PART II
DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2016
DAY TWO
FEATURING THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2016
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Any Currency (Woody) wins the Cross-Country Chase ... although there would be an unfortunate postscript Click here to read Day 2 Diary Part I It was now time for the feature event of the day,
the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The favourite for the race was the Willie
Mullins-trained Un De Sceaux, ridden by Ruby Walsh;
price 4-6. His name translates to ‘One
of the seals’ … but it’s not clear what type of seal! Also back for another attempt at regaining
the trophy were the 2013 Champion Sprinter Sacre,
the 2014 Champion Sire De Grugy and the 2015
Champion Dodging Bullets. Sprinter Sacre had been showing much of his old sparkle when
winning both of his races this season, but Sire De Grugy
wasn’t the force of old and Dodging Bullets had managed just one run during
the season, at Newbury in February when runner-up, having been suffering with
a splint problem. Parade over, the ten runners cantered back down
the turf to enter the all-weather strip and canter to the starting gate at
the far end of the home straight.
And then they were off. It was no surprise that Special Tiara and
Un De Sceaux were vying for the lead as they headed
to the first fence. Sprinter Sacre was prominent in third, and he was flanked by
Dodging Bullets to the inside and Just Cameron to his outside. Behind these were Somersby to the outer,
God’s Own, Felix Yonger and Sire De Grugy. Sizing
Granite, which had won the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’
Chase at the Aintree Festival last season, clouted the first and was lucky to
survive the error; he now trailed the field. Initial battle won, Special Tiara ridden by Noel Fehily, led the field to the second fence; on this
occasion it was Felix Yonger’s turn to make an
error and he also dropped off the pace.
Meanwhile, Special Tiara was scorching up the track to the next, with
the favourite three or four lengths behind and Sprinter Sacre
spearheading the remainder. It was Special Tiara’s turn to make an error at
the third; he got too close and pecked on landing as a result. The leader made no mistake at the fourth;
he’d learnt by his error and gave it plenty of daylight. Un De Sceaux was
a little low at this one, dragging his hind-legs through it. Ruby would probably have liked to dictate
the pace aboard the favourite but, with Special Tiara in the field, there was
little option at this stage than to travel in his slipstream. The field now headed away from the main
grandstands to reach fence number five; Special Tiara continued to hold a
clear lead over Un De Sceaux and there was also
clear daylight between him and Sprinter Sacre
leading the main field. Having made
bad errors earlier in the race, Felix Yonger was
finding it hard to remain in touch and Sizing Granite was tailed off. Ruby’s mount closed up upon the leader as they
approached and jumped the first fence in the back straight; he was half a
length behind as they headed to the water-jump. Jonathan Burke aboard Sizing Granite
decided to call it a day at this point, as there was no hope of making up the
lost ground and becoming competitive.
The leader dragged his hind-legs through the
fence slightly, and Dodging Bullets hit it too, despite the obstacle being
the smallest in height on the course.
Special Tiara extended his advantage and jumped the first of the open
ditches really well; Sprinter Sacre took off a long
way from the fence but it was not a problem to make the distance for the big
horse. The following fence was a plain
one, and Dodging Bullets hit it. Special Tiara continued to lead as the runners
headed around the dog-leg turn; still trailing the others, Paul Townend decided to pull up Felix Yonger
before the next, the final open-ditch four out. Un De Sceaux
leapt this one at speed and took a narrow lead. Further back in the field, Dodging Bullets
was now being ridden along. They reached the far corner and then headed down
the hill, Ruby taking advantage of the descent to send his mount into a clear
lead. Mindful of this development, Nico de Boinville decided he
had to follow the pace and urged his mount on as they approached the third
last. Sprinter nodded slightly on
landing over the fence, but he had soon drawn alongside Special Tiara and
this galvanised the latter to also close upon the leader. Sandwiched between the two Irish runners as
they approached the home turn, Nico soon let his
mount sweep into the lead. It now
became apparent that Un De Sceaux had nothing to
offer to fight off this challenge.
Sprinter Sacre stumbled slightly as he
turned into the home straight but this didn’t stop him from pulling away from
his rivals. He cleared the penultimate fence in his stride;
the fourth-placed God’s Own made an error here. Nico gave his
mount a couple of cracks with the whip as he approached the last, which he
hit, but the 2013 Champion was not to be denied and, although tiring up the
hill, he won by 3½ lengths at the line.
It was a close battle for 2nd, with Special Tiara just losing out in
the final few strides to Un De Sceaux; the margin a
nose. God’s Own finished five lengths
back in 4th, with Somersby 5th, Just Cameron 6th,
Dodging Bullets 7th and Sire De Grugy last of the
finishers. There
was no fluke about the result, as Sprinter Sacre
went on the win the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown Park on the final
day of the season; again putting Un De Sceaux
firmly in his place; the winning distance on that occasion 15 lengths! But Un De Sceaux
did go to France in May and won the Grade 2 Prix La Barka
impressively!
Reports from the Stewards’ Room: Race 4 - 3:30pm THE BETWAY QUEEN MOTHER
CHAMPION STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) No Stewards Enquiry. Paul Townend,
the rider of FELIX YONGER (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the
gelding made a mistake at the second fence and was never travelling
thereafter. I used to head across to the
centre of the racecourse to get a better view of the Cross Country race but,
ever hopeful that Martin Keighley’s Any Currency might win, again I stayed
where I was. There was a good reason
for this, namely the fact that it takes ages to return from within the centre
course enclosures at the end of this race due to weight of numbers;
especially as race-goers have to wait until the course is clear of horses and
emergency vehicles too. So, by the
time you arrive back, the presentations have ended! The favourite for the Cross-Country Chase was the
Enda Bolger-trained Josies
Orders, ridden by Ms Nina Carberry; price
15-8. However, for the first time,
this race was a conditions event with all runners carrying 11 stone 4
lbs. Hopefully this would help Martin
Keighley’s Any Currency to finally gain the victory he deserved, having
finished as runner-up in 2014 and 2015. It also marked the return of
Balthazar’s King, badly injured during the 2015 Grand National. The maximum field of 16 went to post, with
5 horses balloted out. Obviously the starting gate for
the race was situated in the middle of the racecourse. This meant the horses crossed over the home
straight upon leaving the horse-walk to head up in front of the Best Mate
enclosure to reach it.
And then they were off, heading to the first
obstacle which was a bank with hedge; one of the brace of greys Valadom leading the way with Ted Walsh’s Rossvoss bringing up the rear. The runners turned left to head to the
ditch with railed hedge. Having negotiated
this obstacle, they continued on their way to the birch island fence. Valadom continued
to lead, from Love Rory, Ballyboker Bridge, and Any
Currency with, out wide, Balthazar King.
The second grey Sire Collonges travelled
next, from Third Intention, Josies Orders, Quantitativeeasing, Dolatulo,
Bless The Wings, the French-trained Utah De La Coquais,
last year’s winner Rivage D’Or, Cantlow,
Rossvoss and Uncle Junior. With the option to go to the left or the right of
the aforementioned birch island, fourteen chose to take the inside route to
the left, the exceptions being Balthazar King and Rossvoss. They crossed over the intersection with the
mid-course chute before arriving at the Aintree canal-turn style fence. As with its Aintree counterparts, plenty of
spruce was dislodged as they jumped it; Dolatulo
made a noticeable mistake here. Valadom
led the runners over the next fence, a bank with hedge, before they crossed
over the mid-course chute once more.
At the far side of this was the double-bank each topped by hedges; a
group of six had set up a lead over the remainder by the time they jumped the
hedge with log fence which followed. Having soon headed across the downhill stretch of
the Old Course, the runners turned right to jump fence number eight, a double
bank with hedge. They turned right
again to head uphill to the timber rails.
Valadom continued to lead from Love Rory (JP
Manus silks with red cap), Any Currency, the blinkered Sire Collonges, Ballyboker Bridge,
and Balthazar King. Third Intention
led the other group, from Josies Orders (JP McManus
silks first string white cap), Quantitativeeasing
(JP McManus silks, green/gold quartered cap), Dolatulo,
Bless The Wings, Utah De La Coquais, Cantlow (JP McManus silks, green cap gold star), Rivage D’Or (Gigginstown
silks), Rossvoss and the veteran, 15-year-old Uncle
Junior brought up the rear. Their route then took them across the mid-course
chute once more, before they jumped a railed hedge and headed across the
downhill stretch of the Old Course; Uncle Junior was showing his age as he
began to trail the field. The horses
headed over a ditch with railed hedge, followed by a pole and railed hedge;
travelling downhill, the runners were becoming strung out. Having crossed the mid-course chute yet again,
they jumped over a ditch to land on top of the raised bank, before jumping
over a small hedge to drop off of it again.
There were a number of small stumbles as they reached ground-level
once more, including from Balthazar King and Third Intention. Valadom led them
into the gulley, where they cleared the water-jump fence; the water being a
stream which runs across the racecourse.
The horses then turned left and soon headed up
the ramp and dropped down over the hedge of the first cheese-wedge; a few
strides later the runners jumped up onto the second cheese-wedge before
travelling down the short slope and continuing on their way. However, the second wedge caught out the
2012 / 2014 winner Balthazar King and he failed to find his feet and fell;
this departure also hampered the favourite Josies
Orders. Fortunately the Philip Hobbs
runner seemed fine. Meanwhile the remaining 15 runners continued out
onto the second circuit. They headed
over the ditch and railed hedge, which had also been fence number two, before
bearing left on a fairly long gallop to arrive at the raised bank once more;
they crossed this at a 90 degrees angle to previously. Valadom was still
ahead, from Love Rory, Any Currency and Sire Collonges. These four held a clear advantage over the
remainder of the field. Again it was a fairly long run to the next,
during which they crossed over the downhill section of the Old Course once
more, before arriving for the second time at the double-bank with hedge. They then turned right, heading briefly
uphill before turning right again to head over a ditch and railed hedge; they
jumped this particular fence just once.
Heading back, they crossed the downhill section of the Old Course for
a fourth time in order to reach fence number twenty-one; again jumped just
once, a ditch with boarded hedge. A number of runners had now bridged the
gap between themselves and the leading four; however, five were in danger of
completely losing touch, namely Utah De La Coquais,
Rivage D’Or, Dolatulo, Rossvoss and Uncle Junior. The loose Balthazar King followed at the
rear. Meanwhile Valadom
continued to set a strong pace at the head of affairs as they headed back
towards the water-jump. Love Rory
remained in second although, from time to time, he needed to be cajoled
along; Any Currency was travelling well in third, far better than he usually
did in fact. Utah De La Coquais was pulled up before the water-jump, Rossvoss after it. Heading towards the twenty-third fence, which was
a double-spread hedge, the McManus ‘massive’
had now closed upon the leaders.
Having begun the final circuit, the leading group was now ten strong
as they cleared the bank with hedge for the second time. As the runners turned left, Love Rory ran
out of petrol very quickly and was pulled up before jumping the next. Sire Collonges
soon began to lose touch with the main group too. The eight-strong leading group headed over the
ditch with railed hedge before continuing to the birch-island fence once
more. On this occasion, Bless The
Wings and Cantlow decided to take the outside,
right-hand option, whilst Valadom, Any Currency, Ballyboker Bridge, Third Intention, Quantitativeeasing,
and Cantlow took the left-hand one. Martin Keighley’s runner nosed ahead as
they galloped across the far end of the mid-course chute before arriving at
the Aintree canal-turn fence for the second and final time; this was fence
number twenty-seven of the thirty-two.
Cantlow was the next to lose touch with the
leading group as they headed over the bank with hedge and across the
mid-course chute for the final time. Any Currency held a half-length advantage as they
jumped the next, the double bank each topped by hedges. There were still seven in contention as
they cleared the log with hedge fence just prior to taking a sharp left turn
which took them onto the Old Course proper for the final stage of the
race. Any Currency led the way from the ex-Alan
King-trained Bless The Wings (now trained by Gordon Elliott), from
pace-setter Valadom, Third Intention, BallyBoker Bridge, Quantitativeeasing
and Josies Orders.
Aidan Coleman, aboard the leader and seeking his second ever
Cheltenham Festival win, was beginning to get animated as they headed down to
the second last, a stuffed hurdle.
However, the old boy was answering every call and remained narrowly
ahead as they approached the home turn.
Turning in there were just six in with a chance
as Valadom faded quickly. Amateur Jamie Codd
headed to the stand-side rails aboard his mount Bless The Wings, with Quantitativeeasing and Josies
Orders the final two to make their challenge to the far side of the
leader. But Any Currency was still
ahead as they cleared the last, also a stuffed hurdle; he was the more fluent
too, as his nearest rival had to put in a short stride in order to meet it
right. Despite Jamie Codd
throwing everything including the kitchen sink at his mount, he was soon
fighting a losing battle. Any Currency
drifted over towards the nearside rail on the run-in but he had clear
daylight, and it was left to Josies Orders to make
the final challenge … but it was too late, the veteran won by a length at the
line to claim the Keighley’s first ever Cheltenham Festival win! Whoo Hoo!!! It was
third-time lucky for the horse, after two runner-up finishes in this
race. Bless
The Wings finished just 1¼ lengths back in 3rd, an excellent effort from the
33-1 shot. Quantitativeeasing
was a further 5 lengths away in 4th, Third Intention 5th, Ballyboker
Bridge 6th and Valadom 7th. Twelve finished, three pulled up and
Balthazar King fell.
Having spent the duration of the race upon the steppings above the Winners’ Enclosure, I was in the
right place to see the victorious team arrive back to a very noisy reception
from the ecstatic crowd. Reports from the Stewards’ Room: Race 5 - 4:10pm THE GLENFARCLAS STEEPLE
CHASE (A CROSS COUNTRY STEEPLE CHASE) (CLASS 2) No Stewards Enquiry. The Stewards noted that DOLATULO (FR), ridden by Gavin Sheehan, and
trained by Warren Greatrex, would wear earplugs,
which would come out at the start. The Veterinary Officer reported that
DOLATULO (FR), unplaced, had lost its left hind shoe. I nipped across to the Pre-Parade Ring, between
the connections posing for photographs and the presentation, in the hope of
seeing Choc; and I was rewarded for my foresight too J. The owners had also taken Hector under
their wing, for he accompanied them.
Sarah Welford, who formerly worked for Alan King and now works for
Apple Tree Stud was also there; she’s Gerard Tumelty’s
partner, and now owns retired racehorse Blazing Bailey too. The favourite for the next race was Jaleo, trained by John Ferguson and ridden by Aidan
Coleman; price 6-1. Alan King had
three runners in this race, the grey Paddys Runner
ridden by Wayne Hutchinson, Messire Des Obeaux ridden by Noel Fehily as
he was owned by Potensis Bloodstock and Ardamir ridden by Denis O’Regan
and owned by the Dunkley and Reilly Partnership. Having won over hurdles in France, Ardamir had run disappointingly on his first two outings
for his new owners, losing to two of today’s rivals Kasakh
Noir and Jaleo.
However, following a breathing operation, he’d then won well at
Doncaster on his latest start, beating another of today’s rivals Our Thomas
at Doncaster. By May, his ownership
had reverted to Apple Tree Stud, which is owned by Paul Dunkley, with Danny
Reilly’s share seemingly relinquished; he was also tried out on the flat
during the following summer. Their
other shared jumper, Ned Stark, was sold at Doncaster’s HIT sales following a
disappointing season and was purchased by Irish trainer Gordon Elliott. I look forward to seeing how he gets on. Having left the Parade Ring, the competitors
initially cantered up the all-weather strip in front of the grandstands on
their way to the 2-mile starting gate at the far end of the home
straight. Choc and Ardamir’s
connections remained within the Parade Ring in order to watch the race unfold
upon the big screen.
And then they were off, first time. Prominent as the runners headed to the
first flight were, towards the inside out, Duke Street, Coo Star Sivola, Chic Name and Akavit. Denis O’Regan may
have been instructed to take an inside line, as he travelled against the
rails in mid-field. With no noticeable
errors occurring at the initial obstacle, the 4-year-olds began the long
journey up the home straight towards the second. Duke Street, Coo Star Sivola,
Chic Name and Akavit continued to hold their
prominent positions; they were followed by the grey Fix Le Kap, Duke of Medina, Harley Rebel, Wolfcatcher,
Messire Des Obeaux, Le Curieux, Jaleo, Ardamir, Paddys Runner, Our
Thomas, Diego Du Charmil, Doubly Clever, Romain De Senam, Kasakh Noir, Missy Tata, Pillard,
Voix Du Reve and Campeador. Akavit
now held the advantage from Duke Street as the runners joined the Old Course
and approached the second flight. Our
Thomas, travelling in mid-field, was a little slow jumping it. Duke Street against the rail matched
strides with Akavit as they headed up the hill in
front of the Best Mate Enclosure; Coo Star Sivola
travelled in their wake, with Wolfcatcher and Chic
Name disputing fourth. By the time
they entered the back straight for the one and only time, Paddys
Runner had dropped to the rear of the field, and shared that position with
the hooded Pillard.
Heading down the back straight, the runners
jumped flight number three. The pace
was strong, and Duke of Medina was another to have dropped back through the
field, joining the Alan King-trained grey, and Pillard
in a triumvirate slightly adrift of the others. Ardamir wasn’t
travelling well either, as he was now the back marker of the main group. Akavit
dropped off the pace as they continued to the fourth, Duke Street and Coo
Star Sivola now leading; in third position, Wolfcatcher was a little ungainly at this one. The runners had now reached the dog-leg
turn, at which point Ardamir received reminders as
he struggled to compete three from rear; evidently he was still encountering
breathing issues and was choking. The
sole filly, Missy Tata, travelling in mid-field, flattened a panel in the
next flight. Coo Star Sivola and
Duke Street continued to dispute the lead as they headed to the top of the
hill before beginning their journey down it.
Wolfcatcher travelled in their wake,
followed by Kasakh Noir, Diego Du Charmil and Messire Des Obeaux; behind these Missy Tata and Campeador,
along with Voix Du Reve. Having been struggling in rear, both Wayne
Hutchinson and Denis O’Regan decided to call it a
day at this point, aboard Paddys Runner and Ardamir respectively.
Meanwhile, it was heating-up at the head of
affairs as they cleared three out; Coo Star Sivola
holding the advantage over Duke Street, Diego Du Charmil,
Wolfcatcher, Kasakh Noir,
Messire Des Obeaux, and
Missy Tata. Barry Geraghty
had taken a pull aboard Campeador, waiting until he
laid down his challenge. Wolfcatcher made a mess of two out, where his jockey Jack
Quinlan clung onto the reins in order to steady himself; he soon dropped
back. Meanwhile Coo Star Sivola
led the runners into the home bend, with Diego Du Charmil
at his quarters preparing to pounce at an opportune moment. Both Duke Street and Kasakh
Noir were now being pushed along, as Campeador
loomed up to the outside of the Paul Nicholls runner. Close of their heels was Ruby Walsh aboard Voix Du Reve, also Missy Tata; Messire Des Obeaux was
struggling to go the pace at the back of the leading group. It came as no surprise that, having entered the
home straight, Ruby aboard Voix Du Reve scythed through runners aboard as the space opened
up for him. Having reached the final
flight, they took off four in line; Voix Du Reve to the inside, Coo Star Sivola
to his outer, Diego Du Charmil to his right and Campeador to the nearside. Diego Du Charmil
flew the obstacle but, in contrast, Coo Star got a little close to it. However, both ‘Kamikaze Rupert’ and Bazza’s mounts tipped the top and fell independently of
each other; Campeador was actually lucky not to
break his neck. Barry was buried; Ruby
stayed on-board until the horse rolled over onto its side. This incident didn’t help Kasakh
Noir, as he collided with the grey’s head and neck as the latter tumbled
over, nor Missy Tata which had to sidestep the prostrate horse and
jockey. This left Diego Du Charmil in front, from Coo Star Sivola;
however, staying on very strongly from miles back having been in twelfth
position turning in, was the Paul Nicholls second-string, the hooded Romain De Senam. Sam Twiston-Davies was
riding for all he was worth as they approached the winning post; his
stable-mate eating up the ground all the way to the line. It was very close, a head the winning
distance, he’d just held on aboard Diego Du Charmil. Having been in the bandwagon for the entire
race, Coo Star Sivola finished a close 3rd, just
half a length further back. Missy Tata
was 3¼ lengths back in 4th, Doubly Clever 5th, Kasakh
Noir 6th and Messire Des Obeaux
7th. Seventeen of the 22 runners completed, the tiring
Akavit also having been pulled up after two
out. Voix Du
Reve was fine and galloped after the others to the
line. Campeador
appeared to be in trouble as he thrashed about in his struggle to rise, but
was later seen being led back up the horse-walk; he was okay. Both jockeys were fine too, although Barry
limped away. It was Diego Du Charmil’s
first outing in this country, having been placed in 3 starts over hurdles in
France.
Reports from the Stewards’ Room: Race 6 - 4:50pm THE FRED WINTER JUVENILE HANDICAP
HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 3) The Stewards held an
enquiry into the running and riding of ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR), ridden by Nick Scholfield, and trained by Paul Nicholls, which was settled
in at the rear on the outside in the early stages of the race and then
appeared to lose its position between the third and second last, without
being asked for any apparent effort, before running on in the home straight
to finish second, beaten a head. The Stewards interviewed the rider. They
also heard observations from the Handicapper. The rider stated that his
instructions were to get the gelding settled, as he had run freely in the
past. He added that he was happy with his position early in the race but
then, from the top of the hill, he held on to the gelding to ensure that he
finished the race going forward, as he had faded in some of his previous
races. He further added on getting a clear run around the inside on the final
bend ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR) stayed on strongly up the hill. He considered that
although the gelding had made the running in the past he felt that he
responded well to being settled in and if he rode it in the future he would
adopt similar tactics. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the
race the Stewards noted his explanation. The favourite for the final race of the day was
the mare Augusta Kate, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend; price 7-2.
Alan Shearer and Lee Westwood were amongst her owners. Alan King had a
runner in this one, Criq Rock, ridden by Wayne
Hutchinson. There was one non-runner, so 23 went to the start. With the starting gate located at the
far end of the home straight, the horses would have cantered up the
all-weather strip in front of the main grandstands before heading down the
turf and re-entering the gallop to reach it.
Then they were off, with the Wylie’s Battleford, plus Spirit of Kayf
and Winsome Bucks leading the way.
Travelling close behind these were Avenir d’Une Vie, second
favourite Ballyandy, and the Bloomfields’
High Bridge. The tightly packed group
of runners continued their journey up the home straight towards the
grandstands, with Spirit of Kayf and Winsome Bucks
spearheading the field. Bringing up
the rear were First Figaro and Geordie Des Champs. Spirit of Kayf held a
half-length advantage as the runners headed up the hill in front of the Best
Mate Enclosure and turned into the back straight for the one and only
time. Winsome Bucks continued in
second position, from Battleford, Ballyandy, High Bridge, Avenir d’Une Vie, Castello Sforza,
Augusta Kate, Coeur Blimey, Turcagua, Bacardys, Compadre, New To This
Town, Very Much So, Westend Story, Jot’em Down, Ballymalin, Rather
Be, Pride Of Lecale, Onthewesternfront,
Criq Rock, Geordie Des Champs and First
Figaro. The runners travelled down the back straight,
negotiating the dog-leg turn on their journey up the hill to the far corner;
Spirit Of Kayf continued to spearhead the
field. The well-fancied New To This
Town was being pushed along and had dropped to the rear of the group. The competitors soon headed down the hill,
with Spirit of Kayf and Winsome Bucks soon
swallowed up; they dropped back quickly through the field, with Ballyandy trapped behind them as they did so. Meanwhile, Battleford
and High Bridge took up the running, closely followed by Augusta Kate; Pride
Of Lecale had made progress and now loomed up to
the far outside of the runners. Sam Twiston-Davies was urging Ballyandy
on, in order to make up ground towards the inside rail, which he did. Battleford
held the lead as they turned into the home straight, pursued by High Bridge,
the grey Gigginstown runner Avenir
d’Une, JP McManus’ Castello
Sforza, August Kate, Pride Of Lecale, Ballyandy, Bacardys and Very Much So. The leading horses fanned out across the course
as they approached the empty wings of the final flight, Battleford
nearside still marginally ahead, from High Bridge, Avenir
d’Une and Ballyandy to
the far side closing fast. As they
headed up the hill to the winning post, it became a skirmish between Battleford and Ballyandy; the
latter seemed to have the measure of the Willie Mullins-trained horse but, as
they approached the line, Battleford began to fight
back. Photograph. The verdict was a win for Ballyandy,
by a nose. Bacardys
stayed on strongly to the line to claim 3rd under Ruby Walsh, with Castello Sforza in 4th, and the never nearer Westend Story in 5th; he came home with a rattle having
also been caught up in the backwash of weakening runners on the downhill
section, similar to Ballyandy.
At
the end of Day 2, the BetBright Cup score was GB 9 : Ireland 5 Reports from the Stewards’ Room: Race 7 - 5:30pm THE WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER (A STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE)
(CLASS 1) (Grade 1) The Stewards held an
enquiry into the use of the whip by M.P. Fogarty, the rider of BATTLEFORD,
placed second, on the run in. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings
of the race, they found him in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 in that he had
used his whip above the permitted level and in an incorrect place. The
Stewards suspended Fogarty for 13 days as follows: Wednesday 30 and Thursday
31 March, Friday 1, Saturday 2, Sunday 3, Monday 4, Tuesday 5, Thursday 7,
Friday 8, Saturday 9, Sunday 10, Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 April 2016. Under
Rule (B)54 the Stewards also fined the rider £300. As planned, I left after the sixth race of
the day. I headed up the concourse,
out through the main gates, across the bridge, over the driveway, across the
short section of gravel, before crossing the Evesham
Road, then heading up the tarmac entrance to the top park, along the muddy
track and into the far Swindon Lane car park to
collect my vehicle. Many race-goers had already departed,
demonstrated by the spaces left by their vehicles within the car park. I’d soon joined the early exodus, making my
way back to the gravel driveway before heading down the hill to join the
queue tailing back from the Swindon Lane gate. As always, vehicles eased their way into
the queue ahead, extending slightly the time it took me to exit. Vehicles were instructed to turn right,
although a member of the traffic police did allow the occasional driver to
turn left instead; however, this suited me fine. I thus headed in a westerly direction, over
the bridge which denotes an disused railway line,
before reaching a mini-roundabout; I turned left here, to head down Windyridge Road. A
number of roads in this area are named after racehorses – Mandarin Way, Pendil Close and Arkle Close
are three examples. I drove to the end
of the road, soon arriving at the T-junction with Swindon
Road; the queue was short, and I soon turned left, then left again at a
roundabout. I took the subsequent
left-hand fork, to enter St Paul’s Road, travelling past the end of Tommy
Taylors Lane/Folly Lane; another of the well-subscribed exit routes. I had to wait for oncoming vehicles to pass
by, as the road narrows as it approaches Clarence Square. I didn’t have to wait long at the traffic
lights at the junction with the Evesham Road,
before heading along the left-hand lane of the one-way system and turning up Prestbury Road to reach a roundabout thereon. I took a right in order to head around Pittville Circus and into Pittville
Circus Road; this was where I had decided to stop in order to make a call to
the RAC. The road is wide, although
used as a cut-through by a number of drivers, including myself. I parked opposite a primrose-yellow
3-storey residential building. There
was, however, a noisy drain cover close by; in fact it sounded like someone
was knocking on my car window each time a vehicle drove over it! That was off-putting, to say the
least! A number of people were taking
their dogs for a walk in the fading daylight.
It was still light when the RAC man
arrived; his name was Ben. He actually
arrived much sooner than I’d expected him too, especially as he would have to
contend with the departing race-day traffic too; I’d been quoted two
hours. However, he also couldn’t find
anything wrong with the headlights; but he did suggest I use them on ‘auto’ rather than ‘manual’ setting. He also did a check under the bonnet … and
discovered that the coolant was below the minimum level; he topped it up for
me, at a cost of £5. Did I have a leak
or had my servicer omitted to check this I wondered? Ben also said that he’d had to attend a
vehicle at the racecourse yesterday, and it took him around an hour to
actually get into the car park to do so! Anyway, I was soon on my way again, and it
was not yet 19:00. Despite having the
headlights checked for the second time, I still wasn’t 100% happy with
them. Okay, I could see more clearly
than I had the previous day, but they weren’t as good atilluminating
as they should have been. By this
point I was wondering if my night vision had now deteriorated to unacceptable
levels! I’d already tried my night
vision glasses, over my own spectacles, the previous day, but they had been
totally useless! Anyway, I persevered
and headed back over the Cotswolds, upon the
A40. It was also spitting with rain by
this time. With the strain of driving, and a lack of
sleep, added to my current level of pre-Festival exhaustion, I was losing
concentration by the time I was neared Oxford. However, being desperate to reach home, I
continued around their ring-road and onwards to join the M40 motorway. I finally saw sense, and exited the
motorway to stop at the Beaconsfield Services, for 25 minutes; the road
layout both into and out of the Service Station is very complicated, but I
successfully negotiate the maze on both occasions. By the time I rejoined the M40, to head the
remaining distance to join the clockwise carriageway of the M25, I was
resigned to the fact I was far too exhausted to attend the Festival on Day 3,
Thursday. So I now had a £65 ticket I
would be unable to use, plus £8 for pre-paid parking; Poodles. It seemed that the break hadn’t really done
me much good, as I continued to be on the verge of losing concentration for
the remainder of my motorway journey. Fortunately,
junction 20 is not very far from home, and I arrived back shortly before
22:00. It was actually a relief that I didn’t need
to set my alarm for 04:00 the following morning! And, hopefully, with over 24 hours in which
to recuperate from the rigors of the first two days of the Festival, I’d be
in a better place and fit to attend Gold Cup Day. I didn’t actually sleep in for too long,
rising at around 07:30; I even went for a walk down to the local supermarket
shortly after their 08:00 opening time in order to purchase a copy of the
Racing Post! I watched the Festival
coverage, live on Racing UK during the day; this included seeing Choc and
Hector interviewed by presenter Alex Steedman ahead
of racing. I also knitted another woollen
hat, using a ball of Big Fab yarn which I’d had for
ages – grey and turquoise in colour. I used ideas from a pattern I’d already
got, but it was knitted to my own design, with a turn-back edge providing
double thickness to keep my ears warm!
I even made a very quick self-coloured
bobble using a pom-pom maker I’ve got; as opposed to the old-fashioned
cardboard circles method. I didn’t turn in quite as early as I’d
hoped, namely at 22:30, but I was hopeful that I’d feel less tired the
following day, regardless. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz POSTSCRIPT: There would be an
unfortunate postscript to the Cross Country race: The BHA delivered their
verdict in August: And, for the record, here is the link to a copy of Day 3’s
Stewards’ Enquiries. |
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PHOTOS – Cheltenham Festival Day 2 |
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