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Jump Racing returns to Windsor

Home Forums Horse Racing Jump Racing returns to Windsor

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  • #1657328
    Avatar photoespmadrid
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    • Total Posts 620

    Good news, Windsor bringing jump racing back in 2024.

    Not the old figure of 8 though, a new oval course.

    ....and you've got to look a long way back for anything else.

    #1657329
    Avatar photoGladiateur
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    • Total Posts 4760

    Excellent news. I wonder if the programme will be similar to the old one?

    Probably won’t be, but if they bring back the New Year’s Day Hurdle and the Fairlawne Chase, I’ll be happy.

    #1657330
    Avatar photoespmadrid
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    • Total Posts 620

    Doesn’t look like an oval. Looks very similar to the old course, anti-clockwise circuit, but without the crossover.

    A few races from the past…….










    ....and you've got to look a long way back for anything else.

    #1657333
    Avatar photoCork All Star
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    • Total Posts 9083

    Good to hear and thanks for the links.

    Windsor was a good jumps track. New Year’s Day there was always enjoyable. I hope that fixture returns.

    #1657336
    Avatar photoIanDavies
    Blocked
    • Total Posts 12998

    Nice bit of Retro News.

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    #1657340
    Avatar photorobnorth
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    I think the course line they are intending to use is similar to one used in the distant past, pre-war possibly, a ‘squeezed oval’ going left-handed at the far end rather the figure 8. As espmadrid suggests it doesn’t use the cross-over so will save chopping up that part of the course in winter, possibly one of the reasons for dropping jumpnig in hte first place. Paddock bend back in use for racing, clearly safe for jumping if not for flat.

    #1657343
    Avatar photoEx RubyLight
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    #1657360
    Avatar photorobnorth
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    • Total Posts 7578

    -ish, but they will bearing right at the ‘cross-over’ and going left handed around the far turn, so it’s a squashed oval rather than a figure-8.

    #1657363
    Landafar
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    • Total Posts 854

    I wish/dream for the return of Towcester… :cry:

    #1657370
    Avatar photoIanDavies
    Blocked
    • Total Posts 12998

    That would make our good retro news day complete, Landafar.

    I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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    #1657386
    apracing
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    • Total Posts 3778

    When Windsor originally gave up NH racing (well before the one season when it replaced Ascot), the then clerk of the course, Hugo Bevan, was quite specific about the reason.

    Money.

    The crowds for NH racing were much lower than they would get for a Monday evening flat meeting, they spent less money when they were there and the cost of running NH meetings was much higher.

    I guess that this time, the Monday evenings will be retained and the NH meetings will replace afternoon meetings currently held in April and October, which ARC can always move to Lingfield or Wolverhampton.

    #1657388
    Avatar photoCork All Star
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    • Total Posts 9083

    Windsor replaced Ascot for two seasons but only for the November and December fixtures.

    I went to one of the Fridays in November and a Saturday in December (the day Baracouda won the Long Walk). There was a reasonable crowd on the Friday and a good sized crowd on the Saturday.

    Maybe the novelty of Windsor having the jumps back added to the numbers (and the fact it was clearly just a short term arrangement) but if the track puts on decent quality racing the crowds will go. Windsor got low crowds before because a lot of its jumps racing was moderate.

    #1657479
    Marlingford
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    • Total Posts 1622

    Great news, really hope this works out well for Windsor.

    And a great excuse to post some footage of old races – thanks espmadrid :-)

    That novice chase won by No Pain No Gain is quite something – 18 runners, and it wasn’t even a handicap! Different times…

    #1657498
    Helcatmudwrestler
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    • Total Posts 455

    I remember the last time i went jump meeting at Windsor , i used to enjoy an early mid week winter meeting , perks of shift work. March 1990 , backed horse call Mr Fog Patches ex Fred Winter horse i think , was omen bet on misty day , couldnt pick his feet up . Looking it up it was the Freddie Star Challenge Trophy Hurdle .
    A few of the Chelsea squad were there that day , sure Kerry Dixon was main man in attendance .
    Of note looking back through , huge fields , 16 runners smallest field in 7 race card !!!

    #1657499
    Helcatmudwrestler
    Participant
    • Total Posts 455

    I remember the last time i went a jump meeting at Windsor , i used to enjoy a Mon or Tues winter meeting , perks of shift work. March 1990 , backed horse call Mr Fog Patches ex Fred Winter horse i think , was omen bet on misty day , couldnt pick his feet up . Looking it up it was the Freddie Star Challenge Trophy Hurdle .
    A few of the Chelsea squad were there that day , sure Kerry Dixon was main man in attendance .
    Of note looking back through , huge fields , 16 runners smallest field in 7 race card !!!

    #1657510
    Avatar photoIanDavies
    Blocked
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    What it might look like: https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.activeboard.com/2573401?AWSAccessKeyId=1XXJBWHKN0QBQS6TGPG2&Expires=1691625600&Signature=3gAH7zNsAkpajs4Q4gx88%2F24iDs%3D

    Some worrying rumours flying about regarding what this might mean for Fontwell Park in the same ownership.

    I hope the rumours are untrue – as if that once idyllic West Sussex track hadn’t been ruined enough already by overuse and turning sections of it on home bends into AW.

    I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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    #1657568
    Father_Jack
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    • Total Posts 190

    That novice chase won by No Pain No Gain is quite something – 18 runners, and it wasn’t even a handicap! Different times…

    And “canned” horses hooves sounds :cry:

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