Aintree Racecourse

Racecourse number: 11

First visited: 1988

Number of visits: 4

Dad and I visited Aintree, the home of the Grand National, the day before Mr Frisk’s 1990 record-breaking victory. For me it was watching the Grand National as a child that really sparked my interest in horse racing, so I was absolutely thrilled to be there. The best part of the visit was definitely the two of us walking one circuit of the National course before racing started. Seeing the iconic fences up close really put the challenges of this unique set up into focus and I felt privileged to follow the path taken by Red Rum, Aldiniti, West Tip and other National legends. One day I hoped we would return for the big race itself. Without realising at the time, I would see two future Grand National winners competing at Aintree at this Friday fixture. Seagram, who would win the following year, came second in the opening handicap chase. Later, Miinnehoma was the beaten favourite in the concluding novices hurdle. Four years later, back at Aintree, he would more than make up for it with victory in the big one. In truth, this was not my first visit to Aintree. A couple of years earlier I had travelled there by train with Paul, a friend from College. We attended the Thursday meeting prior to the Grand National and witnessed a victory for one of the all-time national hunt greats, Desert Orchid. Of course, I knew better thinking he was unsuited to going left handed and unsuccessfully backed KIldimo in the race. Other memorable runners on my first visit to Aintree included Rapier Thrust, Brown Windsor, Villierstown, Delius and The West Awake.

I still have the original racecard from 1990 as a fantastic momento of the day with my Dad, which makes this account much easier to put together. Once again, my Dad also supplied another great source with his personal diary entry from the day. This read, “Linda rang at 7.30am to let me know she was not coming to Liverpool with me and Jason. I was up anyway sorting out my horses. We set off at 9.30am and it only took us an hour. Jason and I walked the course at Aintree and we managed an odd winner each. Meals out consisted of fish and chips (£2.45 each) and soup for me (£1.20). Other expenses included parking (£4), entrance (£14) and £10 for Jason’s betting money. The day cost just over £60.” Once again, there was more detail about the food than the horses but his last point was never lost on me. My Dad spent a lot of money taking me around the racecourses and he would need a very successful betting day just to cover his costs. He never highlighted it as a big issue though. Two horses in particular stick out in my memory from that day. An old favourite of mine Giolla Padraig ran with merit over the national fences finishing third to Lean Ar Aghaidh. Giolla Padraig won plenty of races for me around this time. My main selection of the day though was Young Snugfit who I backed with confidence in the big novice chase. Trained by Oliver Sherwood and ridden by Jamie Osbourne, they just failed by a diminishing head to catch the winner Boutzdaroff, who had made a mistake at the last.

Exactly twenty-three years later, my Dad and I returned to Aintree but this time for the greatest race itself. Grand National Day 2013 was a very special day. We had bought tickets for my Dad as an early birthday present and what a great decision this was. In fact, two superb things happened even before the official racing began. Firstly, my Dad and I walked the course again, though this time we were restricted to half a circuit for security reasons. Nearly a quarter of a century on you could see the changes that had been made for safety reasons. The fences remained challenging but were much fairer with some of the extreme elements, like the big drop on the landing side of Beechers Brook, removed. It was great to now retrace our own steps, especially on the big day itself and I have some cherished photos of the occasion. Secondly, the meeting began with a legends race, with many former top jump jockeys taking on their flat counterparts. An almost unique event. The race was won by Tony Dobbin on War Singer, with Richard Hills in second. Most surprising though was the involvement in the race of Fred Archer! It was in fact the racehorse of the same name, not the famous 19^th Century jockey. The race was run in aid of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. I was lucky enough to meet Bob at a more recent Grand National preview event. His stories about his life and racing career were great. His tips unfortunately were not. In fact, I think one of them is still running now!

The official racing started in the best possible way for my Dad. He managed to find the 25-1 winner of the first race. Fantastic. Now my Dad backs plenty of winners but very few are in this kind of price bracket so it was a real thrill to cheer home Ubak who won easily, despite the long odds. Ubak was in the capable hands of father and son trainer and jockey combination of Gary and Jamie Moore. The racecourse was beautifully presented for its feature day and though it was very busy, the crowd level was manageable. You could just about get to the paddock and back to the stands between races if you were patient enough. It was a thrilling experience enhanced by a successful days punting. Later we both confidently backed Battle Group who was going for a second win of the meeting having already won two days earlier. Victory was never in doubt as he stalked the leaders and came through for a comfortable success at around 4-1. By the time of the Grand National itself, we had built up some profits to invest in what was our annual conundrum, selecting the winner of the most difficult race of the year. My biggest challenge here has always been restricting the number of my selections to a handful from the forty contenders. It would be very easy for me to select ten or more. On this occasion, I had three main fancies. They were Teaforthree, Cappa Bleu and Imperial Commander (who my Dad backed too). The favourite was Seabass trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by his daughter Katie. Could we be about to witness history, with the first winning female jockey? We were positioned opposite The Chair on the run in, in what proved to be a great vantage point.

The roar of the crowd as the race began without a hitch was electric. Unusually there were no fallers in the initial set of fences that by Dad and I had walked past earlier. When they all cleared Beechers as well, there was a great cheer from the crowd in reaction to the commentators update. Jumping the chair at the end of the first circuit AP McCoy unseated right in front of us from Colbert Station, a fancied runner now out of the contest. As the field gradually whittled down on the second circuit my confidence was growing around Teaforthree who was well positioned in the first few and jumping well. When he took the lead two out with only a few left in contention, I really thought I was on a winner. This would have been a great thrill as I rarely pick the National winner, let alone when I am actually there. I can only think of about four winners I have selected since Mr Frisk in 1991. However, it is still a long way from the second last to home and as they approached the last Auroras Encore, who had briefly looked held, renewed his effort. At the same time a now tiring Teaforthree, hit the last, losing crucial momentum. On the run in there was only one likely winner, the Sue Smith trained Auroras Encore extending away from his opponents for a great victory for jockey Ryan Mania. The strangest element of this finish was the quietness of the crowd. With still a furlong to go but the race pretty much decided there was very few people now cheering in what was now a strangely eerie atmosphere, especially after the initial frenzy. Clearly few had backed the winner. I could literally see (and hear) the only two who had near my vantage point. Close to the line, one of my other selections Cappa Blue rallied well to take second, with Teaforthree in third both giving me some worthwhile place returns. As is often the case after the big one, I was a little hard on myself for not backing this big priced winner. I had read a good report about the horse’s wellbeing on the day and he did tick the key box of having proved himself over this extreme distance. Ultimately, you cannot back them all though and I soon got over it, especially based on such a fantastic day out with my Dad. Katie Walsh completed the course on Seabass but they never really looked like making history.

The best thing about this race was that all forty runners returned safely to their stables afterwards. In fact, only two horses actually fell, though quite a few unseated their rider or pulled up. The safety improvements have undoubtedly made a difference. Realistically of course, the dangers for horse and jockey have been reduced rather than removed and I can understand the concerns of those who see this as their yearly example of horse racing. In truth, horse racing is dangerous though I believe a lot of hard work goes in to minimising the risk. As my previous trainer Chris Thornton once explained to me, horses are not really built to jump, given their heavy bodies and fragile legs. Indeed, my own racehorse Smarties Party, trained by Chris, fell only once in her long career. That was over hurdles at Aintree and she was not quite the same horse afterwards, struggling with a niggling back problem, before a graceful and long retirement. My Dad and I returned in 2016 to Aintree for a December fixture that featured another future national hero in One For Arthur and a courageous win for previous 2014 champion Many Clouds. Aintree has a brilliant set up, usually holds high quality racing and though it does not have numerous fixtures per year we really should go more often given our proximity to it. Rachel has expressed an interest to go the National one day so a return visit could be on the horizon sooner rather than later.

Cartmel Racecourse

Racecourse number: 4

First visited: 1986
Number of visits: 12

Cartmel racecourse describes itself as a most unusual racecourse in a truly unique location. I don’t disagree but in some ways this description does not do justice to the wonder of the place. As a teenager, Cartmel was my favourite racecourse, perhaps even my favourite place full stop! 

Even arriving at Cartmel is something of a special yet unusual experience. The closer you get to it the more rural your surroundings become. To enter the course enclosure you approach via a tree-lined path through a scenic forest. A beautiful setting where honestly Hansel & Gretel would not look out of place! Queueing in this area when I was younger only added to the anticipation of getting there. On arrival, there would be no wicked witch but certainly a place straight out of a fairy tale! Now I already loved horseracing but imagine a racing setting that also combined the tranquillity of Center Parcs, the excitement of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and also hosted a traditional market. For our 1980s family unit this meant something for everyone. Throw in the six or seven horse races on a track that surrounds and bisects this fantastic set up and you are at Cartmel racecourse for an amazing day out. 

This national hunt fun takes place inside a sharp left-handed oval circuit, which uniquely has a run in that bisects the centre of the track. The stone walls surrounding the track also give it a very unusual, yet brilliant backdrop. The course is also famous for having the longest run in over fences, around half a mile. In truth, viewing is probably the worst on offer in Great Britain. There is only a small stand adjacent to the run in and even then trees, small hills or fairground rides, obscure a lot of the action. Somehow, though this is a wonderful novelty, with mere glimpses of action adding to the spectacle, rather than detracting from it. Given that the entire crowd are inside the track, there is a great opportunity to get very close to the racing action next to the inner rail. My favourite place to watch during my early visits was down at the final hurdle. You would see the runners emerge from the back straight, charging towards the last. After jumping it they would take a sharp left hand turn heading slightly uphill and out of view with a furlong or so to the winning line. Brilliant. 

One additional thing that sets Cartmel apart from many racecourses is the limited number of fixtures it has. In practice this meant visits were less frequent and thus felt somewhat exclusive. You could race on a Saturday on several weekends a year at Haydock Park but only two at Cartmel. I always found it hard to understand why. In the 1980’s and 1990’s Cartmel had only five fixtures a year set in two periods, the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend in May and the August Bank Holiday. Going back further in history, until 1947 racing was held only annually on the Whitsun Monday. Over time as the popularity of the course has progressed the fixture list has expanded. Moreover, in recent years there have been notable structural improvements and an increasing professionalism about the place that indicates good management. Cartmel now has nine annual fixtures but this still feels quite limited compared to other courses and given the wonderful set up it has. 

Based south of the Lake District, Cartmel is not too far from my home here in Lancashire. It takes around an hour and a quarter by car. As such, I have managed to be a fairly regular visitor since the 1980s, despite the limited number of meetings. It was the fourth racecourse I attended and the initial visits were very much based around family fun days out. Several fantastic features combined in one brilliant day. Like many families, we often brought a picnic to enjoy, which you are still encouraged to do today. As long as you got there early enough you could park inside the track and use your car as a base, or as a refuge from inclement weather! For some reason it seems to rain a lot at Cartmel! I loved the slot machines, the prize stalls, the rides, the market but most of all the racing. 

In the early 1990s, I attended the May Wednesday meeting alone, travelling by train and taxi. Following a good days punting I shared a taxi back to the station with two random racegoers who became convinced I was a professional backer. I was very happy with their inaccurate conclusion. In 1995, I attended the August bank holiday Saturday meeting with my future wife Claire. This young couple had travelled up by train and stayed in a local B&B. The meeting, which had only a small number of runners due to the firm going, featured some great northern jockeys from that era. In action that day were Peter Niven, Tony Dobbin, Richard Guest, Brian Storey and Kenny Johnson. I believe all of these jockeys went on to be trainers. It is hard to give up this fantastic racing bug. One horse I remember backing that day was Nishvamitra, trained by Chris Thornton and ridden by David Wilkinson. Against only two opponents, this grey could only manage a distant second place. Fast forward to August 2008 and the two of us returned, this time with two young children in tow and an ownership interest in novice hurdler Smarties Party trained by Chris Thornton. My Mum and Dad also attended that day.

Despite attending as a part owner, I received a less than warm welcome when I arrived. I was quizzed, despite my name being on the owners list, before begrudgingly being granted a couple of owner’s badges. Partly my fault as I was dressed more for the weather than the occasion. To be fair though as good as Cartmel is it is not Goodwood! Ironically, soon afterwards I witnessed two trainers bemoaning the fact that some of their owners were cutting back on their racing interests owing to the growing economic crisis at that time. Owners are so important to the success of racing, yet do not always get looked after on course. The weather was also less than welcoming with regular showery outbursts dampening the occasion. This would benefit Smarties Party though who ran a promising and solid race finishing third. I remember watching the kids enjoy the funfair rides that day, despite the weather. I also took my daughter Rachel to the highest vantage point on the course, the owners viewing area, to cheer on a horse called Moon Melody I had backed in the selling hurdle. My selection came out on top after a thrilling finish to the race.

My most recent visit was with my Dad in 2015 when the accompanying photos were taken. This was one of the additional new fixtures in July. Typically, the good weather abated as we arrived and we experienced a showery afternoon. However, an early success for my nap of the day Slipper Satin, enterprisingly ridden by Henry Brooke, set a good punting tone for the day. It would be an enjoyable and successful afternoon for both of us. It was also a day I greatly reflected on my many previous visits to this wonderful racecourse. It got me thinking about Cartmel itself and todays changing racing customer base. Certainly, the setup there has been less tarnished by the growing drinking and corporate culture that has impacted so negatively on other courses. Yes, drinking is more prevalent and there are plenty of marquees hosting corporate guests, but the original core is still there. The fairground, the rural setting, the quirky racing circuit, the picnickers and families remain. The Cartmel I loved as a teenager largely continues with a growing fixture list and a place at the very heart of what makes British horseracing diverse and thus so special.

Nottingham Racecourse

Racecourse number: 19

First visited: 1990
Number of visits: 12

Nottingham is one of my favourite racecourses, despite not always being the luckiest of places for me. I attended ten times in the early 1990s whilst a student at nearby Leicester University. The train journey between the two cities was pretty short but the racecourse, unlike Uttoxeter and Southwell was a good walk from the station. Not that I minded. I always really enjoyed this walk which takes you past the Notts County football ground. Walking to Colwick Park, as Nottingham racecourse is known, I always had a great sense of anticipation of the day ahead. I often went on my own though sometimes with my racing friend Andy. On one occasion after racing we stayed on for the evening greyhound meeting which is adjacent to the racecourse. I had many special days out at Nottingham. At the time it had very modern stands with good facilities. Being a standard oval track, viewing was also good. Writing this account of my visits to Nottingham evoked an emotional reaction in me, more significant than many other courses. Perhaps a strange thing to write, especially to a non-racing fan, but my memories of Nottingham are special.

My betting exploits at Nottingham produced mixed results at best but I remember them so fondly. In June 1991 I backed a 25-1 winner there, Red Rosein. I had to mention this one as I don’t back many winners at that sort of price! Gary Carter did the steering and she would end up winning five more handicap sprints that season and the Wokingham at Royal Ascot the following season. In October I placed what is still my lifetime largest bet on a horse called Grand Master, trained by Paul Cole and ridden by Alan Munro. Having previously run well in a Group race the horse was dropped into a lowly Nottingham maiden and looked sure to gain a confidence boosting win before going on to much bigger and better things. The opposition looked mediocre at best. Ready with my wad of cash I swooped in when the already short price looked like collapsing. I was on at 4-7. However, quite quickly 8-13 and 4-6 was readily available. In the end the best price I saw was 8-11. I remember being very frustrated at my inefficient betting but the key was still very much the outcome of the race. The price didn’t matter if he got beat but I was sure he would win. Tucked in behind the leaders three out Munro was motionless, his mount travelling sweetly. However just as he was about to make his move he found himself closed in by runners around him. The second favourite Castillet had contributed to this crowding of Grand Master. Ridden by the canny Steve Cauthen he suddenly kicked for home with an unexpectedly impressive burst of speed. Munro was in trouble and by the time he had manoeuvred out into the open Cauthen had gone four lengths clear. This all happened right in front of me just before the furlong pole, in what was always a great vantage point for this kind of action. As he passed me Grand Master then showed why I had backed him with such confidence with his own burst of exciting acceleration. Watching the finish from behind, in what seemed like slow motion, it was all about whether he would catch Castillet in time. It was clear he was closing fast. The roar of the crowd indicated it was going to be close but Grand Master did not make it. Watching the replay Grand Master would have won for sure in another fifty yards or if he had avoided getting boxed in. I was not the only frustrated punter that day as it was reported in the following day’s newspapers that Allan was jeered and spat at by the crowd following this flawed riding performance. Ironically in researching this writing I found it was Steve Cauthen’s wonder kid fame that had inspired teenage Alan Munro to become a jockey in the first place. Cheers Steve! The race certainly taught me the pitfalls of backing odds on shots.

The following June I attended another Nottingham flat meeting. Alan Munro was there too, this time riding in a two horse race on another of Paul Cole’s, Dilum. As the jockeys mounted in the parade ring and got ready to go to the start I shouted “don’t get boxed in Alan!” It was meant as banter and Alan saw the funny side turning to me with a smile. I backed him at 6-4 and this time he and Dilum, following a much easier passage in the race, quickened clear for victory approaching the final furlong. Another winner for me that day was Just Bob who won the apprentice claiming race. Looking back at the race it seems strange to see that TV presenter Claire Balding rode in it, in her days as an aspiring apprentice jockey. During this wonderful period at Nottingham I even backed a 5-1 winner after a photo finish. I was level with the line right up in the stands waiting for such a close photo to occur. The camera angle there is quite tricky and to me it was very very close and I thought my 5-1 shot may just have put his head down when it mattered. I was rewarded with a rare, after the race was won, winner. For days I honestly felt like I was Alex Bird, a well-known professional gambler from way back and I spent many meetings waiting for this situation to be replicated. It never was. Quite a few of my visits to Nottingham in this period though were to national hunt fixtures. At one of those I had another big bet on a sure thing in a novice chase. I lumped on at 5-4. Single Shooter was the only horse I backed that day and I was once again very confident of victory. He made a slight error at the first fence and was pulled up before the second fence! Like I said Nottingham was not always the luckiest of courses for me.

One great feature of my visits to Nottingham in the early 1990s was the rivalry between two sets of jockeys. One on the flat and one over jumps. Two up and coming flat jockeys had emerged in this period. Both had won the champion apprentice title and then in 1994 fought out the jockey’s championship. The big meetings are where the headlines are made and fortunes are won and lost but it is during the midweek action at places like Nottingham that champion jockeys are made. I was there to get a taste of these midweek battles between Jason Weaver and Frankie Detorri. Often this season, both would have winners on the card and plenty of rides. Both could be relied upon with your investment for sure. Despite having over two hundred winners that season Jason had to concede defeat to Frankie. Of the two it was Jason who I felt was perhaps the stronger jockey and would be the next big thing in horse racing. Unfortunately, my thinking was literally correct. Whilst he did enjoy great success in a shortened career Jason retired in 2002 after losing his battle to manage his natural weight. In contrast Frankie would grace the weighing room well into his forties. The other rivalry of note had played out over many seasons across the national hunt circuit. I was at Nottingham when this rivalry between Richard Dunwoody and Adrian Maguire boiled over in dramatic fashion during a run of the mill hurdle race. The two were competing in a great tussle for 1993/4 jockeys title. Approaching the penultimate hurdle Adrian riding Mr Genealogy tried to sneak up on Richard’s inside. Richard was having none of it and somewhat over-reacted forcing Adrian and his mount through the wings of the hurdle. The incident would result in the loss of the Nottingham race and a fourteen day ban for Richard who missed that year’s Cheltenham festival. It would not cost him the title though. The two pushed each other hard and the contest went to the last day of the season but Richard prevailed by three wins. He did concede that without Adrian he would not have been driven to ride so many winners. In truth the two were friends, reportedly going for a drink together even on the way home from the Nottingham incident.

Sadly jump racing was cancelled at Nottingham in 1996 which was a great shame. The wonder and diversity of British racing continues to diminish but I will never forget those Nottingham national hunt fixtures from the early 1990s. One particular fixture was ultimately of great significance to me. Following a successful days punting on Friday 4^th December 1992 I met my future wife Claire in a Leicester University Bar. I was always at my happiest on racing days and the confidence this day gave me no doubt helped me impress this young lady. I would soon realise she was the perfect woman for me. During term time she lived near Leicester racecourse, while the rest of the year she was at home in Gosforth, Newcastle!

Fast forward to June 2002 and Claire and I, now married, returned to Nottingham as 5% owners of Pic N Mix, a two year old trained by Chris Thornton. I had been thrilled to name this daughter of Piccolo and it would be exciting to find out if she had inherited any of her fathers speed. On her debut at Haydock the indication was that she had not, finishing last of seven. However that was a decent race and in calmer waters here at Nottingham, Chris was hopeful of a good run second time around. This fantastic day also featured a World Cup fixture for England which we were able to seamlessly fit into the sporting action. We watched the comfortable three nil win over Denmark in the owners and trainers area just prior to our big race. Strangely Denmark, Nottingham and Pic N Mix would maintain their unlikely connection. More on that soon. Our race was a six furlong maiden for fillies which had attracted sixteen runners. In it our horse ran well and came sixth, encouragingly finishing well. She was only beaten a length by the third placed horse and only three lengths overall. It was Golden Nun who finished third. She had been favourite for the race but threw away her chance when swerving violently left in the final furlong. She ended up being very talented and went on to compete in and win some very good races. 

Following this promising run from Pic N Mix a new race began. Could the owners and trainer of Pic N Mix catch up with the jockey before he goes to weigh in? If you are in the first four home there is a dedicated place for this conversation. If you are not, very often a chaotic scramble can result as all involved are keen to hear the immediate feedback. As I ran to catch up Chris to witness this conversation, in the corner of my eye, I caught sight of another member of the Pic N Mix syndicate, taking an embarrassing tumble as she tried to duck under a rail. This left me with a very awkward decision. Do I assist my stricken comrade or press on in search of feedback. I am ashamed to say I took the latter option but in my defence I believe this middle aged lady may not have welcomed any attention during the aftermath of her fall. She soon joined the back end of the trainer jockey feedback moments later, unhurt but somewhat ruffled. The feedback was highly promising, a good run and confidence of further improvement. Had the race been over seven furlongs we would surely have been placed. As we shared a post-race drink with Chris and the other owners in the bar afterwards I reflected positively on what had been a fantastic day. Ever the optimist I believed I had a racehorse with promise and that England might go on to win the World Cup.

The following April Claire and I returned again to Nottingham to watch Pic N Mix make her seasonal return. Claire herself was now heavily pregnant with our first child due in June. In terms of our runner there was already now a question mark over whether she would make the grade as a racehorse following a disappointing first season. The run at Nottingham had been followed by a solid fourth at Beverley but then by only one more, disappointing run. We were hopeful a new season would bring about improvement and perhaps a change of luck. Blinkers were added for the first time and the owners had renewed hope. The jockey, Lee Enstone, was to be positive on our filly, make the running if he could and kick for home three furlongs out. Simple. The first part of the plan was well executed but from the three furlong pole to the winning line she went from first place to last. Did she go off too fast, did she need her first run of the season or was she simply not good enough? This would be the last time we attended the races to watch Pic N Mix. We would soon have our hands full at home, but in a wonderful way. By the end of this second season Pic N Mix had still not troubled the judge. A close fifth at Musselburgh was not enough to convince the doubters that we might still have a winner on our hands. I was disappointed that tentative plans to run her on the all-weather over the winter were shelved and she was put up for sale. We had never really got to grip with what was the right trip for her and perhaps she had been unlucky not to race on her preferred good ground too often. Chris summed up the situation well in a letter he sent us at the end of her British racing career. The story does not end here though as the Denmark connection returned. Pic N Mix was sold to race there. Thanks to the research of fellow racing enthusiast Graham Stirling I have recently confirmed that Pic N Mix did in fact race in Denmark the following season and managed to win a race at Klampenborg (near Copenhagen) over 7 furlongs. I was thrilled to find this out and so pleased she managed to win a race. I always felt she had a small race in her and the winning distance totally makes sense. This knowledge just adds a little more gloss to the experience of those two wonderful days at Nottingham watching her run and my memories of this brilliant racecourse.

Fakenham Racecourse

Racecourse number: 52

First visited: 2015

Number of visits: 1

The Tomlinson family spent Easter 2015 at a holiday park near Cromer in Norfolk. As normal with our holidays in this country it was pre-planned with a horse racing angle. This holiday location allowed me to visit the tricky to get to and not very well known racecourse, Fakenham. The course resides halfway between Cromer and Kings Lynn. We attended on the bank holiday Monday fixture. The organisation for entry to the racecourse was somewhat complex, bizarre and frustrating but once we parked up things were very much to our liking.

Whilst Fakenham is a low grade racecourse it has good facilities and is set up for very exciting action. It has a distinctive short, tight national hunt circuit, almost a square which has great viewing. Being so small each race sees the runners pass you at least twice before hurtling towards the winning post on what is a very short run in. Being a bank holiday fixture there was a good crowd and lots going on to entertain it. For my kids there was a large slide and climbing wall (for an extra charge) and lots of Easter Eggs being handed out (for free) by the Easter Bunny. The meeting was attended by lots of country/farming types similar to those found at Taunton, though geographically I can’t imagine there are many regulars at both. Most were enjoying the market stalls and pleasant spring weather. The course has a new stand just beyond the winning post which adds a touch of class.

At the previous meeting I had watched the action on Attheraces to get a feel for the course in preparation for my visit. Before racing jockey James Banks, a regular at the track was interviewed. He seemed to have a great understanding of the need to ride the course a certain way, mainly to be prominent and where to be at different stages of a race. Watching the action, it was clear this quirky course could be mastered by specific knowledge and experience. Was he in fact the course specialist? Despite being a conditional jockey only AP McCoy and Tom Scudamore had ridden more winners at Fakenham at this stage of the 2014-2015 season. I planned to back his four runners on the card. All could be made a form case for, without being obvious winners. Sadly, as I write this in 2020 James Banks has been in the news recently, tragically dying at the age of thirty-six. 

Race one was a selling hurdle in which I completely ignored the merits of the eventual winner Barneys Honour. James Banks initial ride disappointed. He did not have a ride in race two in which I backed the short priced favourite who only managed second. I needed a change of luck. Could James provide it in the third race, a handicap hurdle? His mount Ogaritmo approached the last with a two length lead and looked a certain winner given the very short run in. I was very aware though that this mare had fallen at the last at Fakenham two runs ago with the race at her mercy! Two lengths became one as she jumped somewhat hesitantly and allowed nearest challenger Another Journey another chance. In the sprint to the line our opponent was closing fast, appearing to go twice as fast for several key strides. The two of them flashed past the post together in a desperately tight finish. I was unsure of the outcome even after watching the slow motion replay. As we waited for the official verdict it was clear this would be a key moment in the day from a betting perspective. Thankfully James had just done enough on this 8-1 shot, holding on by a nose. These are fantastic confidence building moments when a strategy delivers but things could easily have been different.

For the next two races we relocated to the centre of the course watching next to a hurdle. This got us even closer to the action with an unusual angle of the finishing straight. It also allowed my two children a bit more space to engage in the classic game of tig. I love this photo of the two of them happily playing together. Race four saw further success for my strategy on the day. James Banks set off in front on bottom weight Unknown Legend (pictured above) and was never troubled. This 7-1 winner guaranteed a successful day. In the next I stuck with James, now looking for a treble but also backed Bold Adventure who had once run on the flat against a horse of mine Smarties Party. I have just watched this race again with 8-1 shot Bold Adventure flying at the end of the race to snatch victory in a four horse battle. I recall gleefully watching this from the centre of course catching glimpses of the runners through parked cars and attractions. The winner had previously won at Fakenham earlier in the year and it is clear course form is very significant there. Bold Adventure won an impressive twelve races on the flat and over the jumps in his career. After three straight winners, all at decent prices, we agreed to make a move back to our holiday base to go swimming. My plan to back the favourite in race six no longer mattered much. This had been a great day in all respects and I really liked Fakenham though, based on its location I am unlikely to visit often. The efforts of one particular jockey though made all the difference on day. Thanks very much to James Banks and may he rest in peace. 

Wincanton Racecourse

Racecourse number: 55

First visited: 2018

Number of visits: 1

Two days after attending my fifty fourth racecourse Taunton I was at it again. Wednesday at Wincanton had a nice ring to it. There would be an inevitable close comparison with Taunton, a similar national hunt meeting not too far away. Just to keep the comparison fair and equitable I didn’t back the first winner at Wincanton either! I had driven alone in Claire’s car from nearby Center Parcs and got a real buzz when I saw the stands from a distance. Wincanton impacted on me in a way that Taunton could not. The quality of racing is far superior, I have watched a great deal more races there and the Saturday meetings featuring races like the Elite Hurdle and Badger Beer Chase are significant events in the national hunt racing calendar. This was one racecourse I had really wanted to go to. I was excited to be there. My excitement would be rewarded with an excellent days racing at a quality racecourse.

From the outset the day had a positive feel to it. Wincanton has spacious and excellent facilities. On this day the three enclosures were combined into one so I was able to have a good look around. In truth there was only a moderate crowd but it felt like a racecourse for real racing fans. There was racing memorabilia everywhere and genuine attention to detail throughout. Don’t get me wrong it didn’t have the beauty of Goodwood or the scale of Doncaster but it was very welcoming. In many ways I felt this track was ahead of the curve in terms of horse racing customer focus. Or perhaps sadly it was behind the curve in terms of attracting a different kind of audience. Either way free entry was supplied by my Racing UK subscription. Even the weather was helping – heavy rain earlier in the day had passed through and made way for a pleasant, though mainly cloudy spring afternoon. This rain would actually be the key to the outcomes in the races themselves. Thankfully it only took me one race to learn this lesson and latch on to a winning strategy. My strong fancy in the first Run To Milan was beaten into second by Captain Cattistock, a bulky staying type trained by Paul Nicholls. It was clear that winners that day would need to not only act in the heavy ground but also see out the distance very well. This formed the basis of my quickly revised form study. I would end up backing two of the next three winners on this basis. Contenders that I had previously discounted.

The two winners were Daytime Ahead and Somechine at 5-1 and 6-1 respectively. Both won decisively in the conditions. The latter was ridden expertly by the soon to retire Andrew Thornton. A great jockey and winner of more than a thousand races. He was associated with great horses such as See More Business and French Holly. I was more than happy to join in with the applause on one of his final winners. He would retire in June 2018. My progress was strengthened by a good bet on a Mark Johnson improver at Wolverhampton. I lumped on at 100-30. To celebrate I went mad and treated myself to some Leek & Potato soup in the Badger Beer bar area. Well worth a visit. Race five saw me split my stake on the Colin Tizard trained The Cider Maker and the Venetia Williams trained Achille. My interest was heightened when Venetia herself took a place in the stands almost next to me. It was clear she was hopeful of a good run. However Achille, Venetia and I had to settle for a respectable second as the race was won by Cucklington, another horse trained by my nemesis for the week Colin Tizard! I had the winner of the next race, odds on shot Unioniste but by then I was already making my way back to Center Parcs to continue our family holiday. I was really impressed with Wincanton and would love to return for one of the feature Saturday meetings one day soon. 

                   

Hamilton Park Racecourse

Racecourse number: 13

First visited: 1988

Number of visits: 2

Of the five Scottish racecourses I would have to say that Hamilton Park is my favourite. I have only been twice and left it far too long in between visits – thirty one years in fact. It was in August 1988 when I, along with my Mum and Dad paid my first visit. We were holidaying in Scotland at the not too far away Butlins holiday camp in Ayr where there were no racing fixtures scheduled. A trip to Hamilton was planned well in advance. Recently I asked my Dad to check his personal diary entries from that week and discovered a significant and secret sacrifice he made. On our many holidays of this type he always took part in the camp snooker tournaments and generally did well. On this holiday, much to his personal satisfaction (both then and ever since) he emerged as the triumphant winner. Part of his prize was to be presented with his trophy by and play a few frames against a leading snooker professional and celebrity from the time, Jim Meadowcroft. This was to take place the day following the tournament. Instead my Dad took his racing mad son to Hamilton Park and let the tournament runner up play Jim Meadowcroft. My Dad still has the trophy and I still have no recollection of this sacrifice.

The initial meeting in 1988 featured great weather and very floral racecourse décor. It was a spacious, pretty setting with the stands very close to the action. Hamilton hosts flat racing and has a six furlong straight with a quite steep uphill finish. The straight is attached to a tight loop furthest away from the stands which allows the course to accommodate longer races. These start either on the loop itself or on the straight. Races over one mile four/five furlongs for example actually set off in front of the stands in the wrong direction and then come back two minutes later – an almost unique feature shared only by Salisbury. My research into results that day uncovered some great stalwarts of the eighties northern racing circuit. Engaged in the action were jockeys John Carroll, Nicky Carlisle and Tony Culhane, trainers Jack Berry, Richard Whittaker and Eric Alston and horses Donovan Rose, Overpower and Needwood Nymph. Favourite in the 4.15 was Arum Lily trained by Nigel Tinkler and ridden by his daughter Kim. Dutch Co-ed would represent Nigel on my second visit and provide us both a winner providing a fantastic link between the two days decades later. Back in 1988 he and Arum Lily had to settle for third. Order Paper won the race ridden by emerging talent Alan Munro, who at that point claimed five pounds. Four years later at Nottingham mine and Alan’s paths would cross in a humorous fashion following an unsavoury incident at the previous meeting.

The actual car journey to the races can often form a large element of the day itself, especially on days like these when the destination racecourse is a good few hours away. In July 2019 this Thursday journey north to Hamilton would represent a change of pace for both my Dad and myself as well as a great opportunity for us to catch up. For me it would provide a welcome break from a hectic work and family schedule, a downward change of pace. For my Dad, now long since retired, a big upswing in activity. On the way the main focus is often form and fancies for the day but on such a long journey there is an opportunity for wider conversation, something I had greatly enjoyed over the previous decade’s racing trips. My Dad has great wisdom. That it is wrapped up in a comedy, relaxed outlook to life makes it both valuable and entertaining. He is also a great listener. As we set off on this trip to Scotland he reflected that at least we were not travelling north to fight the Scots as many of our ancestors had throughout history! A comment that certainly put my troubled working situation into perspective. The only battle we would be facing that day would be our regular skirmish with the on course bookmakers. Not that the day would be without danger. Soon after leaving Tebay services (The Royal Ascot of services in my opinion) a car joining the motorway in an aggressive, reckless manor nearly rammed us into the central reservation. Shaken but not physically stirred at least we entered the realm of the greatest James Bond, Sean Connery. We arrived safely and in plenty of time, which was the first of many good results on the day.

The set up for the day was another Racing UK (now Racing TV) Club Day. They were in fact the sponsors of the whole meeting. Our VIP package included free tickets, an exclusive base in a marquee next to the parade ring, a preview of the day with a racing presenter, in this case Gordon Brown and importantly free tea and biscuits. In addition you could put yourself forward to judge the best turned out horse or present a trophy to the winner. Without doubt these VIP days are a great feature of Racing TV membership. Gordon did a good job of previewing the meeting, though arguably he left it a little late, concluding as the runners for the first went down to the start. Dad and I did a good job of sampling the various free biscuits on offer. In the first race we both backed One Bite, trained by Keith Dalgliesh who, despite drifting in the betting to 8-1, saw off his nearest rival in a driving photo finish. A great start which I topped up when Making History easily won the first race at Leicester in the blue silks of Godolphin. However our selections did not trouble the judge in the next race at Hamilton. Race three then saw sustained and significant market support for none other than the Michael Appleby trained Loch Ness Monster. Team Tomlinson remained non-believers though and stuck with the uneasy favourite Harvey Dent. He repaid our faith in workmanlike fashion with Loch Ness Monster a fast finishing second. Following Dutch Co-Ed’s win in race four we were on a roll. Later to conclude a great days punting I backed 4-1 winner Retirement Beckons who won the seventh and our final race in decisive style.

The most interesting race of the day though, from my point of view at least was race six, a novice stakes run over a mile. My trainer Phil Kirby had an intriguing runner December Second, who had recently been second twice in similar contests, including one at Goodwood. The key element of interest though was that the horse would be ridden by new stable apprentice Nick Barratt-Atkin who was having only his third ride in public. This represented a massive opportunity for him to ride his first winner. I would be thrilled to be there when he did. Only favourite New Arrangement looked a danger in this five runner affair. I took quite a few photos before, during and after the race, some of which were used later on the Phil Kirby website news feed. I sent the best photos to Pippa, Phil’s wife when we returned from racing. We watched the race itself close to the winning line near Phil, his owners and some of Nick’s family. As the race unfolded they became increasingly animated, particularly Phil as the prospect of victory became realistic in the final two furlongs. You could tell how much he wanted Nick to win as this young man brought December Second with a sustained run to challenge New Arrangement. There was little between them in the final strides and being quite wide apart it was unclear if the Barratt-Atkin drive would get his mount home. Unfortunately they were defeated by a neck but it was genuinely a great effort by Nick against experienced professional PJ McDonald. It felt like his first winner would surely be just around the corner. However, at the time of writing, six months later in early 2020 Nick has now had 42 rides, seeing quite a lot of action over the winter on the all-weather. He now has eight seconds but unbelievably no wins! I have watched the majority of his rides and still feel his time will come, especially with the new flat turf season now approaching. Good luck Nick.

After a great day we headed home and once again I took advantage of this additional time with my Dad. I had some news to share with him which was both complicated and potentially worrying for him. Following twenty-five years working for the same employer my working situation was about to change. I would lose my job, some long term colleagues and my car. Ultimately if all went to plan, I would be fine and continue a short time later in a slightly different but connected future role. I explained the situation at length to give him the full picture and hopefully reduce any concerns he would have. As usual he sat quietly taking in this information. He, like me had known this was coming following a few previous car conversations. After what was probably about twenty minutes of explanation and clarification I paused to hear his thoughts, hopefully some more pearls of wisdom. He was fast asleep!