DIARY – TOWCESTER
MONDAY 28 MARCH 2011
1000 CAREER WINNERS
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1000 career
winners Choc enters
the Winners’ Enclosure aboard Araldur As it was a
Monday, my first port of call on my way to work today was to the local
supermarket to purchase a copy of today’s Racing Post. I quickly glanced inside to find out what Choc’s column topics were today ... one being 999 winners
and counting. And I knew he had three
rides at Towcester, including the talented Araldur; so today could easily be the day when he reached
this very important milestone. Despite knowing
that Choc had ridden 6 winners on the flat (a fact already recorded on my
career winners totals page) I hadn’t included them in my calculations, hence
I thought he was 7 away, not 1. Doh! So there I
was, with a full day’s work ahead of me and the possibility that I’d miss
seeing the celebrations if today was going to be his special day. Having arrived
at work, I knew I had to ask my immediate Manager if I could take the
afternoon off. Initially she wasn’t
sure, as one member of my team was already on holiday. So the decision was in the balance; and I
was becoming tearful (they weren’t crocodile tears I hasten to add). She relented; I could leave at 12:30. Although I had to walk home (very quickly)
to change and collect my car, before setting off at 13:15 for Towcester, which is around 50 miles from my home. Being lunchtime,
the traffic was a nightmare; the blood pressure was rising but I eventually
escaped the confines of my home city, travelling via Harpenden to reach the
A5; which is the old Roman road that extends all the way to Anglesey, under
the guise of different route numbers along the way and passing Towcester en route.
However, I chose
to travel up the M1 to Northamptonshire, joining at Junction 9, because I
knew there would be traffic problems in Dunstable, there always are! Although, when I made this choice, I didn’t
realise the current contra-flow system and associated 50 mph speed limit was
in operation from south of Luton until Milton Keynes. In hindsight, I should have left the
motorway at Junction 14, Central Milton Keynes, or Junction 15a and travelled
through Towcester itself. Instead I took the A508 at Junction 15,
through the villages of Roade, Grafton Regis and
Yardley Gobion; which although taking me to re-join
the A5, also took me south again. Oh well, it
wasn’t as if I had got lost, my route just took me a little longer than
necessary! Besides, I’ve often thought
to cut across via Stoke Bruerne, as their Canal Museum is signposted
from both the A508 and from the A5 via the lane which runs past the entrance to
the racecourse. I just didn’t do it on
this occasion. Meanwhile, as I
was still journeying to the course, the first race took place. Towcester’s track
is not the easiest to describe. When
all fences are jumped, there are 10 per circuit. Heading down the hill away from the
grandstand there are two obstacles, the first of which is an open-ditch;
along the main section of the back straight there are two more fences, a
third situated at the ‘dogleg’ turn,
followed by a fourth; and another fence on the lower side of the course; on
the uphill home straight there are two plain fences before the winning post, and
another one after it. One circuit of
the hurdles course, consists of 6 flights; one heading away downhill from the
stands, one in the main part of the back straight, one after the ‘dogleg’, a third on the lower side of
the course, and two in the home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by the Robin Dickin trained Graylyn
Amber, closely followed by stable-mate Roxane Bruere. Drink Up
was in third, then Earl of Thomond and Atared. In rear,
Showtime Annie pecked at the first flight.
The keen Contentwithmyluck jumped awkwardly
at the second, as did French Leave. The
field passed the winning post for the first time and headed off downhill into
the country. The ground appears to
briefly rise before the third flight is jumped; this obstacle was hit by
Meridiem. They turned the bend into
the back straight and headed for the next. However,
the race ended here for Guarino, who fell, Mid
Wicket and Earl of Thomond were brought down and,
severely hampered by the melee, Mossman Gorge unseated jockey Matt Griffiths. Graylyn Amber continued
to lead down the back straight, Meridiem soon moving into second place, the
latter going on after 3 out. Meridiem
jumped to its left at the penultimate flight and again a little left at the
last. However, he stayed on well and
won by 2Ľ lengths from the game Graylyn Amber, then
a gap to French Leave who completed in 3rd, with Drink Up in 4th. All
four horses involved in the fourth flight pile-up were okay; of the jockeys,
Andrew Thornton, Jeremiah (Jerry) McGrath; and Matt Griffiths were fine. Joshua Moore was stretchered off; and he
was taken to hospital in Northampton for precautionary checks.
I finally pulled
into the dusty racecourse car park as the horses taking part in the first
event, at 14:30, were galloping up the final straight to the winning post,
and included at least a couple of loose horses. However, I knew that Choc’s
first ride of the day aboard Araldur was at 15:30,
so I was in time for my main event! As there is no
entry fee to Towcester racecourse on the majority
of racing days, today was one of those free days. So, having parked up,
changed into my boots and locked my car, I walked over to the entrance
marquee to purchase a race-card for Ł2.50.
For the record, my outfit today was blue denim jeans, dark purple
sweater, neon blue fleece and grey raincoat ... and just one thermal vest,
long-sleeved. And I was comfortable in
this outfit throughout the day, which was warm and sunny for the time of
year! I then went to
find a vantage point beside the Parade Ring in preparation for the second
race of the day. Towcester’s
fixtures are broadcast on ATR; today’s on-course presenter being Matt Chapman
– he had actually been let out of the studio for the day! Matt had interviewed Andrew Thornton,
mentioning that the jockey was having success this season riding front
running steeplechasers. Andrew also mentioned
that it might be Choc’s special day. Nawow,
owned by ATR’s Luke Harvey, was discovered to be lame on the morning of this
race, so was a non-runner. It was,
evidently, also Luke’s birthday today. Once the horses
had left the Parade Ring, I set off to find a vantage point beside the
course-side rails from which to watch the race. The start of this event was at the far end
of the home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Tooka, the four other runners clearing the first
fence almost in line across the track. Past
the winning post with one circuit to go, Tooka led
from Autumm Spirit (yes, correctly spelt), Good Old
Days, Digital Media and Liberty Seeker, the latter jumping more slowly than
his compatriots at the third. The
runners headed out into the country and downhill into the dip; they then
cleared two more fences, the first of which is an open ditch, before turning
into the back straight. Autumm Spirit came to join Tooka
at the sixth obstacle; these two horses exchanged pole position a couple of
times before Tooka went on again after 3 out. Digital Media had made an error three from
home. Tooka remained in the lead and although
driven and edging towards the rails on the flat, which resulted in his sole
challenger Digital Media being switched to the outside, the former held on to
win by 1Ľ lengths at the line. Autumm Spirit
finished 3rd, Good Old Days 4th, with Liberty Seeker well adrift in 5th.
I returned to the Parade Ring, in preparation for
the next race, and possibly the most important one of the day; as it was Choc’s first ride of the fixture, aboard the Alan King
trained Araldur. I’ve seen Araldur before; having been at Sandown Park when he won
the Henry III Novices’ Chase in 2008, but I’d forgotten just how huge he
is! He is a flashy chestnut, Alan King
having a liking for this particular colour trait. I totally agree; I have a preference for
horses with socks or stockings and stripes or blazes. This is the version I know of the rhyme
relating to white feet: One white sock buy a horse However, there are other versions of
this rhyme which say the opposite! Once Choc
and Araldur had left the Parade Ring, I set off to
find a good vantage point beside the course-side rails. The start of this event was at the far end
of the home straight. In this race,
Matt Griffiths replaced the injured Josh Moore aboard Stapleton. Araldur was the
3-10 on favourite to win the race.
Then
they were off. Choc sent his mount
into the lead from the start. He was
followed by Break The Chain, Rockoboy, Overlay, Stapleton,
Lombardy Boy, the horse diving at the first flight, Patrick’s Secret and Mutanaker. Break
The Chain was close up over the second, noticeably dwarfed by Araldur as, for that matter, were all the other runners! The
horses passed the winning post for the first time and set off into the
country; one circuit to go. The
runners galloped down into the dip, Araldur putting
in a short stride before the third, so he wasn’t quite as fluent as he might
have been. Around the bend and into
the back straight, Araldur continued to bowl along
at the head of affairs. His nearest
pursuer, Break The Chain, made an error at the 4th. Rockoboy appeared
to go lame and was pulled up; Patrick’s Secret had lost touch and made an
error at the 5th; he was subsequently pulled up too. As
the field approached 3 out, Lombardy Boy was being ridden along in an attempt
to close on the leaders. Araldur had a one length advantage at this point. As they began the final climb to the line,
Choc continued to apply pressure to his rivals; turning into the home
straight he was 4 lengths up. The
partnership cleared the penultimate flight, lengthening their lead to 6 or 7
lengths between the last two flights. With
a good jump at the last, victory was sealed, Choc easing his mount as they
approached the line. He gave Araldur a well deserved pat on the neck too.
Once
it had become obvious that Choc would ride his 1000th winner, ie. Araldur had safely cleared the
final hurdle with no challengers in sight, I returned to the Winners’
Enclosure in order to get a good view of the proceedings. As requested by Matt Chapman, everyone gave
Choc a warm welcome as he arrived back.
Both Choc’s wife Meally
and baby son William were in attendance today and they came into the
enclosure too. Once
Choc had unsaddled, the photographers took photos of him; then pictures of
Choc and Araldur; followed by a group shot of Meally, William and Choc.
Choc returned to the Weighing Room to weigh in, before returning,
helmet-less, to the Winners’ Enclosure.
Initially Choc went to speak with Alan’s group, laughing and joking
with owner David Sewell and his companions.
Matt Chapman then called Choc over for a chat, which was filmed and
broadcast on ATR. Meally,
who had been chatting with Alan King, joined them, carrying a very sleepy
William. During
the interview, Choc mentioned that he’d like to continue riding until he is
40, and said he had now set his sights on being the third winning-most
National Hunt jockey in history, behind AP McCoy and Richard Johnson; Choc is
hoping for 100 winners per year. Choc
said the highpoint of his 1000 winners was winning the 2007 Arkle Chase aboard My Way De Solzen. Choc spoke about David Nicholson instilling
discipline in his stable-lads and jockeys, but was the first to admit that
the Duke may not have always found this an easy task in Choc’s
case. At
the end of the interview, Matt Chapman asked everyone to give three cheers
for Choc; which we did. Champagne
bottle in hand, it was then time for a final photo-call, Choc being held
aloft by two England rugby players, Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton. Choc
had also revealed that, the following day, he had booked an appointment to
have his hair cut and someone, jokingly, handed him a pair of scissors. Celebrations complete, Choc returned to the
Weighing Room. Matt
interviewed a number of jockeys throughout the afternoon, many of the well-known
ones congratulating Choc on his accomplishment; including AP McCoy. It
was now time for the fourth race of the day, a handicap chase. Once the runners had left the Parade Ring,
I set off to find a good vantage point by the course-side rails. The start of this race was on the side of
the course, with one plain fence to be jumped before heading into the back
straight. This being the case, the jockeys
directed their mounts to canter up past the winning post to reach the starting
gate.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Crank Hill, Daryl Jacob replacing the injured Josh Moore aboard this
horse. Woodmore,
initially in second, slipped on landing over the first obstacle but
survived. The grey, Terrible Tenant,
soon took over the running. Silver Bay
was at the rear of the field; Speed Bonnie Boat preceded him. The
field headed down the back straight, Andrew Thornton’s mount retaining the
lead until they turned into the home straight for the first time, when Von Galen
took over. The initial leader, Crank
Hill, had lost his place and would lose touch as they headed out into the
country again. Terrible Tenant soon
began to struggle too. Speed
Bonnie Boat, running in snatches, started to close on the leaders; although
she made an error at the 10th, the open ditch. Woodmore, having
recovered from his bad early error, took over the lead from Von Galen at the
14th, but had relinquished it to Jolly Boys Outing by the next fence, which
was 4 out; the latter soon going clear.
AP McCoy’s mount, Filippo Lippi, chased the
leader but could make no impression on him.
Jolly
Boys Outing jumped out to the right over the last but ran on to win by 9
lengths from Filippo Lippi. Speed Bonnie Boat completed in 3rd, with
Silver Bay in 4th. Von Galen finished
5th and Terrible Tenant 6th. Woodmore and Crank Hill were pulled up.
I
returned to the Parade Ring in preparation for the next race of the day, in
which Choc would be riding the Alan King trained Lidar. Once
Choc had exited the Parade Ring, I set off to find a vantage point beside the
course-side rails. As the start of
this event was over in the far corner of the track, the horses cantered up
past the stands to reach it.
Then
they were off. Once again, front
running tactics had been decided upon, Choc taking the lead aboard Lidar; he was followed by Earcomesthedream,
Premier Des Marais (AP McCoy deputising for Josh Moore), Whitewater
Dash, Kilbeggan Blade, Connectivity and She’s On
The Case; Prophete De Guye
brought up the rear. By the second
flight, Lidar held a 3 length advantage, although
he did jump out to the left slightly. Lidar retained the lead as the field
turned into the home straight for the first time; although again he marginally
jumped out to the left at the first of the flights therein. Kilbeggan Blade
was a little awkward at the second of these, more so She’s On The Case. Turning the top bend and heading out into
the country again, She’s On The Case was at the back of the field. Lidar remained 3 lengths ahead of the
field as they entered the back straight; a group of 6 ahead of Kilbeggan Blade and She’s On The Case. However, Choc’s
mount soon came under pressure and Earcomesthedream
took over. Lidar
didn’t respond to Choc’s urgings and soon dropped
tamely away. Earcomesthedream
led them in, Connectivity was in second, Prophete
De Guye followed with She’s On The Case staying
on. Connectivity took the lead at the
second last and went on to win easily by 11 lengths. Prophete De Guye took 2nd from Earcomesthedream
on the run-in. She’s On The Case
finished in 4th, Kilbeggan Blade completed the
finishing line-up; three having been pulled up, including Lidar
before the second last.
Having
pulled up Lidar, Choc returned to the Pre-Parade
Ring to unsaddle. I’d not wished to
intrude earlier, it being Choc, Meally and
William’s moment, so when he walked back to the Weighing Room I went across
to congratulate him on his 1000 winners, telling him well done, and giving
him a peck on the cheek. It
was then time for the penultimate race of the day. Once the horses had left the Parade Ring I
set off to find a vantage point beside the course-side rails, in the first
instance I sought out a position near the final fence, in order to take a
photograph as the horses cleared the obstacle on their first circuit. The start of this race was on the ‘dogleg’ section of the track, with 2
fences to jump before turning into the home straight for the first time. The
favourite for this race was Lonesome Boatman, although he had never won a race
outside point-to-pointing; but was lightly raced, and had run well at Towcester 11 days previously.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Ilongue, followed by Bohemian Rock, Mister Watzisname, Monsieur Georges and Lonesome Boatman. Carmond was in
rear. Travelling
up the home straight for the first time, Bohemian Rock lost his position at
the fourth fence and was soon pushed along by Andrew Thornton. Turning into the country, down into the
dip, Ilongue still led; Lonesome Boatman not fluent
at the 6th, the open-ditch. Over
the 7th, Ilongue failed to get his landing gear out
on time and fell, he slightly hampered Monsieur Georges, Lonesome Boatman and
Carmond; Mister Watzisname
fared worse, having caught his hind-legs as he vaulted the prostrate horse. His jockey, Andrew Tinkler,
glanced down to check his off-hind and, fearing he was lame, pulled him up
shortly afterwards. Ilongue’s departure left Jolibob
in the lead; followed by Monsieur Georges, Royial and
Lonesome Boatman. Jolibob
hit the 10th but continued in front; Monsieur Georges then took the lead
after 3 out. Lonesome
Boatman took 2nd as Jolibob dropped out; and came
to challenge Monsieur Georges as they approached the last. The former galloped on to win by 3 lengths,
Monsieur Georges in 2nd; Bohemian Rock overtook Crystal Prince at the last to
take 3rd. Carmond
was 5th and Jolibob was last of those who
completed.
It
was jockey Josh Wall’s first winner under rules; he is the son of former
jockey Trevor Wall. I
returned to the Parade Ring in preparation for Choc’s
final ride of the day, aboard the Alan King trained No Substitute in the
Bumper; the horse having returned from a lengthy absence of 353 days. Once
Choc and his mount had set off down the walkway to the course, I set off to
find a suitable vantage point beside the course-side rails. The start of this event was at the far end
of the home straight.
Then
they were off. The field was led away
by Bally Gunner, Ripoff, Preferred Lies, So Fine,
Trojan Sun, Tony Dinozzo, and Make A Track; No
Substitute travelled against the inside rail and was pulling hard. Heading
down the back straight, Cavite Eta ran ‘green’
and lost touch with the field. Bally
Gunner retained the lead until 6 furlongs out, when Ripoff
took over. Tony Dinozzo
was the next to head the field, 4 furlongs from home. The
final challenger was the favourite, Make A Track, who took the lead over a
furlong from home and ran on to win by 3˝ lengths. Tony Dinozzo
stayed on to finished 2nd, and Willow’s Saviour was 3rd. Having
made headway since before 3 furlongs out, No Substitute had tracked the
leaders, was soon ridden, but kept on to finish 4th of the 13 runners. Cavete Eta had
stayed on too, completing in 7th.
I returned to the
Winners’ Enclosure to see Choc arrive back.
Charlie Longsdon (who Matt Chapman jokingly calls Prince William due
to his likeness to the Royal Family member) was in the enclosure, his charge
having finished 3rd. Charlie Longsdon
called across to Alan King to introduce his mum to the trainer. As No Substitute
wasn’t the last competitor to arrive back, Alan King beckoned for the horse
to be led into the main Parade Ring area to be unsaddled. Choc having returned to the Weighing Room,
it was now time for me to leave. I returned to the
car park, the leaving vehicles producing clouds of dust as they drove
out. I’m getting very accustomed to my
car becoming dusty, having suffered the same fate at Cheltenham on both the
Wednesday and the Friday of the Festival!
I exited the car
park at 17:50; waiting in a queue of traffic until 18:03 to join the A5. The journey went smoothly until I arrived
at the southern end of the dual carriageway which bypasses Milton Keynes; the
tailback from the roundabout being quite considerable. Having cleared this, traffic again was free
flowing until I arrived in Dunstable, where I encountered traffic light
hell! And I just can’t believe there’s
so much traffic on the road at 18:40 in the evening! Anyway, I had no
further traffic related problems on the way home; arriving at 19:10. There was just time to eat an evening meal,
before uploading my photographs onto my laptop (but not onto the internet);
writing my blog and an overview of Choc’s Racing Post column before turning
in. It was later
reported that Josh Moore was okay, just a little battered and bruised
following his mishap in the first race of the day. Click here for photos – Gallery 1 Click here for photos – Gallery 2 Click here for photos – Interview with Matt Chapman |
