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Maybe its because its run at soulless Doncaster but isn’t this years St Leger the most boring classic ever? I prefer jumps racing yet still like to watch some of the flat action, but still Doncaster has the zzzzzz factor for me.
Maybe its because its run at soulless Doncaster but isn’t this years St Leger the most boring classic ever? I prefer jumps racing yet still like to watch some of the flat action, but still Doncaster has the zzzzzz factor for me.
‘Soulless’? Doncasters a proper Grade 1 Racecourse with loyal,knowledgeable locals who support every meeting,the town has grown in the past 20 years and moved with the times but its roots surround the oldest Classic,there’s a culture in Doncaster steeped with Horseracing and ask any local who they think the best horse to set foot on Town Moor is and to a man its
Nijinsky
.Tomorrows Classic is a wide open event and will be a cracker as it is every year………You should go oneday!
The St Leger is the only UK Classic I haven’t attended but plan to go for the one and only time tomorrow so I, at least, get the full set in before I finish.
It somehow doesn’t have the lustre of the other classics, possibly because it seems to come ages after The Derby, whereas the first four classics are in a four week period so the momentum is maintained.
If I’m going to be totally honest I’m feeling quite indifferent about tomorrow – in truth I’m only going to "tick a box"
I’m one of those rare people who don’t like Donny – viewing is poor, made worse at the Leger Festival (I’ve been to the supporting days before) by all the marquees in the centre of the course.
Sadly it is also one of those courses which attracts boozy crowds on the big days.
The one redeeming factor of tomorrows visit is that as I drive away I will know that, like York and Chester, I will never be going there again.
The one redeeming factor of tomorrows visit is that as I drive away I will know that, like York and Chester, I will never be going there again.
Oh dear,pass me the Razor blade! Have you ever been to Southwell Paul?
The one redeeming factor of tomorrows visit is that as I drive away I will know that, like York and Chester, I will never be going there again.
Oh dear,pass me the Razor blade! Have you ever been to Southwell Paul?
I’ve been to every UK racecourse
Southwell is what you would expect it to be – it doesn’t have the pretentiousness of the likes of Chester, York or Donny – with Southwell what you see is what you get and you go there without any expectations.
In truth I generally much prefer the "smaller" courses to the so called "big" ones – more down to earth, most are there for the racing and not to get bladdered.
There are exceptions, of course, of teh biggies I love both Ascot and Goodwood and of the small ones I don’t like Wolverhampton particularly and I used to find Folkestone depressing.
Give me a day at the likes of Fakenham, Huntingdon, Kelso, Hexham, Fontwell or indeed any of the so called "gaff" NH tracks any day.
The one redeeming factor of tomorrows visit is that as I drive away I will know that, like York and Chester, I will never be going there again.
Oh dear,pass me the Razor blade! Have you ever been to Southwell Paul?
I’ve been to every UK racecourse
Southwell is what you would expect it to be – it doesn’t have the pretentiousness of the likes of Chester, York or Donny – with Southwell what you see is what you get and you go there without any expectations.
In truth I generally much prefer the "smaller" courses to the so called "big" ones – more down to earth, most are there for the racing and not to get bladdered.
There are exceptions, of course, of teh biggies I love both Ascot and Goodwood and of the small ones I don’t like Wolverhampton particularly and I used to find Folkestone depressing.
Give me a day at the likes of Fakenham, Huntingdon, Kelso, Hexham, Fontwell or indeed any of the so called "gaff" NH tracks any day.
Hi Paul,
The only racecourse I’ve been to in Britain is Aintree – I was there the day Big Bucks’ won his first Liverpool Hurdle. While I thoroughly enjoyed the day, I do remember that the viewing wasn’t particularly good.
Have you ever been to any of the Irish tracks?
Fair enough Paul,I respect those who can back it up.If you’ve been to every course in the country,which in your opinion has the strongest local cultural ties whereby every meeting is supported Rain or shine and is always a highpoint as a sociable event? Mine would be Pontefract.An amazing place ino.
Fair enough Paul,I respect those who can back it up.If you’ve been to every course in the country,which in your opinion has the strongest local cultural ties whereby every meeting is supported Rain or shine and is always a highpoint as a sociable event? Mine would be Pontefract.An amazing place ino.
Ponty is always a good course to visit but the one that answers your question 100% is Fakenham.
There is always a good crowd, the locals love the place and are knowledgeable and the biggest giveaway is I would say the majority of the crowd sport annual members badges.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a point-to-point but Fakenham is the nearest you will get to one under rules.
I think the Clerk of the course makes a huge difference there as he is very much part of the local country set.
I haven’t been to them that many times but I get the impression Perth and Kelso are similar.
Indeed I’m popping up to Perth the week after next and I can’t wait to get back there again – it’s been far too long since my last vist there
Hi Paul,
The only racecourse I’ve been to in Britain is Aintree – I was there the day Big Bucks’ won his first Liverpool Hurdle. While I thoroughly enjoyed the day, I do remember that the viewing wasn’t particularly good.
Have you ever been to any of the Irish tracks?
Aintree is buzzing at the National meeting although I prefer Thursday as it is quieter. At the other meetings I find it too big for the crowds they attract.
I’ve done 11 of the Irish courses and I’ve yet to find one I don’t like!!!
Hi Paul,
The only racecourse I’ve been to in Britain is Aintree – I was there the day Big Bucks’ won his first Liverpool Hurdle. While I thoroughly enjoyed the day, I do remember that the viewing wasn’t particularly good.
Have you ever been to any of the Irish tracks?
Aintree is buzzing at the National meeting although I prefer Thursday as it is quieter. At the other meetings I find it too big for the crowds they attract.
I’ve done 11 of the Irish courses and I’ve yet to find one I don’t like!!!
That’s more than I’ve been to, fair play! I love going to Leopardstown for the Christmas Festival and Hennessy Day: excellent viewing, top class racing and a great atmosphere. Most people who are there are there for the racing too. Of the smaller tracks I’ve been to, Gowran is my favourite.
ask any local who they think the best horse to set foot on Town Moor is and to a man its
Nijinsky
.
Surely Toronado…….
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That’s what makes St Leger Day great – the locals.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Maybe its because its run at soulless Doncaster but isn’t this years St Leger the most boring classic ever? I prefer jumps racing yet still like to watch some of the flat action, but still Doncaster has the zzzzzz factor for me.
Yawn same old thread every year same boring comment let’s pic on Doncaster
yawn yawn yawn change the record if you don’t like Doncaster go and do something else it brings in lots for the local economy a lot of people find the Leger and it’s support races a highlight.Maybe you should take this week as your chance to do something else every year we have the same people giving the same boring opinion I hoped for once this wasn’t going to happen.
That’s more than I’ve been to, fair play! I love going to Leopardstown for the Christmas Festival and Hennessy Day: excellent viewing, top class racing and a great atmosphere. Most people who are there are there for the racing too. Of the smaller tracks I’ve been to, Gowran is my favourite.
I really like Leopardstown as well, it would be easily in my top five UK and Irish courses and is my favourite Irish course (so far).
I was a bit disappointed with the Curragh, mainly because I couldn’t work out which course was which – it makes Longchamp look easy
I quite liked both Listowel and, for it’s rustic charm, Thurles.
Laytown, obviously, is something quite surreal – it’s great arriving there about six hours before racing when there is virtually nothing there, then watching a racecourse appear from nowhere, only being finished about 15 mins before the opening race. I’m sure that could only happen in Ireland – and I mean that in an affectionate, not condescending, way.
Has the UK ever considered a beach race?
I think a beach race on Blackpool, Cleethorpes or Torquay would be a great idea and boost the flagging fortunes of the UK resorts.
People would turn up just for the novelty and Cleethorpes with it’s massive beach in low tide would be boosted by something like this.
Has the UK ever considered a beach race?
I think a beach race on Blackpool, Cleethorpes or Torquay would be a great idea and boost the flagging fortunes of the UK resorts.
People would turn up just for the novelty and Cleethorpes with it’s massive beach in low tide would be boosted by something like this.
I often hear it suggested, almost every year, after Laytown but nothing seems to come of it.
I think it would be a good idea but I have a feeling those running racing in the UK are still so stuffy and set in their ways it would never get approval.
We’re far too health and safety fixated in this country that there will be loads of spurious excuses made as to why it could not happen.
Even Laytown, if my memory is not playing tricks, have had to change to a straight course following safety issues.
The other advantage of Laytown is the "cliffs" overlooking the beach are the perfect height for the "enclosures".
The one redeeming factor of tomorrows visit is that as I drive away I will know that, like York and Chester, I will never be going there again.
Oh dear,pass me the Razor blade! Have you ever been to Southwell Paul?
I’ve been to every UK racecourse
Southwell is what you would expect it to be – it doesn’t have the pretentiousness of the likes of Chester, York or Donny – with Southwell what you see is what you get and you go there without any expectations.
In truth I generally much prefer the "smaller" courses to the so called "big" ones – more down to earth, most are there for the racing and not to get bladdered.
There are exceptions, of course, of teh biggies I love both Ascot and Goodwood and of the small ones I don’t like Wolverhampton particularly and I used to find Folkestone depressing.
Give me a day at the likes of Fakenham, Huntingdon, Kelso, Hexham, Fontwell or indeed any of the so called "gaff" NH tracks any day.
Not sure how you can call Doncaster pretentious. I think the track deserves better facilities and better racing. Were it down south then it would rival Newbury. The best trainers from both codes send their horses there and Gosden has called it the best galloping track in Europe. Such a pity the prize money isn’t better but that’s due to the owners.
yawn yawn yawn change the record if you don’t like Doncaster go and do something else it brings in lots for the local economy a lot of people find the Leger and it’s support races a highlight.
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