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Tremendous day, kept my head above water with the betting and got some good paddock notes for the future.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"ARC – great value on annual badges, terrible value on individual days, but do seem to offer one free day a year at each track.
Windsor Monday 17th October is free in advance, maximum four tickets per applicant.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Thank you for your contribution, sir.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"It’s been a while since I last went to Kempton Park and I’d decided that, “some sunny day,” I’d get there early, park up, and walk the old Jubilee course before racing.
I’d pencilled in this Sunday, less than an hour up the M3, and only £15 (free with R4R points).
But the weather forecast isn’t great and although there’s a 3yo Hurdle (Chezza likes those) the overall entry doesn’t inspire.
“Star” of the show is OR 156 over hurdles Sceau Royal, last year’s winner, in the Pattern contest which used to be the John Skeaping Hurdle at Sandown Park.
Used to attract the likes of Sea Pigeon and Birds Nest back in the day.
And last time I attended this fixture, The New One hammered then Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby.
A 156 horse who hasn’t won for a year doesn’t quite do it for me somehow.
Chezza NR, I suspect.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"In 1984, Brownes Gazette and Townley Stone won their respective divisions of the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford-upon-Avon prior to finishing first and third in the Supreme at Cheltenham.
I was there.
Today, 38 years later, I returned.
Very enjoyable day and I won’t be leaving it 38 years until my third visit.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I have only visited Stratford once. It was to the same meeting because I remember the main meeting was Champions Day at Newmarket, on that card which used to feature the Champion Stakes, Dewhurst and Cesarewitch before someone decided it was much better to run the Champion Stakes on heavy ground at Ascot.
All I can remember is I had one bet at Stratford which was well held in second place before the leader fell at the last. And Tony McCoy rode the short priced favourite to win the selling Hurdle after being in last place and hard ridden after a circuit. It was almost like his Wichita Linesman ride and would have attracted far more attention had it been at a bigger meeting.
I am sure Stratford used to have a meeting in between Christmas and New Year but it has a much shorter season now, rather like Newton Abbot and Worcester. Two more tracks next to rivers.
My recollection of 1984 was the coach taking a detour from the main stands and ending up at an entrance on the home turn and watching Browne’s Gazette and Townley Stone head towards us as they reached the home turn them race away from us.
But looking at the track yesterday, though it’s possible a new housing development could have replaced all that, this would have been fully two furlongs from the finish.
I didn’t get chance to walk the course, but next visit I will explore and one of the older local racegoers I spoke to did say there used to be an enclosure in that general direction.
Cracking little venue to be fair.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Pity that Aintree appears to have discontinued the Countryside theme of the Old Roan meeting. Especially as it has reverted to a Halloween theme with a noisy Haunted House and Ghost Train near the paddock.
At least the racing was good. There was also a display of former racehorses being retrained for eventing. One of them was Might Bite, who looked on good terms with himself. That was nice to see because he did not look like he was enjoying being a racehorse towards the end of his career.
Vieux Lion Rouge was in the parade ring before the feature race and looked in good form as well.
The words ‘Halloween’ and ‘theme’ send shivers down my spine separately, never mind together. What an odd thing for a race meeting.
Always good to hear that former racehorses are doing well 👍🏻
The Old Roan meeting had a Halloween vibe about 10 years ago with funfair rides, ghost trains etc. It got a bit annoying because it was quite noisy.
Then it switched to being a Countryside Day, with pony rides for children, falconry displays, ferret racing, craft stalls etc. It was far better, plenty to see between races and not quite so noisy.
I can only assume Aintree decided there was more money to be made from the Halloween stuff. There certainly seemed to be lots more families and children there than last year, although the attendance then was still affected by the Covid situation.
I also reckon the countryside theme was not an ideal fit with Liverpool. The day never really promoted hunting but I think some people might have had that perception and were put off.
I remember when A Day At The Races had a racing theme/vibe – I used to like that.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I have described what Aintree was like last Sunday, so it is in keeping with the spirit of the thread.
CAS- I think you’ve misunderstood what Chezza was saying.
He wasn’t (I believe) criticising your post but instead reminiscing about when going racing was about the racing itself, not some arbitrary theme.
I know, CAS, I was nostalgically just being (even more) cantankerous (than usual).
Gladders got what I meant and sums it up well.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Just as a general rule of thumb – you, CAS, Gladders, Richard, others too, I might occasionally disagree (as you all do with me too) but I never have less than maximum respect for the opinions of all of you always.
I’ve read too much wit, wisdom, perception and common sense from all of you these past few years to ever think otherwise.
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"
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