps one of them
might be Choc’s wife, Meally,
and this was confirmed when they left the building, heading for the Parade
Ring gate, and climbing up the steps to the concourse area. How do I know you ask? She’s one of the few girls who possess the
courage to wear such a short skirt during such cold weather! I
shall recount an amusing story about my wearing a mini-skirt, which I used to
do until around 10 years ago. I was
approached by a man when shopping in Woolworths, who did offer apologies
first in the hope that he wouldn’t offend me, and then he went on to
compliment me on my nice shapely legs ... the only problem was that he must
have been at least 70 years old! But,
then again, any compliment is good! Once
again, the jockeys arrived early in the Parade Ring, so they chatted amongst
themselves. Despite having been
stretchered off the course following his fall from Planet of Sound, Richard
Johnson must have been passed fit by the doctor, as he was chatting to Choc
as they waited for their respective owners and trainers. The
start of this race was at the far end of the home straight.
Then
they were off. The race started at a
snail’s pace before Menorah picked up the tempo over the first, he was followed
by Alexander Beetle, then a hard-pulling Sophies
Trophy, then Lush Life, and on the inside a very hard-pulling Prince Buster
with Choc aboard. Menorah
led the way towards Swinley Bottom, until Choc gave
up his struggle against Prince Buster, allowing his mount to assume the
lead. Sophies
Trophy was almost bolting with his rider too.
After the turn, Choc steadied his mount, permitting Menorah to go on
again. Sophies
Trophy was still in close contention, followed by Lush Life, and Alexander
Beetle. On
the home turn, Prince Buster was upsides Menorah, the latter then taking the
advantage again, with Ruby Walsh aboard Lush Life closing. But Menorah’s fate was sealed at the last
with a mistake, Lush Life jumping it well and overtaking him on the flat to
win. Prince Buster finished 3rd, with Sophies Trophy in 4th. A
second winner of the day for Ruby Walsh, this time aboard a Nicky Henderson
trained runner, Barry Geraghty having taken the
ride aboard Nicky’s other runner, Osric.
This
provided further opportunity to take photos when Choc returned to the
Winners’ Enclosure. I remained on the
steps near the Weighing Room as Choc was not competing in the next event. Two
non-runners had reduced the field to 4, one of them, Little Josh, ran and won
at Haydock Park.
Sam Thomas took over from Liam Treadwell aboard Lorient Express,
having diverted from the abandoned Wincanton fixture. The
start of this race was just before the turn into the home straight.
Then they were off. The
field was led away by Lorient Express, followed by Andreas, Panjo Bere and the hard pulling
I’msingingtheblues. Panjo Bere was tight into the 4th obstacle. Lorient Express was slightly skewed at the
next, and then got too close to the 8th, retreating as a result and allowing
Andreas to take the lead by the 9th obstacle. Andreas
led them into the home straight, followed by Panjo Bere and Lorient Express.
However, Ruby aboard I’msingingtheblues had
them all in his sights, despite having appeared in trouble as they jumped the
third last. Panjo
Bere led over the 2nd last, but Ruby had taken a
very slight advantage by the last.
However, Panjo Bere
was not to be denied, with young Joshua Moore driving his rallying mount back up to win in the dying strides. What a scalp to claim! Ruby slapped Joshua on the shoulder
shortly after the line - presumably a ‘Well Done Mate’ moment!
I returned directly to my favourite vantage point in preparation
to take photos of Choc as he exited the Parade Ring for the final time
today. The
start of this race was at the far end of the home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Fun Guy, following by Wood Yer. Sweet Irony took an inside line
mid-division, but wasn’t settled. Big
Guns was in rear.
Fun Guy went quite wide on the top turn, but remained clear with just
one rival until halfway. Away
from the stands, Peedeeque, Top Smart, the roan
coloured Venetian Lad and Rogue Dancer were prominent. The favourite, Sprinter Sacre
under Barry Geraghty, was mid-field. Exiting
the final bend, Wood Yer led them in, followed by
Venetian Lad and Top Smart, with the weakening Fun Guy. On the outside and closing fast were
Sprinter Sacre and King of the Night. Choc aboard Sweet Irony was going well too,
but Ruby and Barry soon had his measure, battling to the line, the latter’s
horse prevailing by a nose on the line.
Sweet Irony was 3¾ lengths away in 3rd. Top Smart had faded into 5th, Wood Yer kept on for 4th, 12 lengths adrift of Choc’s mount. That’s
Barry Geraghty 4; Ruby Walsh 2; Joshua Moore
1. Also 4 winners for Nicky Henderson
– one of which, Lush Life, was ridden by Ruby!
I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure
to see the competitors arrive back, including Choc aboard Sweet Irony. Barry Geraghty
wasn’t available to accept his winning memento, as he was in a hurry to leave! I waited on the steps above the
Weighing Room until the first wave of punters had departed. Whilst there, I noticed both Ruby Walsh and
Barry Geraghty heading for the main gates, both setting
out for the drive to the airport to catch their plane back to Ireland. I came away with the feeling that
Spirit of Adjisa, Prince Buster and Sweet Irony
used up too much energy by pulling hard during their races, and once they
learn to settle should all be able to pick up a prize or two. I then set off down Ascot High
Street. Having reached the car park, I
started my drive home at 17:30. I
decided to re-trace my route back to Windsor, and then join the M4 eastbound
carriageway. I encountered a couple of
‘muppets’
on the road (a term used by Choc to describe bad drivers, and also a term
frequently used by my friend Mark). The first incident involved a
stationary car, with its hazard lights on, in the outside lane of the dual
carriageway at the junction with the M4 – there seemed to be little wrong
with the car as it eventually moved off, but it appeared related to an
altercation with another car driver – a problem which continued as they drove
around the roundabout and then up the slip-road to the motorway. All well and good, but a nuisance and
dangerous for other drivers. The
second incident was a French registered car travelling at 35 miles per hour
on the slip road onto the M25, at first I thought it might be related to slow
moving traffic on the M25 ... no, the vehicles were moving freely – give me
strength! I wish I’d gone home via my
‘scenic’ route! There were no problems through the
contra-flow section, and I arrived home at 18:30. After a snack, I spent the evening
uploading the photographs I’d taken at Ascot and updating my blog whilst watching
Most Haunted Live. I finally crawled
into bed at 23:15. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
And, on this occasion, a second set: |
