- This topic has 32 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 7 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
…because real jumps afficionados (oh alright, me and Neil Watson and one or two other nutters) will tell you that the only race worth a pitcher of warm spit today is the four mile handicap chase at Hexham.
We love this contest to the point of delirium – truly one of the very few genuine marathon tests on the calendar specifically framed for really slow, ordinary horses, and one whose participants, however limited they may be, are fully deserving of our admiration.
My research suggests it’s been a feature of the mid-March Hexham card since only 1990 (when the then Chollersford Handicap Chase was doubled in length from 2m), which surprised me a little – it’s felt like a part of my formative education for far longer than that;
2008 Hello Bud
D J Wintle / Warren Marston2007 Fleetfoot Mac
B Storey / Gary Berridge2006 abandoned
2005 Gimme Shelter
S J Marshall / Michael McAlister2004 Iron Express
G M Moore / Barry Keniry2003 Gimme Shelter
S J Marshall / Padge Whelan2002 Phar Echo
Mrs H O Graham / Mrs V Jackson2001 foot and mouth
2000 Cherry Dee
P Beaumont / R Supple1999 Pink Gin
M G Meagher / R Wilkinson1998 Sireric
S B Bell / Kenny Johnson1997 Hudson Bay Trader
P Beaumont / B Grattan (Quixall Crossett pu 4 out)1996 abandoned
1995 Viva Bella
Mrs S A Bramall / J Burke (second to McGregor The Third in the inaugural cross-country chase at Cheltenham two runs later)1994 Viva Bella
Mrs S A Bramall / J Burke1993 Man’s Best Friend
T P Tate / C Grant1992 Dubious Jake
R D W Woodhouse / R Hodge1991 Super Fountain
F T Walton / B Storey1990 Rubika 7 11-3
Stan Mellor / Mr D GrayCan’t wait to see which of today’s six competitors adds their name to this illustrious list of some of the bravest slowpokes in training. My preference for Getinbybutonlyjust today comes with the caveat that I can’t tip rubbish at the moment, but whoever does win will have deserved it.
3.35 this afternoon, sandwiched between something called the World Hurdle and the Festival Plate. I can’t wait.
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
On a similar theme, forget the Gold Cup, the real action on Friday is in the Silver Cup at Fakenham. Doesn’t look quite so strong a race as last year though.
Noted, David! I’m on as soon as a Betfair market is formed…
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Jeremy,
That last name, Rubika, brings back a few memories as I had a horse in training with Stan Mellor at that time.
Do you know Rubika’s claim to fame in NH racing?
The rider, Mr D (for Denis) Gray was quite a character too – a tanned NZ sheep farmer who came over after New Year every season at that time to ride for Stan in hunter chases. He was as good as most pros, but because he was unknown over here, you could get top prices when he rode. He was on board Kings Curate in an Ascot handicap two months before that horse won the Stayers Hurdle and was available on course at 10/1.
Do you know Rubika’s claim to fame in NH racing?
Ooh crumbs, no, though it sounds like I should. Having looked at his results on the
Post
archive I’m still struggling – ladmark career win for Mellor or Dunwoody, perhaps? Think you might have beaten the panel again, AP!
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
my two penn’orth is the Trends and Research section.
In so far as?
This was a thread celebrating one of NH racing’s genuine cult-following races, rather than any attempt to do a Craig Thake-type ten-year trends piece on it.
HTH
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Sorry Jeremy, typo.
Should read
My two penn’orth is IN the Trends, Research and Notebook section.
Gerald
heheheheheheheheh…nice one lads! I’ve got to have a bet on this one now. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
On my note, Forget even looking at any other track in the world when Cheltenham is on. It just dosen’t feel right !
After the Cheltenham I’ve had, Graeme,an antepost bet on the World Yahtzee Championship in Manila in June is looking more attactive by the hour.
Jeremy,
You could argue that Rubika has two claims to fame. I’m almost certain that he was the first winner to carry the colours of Trevor Hemmings, who was introduced to the game by Stan Mellor.
He also featured in a bizarre race at Leicester, where he stumbled when a few yards short of the line in a novice hurdle that he was winning easily, and the photo finish camera images were used to decide whether Mark Perrett was still in the saddle as he crossed the line – he wasn’t and Rubika was disqualified.
Sorry Jeremy, typo.
Should read
My two penn’orth is IN the Trends, Research and Notebook section.
Gerald
Ah, noted! Good man – I’m off to have a look.
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
On my note, Forget even looking at any other track in the world when Cheltenham is on. It just dosen’t feel right !
Having
been
at Hexham this day last year, never mind looking at its card, I’m clearly doing something wrong, then!
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Jeremy,
You could argue that Rubika has two claims to fame. I’m almost certain that he was the first winner to carry the colours of Trevor Hemmings, who was introduced to the game by Stan Mellor.
He also featured in a bizarre race at Leicester, where he stumbled when a few yards short of the line in a novice hurdle that he was winning easily, and the photo finish camera images were used to decide whether Mark Perrett was still in the saddle as he crossed the line – he wasn’t and Rubika was disqualified.
Ach, the first one I really should have got! Cheers for letting me know, AP. I’m sure the second must be in that "Strangest Races" volume the
Post
published last year, but I’ve dipped into that rather than read it cover to cover, so have doubtless missed it. Wonder who the commentator was at Leicester that day – Thommo would have loved an incident like that!
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
On my note, Forget even looking at any other track in the world when Cheltenham is on. It just dosen’t feel right !
Having
been
at Hexham this day last year, never mind looking at its card, I’m clearly doing something wrong, then!
gc
gc
Don’t let them distract you from the true and proper course.
There is only one important race during Cheltenham week, ‘The Hexham Four Miler’.
All festivals are but preparation for the one true festival, Perth in April.My thoughts on the Hexham event are posted under Daily Lays And Plays.
Rob
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.