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On the July Course, AFAIK Stall 1 would be nearest the stands rail as Newmarket is classed as a Right Handed course and therefore, in theory, nearest the inside rail. To use AP’s example, the stall numbering would be opposite to 2010 on both Near Side and Far Side strips.
For clarification, all loop courses are being termed Right Handed too (Salisbury, Windsor, Goodwood).
An ultra-professional, unflappable and very accurate commentator. Recent appointments at Doncaster and in the Midlands show that Doug was well regarded by racecourses further south of his usual beat of the likes of Sedgefield, Hexham and Kelso. A desperately sad, untimely loss to the northern racing circuit and racing broadcasting. A memorial race or a Hexham card called by many of his commentating friends and colleagues is in order. RIP
I was at Thirsk last night and it was frustrating that the demotion was announced five minutes before the final race but no Stewards’ Report read out over the PA. Hence some confusion for those racegoers (myself included) who left straight after the last to avoid the queues but didn’t know
how
the jockey weighed in light. Only those in earshot of the Weighing Room would have been able to pick up this information immediately, I guess.
On this occasion, I felt there was enough time to read out the Stewards’ Report before the final race. I wonder if Silvoir could let us know what time lapse there is, if any, between the result of the enquiry, the production of the Stewards’ Report and the announcement of the Stewards’ Report over the PA?
I’ve just looked at the BHA site but the Stewards’ reports for yesterday are not up yet!The Bumper isn’t on terrestrial television, it could easily have been run as Race 6 of 7 at 4.35 without too many people heading for the car park. The low sun issue has happened the last twice that this meeting has been staged- it is disappointing that there hasn’t been any change to rectify last year’s events.
The issue in the Doncaster race was that the stricken horse blocked the landing side of the flight and the bypass side, an issue compounded by the proximity of the final hurdle to the final fence. The race would have been allowed to finish had the bypass side been clear. As already stated, there was also the best part of 3 minutes to make a decision in that race, which was not the case at Chepstow.
"Exceptional circumstances" is the key here and I believe that it was the correct decision. However, it would have been far more controversial had there been another horse alongside Ringsend Rose and one jumped the fence and one had not, given the arm waving that was going on from the attendant.
I raced at Doncaster today and the drunken chanting was coming from the County Enclosure as early as during the 1.00. The booing and jeering from a small number present was hugely disappointing given the circumstances.
Persian War day at Chepstow in October had no race less than 2m4f, just one furlong out…!
On the money apracing…
Exactly the same thing happened the year before the rebuild at the same meeting, a 2m3f chase at the same time- that day, the first was the water jump, can’t ever remember that happening before…
The poor thing today was that the 3m chase was due to go at 4.00 with the bumper at 4.35 until last week on the website I looked at, and subsequently was changed.
Disappointing stuff, but two likeable prospects in the respective races…
Richard,
As a matter of interest, who would have called at Kempton had Sandown got the go-ahead?!
Keep up the excellent work- thought you did the Lough Derg finish justice on Thursday, personally.
The funny thing and interesting sadistic to come from it is that if Ollie Magern wins a 3rd Charlie Hall and if Kauto Star wins his 3rd Betfair Chase then they must be the only horses to win the same race 3 times on a racecourse which has had different configurations for each induvidual race.
Neil,
What is the new configuration at Haydock this year? Is the water jump ready for use yet?
"and well in arrears is Ain’t No Sunshine…… and he’s gone".
[GG’s 40th anniversary race last year]Haydock have started to build a new water jump on the inside of the new chase course opposite the stands, doubt it’ll be ready for a season or two until the work on the paddock bend is complete.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Oaksey’s last appearence may have been at Stratford for the Horse and Hound Cup about 2000. It was C4’s second or possibly third meeting that day, and I think they were covering just the one race. You’re right Drone, I don’t remember any send off, it was a very quiet departure.
That’s how I remember it, too – he definitely did his last stint at Stratford, whatever year it was (looking back through the books to see when was the last time the Horse and Hound – under whatever name – was run in the afternoon rather than the evening might pin down the date).
gc
Channel 4 stopped the House and Hound (or Intrum Justicia?!) Cup because of Stratford’s allegiance to GG-Media, not because it went to an evening fixture. I remember at least one untelevised-afternoon renewal before the Horse and Hound evening fixture. I think it was Castle Mane’s win in 2000 as Oaksey was with GG who had then stepped down from the No1 commentator job by then.
