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Pretty sure my last racecourse visit was Cheltenham in November 2009. We took a ride on the steam train into the course and persuaded the organiser to accept £20 rather than £40 for the two of us. That was my first winner of the day.
Ruby Walsh did me proud on a young horse that looked rangey and majestic in the paddock and I came away with a few sobs in my pocket at the end of the day which gave me an evening glow.You need both of your eyes trained to move indepentently if you’re with a a nice looking woman – you can be distracted to take notice of her duck eggs, rather than those in the form book – so a bit of a challenge.
Couldn’t find a double room for me and my reluctant racing squeeze (partner) and wandering about Cheltenham on the night before, everything was booked up, so I asked a somewhat strange lurking man in the street for advice. He was working for MI6 and proceeded to walk us to a good hotel he tipped us, and I can remember it was hard to keep up with him. Only one day of racing – might have been two ? Anyway MI6 picked us up in his chauffeur driven the next morning to transport us to the next hotel. Such kindness one rarely meets on a street. Same procedure the next morning and we spent some pleasant hours with him.
The Cotswolds has a lot of attractions. Visited a bird sanctuary and an old museum containing things from the thirties ( I remember an old shell petrol pump) also had some nice cream teas and got upgraded to the executive room on my last night, and tried to find the insides of MI6 but he only gave a little juice away about a famous murder which I had better not talk about.As for paddocks I have finally seen the light and am now a paid up member of the horseback appreciation society and the many followers of the Church of Tippi with her loaded shotgun
All this talk of racecourse visits is making me feel very sorry for myself. Due to various and on-going health problems I haven’t been racing since 2009. I miss it very much.
Paddock-watching is so relaxing and informative. So many winners and definite losers can be spotted there.
Sorry to hear that Colin. Must have been around the time of Ascot when we all met up?
Im dying to get back racing. I got to Fontwell and sandown twice during the December lull but compared with 30 plus times a NH season it was nothing more than a tease
Frankly we should be back racing now, but thats another story
You might be right Clive but we are paying with the hair shirt that the sin of Cheltenham last year forced upon us and the clouds will darken again if the third wave strikes. Let’s hope the curve is dropping and downwards.
Colin snap on the year, and sorry also for your more restrictive lifestyle, but we’re all contained in some way these days, but yes I appreciate your paddock pining may not be easily assuaged, and its a hard sacrifice on your two year old stats. Davies may soon be setting up a pay by view ‘silent scenes from the racecourse’ service which must be beer and skittles to your ears and many on here who favour ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud ‘ over ‘ Into the mouth of hell rode the six hundred’
Burton-On-The-Water in the morning due as the Cotswold sun casts a warm smiling glow. Another fine memory.
Clive, it was not long after that. Last run was a weekend in Sussex, Fontwell on the Sunday followed by Plumpton on Monday.
Hi! Ganble, coverage of the paddock on the box doesn’t do it for me, flesh is so important. I like the sound (no sound) of Diane’s channel, imagine never hearing the bollocks that comes out of most of their mouths.
Thank you both for your concern. The pity of it is that the alternative to getting old is not that attractive.
Never mind cheer up, Col, National Saturday and the desperate hope that all the participants return safely to their luxurious boxes on Saturday evening.
Here here to that last statement Colin.
Being more if a flat racing fanatic like you I’m worrying about all the horses coming home safely but this year it is Bristol De Mai that I am most worried about.
I actually backed him Ante Post at 25’s just because I’m such a rubbish AP punter I thought my bet would ensure he was withdrawn. Having to lump top weight and not having done the distance is a big concern along with the fact that as clever as he is he usually makes at least one bad mistake in his races and even with modified fences a tired horse will make errors.Gamble..really enjoyed your memories of Cheltenham 2009 and rejoicing that you have come out from the darkness to worship all things equine once more.
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...My late parents went on their honeymoon to the Cotswolds and I never asked them where, and doubt my visit quite matched the fire of theirs, because like Colin, I am trapped in a time machine with its dial set on the future and pigheadedly refusing to go back.
I had visited once before courtesy of Mr Black, and the Betfair umbrellas were out in force that day I put faces to a few of the boys in blue.
My last night there on the latest visit took in Burton-On-The-Water- staying at a boutique Hotel with an upgraded room and eating out at The Essence of Spice. There was a river running through the town with several walkway bridges. I was charmed into missing the last day at the races for more picturesque pursuits. But of course Tippi, you would always argue, there is nothing to beat the passion of four legs.
It sounds idyllic Gamble and the lure of a river walk could almost tempt me away from my four legged friends.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...For once I am rather lost for words Tippi, but will say this, it has great fun engaging with you, and long may this continue, whether this might be imaginary river walks, or or our shared love of four legs.
It’s all been Prince Phillip tonight and he had a long life and one filled with huge energy. I have some personal views on his ninety nine years which have been touched on this evening in various television reports, but not aired or explored as directly as sits in my mind, and held back by the sadness of his death, and the Queen’s loss and the respect this long union deserves. Princess Anne shares his intelligence and sharpness and directness.
Although limited as a consort and yes always two frustratingly steps behind, he was the King of splash with an acid wit that kept the otherwise somewhat boring monarchy alive and relevant, in a world now ruled by social media soundbytes.
I am looking forward to going racing at Alexandra Palace, “Ally Pally” to some.
Granted there won’t actually be any racing there, but the fringe benefit of that is there won’t be many people either and it’s always a nice walk round on a summer’s day.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Thanks for posting that Ian. I like reading about our lost racecourses and watching the footage that survives of them.
Look at the size of the crowd! I suppose there were fewer things competing for the “leisure pound” back then. And false starts were clearly an issue in those days as well as now.
I would have loved to have gone racing at Alexandra Park. I walked around the remains of the track a few years ago. It is difficult to imagine horses charging around there. I believe a lot of jockeys did not like it – Willie Carson said it “wanted bombing”!
I think I am right in saying the London Cup is now run at Newbury.
The first few Great British Beer Festivals – in the late ’70s – were held at Alexandra Palace; and one year, due to a fire in the building, it was held in marquees down on the ‘frying pan’ itself. It was certainly a challenge negotiating the undulations and tight turns after a gallon or so of real ale (ho ho)
Seeing the Palace on the right and shortly afterwards the Emirates Stadium on the left from a speeding rattler on the East Coast Mainline always raises a ‘welcome to London’ smile. Look forward to smiling again sometime soon, behind a mask, of course
Great video Ian I’d have loved the chance to go racing there.
Drone .. Having grown up in E17 getting closer to London on the train always brings a smile to my face like driving past the iconic Walthamstow Stadium when visiting my sister.
I’ve lived longer now in Essex near Maldon and the River Blackwater than I have in London but as comedienne Gina Yashere says it’s getting back to your Roots! Your Roots!
Jac
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Gamble..Very sad news about Prince Phillip’s passing and although he almost reached 100 years it still came as a shock to suddenly see the headlines confirming that he had died. My first thoughts were for our Queen and then I got cross at Harry and Megan because not only had the ageing Prince been denied seeing his great grandson because of their selfish decision to quit ‘The Firm’ and start a new life in the US but also when he had been seriously ill in hospital 3 weeks back and the Queen was alone at Windsor Castle, they were busy appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show accusing members of the Royal family of racial discrimination.
I can imagine what his response to that nonsense would have been… unprintable. RIP Prince Phillip .Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...“The first few Great British Beer Festivals – in the late ’70s – were held at Alexandra Palace”.
I really missed my annual trip to the GBBF last year. It would be good to think it will go ahead this year but I am not hopeful.
Sad to think that Walthamstow Stadium has gone as well as Alexandra Park. And Wimbledon as well.
I’ve lived longer now in Essex near Maldon and the River Blackwater than I have in London but as comedienne Gina Yashere says it’s getting back to your Roots! Your Roots!
The Smoke ain’t my roots but I’ve always enjoyed a few days ambling the smelly old streets. Don’t really know Essex but did fetch up in Saffron Walden once and partook of a cream tea amidst its timber-framed charms
Apropos of rivers: the one which flows through the perfumed streets of Bourton-on-the-Water is the Windrush, which lent its name to the eponymous ship and hence the ‘windrush generation’
Back on topic: I think the Dante Meeting at York falls a few days before racecourses will be permitted to open again but if it is open I’ll endeavour to go. Musidora day is usually pleasantly peaceful
Hmmm interesting Drone about The Windrush and it wasnt very wide – about 30 feet across as I remember.
I am usually in Notting Hill every weekend and I make that a long weekend and sometimes extend. About five minutes walk from where I am sitting now (am in my leather winged armchair sitting by a large expansive window) would have been the entrance to the Kensington Hippodrome. It was only open five years but was as large in area as Hyde Park. When it closed they used to race ostriches there and I presume a false start was an ostrich with its head in the sand.
Tippi – Prince Phillip’s death has rather interfered with my usual Grand National early morning (usually 1 am) deep thought tradition, by taking over my mind.
I have looked down the list and plonked a fiver to win on takingrisks just to have an interest. Good luck to you and all.
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