DIARY – SANDOWN PARK
– SATURDAY 13 MARCH 2010
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Surprisingly this
was my first trip of the season to Sandown Park. It was a 6 race card, and Choc had 3 riding
engagements. So it was a ‘maybe’ fixture. Generally speaking, 1 or 2 riding engagements
is a no, 3 is a maybe, and 4 or above is a yes! So, as I hadn’t got anything else planned,
and the weather was set fair, I decided to go racing again. I believe the gates
opened at noon today, as the first race was scheduled for 14:00. This being the case, I set off from home at
10:40, travelling around the M25 and up the A3 to reach the Esher-based
course. Whilst driving on the M25, I
passed trainer Pam Sly’s box as I drove past the King’s Langley junction. I believe she trains near Peterborough. With the M25
contraflow system moving freely, I arrived at Sandown Park at 11:50, the only
delay being a queue encountered as I drove into Esher having left the
A3. As always, I parked in the free
area in the centre of the track although, unfortunately, I was instructed to
park my recently cleaned car on the grass, not the tarmac area. It wasn’t me who had cleaned my car on this
occasion, as it was serviced the previous Monday and they cleaned it for me –
which was a first! Although I had been
slightly ‘lame’ for the preceding 8
days, I believe due to pain associated with the ligament on the inside of my
right knee (perhaps I twisted it), I decided to wear my gold wedge sandals
with jeans today, as I was fed up with wearing ‘granny’ shoes (although I do
recommend them for the majority of conditions encountered on a racecourse
during the winter months). I did,
however, wish I’d worn more layers ... as I felt a little cold – I wore a
thermal vest, long sleeved top, cardigan and jacket. I shouldn’t have listened to the forecast –
10 degrees sounded warm when compared to recent figures, but it’s only 50
degrees Fahrenheit in ‘old money’! Brrrrrrrrrr!!! Having parked up, I
set off for the kiosk to purchase a grandstand ticket. The guy in the kiosk struck up a
conversation with me about the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival. Having eventually excused myself, I walked
across the course, purchased my race-card and went to sit beside the Parade
Ring, initially with my back to the grandstand then, latterly, in my
favourite location with my back to the Winners’ Enclosure. The first event of
the day in the Parade Ring was the Punters Panel, and this was followed by a
re-prise of last year’s charity Spacehopper race. Three teams took part, this year’s
contestants being Paddy Power and Paddy Brennan; Liam Treadwell and Andrew
Thornton; Alice Plunkett and John Francome.
Instead of a circuit of the Parade Ring, it was a straight relay
sprint this year, the competitors required to pick up and wear a baseball cap
and socks en route. Alice and John won
... although, personally, I’d have disqualified Alice for not actually
sitting on her Spacehopper! Choc took
part in last year’s race but was unavailable this year as he’d ridden out in
the morning, and then gone into the sauna to lose weight in preparation for
his ride aboard Stoney’s Treasure in the first race (he was due to carry a
mere 10 stone 2 lbs). How do I know
this you ask? A little birdie told me! The next event was
the ROR (Retraining of Racehorses) Parade.
Eight ex-racehorses were paraded, the most famous ones being Make A
Stand (Champion Hurdle winner), Moscow Flyer (twice winner of the Tingle
Creek Chase and the Champion Chase), Brave Inca (Champion Hurdle winner) and
Blowing Wind (Imperial Cup winner and remembered for being re-mounted by AP
McCoy to finish 3rd in ‘Red Marauder’s
Grand National’). Barry Geraghty
made an appearance, speaking with the presenter, as he had ridden both Moscow
Flyer and Brave Inca. I have to say
that Brave Inca looked particularly fit, although that’s probably because he
was retired just last Spring! Brave
Inca and Make A Stand then went to the Winners’ Enclosure for the public to
get ‘up close and personal’, AP
coming out of the Weighing Room to have his photo taken with the former. Soon it was time for
the first race of the day. As
mentioned earlier, Choc was riding Stoney’s Treasure (bottom weight), with
Wayne Hutchinson aboard Alan King’s other runner, Swansbrook. The favourite for this race was the Paul
Nicholls trained Red Harbour, ridden by Ruby Walsh. Once the jockeys had
been legged up, I set off through the grandstand to reach the course-side
rails. Unfortunately I wasn’t quite
early enough to take a photograph as Choc cantered by on his way to the
start, the horses cantering via a track across the centre of the course to
reach the far side, where the race began.
Then they were off. The
field was led away by Empty Sky, accompanied by Emperor Concerto. They were tracked by Babysitter, Bangkok
Pete (who made an error at the first), Fabulous Fred and Alfie Spinner. The Ruby Walsh ridden favourite, Red
Harbour, travelled near the outside in mid-division, Choc also travelled
mid-field, taking a centre line. The
Trevor Hemmings owned pair were placed in around 6th and 7th as they
travelled downhill away from the stands. Swansbrook was not hurdling fluently, with mistakes at the 2nd
and 5th flights. Stoney’s Treasure
had begun to take closer order by the 5th flight. Empty Sky and Babysitter led the field towards the third last,
with Larks Lad and Bangkok Pete on their heels. Babysitter having then gone on, was
challenged by Red Harbour as they approached the second last, the latter
taking a narrow advantage. Choc angled
his mount to the outside to make his challenge but he was always held,
staying on at one pace to finish 5th. The very game Babysitter rallied and Ranjobaie also came with a
late challenge. As the three
protagonists approached the line, all were in with a chance of victory. However, it was Red Harbour who prevailed
by a short-head from Babysitter, with Ranjobaie a nose away in third.
After
the race had been completed I walked around to the Winners’ Enclosure mainly,
I confess, to see Choc walk back to the Weighing Room, which he did
accompanied by Richard Johnson. It
was soon time for the second race of the day.
Alan King had one runner in this event, the grey Stolen Moments, to be
partnered by Wayne Hutchinson who seems to get on well with the horse. It also marked the return from injury of
Jamie Moore, who was to ride Or Jaune for his father Gary. As
this was a steeplechase, I took up a vantage point near the open-ditch in
front of the stands, hoping to take a photograph as the horses cleared the
obstacle. The start of this event was
over to my left, the first fence being the downhill one, the horses heading
straight to the start.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Fresh Air and Fun and Stolen Moments.
Meanus Dandy was disputing third, alongside Appleaday. Misty Dancer got close to the first, and
then took off a little early at the second, but never looked like
falling. Stolen Moments jumped to his
left at the first and third of the railway fences. Ballygulleen was the first to struggle. Approaching
the open-ditch in front of the stands, Wayne Hutchinson administered some
encouragement to Stolen Moments, who presumably was showing some reluctance
today. Fresh Air and Fun had a clear
advantage as they travelled downhill away from the stands. Having disputed 2nd place at the start of
the back straight, Stolen Moments soon dropped to the rear of the field,
Wayne pulling him up before the first of the railway fences. Fresh
Air and Fun led around the final bend, with Meanus Dandy stalking him,
Appleaday was in third. Ruby then
pushed his mount into the lead approaching the second last, setting sail for
home. Meanus Dandy’s stamina did seem
to come under scrutiny on the uphill stretch to the line, and it appeared
that Appleaday might catch him, but Ruby drove his mount firmly on to win by
3¼ lengths at the line.
Again I returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see
the horses arrive back. Following the
presentation, I decided to buy lunch which, on this occasion, was chips ...
just chips, which I ate whilst waiting for the jockeys to arrive in the
Parade Ring prior to the feature race of the day, the Imperial Cup. As I wasn’t intending to take any photos during
the course of this race, I went to stand on the grandstand steppings. I was surprised to see JP McManus (owner of
race favourite Qaspal) and his trainer’s wife Sarah Hobbs take up a vantage
point no more than 3 metres away from me in order to watch the race. You’d think they would choose to be in the
owners and trainers section! Philip
Hobbs also trained Oldrik, who was to be ridden by stable jockey Richard
Johnson. Being a 2 mile race, it started at the far end of
the home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Numide, Treaty Flyer, and Press The Button, the latter taking the top bar
out of the second flight. Aather, near
the rear of the field, also hit the obstacle.
Nearer last than first were the fancied Pepe Simo (Ruby Walsh) and
Qaspal (AP McCoy). As
they turned down the back straight, Numide remained in the lead, Callisto
Moon a close second, the remainder of the field closely bunched. Oldrik blundered at the third obstacle,
with Caravel hitting 3 out. Numide
was still leading into the far turn. Turning
in, Caravel and Tocca Ferro had taken over from the long-time leader. Cheshire Prince was also in
contention. On the stands-side both of
the Philip Hobbs runners were closing fast, Oldrik being the first to go for
home. However, AP drove Qaspal after
him and overtook them on the run-in to win by 2 lengths. Pepe Simo was unable to get on terms with
the 2 leaders and had to settle for 3rd. Outsider, Tilt, ran on to claim 4th. With
23 runners, and the race being run at a break-neck pace, this race proved a
challenge to describe ... even my printout from the At The Races website was
incomplete, whereby in running comments were missing for a number of the
runners, including for the winner!
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the horses arrive back, before
taking up a vantage point beside the Parade Ring in preparation for Choc’s
second ride of the day, aboard Russie With Love for Sidmouth-based trainer Stewart
Pike. The
mare was very ‘green’ and I think Choc may have had a problem getting aboard,
as he didn’t appear for ages the people in the Parade Ring obscuring
him. At one point the mare almost
collided with the plastic rails, Choc patting her neck, and leaving his feet
out of the stirrups as a safety precaution.
However,
he made it safely down to the start, which was at the far end of the home
straight. I stood beside the
course-side rails to watch this race.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Deejan, Definitley Lovely (this spelling is correct), Mizzurka, Inkberrow Rose,
Chicklemix, and between the latter two was Russie With Love. Bringing up the rear were Sparky May and
Businessmoney Judi. Deejan
and Mizzurka led down the back straight, Choc moving up into fourth position
aboard Russie With Love. However, as
the race began to get serious, Choc’s mount started to struggle and, despite
offering encouragement, soon faded.
Choc eased her. As
Deejan weakened, Mizzurka took over, with Lifestyle and Risaala
challenging. However, despite being briefly
headed by Barry Geraghty’s mount, Mizzurka rallied and went on to win by 2
lengths from Risaala, with Lifestyle a short-head away in 3rd. The best finisher was Businessmoney Judi,
who stayed on well to finish 4th.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to watch the placed horses arrive back
and, of course, to see Choc return to the Weighing Room, which he did
accompanied by Timmy Murphy. It
was now time for the fifth race of the day, in which Choc didn’t have a
ride. I stayed beside the Parade Ring
until the horses set off down the walkway to the course. I then walked through the grandstand to
take up a vantage point on the grandstand steppings. Again the start of this race was at the
beginning of the home straight. Prior
to the race, five of the ‘ROR’ horses paraded past the stands.
Then
they were off. Three of the runners set
off at an almost breakneck speed towards the first obstacle - Tchico Polos,
King Edmund and Cockney Trucker. They
all jumped it well, but King Edmund had too much momentum and took a very
nasty tumble. Fortunately both horse
and jockey were fine. Richard Johnson
took a pull aboard Cockney Trucker as they galloped past the stands. Joe Jo Star and Show Winner disputed third,
the former soon pursuing the leaders as they set off down the back straight. Tchico
Polos and Cockney Trucker were alternating good leaps, the former getting a
little close to the open-ditch. Having
closed up on the leaders, Joe Jo Star dived to the left when trying to put
himself right at the first of the railway fences, and fell. Both horse and jockey, Timmy Murphy, were
okay, the horse setting off after the 3 remaining runners. Ruby
urged Tchico Polos on having cleared the pond fence and had soon established
a good lead. Cockney Trucker hit the
second last, losing momentum. Ruby’s
mount dragged his hind legs through the final fence but his lead was
unassailable, and he went on to win by 7 lengths.
I
returned to the Winners’ Enclosure to see the victor return, after which I
went to sit beside the Parade Ring in preparation for the final race of the day,
in which Choc would be riding the Alan King trained Nikos Extra. The horse would be backed down to
favouritism, and he was fresh, as he needed 2 handlers to control him. Last
year’s winner, Busy Isit, was making his seasonable reappearance. Choc had ridden him to victory last year
and it had been a very exciting ride, the horse prevailing despite a number
of bad jumping errors! Felix De Giles
would ride the horse today. Once
Choc was mounted and on his way down the walkway to the course, I set off to
take up a vantage point beside the open-ditch for a photo opportunity. The race commenced on the far side of the
track, so the horses cantered down past the stands, before cutting across via
the track through the centre-course golf course.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Soulard, Royal Wedding, Fit To Drive, and Boomshakalaka. Both Launde and Supreme Duke made errors at
the first, which was the first of the railway fences, with the latter also
blundering at the third. Choc was in
mid-field, taking a centre line. Last
year’s winner, Busy Isit, soon chased the leaders. Lidjo De Rouge was in rear. Nikos Extra didn’t jump the open-ditch in
front of the stands too well, but despite motoring down towards the downhill
fence, he cleared it with ease. This
set him up for the 7 fences down the back, all of which he met and cleared
perfectly, his fine jumping taking him into third place. Turning
out of the back straight, Soulard still led, with Busy Isit challenging as
they approached the pond fence. Nikos
Extra got a little close to it, and as they turned into the straight Choc
began to get animated aboard his mount.
Soulard and Busy Isit battled up the hill, the latter prevailing by
the shortest of distances. However,
there was a Stewards’ Inquiry, and the places were reversed, due to Felix’s
mount hanging to its right, causing Soulard to collide with the plastic rails
just before the line. It was deemed to
have been just enough interference to have cost Soulard the race, as they
were barely separable in the photograph, being almost a dead-heat.
Having
completed the race in third place, I set off to see Choc return to the
Winners’ Enclosure. He de-briefed Alan
King and the owners before disappearing inside the Weighing Room. It was now time for me to leave. A
treble for Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls, and a double for AP McCoy today. After
racing there was also a Cheltenham Festival Preview Panel, hosted by Nick
Luck and including trainers Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, along with
owner Andy Stewart and bookmaker representative Paddy Power. Entry was on a ‘first come first served’ basis but I wanted to get home. Mind you, if it had been one of the preview
events where Choc had been on the panel, I would have been there like a
shot!!! As
I was in ‘Choc’ mode, it didn’t occur to me that there was a Stewards’
Enquiry in progress, which presumably accounted for the fact that there were
many punters still in situ around the bookmakers stands as I set off to the
gate in order to cross the course. I
was surprised that there was no queue to leave the course, especially as I
hadn’t been in a rush to depart. Mind
you, the car parks were already quite empty as it appeared that many people
had left early! The first traffic
queue I encountered was on the road outside the gates, leading up to the
green. It is always difficult to
filter into the one way system but, once through the traffic lights on the
road out of Esher heading for the A3, the roadway was clear. There
were no problems on the M25, and I arrived home at around 18:20, having been
to the petrol station on the way home.
It was very busy and I had to queue to find a free pump ... it’s
surprising how many people go shopping early evening, the petrol station
being located at the Sainburys/Marks & Spencer Retail Park. But I guess that’s because I far prefer to
shop first thing in the morning, to beat the crowds. Then
I spent the evening uploading photographs and watching the last in the
current series of Most Haunted Live. I
did attempt to start drafting this diary but, by gone midnight, I realised it
was far too late to get my brain into creative mode! I crawled into bed at 12:30. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. |
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