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I’m not the biggest flat fan but am following it even more distantly this year because we seem to have no potential superstar waiting in the wings yet. That’s always the biggest thrill, seeing the next potential wonder horse!
Nay, nay and thrice nay! "Superstars" are fine enough every thirty years or so, but this year’s classics and the built up "narrative" of the trials are proving even more fascinating than usual, simply because there are no standouts.
It’s wonderfully absorbing to see fine colts such as Bullet Train and Chabal, and fillies such as today’s winner of the Irish 1000 Gns Trial at Leopardstown (Bethrah) developing into serious prospects – as well as enjoying the pleasure of seeing such stunning specimens of the breed in their paces.
It’s too easy to get drugged and addicted to USA-style "superstar" hype; but as with all drugs this one leads to withdrawal symptoms and depression in the short to medium term.
Instead, why not go cold turkey? Why not try to enjoy these marvellous Trials for what they are: fascinating and absorbing moves in a developing chess game. This week – the Dante and Musidora, just for starters. I for one can’t wait.
Does seem rather strange timing to air a thread like this
Whatever one’s views of the Flat season as a whole – or Flat racing in general – few would deny surely that the Guineas and Chester meetings see it shifting from a spluttering misfire into cruise-control top gear with a regular supply of fine racing until a short hiatus ‘twixt Glorious and Ebor
Can’t say I follow the Flat with remotely the same degree of vigour and verve I used to but May and June were – and remain –
la creme de la saison
, despite the bigwigs best efforts to balls it all up
This tweedy twighopper finds an October – May NH season more than adequate thank you very much and enjoys a summer on gardening leave punctuated by a bit of the Flat, fleet, fast and sleek
Watch it, follow it, punt it if that’s your thing… or ignore it, but don’t knock it
vive la difference
I’m with you on that Drone, though can we extend the season to include mid June when the point to point season ends at Umberleigh, oh, and I never wear tweeds as it is too flipping cold going jumping in May. wind was freezing at Northaw on Monday.
DJ, I agree with you. These threads are completely tiresome but its easy to crack under the strain. I counted SIX different posts from known twig suspects slagging off the flat last week. Its like chinese water torture; there is only so much a levelhead can take.
Twiggies!
Don’t like the flat? Do something else this summer. Simples! Don’t bore us with your problem. I watch about nine days of jump racing every year – and for those nine days I wear the greenest wellies, hire the most strapping of gundogs and secrete the warmest of hip flasks in my ancient Barbour. I’m happy with that.
While I’m busy doing something else, you twigmen are experiencing uninhibited joy and the world continues to turn.
One more thing. This thing about friendliness. JJM Sports, the banter at a Southwell AW meeting p***es all over the jumps experience. Seriously. I go to both codes. The local tweedcaps take it all far too seriously. Arkle prospects in a summer bumper? Yeh ok, pal.
End of June Bob – end of the French jumping season and the last graded races at Auteuil.
Starts again just in time for Galway though
On the Sunday racing issue, I’m very pleased that it is mainly used for National Hunt racing. It gives the Flat afficionados a chance to either recuperate and catch up, or alternatively pay attention to the top races in Ireland and on the Continent.
On how the season is progressing, although I am a Southerner, I have always regarded Yorkshire as the spiritual home of Flat racing. Several of the Yorkshire trainers are motoring nicely, thankyou.
Yep, these threads crop up with the regularity of ‘Francombe’ and are nearly as annoying
Anyway, those planning to cough up a hefty wedge of hard-earned for the privilege of spending an afternoon in the Members’ at York this week may be interested to know the stand has grown a carbuncle: what looks like an elevated conservatory has been built on the back, opposite the weighing room (old winner’s enclosure) and it appears as though it will be a ‘just in time’ job getting it finished for Wednesday with carpet-layers, painters, decorators and cleaners swarming all over it this weekend
I believe the ancient Melrose Stand has been tarted up internally too
So enjoy your Pimms and Fresh Paint
York in May not Nuts in May, thanks
Some National Hunt fans remind me of GAA followers in that they cant seem to enjoy their own sport without feeling the need to knock someone else’s. "You’d never see that at a soccer match" they jeer when fans of rival counties occupy the same terrace, seemingly oblivious to the protagonists pulling the heads off each other on the field of play (Gaelic Football).
Sure you’d never see that sort of carry on down in Thurles Ger:
http://www.inpho.ie/cache/inpho/31/12/7f/614a6398ffbfd9531ee0b73731.jpg
Have they found Tony Browne’s shoulder after that match yet?!
The flat season for me is a bit like the soccer circus. Driven purely by money and ridiculously overhyped. I’ll retain an interest in it and enjoy elements of it but I’ll always be primarily a NH man. NH racing is more like our Football/Hurling over here. There’s more of a sense that lads are in it for the love of the game. The main objective on the flat is to produce top stallions & broodmares, not true champions on the racecourse. If the opposite was the case then the likes of Sea The Stars and Zarkava would have been kept in training to put their reputations on the line time and time again as 4yos and 5yos like the top jumpers do.
Another possible star for the Flat is a no show so far.
Arazan
has had another setback, and won’t be out until the latter part of the season, if at all. (Oxx Stable tour, RP today.)
Ok, steady on chaps!
Was just saying because ALWAYS preffered the flat to the twigs
until this season, which I found breath-taking.Oh, and Rugby League is my preferance anyway, people need to calm down, was just wondering with the ‘is it just me?’ type of feeling!
I kind of agree with JJM in that this flat season has been "lacking something", but it’s early days, and I don’t think it was the best Guineas we’ve seen, which didn’t help. I’m sure it won’t be long in sparking into life though. I would hate to see the NH season judged on the first few weeks, it would hardly be fair would it?
Well this is it isn’t it? … early days!
Flat racing will nearly always start off slower than NH because those of us who love flat racing (I’m one) have to wait ‘n’ see a new potential superstar as the season progresses. Fans of NH already have their perennial superstars to look forward to (Kauto Star and Big Bucks being prime examples) whilst us Flat fans have to savour the moment with annual superstars (Sea The Stars) that are all too often taken away from us prematurely.
While I do like NH, there are just too many fallers and fatalities that kinda tarnish it for me.
I agree with what JJM said, and don’t think it was meant as a put down on flat racing. I always felt miserable after the Grand National, knowing that I had to wait till the Autumn for the jumps to restart properly. However, I loved every minute of last years flat season and when we had a National Hunt Preview all I could think about was Zenyatta at the Breeders Cup a few days before. At the weekend, the S.O. turned to me and asked if I’d found the Chester meeting had fallen a bit flat, and I admitted that I had. Can’t see a problem with asking like minded people on a forum such as this if they felt the same. It’s not as if most of us can ask eg people that we work with, because if most people are like me they don’t know many people interested enough in racing to voice an opinion.
You likely to be at Kingston Blount on 30th by any chance Bob?
That’s the plan. As you know I use public transport as I don’t drive – slight medical hiccup. The bus stops at Stockenchurch on a Sunday and I often have church commitements which prevent too many Sunday meets I’ve been offered a lift by Neale Blackburn the photographer (Chasdog is his website, good too). so as long as I can get a train to somewhere near him then all will be well. Be in touch nearer the time about it. Probably through a PM. Then again why not try promoting more twig hopping on the run up to Epsom.
Thanks Bob
My plan is to get a train to High Wycombe, bus to Stokenchurch and then walk it from there as it only looks like a kilometre or so. Might end up missing a race or two at the end mind depending on the finishing time.Looks like being my last trip of the year to a Pointing track though just bought a share via Jumping For Fun in a horse with Maz Scudamore so will be going to see him sometime over the summer too
Martin
I have to say I was never really into the flat until last year and STS. I watched him at the Guineas meeting and ended up following the flat through out the summer then. Personally I think it is as good as the NH once you follow it. The only thing is following it takes more effort than NH. It can be a bit of information overload in following all the new 2 year olds, breeding etc.
Thanks Bob
My plan is to get a train to High Wycombe, bus to Stokenchurch and then walk it from there as it only looks like a kilometre or so. Might end up missing a race or two at the end mind depending on the finishing time.Looks like being my last trip of the year to a Pointing track though just bought a share via Jumping For Fun in a horse with Maz Scudamore so will be going to see him sometime over the summer too
Martin
Watch it mate, it is a bit further than it looks and is quite hilly. Must be two miles and I don’t ever fancy that road. Take care and have fun.
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