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Commentary-wise, Craig, I suppose you could always have a word with your former mentor Robin Gray to see if you could do a guest turn at any of Hackwood Park’s point-to-point meetings (for which he is both press contact and commentator).
I think that might be something to do in addition to your formal day at the races, though, as there are a couple of things on your list of requirements (not least a restaurant) that Hackwood Park and all other pointing venues lack, love them as I do!
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Craig,
if you are wanting to show Mrs Braddick how a proper English gentleman would introduce a lady to the "Sport of Kings" then may i suggest perhaps Booking into a Swish London Hotel, i would recommend
the Sheraton on Park lane, its a lot cheaper than the Ritz which is only 200 yds up the road and you could unfortunately bump into John McCririck
in there (not a ladies man). You could then either take a cab, or even the train from Waterloo to Sandown Park, it takes less than 30 mins. You will find Sandown a very accomodating track regarding hospitality,(you may even get to introduce your good lady to Alastair down, whom could share
stories and anecdotes of war! Everything he says is related to it), but more
importantly its only 2nd to Cheltenham as far as a test for a jumper! Most meetings have quality fields and if you can get a viewpoint by the 3 railway
fences you should get the real sensation of Horse and rider in unison!
After a fine afternoons racing, if you should wish to eat close to the hotel
then look no further than the "Wolesey" its next door to the Ritz! Excellent Restaurant without being "Snotty"! Then back to the Hotel for Champagne
and the chance to land the last leg of your "Lucky 69"!
"London a great city with great racing" Good Luck!Lingfield ticks all the boxes except the standing by a fence bit and they have had guest commentators before.
The restaurant overlooking the track and home straight gives good views and decent nosh at a fair price and for an added bonus Lingfield is next to gatwick airport so you could stay a night in one of the hotels at the airport and get a cab to the course and back again.
And they run the bumpers on the AW track – I’m sure they’d let you call that one at least – it’d be just like an american race, except longer with slower horses
Wold have said Perth Hexam Kelso and Carlisle in that order myself but as you don’t want to go too far north I would consider Haydock.
You get a better class of racing and better facitlities than most. Very easy to get there and far enouug away from France to make sure you don’t run into any froggies……except a few French bred horses.
You can dress as you like because if they let John McCririck in they will let any one in. If it lacks anything it can be more like a social gathering for Avon agents in some sections of the course’
If it’s a down to earth track where you rub shoulders with everyone from Paul Nichols to Peter the Punter Uttoxeter is a great day out.
If it’s a down to earth track where you rub shoulders with everyone from Paul Nichols to Peter the Punter Uttoxeter is a great day out.
Yeh and you would have to dress like a Kipper! surrounded by Sardines
its a joke of a course for just trying to move! set off for the nearest bookie
1/2 an hour before the race just to get in the queue! and god help anyone
who needs the toilet! been known to pop over the 2nd last to water it!Craig,
if you are wanting to show Mrs Braddick how a proper English gentleman would introduce a lady to the "Sport of Kings" then may i suggest perhaps Booking into a Swish London Hotel, i would recommend
the Sheraton on Park lane, its a lot cheaper than the Ritz which is only 200 yds up the road and you could unfortunately bump into John McCririck
in there (not a ladies man). You could then either take a cab, …Yes leave your dear wife in the Sheraton to sleep off the journey ( the lavender pilow will sweeten her up ) and take that cab to the Lanesborough situ north side end of Park lane. No self respecting gentleman slums it in a five star without a good butler laid on. Make sure you have a high room overlooking the corner of Hyde Park you may spot a horse or two facilitating the sand.
n.b. A proper butler tip is a discreet fifty assuredly wrapped in a blue envelope and in its passing you’ll be given in exchange the inaccessable joys of private London night life – be back at 2am, and that spring in your step the next morning will be good evidence to Mrs Braddick that you’ve been watching the horses.
few years ago I bought my partner a book called From Aintree to York; Racing Round Britain by Stephen Cartmell [gc would like that bit]…keep asking for it back [ok it was a present but you only buy people things that you want youself, don’t you] anyways, a friend at work has just passed on the very same book to me as her husband thinks it’s a good read also, so it must be good….we haven’t been to all that many racecourses but every one that we have been to we’ve pretty much agreed with what the author says..[it’s really funny as well; bit Bill Bryson goes racing’ish]…well worth a read if you want to get under the skin of a lot of tracks [however, I think that Uttoxeter, my local track has gone downhill a lot since the book was written]
Mo – I agree, it really is an excellent book – my copy is very well thumbed and it is an excellent guide to UK courses as well as being a very good read.
Craig,
if you are wanting to show Mrs Braddick how a proper English gentleman would introduce a lady to the "Sport of Kings" then may i suggest perhaps Booking into a Swish London Hotel, i would recommend
the Sheraton on Park lane, its a lot cheaper than the Ritz which is only 200 yds up the road and you could unfortunately bump into John McCririck
in there (not a ladies man). You could then either take a cab, …Yes leave your dear wife in the Sheraton to sleep off the journey ( the lavender pilow will sweeten her up ) and take that cab to the Lanesborough situ north side end of Park lane. No self respecting gentleman slums it in a five star without a good butler laid on. Make sure you have a high room overlooking the corner of Hyde Park you may spot a horse or two facilitating the sand.
n.b. A proper butler tip is a discreet fifty assuredly wrapped in a blue envelope and in its passing you’ll be given in exchange the inaccessable joys of private London night life – be back at 2am, and that spring in your step the next morning will be good evidence to Mrs Braddick that you’ve been watching the horses.
LOL…sadly my Missus knows enough about London nightlife to know my returning at 2am and he spring in my step will not be caused by observing horses.
Commentary-wise, Craig, I suppose you could always have a word with your former mentor Robin Gray to see if you could do a guest turn at any of Hackwood Park’s point-to-point meetings (for which he is both press contact and commentator).
I think that might be something to do in addition to your formal day at the races, though, as there are a couple of things on your list of requirements (not least a restaurant) that Hackwood Park and all other pointing venues lack, love them as I do!
gc
For a days PtoP I think I would forego the restuarant. Hackwood Park sounds good and a chance to take Robin out for a meal somewhere afterwards, of course!
Craig
Craig,
if you are wanting to show Mrs Braddick how a proper English gentleman would introduce a lady to the "Sport of Kings" then may i suggest perhaps Booking into a Swish London Hotel, i would recommend
the Sheraton on Park lane, its a lot cheaper than the Ritz which is only 200 yds up the road and you could unfortunately bump into John McCririck
in there (not a ladies man). You could then either take a cab, …Yes leave your dear wife in the Sheraton to sleep off the journey ( the lavender pilow will sweeten her up ) and take that cab to the Lanesborough situ north side end of Park lane. No self respecting gentleman slums it in a five star without a good butler laid on. Make sure you have a high room overlooking the corner of Hyde Park you may spot a horse or two facilitating the sand.
n.b. A proper butler tip is a discreet fifty assuredly wrapped in a blue envelope and in its passing you’ll be given in exchange the inaccessable joys of private London night life – be back at 2am, and that spring in your step the next morning will be good evidence to Mrs Braddick that you’ve been watching the horses.
Gamble, i do hope your not encouraging Mr Braddick to frequent, one or two of our Gentlemens clubs in Covent Garden! He"s not coming over to
appreciate the 2 legged fillies that require a stiff blue rubber envelope
to encourage them to become a 4 limbed Classic winner from a selling
plater, that need be ridden to the line with just a little vigour! No wonder
Big mac is so anti whip!No Craig, sorry ol’ chap
but you’re totally missing the point.
Mrs Braddick sleeps alone at the Sheraton
while you nipper whats left of the night
in the forgiving blue and white striped linen at the Lanesborough.Your Butler will drive you at 10 am with flowers
for your dearest darling tied with american lace
in a presentation box sat on deep leather
tucked againt the arm rest in the back of the wild rover.The only small prob is your face
you’ll have to put it two hours forward
when you spring out of the car.
Have you not heard that song
Sherrry she ee rr y bay bee,
sure to get you in the right mood.No Craig, sorry ol’ chap
but you’re totally missing the point.
Mrs Braddick sleeps alone at the Sheraton
while you nipper whats left of the night
in the forgiving blue and white striped linen at the Lanesborough.Your Butler will drive you at 10 am with flowers
for your dearest darling tied with american lace
in a presentation box sat on deep leather
tucked againt the arm rest in the back of the wild rover.The only small prob is your face
you’ll have to put it two hours forward
when you spring out of the car.
Have you not heard that song
Sherrry she ee rr y bay bee,
sure to get you in the right mood.I have obviously spent too long in America as I have no clue what you are saying. Here we start conjugal rites with the phrase: "do you wanna F@#$"
Craig I am sorry to labour this point
but that uncoothness of yours can be cured
with two quick weeks sitting tme
at any blackballing gentlemans club worth its salt
in the capital…
and, I can personally recommend one at St James’s;
Large leather cushioned high backed armchairs
but you mustn’t stare at the east european girls
when they bring in your coffee,
however if they catch your glance in the mirror as
they adjust their apron whilst departing,
that dear Craig
is the sign of a gentleman !
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