forum.sports-pro.co.uk

[jennywales]

WELL IT WASN’T THE TITANIC, BUT IT WAS A DAMN CLOSE RUN THING

We all look forward to Cheltenham. Even those of us whose interests are literary rather than equine. And we particularly look forward to the first (race) meeting of the season, in October (The October Meeting, otherwise called “The Showcase” for some reason best known to the marketing people). There are many aspects to the October meeting, including the fact that it is the first “big” meeting of the jumping season; but I refuse to call it The Showcase on the grounds that this is (a) meaningless and (b) meaningless. There are a few trade stands and other such, including a lecture on the physiology of the horse, with a real horse which had been spray painted with coloured illustrations of the internal organs. How they managed to do this without being dragged, paint spray clutched in nerveless fingers, into the next county, is anyone’s guess. The British Racing School is represented by its newest horse riding simulator, there are ports of call for those interested in breeding, owning, contributing to the rehabilitation of racehorses (compulsory, this one) and so on. This is all well and good, and might increase the sales of Injured Jockey Fund Christmas cards, but it was a pity that the one lecture I was looking forward to – on handicapping – was cancelled with no reason given. This was an unfortunate start to an unfortunate day, in almost every sense of the word apart from the weather, which was magnificent throughout. And the course, of course, which was also looking magnificent. And the atmosphere, which was extremely pleasant (oh how I do love these “less popular” meetings at Cheltenham, when you can actually see the place, wander round at will, talk to people, be at leisure and enjoy good company and simply and straightforwardly some decent racing on one of the most picturesque courses in the country.)

So let no-one say I am trying to “write a blight” on the day – far from it. There were only two niggles, one of which is down to the course management, and the other exclusively down to me – to which I will come, painfully, in a paragraph or two – and yes, I am trying to avoid the issue.

Niggle one concerns car parks. I arrived early (at 12.15) because I was lunching at the course. The first race was due off at 14.20. Imagine my surprise, when driving into the useful (free) public car park – the one where the coaches park – to find that it was already three-quarters full. I thought I had been the victim of a Dr Who timeslip and it was March….but no, the parking has been farmed out to a new contractor, and (this is only a guess) they had retained the park and ride facility to Cheltenham town, which was full up, and had seriously underestimated the numbers attending. I do hope they get it right come November, or even March – otherwise, this is a recipe for disaster and chaos.

Having got that out of my system, and some smoked salmon and champagne into it, onwards to the racing. Now this meeting is one which can repay a bit of paddock-watching. Some horses will be decently fit, and some not quite so fit. So those who are decently fit are likely to have a better chance, perhaps at longish odds, Er…..a fine theory, but what about the practice?

In the first, my pick of the paddock came nowhere (out of a field of only 6 – a tad disappointing – this was a poor effort.) The hot favourite was overturned, and Alan King’s Dragon Eye won fairly easily. One for Alan King. Nil for me.

Next, a novices’ steeplechase, where most eyes (but not mine) were on Ring the Boss, who had been winning over hurdles and has also been much touted as one of Hobbs’s good things. He duly won by a margin, but I am convinced that had Razor Royale not fallen over at the second last I would have collected. I am also still convinced that Razor Royale has a decent race in him, and that Ring the Boss is likely to chuck in the towel if seriously challenged over the last couple of furlongs; but that may just be wishful thinking. Quattrocento, who I saw in the winners’ enclosure (3rd) looked absolutely magnificent, and I daresay he will win a race in the not too distant.

Both the first two races were run at a decent pace, and this remained true for the rest – none of this silly dawdling about and worrying about tactics.

The third, a handicap novices’ hurdle, held no real pointers for future big races, and was won, not unexpectedly, by the Nicholls/Walsh combination. Ruby did one of his best “stalk the leaders very carefully and wait till the hill, then pounce” rides. The pleasure in watching an excellent ride was slightly marred by the fact that my pick (Distiller of Twiston-Davies) duly finished where expected by the book – in the middle of the pack.

The handicap chase, a field of second tier quality, was led a merry dance by Frankie Figg. In fact, I think a few people were hoping/expecting that Frankie Figg would actually hold on – but no, here comes the horse I picked on the form, but actually didn’t back because in the end I preferred something else at a longer price. Parsons’ Legacy won a good battle up the run in, and Nirvana Swing, bless him, trotted back 97 lengths to the bad but still fit and well, which I suppose was some consolation.

I will draw a discreet veil over the fifth, sponsored by some unpronounceable Spanish company, when Love and Glory was done on the line by Simarian, literally by a nose, having been at the head of affairs throughout. I felt sorry for Love and Glory, and even sorrier for me, because my pick was again swallowed up in the crowd, and his flashy white legs didn’t seem to do him much good.

On to the amateurs. I always like these races because a knowledge of the pointing and hunter chasing scene can sometimes give you an edge in the picking winners department. So I had a bit on Some Craic, one of Michael Hourigan’s over from Ireland. A decent price, and ridden by Derek O’Connor. Also Beauchamp Prince, on the form in with a chance, and ridden by the current champion Ollie Greenall. One of the highlights of the race was an absolutely magnificent sit by Alan Kinirons at the fence in front of the stands, which was totally and unjustifiably ignored by the commentator. Mr Apple’s repeated his win of last year, and I now find that, to my chagrin, I tipped him then and completely forgot this success…Mine came nowhere……

I did have a wee win at 10/1 in the last race, but by that time it didn’t seem much compensation for what had gone before.

I left a beaten person…….But it was a lovely day, with some lovely racing, so I can’t complain about the loss of the house, car, grandchildren, cows, donkeys and so on……


© JennyWales 2008