PART I
DIARY – CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2018
DAY TWO
FEATURING THE QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH 2018
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Presenting Percy, winner of the RSA Chase I awoke at around 06:00 and decided not to get up
until 06:15 today; I’m now quite laidback with regards to the time I arrive
at the racecourse – it takes around an hour to get there from my hotel. I showered and washed and dried my hair before
reporting to the main Hall at 07:20 for breakfast; I ate 3 rashers of bacon,
a tomato, 2 large mushrooms, 2 yoghurts (red and yellow ... if you know what
I mean!), and a croissant. I did ask
for a pot of tea, but the waitress forgot it ... so I had an orange juice
instead; you just can’t get the staff these days! I arrived back in my room at around 07:50 and
applied my make-up before I set off.
In fact I was so laidback that I didn’t actually set off for
Cheltenham until 09:00! I was expecting my journey to go smoothly as,
surely, the rush-hour would be over by this time, and children would have
already reported to school. However,
having driven via my usual route into Witney, I got stuck in a lengthy queue
upon the Woodstock Road; it took ages to reach the first of two
mini-roundabouts. Having negotiated
both of these, I then discovered that the road to Minster Lovell was closed
due to re-surfacing; I should have known, having driven into town via that
road, negotiating raised ironworks, the previous evening! I had no option but to continue along the main
street, with no idea where I was going!
A diversion sign directed me to turn right ... I followed it into
Welch Way. Traffic was still very slow
moving; this was due to a set of traffic lights without a designated lane to
turn right ... too many vehicles wanted to take this option, so I wasn’t
going anywhere for a few minutes!
Without a map, my instinct was to continue straight ahead and I soon
arrived at a large roundabout; I followed the signpost indicating the route to
Cheltenham. This took me to a junction mid-way along the A40
Witney bypass; I passed a Premier Inn en route. Having joined the A40, I headed west. It was now 09:25! Yesterday, and today, there was a 40 mph
limit for a brief section of the dual carriageway; road-works. It was actually for workmen nearby, in a
field! I forgot to slow down, oops, as
I was concentrating on overtaking a slow-moving vehicle at the time. After the Burford
roundabout, I got stuck behind a rather slow-moving 4x4 and ended up
following it all the way to Cheltenham.
The 4x4 had lost me on the dual carriageway just
prior to the Gloucester road; it had overtaken vehicles when I had not, but I
caught up with it again further on. In
fact I pulled up behind it at the Six Ways junction; they got through the
filter light to turn right into Greenway Lane, but I did not and had to wait
for the next change. Typical. As I was running later than expected, I was in
two minds as to whether to fill up my petrol tank on the way in; I did, but
still arrived at the racecourse 10:25.
Once again I was directed to park near the top of the northern car
park, close to the railway crossing.
One benefit of arriving close to opening time is the fact that, by the
time I’ve walked to the entrance, the turnstiles are already open and the
queues have disappeared. Today’s outfit was a plum-coloured thermal
t-shirt, a grey with black birds pattern thermal t-shirt, a dark grey fleece-lined
thermal t-shirt, a berry-coloured ribbed polo-neck jumper, a grey/black
dogtooth check Dottie Perkins skirt (I’ve had this one for ages but still
love to wear it), an aubergine v-neck sweater, a burgundy-coloured
button-to-the-neck cardigan, a purple fleece, black fleece gillet and burgundy jeggings. I wore my black £20 BHS bargain coat, black
Hotter ‘Danville’ ankle boots, my
usual black with white horses design snood, the same material scarf as the
previous day, orange/burgundy butterfly earrings, and blackberry striped
Aran-weight Caron Cakes snood. I took
my Berry Fab Big bobble hat again; and wore it
later in the day too. I also changed
the contact lense in my right eye before I set off
for the turnstiles; I always carry a spare left and right (they are different
prescriptions) just in case an original one proves to be uncomfortable. Obviously, by the time I’d reached the turnstiles
at the northern entrance, the gates were open today. I purchased a race-card before heading to
the ladies loos within the ground floor of the main grandstand and
subsequently buying a bottle of water.
Having worn my Hotter ankle boots today, I was already in two minds as
to whether I wanted to base myself upon the members’ lawn today, or
elsewhere. I recall heading over to
the trophy room to see today’s trophies, before heading up the steps to the
upper viewing area above the Winners’ Enclosure. I wandered across to the area above the Owners
and Trainers grandstand viewing area; the breeze was stiff and very cold, as
it had been during my walk to the northern entrance. I headed back to the viewing area and
decided to base myself there for the entire day; apart from the time I
crossed the racecourse to view the Cross-Country event. It also afforded a different perspective
for my photographs; besides, I didn’t feel I’d been particularly successful
yesterday, with my photography at the rails. I still haven’t bought a new
camera – that’s a task for later in the year ... and before my £200 voucher
expires in early 2019! When I finally ventured down to the racecourse, I
discovered that the members’ lawn wasn’t all that bad after all – I think it
must have been rolled overnight, and the wind would have dried it too. In fact it was the only time during this year’s
Festival that spectators were permitted to cross the racecourse; the recent
snow and rain having put additional wear and tear on the track without human
footfall exacerbating this. Today was Ladies’ Day ... when many females dress
totally inappropriately for attending a race-day fixture in mid-March. The photographers become obsessed with
photographing those modelling their outfits, whilst the ‘airheads’ sorry, ladies, pose for them! It’s unbelievable the prizes which can be
won for doing absolutely nothing but applying your war-paint and wearing a
special outfit - first prize today was a Mini
car!!! It will be the same at Aintree
... Race-day presenter Martin Kelly’s guests were
jockey Jack Kennedy, representatives for the aforementioned Ladies’ Day
competition and a representative from Betway,
sponsors of today’s feature race. The favourite for the first race of the day was
the Gordon Elliott-trained Samcro, ridden by Jack
Kennedy; price 8-11. There were no specific runners of interest in
this race. There was one grey, namely Duc Des Genievres. The starting gate for this race
was situated at the beginning of the mid-course chute. This being the case, the horses cantered
across the home straight and up along the all-weather strip in front of the
Best Mate enclosure to reach it.
And then they were off, with Scapeta
to the outside of Gowiththeflow leading the way as
the runners jumped the first flight.
Heading over it in third position was Coolanly,
from Black Op, Visions Des Flos, Next Destination
and Brahma Bull. The fourteen
competitors continued along the mid-course chute to the second flight, which
they all cleared in their stride, before heading over the Old Course
intersection, followed by the New Course intersection and a left-hand curve
as they descended the hill towards the entrance to the home straight. Gowiththeflow
led the field as they headed towards the third flight, from Scarpeta, Coolanly, Black Op,
Vision Des Flos, Samcro,
Next Destination, Brahma Bull, Diablo De Rouhet, Mind’s Eye, Duc Des Genievres, Knight In Dubai, Aye Aye
Charlie and Ahead Of The Curve. Black
Op jumped it clumsily; dragging his hind-legs through the flight. The runners subsequently continued the long run
to the fourth flight, joining the Old Course circuit as they did so; the
favourite briefly stumbled as they crossed a sanded track-way used by
vehicles to enter and exit the centre of the racecourse. Gowiththeflow was
joined by Scarpeta as they jumped the hurdle in
front of the grandstands. There was a
mistake from the back-marker, Ahead Of The Curve at this one; he was slightly
detached from the field. The horses swung left-handed to head up the hill
in front of the Best Mate enclosure and into the back straight for the one
and only time. Ahead Of The Curve was
now struggling badly and would soon be pulled up. Meanwhile, the remainder were stretching
out as they headed down the hill towards the fifth flight. Gowiththeflow was
at the head of affairs jumping it; in mid-field, Coolanly
trailed his hind-legs through this one. The Ben Pauling runner remained ahead as they
continued to the next where, again, Coolanly was
less than fluent. To the outside of
runners, Jack Kennedy was keeping hold of Samcro as
he didn’t wish to make too much progress at this early stage. The horses negotiated the dog-leg turn and
had soon jumped four out. Next
Destination was being pushed along by Ruby Walsh as they continued around the
far bend. The runners headed downhill to the next flight,
with Samcro less than a length off the leading trio
as they jumped it. Travelling towards
the outside of the field, the grey Duc Des Genievres,
flattened a panel in this obstacle.
Vision Des Flos was the marginal leader as
the horses cleared two out, but both he and Scarpeta
were now being pushed along as Samcro loomed up to
their outside. Having turned into the home straight, the
favourite soon put distance between himself and his rivals, with Black Op
soon into second position, from Scarpeta, Vision
Des Flos, Duc Des Genievres and the staying on Next Destination. Samcro led over
the final flight, which Black Op flattened.
The chestnut hung over towards the stand-side rails as he was driven
out to the line; he beat the Tom George runner by 2¾ lengths. They had finished five lengths clear of the
third, Next Destination, who had stayed on better than the rest; Scarpeta finished 4th, Duc Des Genievres 5th, and Vision Des Flos
6th; the remainder just trailed in.
I remained on the upper steppings
overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure. Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of Diary Part II The favourite for the next race was
Presenting Percy, trained by Patrick G Kelly and ridden by Davy Russell;
price 5-2. There were no specific runners of interest in
this race. There were no greys in this
race either. The starting
gate was located between the nearest two fences in the home straight; this
being the case, the horses cantered up in front of the grandstands before
returning down the turf and re-entering the all-weather strip to continue
part way down it to the start.
And then they were off, with Elegant
Escape and Black Corton leading the field to the
first fence; the Colin Tizzard-trained runner dived
at it slightly. The horses
subsequently swung left-handed to head up the hill to the next, which is
situated in front of the Best Mate enclosure.
All ten competitors jumped this one well, before entering the back
straight and heading down the hill to the third. Black Corton was
a length up as he jumped this one, although he did make a slight error here. The following fence was the water-jump, with
Bryony Frost’s mount holding a narrow advantage over Elegant Escape as they
jumped it. Close up in third position
was Monalee, then a gap of two to three lengths to Ballyoptic, Dounikos, Allysson Monterg, Bonbon Au Miel, Al Boum Photo, Presenting
Percy and Full Irish. The next obstacle was the first open-ditch, which
they all cleared well. The runners
continued to the sixth fence, where Black Corton
put in a short stride; this narrowed his advantage slightly, but he still led
as the horses negotiated the dog-leg turn.
Elegant Escape remained in second position, from Monalee,
Ballyoptic, Al Boum
Photo, Dounikos, Bonbon Au Meil,
Presenting Percy, Allysson Monterg
and Full Irish. The next fence was the second open-ditch, where
Full Irish gave it plenty of air. As
they turned the far bend, Noel Fehily let Monalee stride on into second position behind Black Corton. Having
travelled down the hill to the next, the leader brushed through the top of
it. The runners then headed into the
home straight once more. There were no visible jumping errors as the
horses headed over the ninth fence; both Black Corton
and Monalee brushed through the top of the
next. The pace remained steady as the
horses swung left-handed to head up the hill towards the next obstacle. Towards the rear of the field, Allysson Monterg was ridden
into this fence and also nudged along having jumped it. Monalee
drew alongside Black Corton as they entered the
back straight, before the latter moved ahead again on the run down the hill
to the next. Travelling to the inside
of the runners, Al Boum Photo dived over this one
slightly, and Full Irish was less than fluent at the rear of the field. The pace had increased as the runners
streamed over the water-jump. The next fence was the penultimate open-ditch,
which Black Corton jumped big and bold. Harry Cobden, aboard Elegant Escape, saw a
stride and rode his mount into the fence; he cleared it well. In contrast, Allysson
Monterg caught his hind-legs on the fence which
affected his momentum, and Full Irish was slow over this one too. Meanwhile, Black Corton
continued at the head of affairs as the runners headed to the next. Allysson Monterg also hit this one and was being pushed along;
Full Irish had lost touch and trailed the field. The main body of the field headed around
the dog-leg turn and had soon reached the final open-ditch; Al Boum Photo hit this one.
Full Irish jumped it, but was subsequently pulled up. Black Corton led the
runners around the far turn, from Monalee; Al Boum Photo, Ballyoptic and
Elegant Escape disputed third position, closely pursued by Presenting
Percy. They continued down the hill to
the third last, where Monalee took a narrow
advantage as they cleared it; the tiring Black Corton
brushed through the top of it. Monalee
went on as they headed towards the home turn, with Presenting Percy moving smoothly
through between horses in pursuit. In
fact Monalee and Presenting Percy were soon
eye-balling each other; the latter taking the advantage as they entered the
home straight and continued to the second last. Presenting Percy jumped it well; Monalee hit it. Al
Boum Photo was three lengths adrift of them, but he
got too close to the fence, tipped the top and fell; unfortunately for jockey
Ruby Walsh, his legs got trapped beneath the horse as it rolled over. Meanwhile, Presenting Percy continued up the hill
to the final fence whilst, at the same time, extending his advantage over Monalee. The
leader jumped the fence well and stayed on all the way to the line, winning
by 7 lengths; winning jockey Davy Russell punched the air in celebration as
he passed the post. Having been
outpaced earlier, Elegant Escape also stayed on; he claimed 3rd, 7 lengths behind
Monalee. Ballyoptic was 4th and the tiring Black Corton 5th. Only
five finished. Dounikos
was pulled up before two out, as was Allysson Monterg. Bonbon Au
Miel hit the top of the last fence, when in last
place, and took a tumbling fall also.
Following his fall, Ruby Walsh was stood down for
the remainder of the day.
Once again I remained on the upper steppings overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure. Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of Diary Part II The joint-favourites for the Coral
Cup were the Nicky Henderson-trained William Henry, ridden by James Bowen,
and the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite, ridden by Paul Townend; price 8-1.
Paul was deputising for Ruby Walsh, with Mark Walsh now taking the
ride aboard Bleu Berry. I had three runners of interest in this race,
River Frost ridden by Barry Geraghty, Bastien ridden by Tom Cannon and Dusky Legend ridden by
Wayne Hutchinson; all three are trained by Alan King. The starting gate for this race
was situated at the beginning of the mid-course chute. Therefore the runners cantered across the
home straight and up along the all-weather strip in front of the Best Mate
enclosure to reach it.
The runners jogged out onto the racecourse and
then they were off, at the first time of asking. Prominent heading for the first were Jeannot De Nonant and
Springtown Lake; at the rear were As You Were and Bleu Berry. All of the 26 runners cleared the first
flight without incident. As the horses
continued on their journey, a flock of seagulls and the odd corvid (in other words, a member of the crow family)
scattered overhead. Springtown Lake led the runners over the next
flight, from Stowaway Magic and Topofthegame. One of the Alan King runners, Dusky Legend,
took a horrible sprawling fall at this hurdle; she was travelling on the
inside to the rear of midfield and may have been unsighted. Former winner of this race Diamond King,
travelling immediately behind her, was badly hampered in the incident and was
lucky to stay on his feet. Sensibly, Davy Russell decided to pull his mount
up shortly afterwards. Dusky Legend
galloped away too. Meanwhile, the other runners continued across the
New Course intersection led by Springtown Lake, from Stowaway Magic to the
outside of Jeannot De Nonant. Bringing up the rear were The Organist and
As You Were. Having travelled down the
hill and around the turn, the competitors began their journey up the home
straight, clearing the third flight without incident. There was no change at the head of affairs as the
24 remaining runners headed up towards the grandstands; Springtown Lake led
from, Stowaway Magic, Jeannot De Nonant, William Henry, Royal Vacation, Topofthegame, Fixe Le Kap,
Mount Mews, Burbank, Le Breuil, Voix
Du Reve, River Frost, Red Indian, Bastien, Mischievious Max, Max
Dynamite, C’est Jersey, Barra,
Graceful Legend, Flemcara, Abbyssial,
Bleu Berry, The Organist and As You Were. The runners cleared the next successfully,
although Graceful Legend didn’t particularly live up to her name! They subsequently swung left-handed to head
up the hill in front of the Best Mate enclosure and into the back straight
for the one and only time. The field
continued down the hill to the fifth flight; again they negotiated this
without incident. When travelling just
behind the leaders, Topofthegame landed a little
flat-footed over the following obstacle; near the rear of the field, it may
have been Mischievious Max who completely trashed
an already damaged panel. Springtown Lake remained at the head of affairs
as the runners negotiated the dog-leg turn on their run to the seventh
flight; there were no obvious errors at this one. Having reached the top of the hill, the
horses swung left-handed once more to begin their journey down to three out; Mischievious Max and Abbyssial
brought up the rear, although none of the horses were yet trailing the field
as such. The long-time leader held a very narrow advantage
as they jumped this one, from Stowaway Magic, Topofthegame
and Voix Du Reve; the
latter wasn’t very fluent at the flight.
Stowaway Magic took the lead as they continued towards the penultimate
hurdle; queuing up behind him were Topofthegame,
William Henry, Burbank, Voix Du Reve,
Barra, Mount Mews and Bleu Berry; although still
within the leading group, Springtown Lake was now back-peddling. Stowaway Magic jumped the second last well, in
contrast to Topofthegame who bunny-hopped it;
William Henry wasn’t particularly fluent here, which seemed to slightly
inconvenience Barra travelling in his wake. Nico de Boinville’s mount remained narrowly ahead as the runners
entered the home straight, with Topofthegame soon
upsides. Barra
had progressed into third position now, from William Henry and, to the
near-side, the mare The Organist; she’d continued to make progress down the
outside of the field since the top of the hill. Making noticeable progress in behind these
was Bleu Berry under Mark Walsh. They’d soon reached the final flight; Topofthegame now had the advantage, from Barra, Stowaway Magic and Bleu Berry. The big chestnut Flemensfirth
gelding became the meat in the sandwich as the leading trio continued up the
hill to the line; Barra was laying down his
challenge to the near-side, Bleu Berry to the far-side. Barra was the
first beaten, and the Mullins runner had stayed on to take a narrow lead. Topofthegame
stayed on gamely all the way to the line, but couldn’t quite peg back Bleu
Berry who triumphed by a neck. The
mare Barra completed 1¼ lengths away in 3rd, with
William Henry a further 1¼ lengths away in 4th. The Organist was 5th, Red Indian stayed on
to finish 6th, Burbank was 7th and the gallant Stowaway Magic was 8th. 22 horses completed, with Abbyssial
and As You Were both pulled up before the last flight. Evidently it was the first time that a
Willie Mullins-trained horse had won the Coral Cup; also a first Cheltenham
Festival winner for the jockey. The
following week, Alan King reported that Dusky Legend had run her last race,
having fractured her knee as a result of today’s fall. She was due to retire at the end of this
season regardless, but Alan hoped she would be okay to become a broodmare
despite of her injury.
I remained on the upper steppings
overlooking the Winners’ Enclosure for the duration of the feature event. Reports from the Stewards’ Room regarding this race – see link
at bottom of Diary Part II Well,
that’s it for the first half of the diary, please ... Click here to read my Day 2 Diary Part II |
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