Racecourse A-Z Part Two

Part Two of my thumbnail sketches of our racecourses, this time G-P.

Goodwood

Set on the South Downs with stunning views on a clear day the racing is generally of a high quality.

Spacious enclosures and good viewing make for a great days racing.

My biggest gripe is the ultra-strict dress code in the Richmond Enclosure where gentlemen may only remove their jackets when somebody at the course decides they can – I’m more than capable of deciding when I’m too hot. 7/10

Hamilton

One of those so-so courses, nothing to really complain about but nothing to get over excited about either.

If there is such a thing as an “average” racecourse then Hamilton would be the one.

Haydock

I could write War And Peace about Haydock but this is a thumbnail so I will try and be succinct.

Haydock used to be one of the top National Hunt courses in the country, in the past few years it has been ruined to the point you wonder why they bother with National Hunt racing.

The course has superb enclosures and a lovely parade ring but one is left with the impression their priority is to get as many drinkers into the course as possible and never mind the racing. 3/10 where it has the potential to be a 7/10

Hexham

When I was describing Hexham to someone a few weeks ago I described it as the Goodwood of the North.

At first glance that may sound an odd comparison but in terms of a stunning natural location the comparison is apt.

On a clear day there are stunning views of the Northumbrian landscape, the trouble is clear days are the exception.

With no grandstand as such racegoers are exposed on a wild day but that should not detract.

The quality of racing is not high but a day at Hexham is invariably a pleasure. 8/10

Huntingdon

This may come as a surprise but I love Huntingdon and when I retire from covering racing the end of the year this is the course where I will take out an annual membership. (Plus they have some great reciprocals)

Visually bland, a flat (physically) course on first impression it doesn’t look much.

However the racing is of a reasonable standard, viewing is good, although a big screen at all meetings would be good. There is a very knowledgeable and passionate crowd. 8/10

Kelso

A really difficult course to get to, unless you live in the Borders of course, but well worth the trip.
Although it is probably one of the most difficult tracks to get to if you rely on public transport.

A “proper” National Hunt course, with a good knowledgeable crowd. Again not the highest quality racing but a venue for a great days racing. 8/10

Kempton

Another course which has been ruined. It was a great turf track but now flat racing is restricted to Polytrack.

Notwithstanding my not being keen on artificial surface racing, the track being set inside the turf course is too far from the stands. The floodlighting is not that good with very poor light on the far turn of the outer loop.

The one redeeming feature is the course still hosts national hunt racing. 5/10

Leicester

This is a course where my heart rules my head.

Being cold and unemotional it has little going for it.

The track itself is variable, it’s the only course I can recall seeing both” good to firm” and “soft” in the same going description. The members stand has seen better days and the racing is invariably low grade.

But I really like Leicester. They course is welcoming, I love the old stand, viewing is pretty good and the Aberdeen Angus Hot beef stall is the best food stall at any racecourse.   7/10

Lingfield

An all weather track redeemed by its turf racing.

Lingfield is one of the prettiest, best maintained tracks in the country and the Leafy Lingfield tagline is justified.

It’s a physically large track with good viewing. A good selection of food to suit all pockets and they have very informative information boards (which other courses should take note of) for the not so regular or new racegoers. 7/10

Ludlow

In my sketch about Chester I said most racegoers wouldn’t care if there was three legged donkey racing at the course.

I feel the same about Ludlow – even if they staged three legged donkey racing I would still want to go there – if only for the best stand anywhere in British racing.

If they ever think about demolishing that stand I will get contracts taken out on all those who make the decision. (that is a joke by the way, lest anyone with humour failure decides to call Knacker of The Yard – but you get my drift)

Looking like a refugee from a Victorian esplanade the magnificent flat roofed stand offers stunning views of the course and the surrounding hills, making racing a delight (although often cold as the roof is exposed)

There is no need to worry about the racing either as it is often competitive with a loyal, local crowd. 8½/10    

Market Rasen 

Rasen is another of those courses which seems to be a long way from anywhere if you aren’t a local but another where the journey is worth it.

Well laid out with excellent viewing the quality can be pretty decent as well. 8/10

Musselburgh

Musselburgh seems to have its own microclimate as when the rest of Scotland freezes they still seem to be able to race.

It’s another of those middle of the road courses, nothing flash but nothing to complain about. A good days racing and reasonable crowds.  6/10

Newbury

Newbury is an odd course – it seems too big!!

The stands are a long way back from the track and if in the stands you almost feel detached from the action.

Due to the size, unless there is a big crowd the place feels empty. On the other hand when the crowds are big they tend to get a bit “lively” - so finding the balance is difficult.

It’s a shame because the racing at Newbury is usually of a good standard but something does not feel right about it. 6½/10

Newcastle

On the plus side the enclosures are well laid out and viewing of the racing is reasonable but not perfect .

The downside of the track, especially at the “big” meetings is it mirrors the City’s nightlife – drink as much as possible and lets all get bladdered.

Perhaps that’s a slight exaggeration but it’s not far short. I know press room colleagues who refuse point blank to cover some of the big Saturday meetings because of the atmosphere. Quiet midweek meetings 6/10, big meetings 2/10

Newmarket (July)

Viewing is poor, races over 1m 2f use a dog leg out of view of the enclosures and because it is a straight course most of the viewing is head on.

That aside it is a truly delightful course – no other course in the country has a thatched weighing room or saddling boxes.

The Friday evening concerts can be packed with people not interested in the racing and teenyboppers if a boy band is performing.

Ignoring the music nights it is a delightful course and much more relaxed than it’s neighbour. 8/10 (non-music nights)

Newmarket (Rowley)

In complete contrast to the July course I find the Rowley Mile course soulless and depressing.

Viewing issues are the same as the July course but the grandstand is a concrete monstrosity which is in complete contrast to the atmospheric buildings on the July course.

Indeed the Rowley Mile course is one of those courses which is much more attractive behind than in front of the stands.

I don’t know why but the Rowley Mile seems to attract a more rowdy crowd than the July Course. 4/10

Newton Abbot

Another of those courses which offers no frills but just an honest to goodness, down to earth, grass roots National Hunt experience.

There are some knowledgeable locals but with most of their racing in the summer they attract the holiday crowd and more than their fair share of occasional racegoers.

They do have some of the best value meals you will find on a racecourse. 7/10

Nottingham

For some reason Nottingham always seems a difficult course to get to, not least if you come from the M1 you end up having do go through the city to get there.

Another of those courses which is prettier behind rather than in front of the stands. The course is functional rather than flash.

The racing is reasonable and there are worse courses to visit. 6/10

Perth

This is the course I have visited fewest times and I have not been there for five years (although I hope to rectify that next week).

From what I recall there is a loyal local following for what is another good, small, national hunt course.

Viewing isn’t particularly brilliant with the low Grandstand. 7/10

Plumpton

I’m going to start to sound like a cracked record here but we have another perfect small NH course.

Functional buildings, a testing course – especially after it has rained for a few days – and a loyal local following.

Another course with grass roots racing at its very best. 8/10

Pontefract

Look at the horizon and you will see Ferrybridge Power Station look around you and you are in a delightful park setting.

Impressive old red brick stands, four enclosures to suit all tastes and a management team who love the course.

The welcome is warm, the racing competitive and a great place to while away a summer afternoon. 8/10

Thwarted 1,000th

Of all the software, or as it is seemingly called nowadays …. apps, you can obtain, my favourite has to be the spreadsheet.

I love keeping lists and records of what I do and a spreadsheet is a fabulous way of recording information.

I can tell, at a glance, that in the last 12 months I have spent £3,315.13 on diesel, although that is probably a stat I don’t want to be reminded of.

I keep records of all aspects of my daily life and undoubtedly a psychologist would describe me as being OCD – I’ll have to ask my niece, who is studying psychology if she agrees, then again maybe I had best not – she undoubtedly thinks he Uncle is odd anyway.

Of course I use spreadsheets to keep records of my horseracing.

Indeed OCD or not I think it is essential for anyone who gambles to keep an honest record of all their bets – it can not only be quite sobering but careful studying of your betting history can highlight areas where you are going wrong (and right) and can be a useful tool to bet more selectively and importantly, more profitably.

I also keep a record of all the race meetings I have been to.

I didn’t start going racing “full time” until August 2007 and since that time I have been to 777 UK, plus a number of overseas race meetings as well.

Before racing full time my trips to the races were limited as I had a job which entailed long hours and if not working weekends I was almost invariably on-call so going racing regularly wasn’t practical, which meant I probably only got to the racecourse 10-20 times a year.

Another sign of my OCD is my habit of keeping the racecards of all the meetings I have been to and I still have racecards from every meeting I have been to bar two, although most of them are boxed and in the loft. One missing card was a meeting at Huntingdon in the late 90’s where I arrived just before the first race and they had run out of racecards. The other was at an exceptionally wet York meeting, where I had the racecard inside my coat pocket. When I later retrieved it, the racecard had turned into papier-mâché.

I still have the racecard from my very first meeting, at Fontwell back in the early 1980’s. My oldest (that’s in terms of longevity not his age) friend Tony took me there, to the course where his Grandfather used to take him. We could only afford the Silver Ring and our bets were no more than £1 each way, probably even 50p.

I don’t recall too much detail of the day but I do know I was smitten with the course and, to this very  day, Fontwell is my favourite small course.

So what is the relevance of all this. Well last Thursday I was updating my spreadsheet following a visit to Haydock the day before and I noticed it was my 998^th UK race meeting.

Out of curiosity I looked to see what would be my 1,000^th meeting and it would have been Towcester, my local course.

It was then I noticed Fontwell was due to race the following day. Now wouldn’t that be good if my 1,000^th meeting could also be at the one where it all started.

So a quick jig around of my schedule meant Towcester would be my 999^th meeting (with Taunton as a back-up) and Fontwell the 1,000^th – easy!!

Na, it wasn’t easy at all.

As you undoubtedly know Towcester was cancelled on Monday, as was Taunton. It did still leave Lingfield though.

My regular reader will tell you I am no fan of artificial surface racing and I will avoid it at all costs but if it meant my 1,000^th meeting would be Fontwell I would bite the bullet and do Lingfield on Monday.

I was all ready to go, on the train, but before I left I wanted to check the train times to see if I could change trains at East Croydon as opposed to the much busier Clapham Junction.

It was then I saw a problem. There were electricity supply problems between East Croydon And Hurst Green - the very line I wanted, with significant delays, busses replacing trains and no idea when the problem would be resolved.

I could have driven to Lingfield but that would have entailed driving home on the M25 in the rush hour and was it really worth the hassle just so my 1,000^th meeting could be Fontwell.

So the plan was scrapped – with the weather I’m still stuck on 998.

My 999^th should be either Ludlow of Ffos Las (tomorrow or Thursday 28^th if you are reading the archive) and, ironically, my 1,000^th looks again to be Towcester, this time on Easter Sunday.

In hindsight I perhaps shouldn’t have made such a fuss about the 1,000^th, after all it’s only a number. Indeed my 1,000^th meeting ever passed by without me even noticing (it was at Catterick if you are interested).

A few final stats, my top three most visited courses are Ascot (106), Towcester (87) and Leicester (60). Whilst Ffos Las, Great Leighs, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth all have the least visits with three each – there could be a geographic clue there!!!

Lists can be good but they can sometimes be more trouble than they are worth.

Blowing Away The Cobwebs

Well the first week of 2012 nears its conclusion and, compared with the last two years we have not done too badly at the hands of the weather Gods, with just two meetings ( Ayr – high winds and Chepstow – waterlogging) being lost.

The winds have been very strong this week and we are lucky more meetings have not been lost.

I was moaning about the cold wind at Huntingdon on Wednesday, it was a “lazy wind” in that it tended to go through rather than round you and no number of layers of clothing seemed to mitigate the wind chill.

If I was freezing cold with four layers, three of which were thermals, how cold must the jocks have been in just their silks? And I carry much more “natural insulation” than they do!!! It’s days like that you really appreciate how hard the jocks job is.

Anyway if I thought Wednesday was bad, it was like a balmy, breezy day compared with Lingfield on Thursday. Although no official inspection was called it must have been touch and go with the racing, as there were gale force winds blowing all afternoon, so strong that even I, at 14 stone, was almost blown over by one gust.

For those who do not know Lingfield it is on the approach path for Gatwick airport, being just 6 miles from the end of the runway. For saddos like me who happen to be aviation mad racing fans, it is a win-win location.  Although the undisputed king of courses for combining racing and plane spotting is Woodbine in Toronto, the pair being less than two miles away from one another but I am digressing.

The point of mentioning the proximity of the airport is to actually underline how strong the wind was, as even Boeing 747’s were swaying in the wind as they came into land.

How the jocks coped with that I do not know and as if the winds were not enough as the first two races started the heavens opened with heavy showers. Brave lads these jocks.

The bravery has been underlined by AP McCoy who after a crunching fall and a couple of days in hospital was talking about “being back in a few days” despite braking a couple of ribs. If that was you or I then it would be a case of milking it for as much sympathy as possible and a long spell on the easy list.

The New Year began with a great days racing at Cheltenham and a day for some old favourites to shine.

2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome looked to be back to his best when runner-up in the 3¼ mile chase, only to be trumped some 35 minutes later when the old rascal Calgary Bay also rolled back the years to take the Victor Chandler.

Although the latter race was spoiled by the loss of the very promising Hidden Keel, a particularly devastating loss for trainer Charlie Longsdon as the horse was undoubtedly the stable star and looked to have a bright future.

Also a special mention in that race to commentator Richard Hoiles for very quickly picking up the fall of the favourite Havingotascoobydo, who managed to come down at the only fence on the entire course where fallers are often unsighted for the commentator.     

 

Finally on a non-racing matter, I was saddened to hear today of the passing of Bob Holness at the age of 83. Most renowned for the television series Blockbusters, of which he presented over 1,200 episodes. He was also an actor and a radio broadcaster.

Years ago when I worked at the BBC I was involved with Children In Need on Radio Two and I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bob Holness and he was a lovely, delightful man with no ego, unlike many top broadcasters.

 It’s a cliché but he was a true gentlemen.