DIARY – KEMPTON PARK
– SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2012
RACING PLUS CHASE DAY
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Trainer Tom
George makes a fuss of Nacarat, winner of
the Racing Plus Chase I was hoping for
another opportunity to go racing, and to see Choc on a second occasion since his
return from injury. However, my plans
were up in the air until it was confirmed that Triumph Hurdle hope Grumeti
would run at Kempton Park. Alan King
had agreed to run his novice in order to give Choc the opportunity to ride
the horse in a race, rather than go straight to the Cheltenham Festival
without a further racecourse appearance; Wayne Hutchinson had partnered the
McNeill Family owned horse on his three previous (and only) hurdle outings,
due to Choc being sidelined. Choc had
just one other ride on this day, Like A Hurricane in the Handicap Hurdle. Unusually, I hadn’t
even ‘laid out’ my clothes ahead of
the day, which I normally do ... but perhaps that was because the gates didn’t
open until midday, therefore I didn’t need to leave home until 10:45; this
gave me plenty of time to choose my outfit before setting off. Today’s outfit was
two thermal vests, cerise pink cardigan, purple fleece, burgundy cardigan,
three-tier black skirt, opaque tights, black wedge shoes, purple jacket, and
M & S scarf. Two days previously,
weather temperatures had risen to 61 degrees fahrenheit (old money) and today
was dry and almost as warm too ... certainly a pleasure to go racing after
those cold days of winter. Come to
think of it, the only time I’ve actually been slightly cold at the races this
winter was last Saturday at Ascot; but that wasn’t unbearably so! Mind you, my fixture attendance this season
had been curtailed by Choc’s arm injury which happened in mid-December ...
and this winter had been mild apart from early February when heavy frosts and
snow arrived. I rarely have a
lie-in, so awoke before 07:00; I showered and washed and dried my hair, ate a
breakfast of toast and croissants whilst watching Channel 4’s The Morning
Line. Once the programme had finished,
I set my VCR players to record the day’s action ... not easy with one of
them, as I couldn’t remember how to set the recording clock! And that is because I can count the number
of times I’ve used the machine on the fingers of one hand, although that
includes last Saturday ... it was always easier just to use my old VHS
analogue recorders but one stopped working last summer, and the other ‘died’ at the end of December, with my
tape recording of Kempton’s King George fixture trapped inside. Damn.
Having applied my
make-up, I was then ‘thumb-twiddling’
for around an hour before leaving home at 10:45 as hoped. My route took me to the London Colney
roundabout to join the A414; being later in the morning than I usually set
off to the races, it took 4 traffic light changes before I was heading in a
westerly direction along the North Orbital Road, joining the M25 at Junction
21A. The journey around the M25
anti-clockwise went smoothly, although there were speed limit signs
instructing traffic to slow down approaching the M4 junction. As usual, I left the
M25 at junction 12, heading up the M3 towards London and leaving the latter
motorway at Junction 1. I then
travelled along the A308, passing the main entrance to the racecourse,
further on turning left and heading up the driveway to reach the free car
parking area. I ate two cheese rolls
which I’d brought with me, before putting on my coat and heading for the main
entrance. It was 11:00 and the gates
were open. Once again, I purchased my
ticket using a credit card (£20); I can definitely see the advantage of
paying by cash, as it seems to take ages to pay by credit card, both last
week and this! Once inside I
purchased a race-card for £2.50; the sponsors were handing out free copies of
the Racing Plus newspaper. I went to
sit at one of the tables across the concourse from the Parade Ring. I looked through the newspaper and the
race-card; nothing of much interest in Racing Plus I’m afraid ... so I binned
it! I then popped to the loo on the
lower level of the main grandstand, before going to sit on one of the benches
on the lawn in front of the stands. Having got a little
bored ... I then returned to the Parade Ring, sitting on one of the painted
stools that surround it; nearby was the statue of Desert Orchid. The stools are painted white, yellow, red,
blue and green, I think; I should really know ... as I’ve been to Kempton
Park on numerous occasions. In fact
Kempton is currently my most visited racecourse; although that will change
next month when I visit the Cheltenham Festival again. Being a sunny and warm day, for the time of
the year, many of the spectators had gathered in the area, sitting along the
steppings and enjoying the sunshine.
Following Kauto
Star’s record of King George VI Chase wins, there was a ceremony to mark the
opening of the new Kauto Star Bar, named in his honour; it is located in the
Clubhouse building. Kauto Star’s
owner, Clive Smith was on hand to do the honours, and Paul Nicholls was
interviewed too. Before racing,
presenters Lesley Graham and Alistair Down filmed an introduction sequence
close to the Desert Orchid statue for the Channel 4 racing programme. Eventually it was
almost time for the first race of the day, the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile
Hurdle; a number of winners of this race having gone on to record victories
in either the Triumph Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham
Festival. The role of honour in recent
years includes Zarkandar (Triumph Hurdle winner 2011), Soldatino (Triumph
Hurdle winner 2010), Binocular (Champion Hurdle winner 2010), Punjabi
(Champion Hurdle winner 2009) and Penzance (Triumph Hurdle winner 2005). Alan King had chosen
to bypass this race with Grumeti; opting instead for the Dovecote Novices’
Hurdle later in the afternoon. The
later race was for novices of all ages, rather than 4-year-olds. The same option that he had taken last week
at Ascot, when running Balder Succes. Once the runners had
set off down the walkway, I walked around the outside of the main grandstand
building to find my favourite vantage point close to the hedge which runs
along the side of the front lawn, separating the enclosure from the free car
parking area. The horses cantered
down past the stands to reach the starting gate, which was at the far end of
the straight; the horses travelling one full circuit plus the home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Dark and Dangerous, from Baby Mix, Une Artiste,
the initially hard-pulling Sadler’s Risk, Dildar,
Orthodox Lad and Hurricane Herbie, with Kayalar bringing up the rear. Dark
and Dangerous continued to lead as the runners headed down the side of the
course; Baby Mix dived at the 4th flight, but it didn’t affect him. Around the far turn, the order was Dark and
Dangerous, from Baby Mix, Saddler’s Risk, Dildar, Une Artiste, Orthodox Lad, Hurricane Herbie
and Kayalar. Sadler’s
Risk ‘bunny-hopped’ 4 out. Baby Mix took up the running 3 out; 4
runners pulling clear of the remainder.
Entering the home turn, Baby Mix led from Sadler’s Risk, Dark and
Dangerous, and Dildar. Baby
Mix was over 2 lengths up clearing 2 out; he was driven by Paddy Brennan to
retain his advantage, staying on well to beat Sadler’s Risk and long time
leader Dark and Dangerous. Having gone
third before 2 out only to lose that position before the last, Dildar ‘lost’
his hind-legs on landing over this flight, unseating Ruby Walsh in the
process. Ruby was okay following this
mishap; he strode up the home straight as though nothing had happened,
heading for the Weighing Room.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the horses arrive back; before
repositioning myself on the far side of the Parade Ring. Once
the competitors in the next race had set off down the walkway heading for the
racecourse, I went to find my vantage point beside the course-side
rails. The
start of this race was in the far corner of the track.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the blinkered Panjo Bere,
from Busy Isit, Not So Sure Dick, Cool Friend, Hunt
Ball, Golan Guy, Arrayan and Fahrisee. Heading
up the home straight on the first occasion, Busy Isit
and the cheek-pieced Not So Sure Dick came to dispute the lead with Panjo Bere. Fahrisee, in
rear, was jumping slowly and losing ground; Arrayan
pecked on landing over the 7th fence. The
runners proceeded down the side straight, Arrayan
blundered at the 9th fence, an open-ditch.
Banjo Bere continued to dispute the lead
with Busy Isit; this pair was followed by Not So
Sure Dick, Hunt Ball, Cool Friend, Golan Guy, Arrayan
and the tailing off Fahrisee. Cool
Friend led narrowly from Hunt Ball as they cleared the open-ditch, 5 out; the
latter took the advantage at the next.
Richard Johnson’s mount continued to challenge the leader; Not So Sure
Dick in third. Having
jumped 3 out, Hunt Ball went clear, extending his advantage after 2 out. He jumped the last full of running and went
on to score by 10 lengths from Cool Friend.
Not So Sure Dick completed 9 lengths back in 3rd, Arrayan
staying on to finish 4th. However,
there may be a downside to winning with so much in hand, and for the sixth
time in seven starts. Hunt Ball’s new
handicap mark might rule him out of his preferred target (the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase) at
the Cheltenham Festival; as he may be rated too high. If this is the case, then running in the
Byrne Group Plate may be the only option.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the horses arrive back. I then re-positioned to the far side of the
Parade Ring; although in the shade, it is less crowded and affords a better
view of the horses. Wanting
to retain my vantage point beside the course-side rails, I decided to head
there early. Being the feature race,
the horses paraded in number order in front of the stands. They then cantered down the course to take a
view of the final fence before returning to the start. Fiendish Flame, customarily keen, took a
hold and jockey Alan O’Keeffe had a problem pulling him up on his way to view
the obstacle, overshooting it by some distance. The
starting gate for this race was at the beginning of the side straight; the
horses completing two circuits of the track; the same distance as for
Kempton’s premier event, the King George VI Chase.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
the ultra-keen Fiendish Flame, followed by Nacarat
and Hector’s Choice. Sarando jumped untidily at the first fence. Around
the far turn Fiendish Flame was well clear of the field, from Nacarat, Hector’s Choice, Deep Purple, Consigliere, Royal Charm, Planet Of Sound, Michel Le Bon,
Sarando and Mount Oscar. Michel Le Bon hit the 3rd fence. Along
the back straight Fiendish Flame still retained a clear advantage, Michel Le
Bon and Sarando not fluent in rear, the latter
receiving a reminder. Heading up the
home straight on the first occasion, the order was Fiendish Flame, Nacarat, Hector’s Choice, Royal Charm, Planet Of Sound,
Deep Purple, Consigliere, Mount Oscar, Michel Le
Bon and Sarando. The
Jenny Candlish trained runner gradually came back
to the field, but retained his advantage until after the 12th fence. Nacarat had taken
over the lead, from Hector’s Choice and Planet of Sound as Fiendish Flame
retreated. Around the final bend,
Hector’s Choice was galvanised to join and overtake the grey, jumping 3 out
in the lead. However, he hit the
fence, losing momentum and handing the initiative back to Nacarat. The
2009 winner was 4 lengths up when clearing the second last, extending his
lead over the final obstacle and galloping on to win by 11 lengths. Hector’s Choice completed in 2nd, with
Planet of Sound 3rd and Consigliere 4th. Deep
Purple fell at the 14th, jumping the final fences whilst rider-less; he was
reported by his trainer to be a little battered and bruised following the
race. He had also bled; an issue he
had encountered before during his racing career. Plans to run in the Grand National were put
on hold.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the horses arrive back; before repositioning
to the far side of it in preparation for the horses arriving to parade ahead
of the next race, the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle. Choc
soon arrived to join Alan King, owner Max McNeill and his racing manager,
Iain Turner, in the Parade Ring. Alan
was keen to take a look at the Paul Nicholls representative, Dodging Bullets,
walking across the grass to take a close view of the horse as it was led
around before returning to his group. The
bell sounded, instructing the jockeys to mount. Once Choc was aboard and heading down the
walkway, I returned to my preferred vantage point beside the course-side
rails; I was in time to see him and Grumeti canter
down past the stands. The starting
gate for this race was at the far end of the home straight, with that and one
full circuit to travel.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Crescent Beach, from Grumeti, Nazreef and Dodging Bullets both keen, Terre Du Vent and Zarzal. Crescent
Beach continued to lead from Grumeti as the runners
headed down the side of the course.
There was no change at the head of affairs until 3 out, when Choc sent
his mount into the lead; Terre Du Vent now in third position, from Dodging
Bullets and Zarzal.
Crescent Beach weakened rapidly as they exited the final bend; Nazreef was tailed off. Grumeti was in charge
over 2 out, the mare Terre Du Vent crashing out at this flight. The ‘green’
Dodging Bullets giving chase to Choc’s mount,
although wandering around on his approach to the final two obstacles. Grumeti was pushed out
after the last, winning easily by 1½ lengths from the Ruby Walsh ridden
Dodging Bullets. Zarzal
completed in 3rd, with the long time leader Crescent Beach finishing 4th and Nazreef 5th.
Fortunately Terre Du Vent was okay following her fall, as was her
jockey Paddy Brennan.
I
returned to see Choc and Grumeti arrive in the
Winners’ Enclosure. After unsaddling, chatting
with connections and posing for a photograph with the horse, Choc set off for
the Weighing Room; Channel 4’s Alistair Down accompanying him in order to
carrying out an interview for TV. I
repositioned myself on the far side of the Parade Ring, in the hope of taking
photographs of the winning jockey when he returned to collect his
memento. The owner’s and trainer’s
prizes having been presented, Choc took a few moments to appear ... although
he had jogged from the Weighing Room.
After the official photographers had captured the moment, Choc was
accosted by KPTV’s Anthony Kemp, who carried out an interview whilst they
were stood on the podium. Prior to
commencing, my favourite jockey took a few moments to watch the race replay
on the screen overlooking the Parade Ring; shading his eyes from the low
sun. Following
the KPTV interview, Choc went across to speak with Nick Luck of Racing
UK. I walked back to the other side of
the Parade Ring; in hindsight, probably not a brilliant idea as the sun was
shining directly into my camera, making photography difficult. But I wanted to congratulate Choc on his
win, and to do this, I needed to be standing beside the walkway leading from
Parade Ring to the racecourse and stables.
The
interview took a few minutes, but eventually it was complete and Choc headed
along the walkway towards me; stopping briefly to speak with a guy who was
standing on the paved area in front of the Owners and Trainers building. When
he’d almost reached me, Nicky Henderson, who was walking towards the Parade
Ring, jokingly tried to grab the bottle of champagne which Choc was
carrying. I said ‘Well done’ as Choc
walked past; he thanked me and asked how I was doing. He was then accosted by another gentleman
he knew, chatting for a minute or two (it probably wasn’t that long ... it
just seemed like it to me as I stood admiring him) before he returned to the
Weighing Room. During
his interview with Nick Luck (which I’d recorded), Choc would not be drawn as
to whether he’d choose to ride Grumeti or last
Saturday’s Ascot winner Balder Succes; although he
did say that Grumeti reminded him of one of his
previous Triumph winners, Penzance, whereas Balder Succes
was not the finished article and thus more of a project for next season. Personally, I think Choc will choose Grumeti over Balder Succes ...
although he ‘loves’ both
horses. It’s a pity Choc can’t be
cloned and then ride both of them!!!
Whatever his decision, I just hope he doesn’t choose the wrong one ... The
next event was the Pendil Novices’ Chase; I confess
to remembering Pendil well! The starting gate for this race was over in
the far corner of the track.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the grey, Zaynar. However, he didn’t get very far, almost
refusing at the first fence, then skewing as he cleared it, unseating jockey
Tom Scudamore in the process. This left Cristal Bonus in the lead, from
Duke Of Lucca, Minella Class, Life Of A Luso and Will Scarlet, the latter already well in rear
when making an error at the third fence. Cristal
Bonus and Duke Of Lucca disputed the lead turning into the home straight on
the first occasion. The loose Zaynar continued to race with the field. Cristal
Bonus led narrowly as the runners headed down the side of the course, from
Duke Of Lucca, Minella Class, Life Of A Luso and the remote Will Scarlet. The loose horse interfered with Barry Geraghty’s mount as they cleared the 8th and 9th
obstacles. As
the field set off down the back straight, there was no change at the head of
affairs, Life Of A Luso blundering at the
11th. Minella
Class lost his place before 4 out and was pulled up shortly afterwards. Duke Of Lucca challenged for the lead
approaching 3 out, but Cristal Bonus asserted again as they cleared 2 out and
went on to win by 13 lengths. Richard
Johnson’s mount completed in 2nd, with Life Of A Luso
in 3rd. Tailed off, 77 lengths back,
Will Scarlet completed in 4th, claiming prize money of £1,046!
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see Cristal Bonus return; I then repositioned
myself on the far side of the Parade Ring in preparation for Choc’s arrival ahead of the next race. Alan King had two runners in this event,
Like A Hurricane to be ridden by Choc, and top weight Balzaccio
ridden by Peter Hatton claiming 7lbs. The
battery charge of my camera was running low, so I changed it; I take two
spare rechargeable batteries to the races, just in case they lose their
charge before the end of the afternoon.
I don’t want to miss any important shots! When
the bell was sounded for the jockeys to mount, Alan and his two jockeys
headed towards the walkway very close to where I was standing ... I tend to
take a few steps back when this happens, as I hate to be intrusive when
taking photographs! Alan first
legged up Peter, followed by Choc; the two stable representatives having been
following each other around the Parade Ring.
Once
the horses had headed out onto the course, I set off to my usual vantage
point beside the course-side rails.
The horses cantered down past the stands before turning and heading
back to the start, which was in the far corner of the track.
Then
they were off. The field was led away by
confirmed front runner, Dantari. He was followed by Tasheba,
Ashbrittle, Oscar Prairie, So Fine, The Reformer, Ultravox, Pause and Clause, Balzaccio,
Semi Colon, Mister Snowball, Busker Royal, Glenstal
Abbey, Woolfall Treasure and Like A Hurricane. The
runners were well grouped heading up the home straight on the first occasion;
at the rear of the field, Like A Hurricane was untidy clearing the third
flight, Choc pushing him along afterwards for a few strides. Dantari received
a reminder as he headed around the top turn.
The field began to string out as they raced towards the far corner; Dantari losing the lead to Tasheba. In rear, Like A Hurricane was already being
pushed along to keep in touch. Having
negotiated the far turn, Choc glanced behind him, to ensure he didn’t hamper
the one runner in his wake, before pulling his mount to the inside of the
track to canter back. Dantari having regained
the lead, then lost it to Ashbrittle approaching 3
out; he retained the advantage as the runners headed into the final
turn. Still in the leading group were
Oscar Prairie, Semi Colon, Dantari, Glenstal Abbey, So Fine, Mister Snowball and Woolfall Treasure.
Oscar
Prairie led over the second last flight, his pursuers unable to gain upon
him; his winning margin extending to 3 lengths at the line. Ashbrittle
completed in 2nd, with So Fine 3rd and Semi Colon 4th. The front running Dantari
finished 5th; Alan King’s second runner, Balzaccio,
stayed on to finish 7th. A treble for
jockey Paddy Brennan today, following Oscar Prairie’s win. A
number of horses had been pulled up; I waited for Choc to canter past aboard
Like A Hurricane before returning to the Parade Ring once more. My last glimpse of Choc today.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the horses arrive back, and to view
the runners ahead of the next race. On
this occasion I remained on the steppings close to
the grandstand building. One
of the horses in this last event, Virginia Ash, became rather excited when
mounted in the Parade Ring, plunging along as his lad tried to hold onto him;
but his jockey, Joe Tizzard, remained in
control. For
the final race of the day I decided to head through the Grandstand hall and
out onto the front lawn to take up a vantage point close to the winning
post. Security guards had been posted
along the rails in this vicinity.
Evidently they were worried that streakers,
possibly attending a stag-do, might attempt to climb the rails and run across
the course; the cameras being trained upon the finishing line making it
attractive for drunken revellers! I
know it was a pleasantly warm day for the time of year, but I don’t think
I’ll be stripping off any time soon ... besides, it would definitely frighten
the animals!!! The
starting gate for this race was at the far end of the home straight, with
that and one full circuit to travel.
Then
they were off. The very small field was
led away by Off The Wall, from Virginia Ash, This Is Me and the very keen
Starving Marvin, restrained by Barry Geraghty, in
rear. The
order was still the same as the runners negotiated the top bend; a magpie
taking flight as they headed down the side of the course. The sedate pace ensured the field remained
closely packed. At the beginning of
the back straight it was now the turn of a pheasant to dart towards the
infield to avoid the hooves! Off
The Wall continued to lead, from Virginia Ash and This Is Me. The wide running Starving Marvin soon came
under pressure and began to lose touch.
Towards the end of the back straight Virginia Ash took a narrow
advantage, This Is Me taking up the challenge on the outside of the 3
runners. Into the home turn, these two
runners went on, as Off The Wall began to lose ground. This
Is Me was steered towards the stand side rails to make his challenge but
Virginia Ash was too strong and ran on to win by 5 lengths at the line. The eased Off The Wall finished 3rd, and
the tailed off Starving Marvin 4th.
The final race of the day having been
run, I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the horses return before
heading to the car park to collect my vehicle. Yippee ... no bird poo
on my car today; that makes a change from my previous two visits to Kempton
Park! I took a few minutes to eat the two
remaining cheese rolls I’d brought with me before I sent off to the drive
back to the entrance, joining the A308 once more, to head towards Junction 1
of the M3. The traffic tailback was
bad; in fact it stretched all the way from the derelict George pub to the
roundabout beneath the M3 junction. Stop, start, stop, start; I finally
reached the motorway and I was on my way.
My journey took me back around the M25 in a clockwise direction,
leaving at Junction 21A. Back along
the North Orbital Road and returning to my home city. I arrived back at 18:40; spending the
evening uploading and selecting photographs for my website ... the replay of
the Kempton Park action being broadcast in the background, over and over
again; each time Choc’s interview was replayed, I
stopped to watch it. Very nice! Bedtime was at around 22:30 ...
although I always find it difficult to switch off my laptop when Choc is
tweeting, which he was tonight! |
