APRIL 2015

FINISH LINE Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club magazine

WE DID IT! WE WON! Cover picture: Oliver Sherwood and Nathan Horrocks celebrate the win of . WELCOME…

The Spring Festivals keep serving up high when it nears its’ end, then so does our National drama. Hunt racing season. We’re literally days away from saying adieu to AP McCoy – have you got your ticket? This month the world turned their attention to Sandown will be sold out and ’ll cry like a baby. Aintree and Aintree responded by giving us a Grand CTCRC have a yard visit to Michael Scudamore’s on National to savour and a three day support card of the same day, so you can do the stable visit then the highest quality. The racing was played out in head to Sandown. CONTENTS glorious sunny weather among crowds who only had one thing in mind, having a good time....and boy did Once I recover, it’s then to Ireland for the final chapter Editors introduction 3 they have a good time. of a brilliant season with the Punchestown Festival. Take heed, was sparing in the number In this months magazine we’re thrilled to be able to Oliver Sherwood interview 4-5 of the horses he sent to Aintree, he will go to war at talk to some of the people who were at the centre his home turf with a full battalion. I can’t wait to see of the story that the is always able Nathan Horrocks interview 6-8 the following matches, v Don Poli, to create. We begin with an interview on pages 4-5 Tipster competition 9 with the victorious trainer of Many Clouds, Oliver Sherwood. You would have to go a long way to find Tanya Stevenson guest column 10-12 a more popular man in racing and Oliver gives us his account of what it’s like to train the winner of the Win a day at Chepstow races competition 13 most famous race in the world. Aintree Festival review 14-19 On pages 6-8 we meet Nathan Horrocks, work rider for Many Clouds. Imagine the thrill you must get Richard Hoiles column 20-22 when the horse you ride every day wins the Grand Club news & forthcoming events 23 National? Add to this the fact that aside from racing, your main job is that of Visual Director for Equine Crabbie’s Grand National Winner 2015 – Many Clouds Edward Gillespie OBE club night 24-27 Productions. His company are responsible for creating ground breaking video technology that gave us the v and Arctic Fire, while is set to Racemakers experience 28-29 JockeyCam on ’s ride aboard Many take on and Shaneshill. There will also Clouds and also Aidan Coleman’s ride in the Topham be , , John Hales column 30-31 Chase on the Friday. and , to name but a few. Kim Bailey column 32-33 With the Grand National being the one day in the Finally, I leave you with the photo that made me year when the whole nation has a bet, we thought smile on the way home from Aintree. Having thrilled column 34-35 we ought to get the views of Tanya Stevenson of an audience of 600 million world wide viewers and a Channel Four racing on the Aintree Festival. On pages further 70,000 who witnessed the race, Many Clouds Jo Collinson column 36-39 10-12 we’re given an insight into some of Tanya’s trundled along in his horse box on the 190 mile drive betting tips for the months ahead, especially in the home to . Chris Jerdin and Lisa Jayne Cook Sophia Brundenell column 40-41 world of golf. sat up front with beaming smiles acknowledging the Jessica Lamb column 42-43 horn toots of a thousand well I haven’t space in this column to advise on all of our wishers who drove by. His place contributors this month, but would recommend in history secure, I feel he has a highly you read the account Liam Treadwell gave me genuine chance of returning to of his ride on Monbeg Dude in claiming third place in defend his crown in 2016. the Grand National. Congratulations Liam! Steve Ennis Like the sand in an egg timer appears to speed up

2 3 OLIVER SHERWOOD INTERVIEW

Having scooped interviews with the What’s you fondest memory of the day? winning owner of last months Gold Cup it Seeing my wife Tarnya for the first time after seemed only fitting to give one of the most The victorious team of Trevor Hemmings, Oliver Sherwood, Many Many Clouds and Leighton Aspell set the race. I watched the race in the owners and popular men in racing a call to find out how Clouds and Chris Jerdin off towards glory trainers stand, but Tarnya watched elsewhere and he was feeling after landing the biggest she thought Many Clouds had come down at the race in the world, The Crabbies Grand third, so missed a circuit before realising he was safer and more attractive again to the higher Was winning for Trevor Hemmings extra National, take a bow, Oliver Sherwood; still in the race as he didn’t get a mention. When class horses. The prize money and prestige of special? the Grand National cannot be under estimated, Oliver, you’ve had four days to absorb the race was won, I lost it for a minute, but then Mr Hemmings has had horses with us for around the Gold Cup remains the blue ribbon event, winning the most famous race in the world, when we both got back to the winners enclosure twelve years, he’s a senior figure in the National but it is slightly disappointing that the premier how does it feel? and saw each other that was very special. Hunt world and a delight to train for as he race isn’t worth more in prize money than the understands that horses need time and patience. I still can’t believe it, it’s mind boggling. The Have you managed to buy a new Trilby? Grand National, which, at the end of the day is With Many Clouds, we’ve been careful not to response we have had since winning is a handicap. At this stage we have no concrete I got it back! go to the well too often and he has developed staggering, we’ve had phone calls and emails plans but I suspect our main target will be to aim into the top class chaser he is because his owner from literally around the world. I even did an for the National, after all, I don’t have to protect was happy to take a long view on his career. I’m interview on Australian radio earlier in the week, his weight! With Willie Mullins’ battalions and indebted to Mr Hemmings as well, as following we ended up talking about cricket! But the level the strength in depth of the Gold Cup field, I’m the Gold Cup run I wasn’t keen to race, but Mr of interest has been huge, I had 250+ texts on leaning towards the National. One thing I would Hemmings’ view was that even if he didn’t do well Saturday alone and we’ve literally had sacks full of counter are the media comments surrounding in the race he would have the summer ahead of mail sending best wishes. Like when Many Clouds Many Clouds’ run in the Gold Cup, people say him, so it was a case of send him racing rather won the Hennessy, we will reply to everyone. he got taken off his feet, this simply isn’t true. than turn him out early for the summer break, and Right now I feel I need a letter correspondence PA Leighton said he was simply never travelling, even how pleased am I now that we chose this option! as well as a Racing PA. on the first circuit. We’ve put a line through that I was delighted that Mr Hemmings was able race, but even then, on an off day he still managed And how is Many Clouds after his exertions? to fly down on the Sunday and join in the with sixth place. Leighton said the feel he got off Many The flying Trilby made a safe return home the celebrations as Many Clouds took a tour of As you all know he had a bit of a wobble after the Clouds in the National was completely different Lambourn where huge crowds turned out. race, but he’s done that before and he recovered even running down to the start. very quickly. On Saturday he got back to the yard If I were to ask you on March 1st which The season is nearly over, have you What surprised you about the victory that at 11.30pm and ate up readily and was bucking race you wanted to win, Gold Cup or Grand anymore goals? and kicking. On the Sunday we did a parade of National which one would you go for? you hadn’t imagined before? Lambourn and he loved it, he knows he’s done We’re sending two to the Ayr meeting, Puffin Aah that is a tricky question in hindsight. The Many Clouds had never run over the National well and loves the attention. We’ve got further Billy and Global Power, who isn’t without a good National is turning around into a higher class race fences previously and I wasn’t sure how he parades planned at Cheltenham today and chance. than before. The compression of the weights by would take to them, I was amazed at how well Newbury on Saturday. He has amazed me with the handicapper, Phil Smith, is helping to attract he jumped, even going down to Bechers’ first In a week where the media frenzy was unprecedented how good he looks, he appears not to have had CTCRC are very grateful to Oliver for taking the time to a higher quality field each year – who knows, you time he filled me with confidence as he proved a race. We’ll enjoy the next two weeks in the share his experience of the Grand National success. All may see go for it next year? In addition, to be foot perfect at all 30 fences – I’ve watched limelight, he’ll be eased down in this time and will at CTCRC send our warmest congratulations to Oliver, the modification to the fences has made the race the race several times since and his jumping was Tarnya and the team at Rhonehurst in Lambourn. then summer back at Mr. Hemmings’ stud. a delight.

4 5 NATHAN HORROCKS INTERVIEW

Tell us about Equine Productions? of extreme sports with the understanding that is also an “extreme” sport. I’ve always been fascinated in the creative arts, especially film production and felt there was an We used super slow mo cameras under the opportunity to develop more engagement in fence, on the fence and in the air in specially the thrill of equine sports. I’m driven to capture adapted drones to get the cameras airborne the aesthetic of the sport on film so it looks as to give the amazing aerial shots. We also had a A Grand National win and two From 2005 I then became a work rider for exciting as it actually is. Three years ago I went tracking vehicle driving alongside towards the mesmerising video films involving Mark Johnson and was a work rider for horses skiing and learned about technologies being horses as they took the fence, so achieving the Leighton Aspell and Aidan Coleman made such as Attraction, Sharmadal and Yavannas used in the sport with head camera’s used by spectacle of seeing the approach from the front, this years Aintree Festival a memorable Pace. In 2007 I then took a job with Betfair as skiers. Sam Fleet, our Managing Director had take off alongside, and landing from behind in occasion for Nathan Horrocks. a racecourse representative which involved a a similar vision of bringing high end video carefully choreographed sequences. We wanted move to Lambourn where I became friends with production to the racing world. Together to create something that made the hairs on CTCRC had the good fortune to catch up with Warren Greatrex, who at that time was assistant with Dave James, our Creative Director, we the back of your neck stick up and we think we Nathan while still in the hazy buzz of the days trainer to Oliver Sherwood. I still had the buzz for established Equine Productions and things have achieved this, while showing the beauty of the that followed the Grand National, here’s what he racing and needed my daily fix of the horses so taken off from there. horse in flight. had to tell us. started riding out for Oliver, which I have done What was your big breakthrough? How did you come to be involved with For our readers who may not know ever since. Four years ago a big gangly gelding Racing? There have been many projects we have you Nathan, tell us a little about your came into the yard by the name of Many Clouds worked on that have led to our success, but We have done a number of features for C4 and background? and I was lucky enough to ride him out one one that has really put EP on the map was a we were lucky enough to help with the film morning and managed to keep the ride, every I’ve grown up in racing, my Dad, Alan Horrocks film we were commissioned to make for the on Cleeve Hill for Cheltenham this year, but the day since. was a flat in the 1970’s and rode over called “Get Your Heart Jumping” JockeyCam has been something we have been 500 winners. I was raised in Middleham, North How do you balance riding out with your which featured six professional jockeys jumping working on for two years and the reason for this Yorkshire, so the career options were either to other commitments? fences at Lambourn using a variety of new video was to achieve the necessary safety regulations, follow in my Dad’s footsteps, be a farmer or go Each day, the first thing I do is go down to the technologies. Traditionally has but we achieved it and the fruition of our efforts into the building trade, I chose racing. That said, yard and ride on Many Clouds, once that’s done always been viewed from a distance, but in this were rewarded in dream like fashion at Aintree I was a bit bigger than my Dad so I ended up I then pursue my day jobs as a Betfair on course initiative we wanted the viewer to get a much as we were able to capture the unique drama of being a jump jockey and rode professionally for representative and more recently as the Visual closer, truer sensation of the thrill of riding and Aidan Coleman being unseated by Benny’s Mist around ten years between 1996 – 2005, riding Director of Equine Productions. jumping. We’ve borrowed ideas from the world in the Topham Chase. Seeing Aidan cowering up to sixty winners.

6 7 under the fence as three horses flew over his We’re going to trial this on the flat and have TIPSTER head illustrated perfectly the extreme nature of a vision that this can really add to the viewers the sport as never before. experience. We’re looking beyond racing COMPETITION and have projects in development for Show Just when you thought things couldn’t get jumping, Eventing and Polo. In all these sports much better, Leighton Aspell then rode my UPDATE we will continue to develop drone technology Many Clouds to victory in the Grand National that can provide dramatic overhead shots in real and we captured the whole experience from time and provide the viewer the adrenalin they Leighton’s perspective via the JockeyCam for a The Festival is over for another year (well 11 COMPETITION LEADERBOARD give to those who are taking part. world first. months and 14 days as at the time of writing) SCORES TO END MARCH 2015 All at CTCRC send warmest congratulations to No doubt the celebrations went long into And even though the home country won the 1 TONY COLEMAN B 455 Nathan on his victory with Many Clouds and the night? Prestbury Cup 14-13 it was most certainly a 2 TONY COLEMAN A 385 wish him continued success in pioneering the “Mullins Fest”. 3 PAUL JONES A 350 It was unbelievable, it’s still unbelievable, we’ve filming techniques that are so thrilling to watch. 4= GILLIAN WALKER B 350 The leading entry at the end of March benefited celebrated none stop since and I still think I’ll 4= TONY COLEMAN H 345 If you wish to see more go to You Tube and type hugely from Willie Mullins’ horses that produced wake up in a minute to find it’s all been a dream 6 DAVID HART A 345 in “The making of Get Your Heart Jumping”. 4 winners and 2 runners-up for Tony Coleman’s 7= ROGER SOLLIS A 340 And what further projects do Equine Photos have been kindly supplied by Nathan’s “B” entry which generated a lead of in excess of 7= DAVID BATEMAN C 330 Productions have in mind? wife Stephie Horrocks. 100pts over his nearest challenger. www.stephiehorrocksphotography.co.uk 7= JOHN HANCOCK A 330 We want to try and catch the adrenalin of racing With the chasing group headed by Tony’s “A” 7= KEN UNSWORTH G 325 by connecting live to a jockey’s head camera entry (also weighted with Mullins’ horses) it Again, as a result of the aforementioned Willie during a race as part of the overall live race might be assumed the competition is over. coverage, like they do in Formula One racing. Mullins providing so many winners at the That may well be a rather rash view to take, Festival it is not surprising that the Monthly particularly with the Aintree Festival due to Prize for most points scored also goes to Tony provide the second batch of “double point” Coleman’s “B” entry. races over the 3-day event. Our congratulations go to Tony. Willie Mullins’ record at Aintree bears no COMPETITION LEADERBOARD inspection or hope of winners. Over the past 9 SCORES MARCH years Mr Mullins has provide just one, yes ONE, winner from 53 runners – albeit that winner 1 TONY COLEMAN B 200 came in last year’s , Boston Bob. 2= TONY COLEMAN A 170 This provides an opportunity for the chasing 2= ROGER SOLLIS A 170 group to regain lost ground although, of course, 4= GILLIAN WALKER B 170 the Punchestown Festival “Finale” could favour Please don’t forget that you can track the status the Irish trainer’s entries at the end of April. We of your entries on-line by accessing www. Nathan Horrocks shall see Visual Director ctcrc.co.uk, selecting Events and then Tipsters Equine Productions Ltd. Our congratulations go to Tony, who wins the Competition. £10 Monthly Prize. www.equine-productions.com If you have any questions about your entry, or its Creative Film For You Please note: ALL prizes will be paid out at the status, please contact Tony Coleman either on +44 (0) 7740721565 end of the competition. 07795 146242 or by e-mail at +44 (0) 1291 630089 [email protected].

8 9 In 2013 I fulfilled a AP McCoy is a legend and Back to Aintree, TANYA long time dream stood in close when alongside I can be happy like all of proximity to just a STEVENSON Brian Gleeson, I few bookmakers reported from my you to say when he rode and amongst GUEST COLUMN cherished Aintree the thousands in betting ring at the “we were there” attendance it gives Grand National you a privileged meeting for Channel 4 Racing. Quite a few of the perspective, market moves, favoured and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be floor manager for Sky Sports Greyhound on course bookmakers have known me since unfavoured runners and on this course in a guest writer in your magazine, I’ve programme which I did for 13 years from 1997 childhood which instigates great banter and a particular you can get so close to the action, always enjoyed your preview evenings in a role which helped when I first appeared on source of information, giving a different angle on so assessing the pace of the race comes easier. Cheltenham’s Centaur Stand. This year, screen in March 2001 at Haydock. For many each race. All Yours was never placed to challenge in the hopefully like many of you I was able to years I worked alongside John McCririck Fred Winter, yet still managed to claim fifth. I love all sports with cricket, NFL and golf my take advantage of some of the offers that reporting from the racecourse betting rings. First thought was that he may be weak, not favourites other than racing. When I have a day Ladbrokes gave on the eve of the Festival. grown into himself, a month later he showed I have been lucky enough to have contributed off you’ll find me either at the racecourse or maturity when successful, he is one to follow Let me give you a bit of an insight into me, to the Racing Post in the Greyhound section, watching any of the aforementioned live. If that’s for me next season. the total sports fanatic. Born into betting, it written a column in the Saturday racing pullout not possible I’ll be glued to a screen watching was perhaps inevitable I’d end up in the family for the Daily Record and I continue to write a racing. But it’s betting, the mathematics Saphir Du Rheu also grew in stature and right business of bookmaking. I’m told by my mother blog for Racing UK. I’m one of the judges for the behind the prices, the interpretation of market into the reckoning for next season’s Gold Cup. I went with her to Royal Ascot in 1973, I can’t Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the moves and stats that will forever fascinate, plus If I had as much bottle as Jordan Spieth, the remember. But the lecture I received when Year and sit on the Committee. watching how the racing industry continues to pockets would have been emptied on him. His giving a wrong price to my parents at the evolve keeps you alert. introduction to chasing had not been smooth, 1977 Derby will resonate forever. understatement I know. As soon as he jumped Saphir Du Rheu also So yes I did watch the Masters, and at the same the first few, it was ominous as he turned the The late 70’s provided my first experience time try to keep abreast of the Indian Premier Mildmay Novices Chase into a procession, the last of both the and grew in stature and right League all during Aintree’s Grand National circuit felt like a lap of honour. A serious horse. Aintree Grand National. I’ve attended meeting. I haven’t had a chance to spool through every Cheltenham Festival since, whether into the reckoning for the tapes of all the races yet, or assess the Ridden with more conviction Nichols Canyon it be working on my father’s bookmakers next season’s Gold Cup damage it has done to my pocket, I’m not too showed his true worth at Aintree, his CV pitch, for SIS or Channel 4. From the late despondent, to be fair I never am, always looking contains three Grade one victories now, though 80’s until joining Channel 4 Racing in 1998 to the future, the belief in this quarter is that both while watching him on Saturday I felt the as production secretary, I worked for SIS Hunter Mahan and Morgan Hoffman are winners Neptune was a race that got away. Next season reporting all the prices from the in the next few weeks on the PGA Tour. he is going to be formidable, if he isn’t already. betting rings to the betting shops. Willie Mullins had very few runners across Outside of racing I love cricket, NFL and golf My first introduction of working in live television was as a

10 11 WIN A DAY AT THE RACES COMPETITION

This month’s question for the chance to The question for March was: win two Premier Enclosure Badges for any I’ve had great betting ring partners with John McCririck and Brian Gleeson want to blame it on the off Up to what age is free entry to Chepstow meeting of your choice (except the Welsh the three days at Aintree, conspicuous by course market hedging into Racecourse allowed? the on course market. In fact there are a few Grand National) at is their absence so to speak. At Punchestown given below. And, for April, the question is: his runners will be ubiquitous, with plenty factors, one of which is the way betting rings of short priced favourites such as Don Poli, are fractured and fragmented now. Betting With the March edition of Finish Line being How do you get your money back from the Douvan and Djakadam to name a few, giving areas have popped up all over at various published rather later than usual, and the only Severn Bridge Toll Charge at Chepstow me huge temptation to back them in a treble courses and unless bookmakers are in the main response received by the original deadline being Racecourse? Tattersalls enclosure or on the rails they are technically incorrect, it has been decided to and if Vautour turns up then the outlay could Please post your entries to reach Tony Coleman become very expensive. All barring Djakadam not considered to be part of the sample which extend the deadline until Friday 8th May 2015 as by Friday 8th May 2015 at: took the breath away with their commanding form the starting price. well as posing a 2nd question. Cheltenham performances. And even the Gold Case in point, Ayr, the main bookmakers or 14 Ridge Green, Shaw, West Swindon, SN5 5PU The good news, though, is this means two Cup second ran a stormer for a horse so young! those at least who should be in the sample are alternatively, e-mail him at [email protected] vouchers will be awarded. One to each of the pitched up by the paddock and not considered, NB: Please remember to include your current On the imminent horizon for me is a trip to correct entries received, for either question, weakening the main ring, making it susceptible membership number and postal address with Ayr for the , I love the being drawn “out of the hat”. meeting, those attending love the sport and to a smaller weight of concentrated wagering. your entry. embrace their marathon test. The pin hasn’t Aintree was to be diplomatic disappointing, fallen on a final pick yet, its wavering between and the industry would do well to monitor all meetings, the Grand National has just flagged up a problem that is growing. I note the BHA is having a major review of jump racing, why leave it at jump racing, it ought to be continually reviewing all codes of the sport, no harm in keeping on top of all factors and being flexible to change. I digress don’t get me on to racing politics… For now though I bid a fond farewell to a man I believe Hunter Mahan and Morgan Hoffman may win who has represented a generation and had on the US Tour in the months ahead superlatives invented to describe him. We won’t realise how much we will miss him until Catching On, Indian Castle and Lie Forrit. I he has gone. He has been a fixture of our lives just hope the odds don’t shorten nearer to for 20 years, AP McCoy is a legend and I can be post time like they did for the Grand National! happy like all of you to say when he rode “we Whose to blame, there are many willing to lay were there”. the culpability at the on course market, some Tanya Stevenson

12 13 AINTREE FESTIVAL

REVIEW On The Fringe – maybe a player in the ?

Thursday April 9th first win of the season in the . The truth is he was lucky as Arctic Fire looked set With batteries fully charged I headed to take the spoils but for a dramatic last hurdle AP and Ruby do battle for one of the last North to experience the full three days of departure in the style of Annie Power. occasions, this time AP comes out on top the Aintree Grand National Festival for the first time, little did I know how much fun I Readers not acquainted with Aintree should was in for. know it is a racecourse with excellent facilities that GOING: GOOD TO SOFT Weather conditions: Sunburnt faces - forgot has undergone considerable investment. There the sun cream 1:40 - Manifesto Novices’ Chase 35,000 came racing, but maybe 30,000 thought are four major viewing Grandstands and access 1 Clarcam 5/1 4:05 - Crabbie’s Fox Hunters’ Chase they were going to a wedding as they were so from parade ring to racecourse is easy. The course 2 Vibrato Valtat 9/4 1 On The Fringe 5/2F smartly dressed. To compliment the finery there is as flat as a pancake and the National course 3 Val De Law 16/1 2 Pacha Du Polder 7/1 was a racecard of the highest order with the first goes some way from the stands making the Jockey: R Walsh 3 Last Time D’Albain 10/1 four races all grade ones. You had a sense of deja reliance on the big screens necessary. That said, Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Ms N Carberry vu after the first as did what is now the screens are plentiful and the atmosphere is Trainer: E Bolger an increasingly familiar tactic and took the race always light and fun – the racegoers seem more 2:15 - Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle via a pillar to post victory with exquisite jumping intent on a good time than is maybe the general 1 All Yours 16/1 4:40 - Betfred Handicap Chase on Clarcam. experience at our home turf of Cheltenham. You 2 Devilment 8/1 1 Surf And Turf 33/1 can readily get a spot at the parade ring rails as The next two races went to the champion 3 Bristol De Mai 8/1 2 Darwins Fox 14/1 the majority are elsewhere enjoying a drink or the trainer Paul Nicholls. His achievements this Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies 3 Pearls Legend 16/1 live music on offer. season haven’t been shouted about loudly Trainer: Paul Nicholls 4 Bellenos 14/1 enough. What’s most impressive is his continued For those backing On The Fringe in the Jockey: Brian Hughes excellence in placing horses in the right races. Foxhunters’, they were having a good time from 2:50 - Betfred Bowl Chase Trainer: Kevin Frost His winnings for the season have exceeded £3m, a long way out as exuded total 1 7/4F comfortably ahead of any challenger. To a level confidence in her mount as he cruised through 2 Ballynagour 18/1 5:15 - Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle £1 stake, you can follow Mr Nicholls blind and be the amateur field over the National Fences to 3 Holywell 5/2 1 Taglietelle 7/1 in the black to the tune of £69. take the Foxhunters double, the first since 1993. Jockey: 2 Call The Cops 4/1F Trainer: Paul Nicholls 3 Master Malt 25/1 Further examples of his touch were seen in All If you backed the winner of the last two races 4 Regal Encore 14/1 Yours winning at 16/1, followed by a return to you were able to dine out on Surf and Turf at 3:25 - Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle Jockey: form for Silviniaco Conti at 7/4 in the Betfred 33/1 or Taglietelle at 7/1, personally I went for 1 3/1 Trainer: Gordon Elliott Bowl who showed class and guts to fend off pasta and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ballynagour and Holywell. 2 7/2 3 Volnay De Thaix 8/1 The loudest cheer of the day then went to the Jockey: A P McCoy soon to be retired AP McCoy who gave Jezki his Trainer: Mrs John Harrington

14 15 AINTREE FESTIVAL REVIEW Friday April 10th six unseated riders, one refusal, four more were pulled up, six fell and two were brought down. “Ladies Day” dawned and if people could All riders and horses were fine, but the post race get anymore dressed up than the previous highlights took much longer than the race itself day, they did. as so much went on. And here was Sam Waley- An elated Sam Waley-Cohen Cohen guiding a horse that had never jumped shows his delight in winning Aintree Lady Toni Salters had plenty to Toni Salters, pictured, won the best dressed on board Radjhani Express smile about after winning a car lady and drove home with a new Mini these fences to a serene ten length victory. The Roadster and £6,000 to spend on more clothes. word amateur needs reappraisal as this guy is the The atmosphere was once again light and master of the National fences and now has six celebratory as the weather put everyone in wins against his name over them, a modern day GOING: Mildmay course – GOOD, Hurdle & Weather conditions: fine and sunny, this time great spirits. In fairness, the media coverage record unsurpassed by the professional jockeys. National courses - GOOD TO SOFT we had factor 50. of Ladies Day is a bit elitist as the vast majority While had given Gordon Elliott his of racegoers were very smart, but the small third Festival winner, Paul Nicholls hit his third 1:40 - Charity Handicap Hurdle 4:05 - Crabbie’s Topham Chase number who may have enjoyed a little too as well with a rejuvenated Saphir Du Rheu back 1 Theinval 7/1 1 Rajdhani Express 10/1 much were the one’s getting a bigger than over the big fences. The performance was so 2 The Saint James 11/2F 2 Fairy Rath 25/1 desired slice of the media coverage. taking that Paul Nicholls felt free to announce 3 Daneking 8/1 3 Rathlin 20/1 4 Stonebrook 40/1 4 Hunt Ball 25/1 The AP McCoy thank you board filled up within that as a six year old his future plans lay in Jockey: Jeremiah McGrath Jockey: Mr S Waley-Cohen an hour of opening and AP demonstrated the plotting a route to the Gold Cup...add in Don Trainer: Trainer: Nicky Henderson reason for his popularity when guiding Don Cossack and all this years luminaries and we look

Cossack to a twenty six length demolition of set to be in for yet more thrills in 2016. 2:15 - E-Lites Top Novices’ Hurdle 4:40 - Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle the grade one field in the Melling Chase. I saw The other three wins on a mesmeric day 1 Cyrus Darius 8/1 1 25/1 Don Cossack in the pre parade ring and he were all significant in spotlighting future high 2 Vago Collonges 7/1 2 Vyta Du Roc 100/30 looked incredible, Ken Pitterson would have class prospects. The connections of Theinval, 3 Qewy 5/1 3 Our Kaempfer 20/1 been purring. Thistlecrack and Barters Hill will all be whetting Jockey: Brian Hughes Jockey: Tom Scudamore Cyrus Darius announced himself as a big their lips in anticipation for the next year when Trainer: Malcolm Jefferson Trainer: Colin Tizzard prospect for the future as he took the grade one each can be expected to progress further. Ben hurdle by a ten length margin from a Pauling said of Barters Hill “he’s quite clearly the 2:50 - Betfred Mildmay Novices’ Chase 5:15 - Open National Hunt Flat Race strong field. Malcolm Jefferson can look forward best we’ve ever had...stepped up in trip he’ll be 1 Saphir Du Rheu 13/8F 1 Barters Hill 11/2 to an exciting novice chase campaign next different again”. Mark you cards. 2 Carraig Mor 12/1 2 Bellshill 8/1 season with the winner. 3 Irish Saint 6/1 3 Potters Corner 20/1 Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Jockey: David Bass Having fallen at the first over the Trainer: Paul Nicholls Trainer: Ben Pauling National fences the day before, due to an impossible landing 3:25 - Betfred Melling Chase position, Sam Waley-Cohen once 1 Don Cossack 3/1J again showed his prowess over 2 6/1 the big jumps by having the nous 3 Johns Spirit 16/1 to avoid the carnage that ensued Jockey: A P McCoy in the Topham Chase. There were There wasn’t an inch to spare on the AP McCoy thank you board Trainer: Gordon Elliott

16 17 AINTREE FESTIVAL REVIEW Saturday April 11th finish held on by a neck to second and another neck to third, thus Rain and blustery wind greeted the early providing the most exciting finish of the week. morning journey to Aintree from my Lancashire base on my stay in the North. The Grand National followed and importantly The weather Gods were advised it was for racing the event proved befitting of the occasion. AP McCoy riding in his final Grand Grand National day and Many Clouds duly A pensive AP McCoy steps out ahead of his last Grand National was cheered out of the parade ring. Runners complete their first lap in the opening race of disappeared bringing another bright and National, led ironically by winner Leighton Aspell day three sunny day. The jockeys played their part, as the race got away first time and a whole circuit from the first Today was different, the buzz in the air was was completed without any horse GOING: Mildmay course - GOOD (Good to soft); Weather conditions: fine but breezy and cool. tangible, 70,000 expectant visitors arrived falling. 19 horses completed and none were National course - GOOD TO SOFT (Good); Hurdle knowing they had fathomed the winner of the lost, with all jockeys returning safely too. The course - GOOD (Good to soft). 4:15 - Crabbie’s Grand National Chase Grand National. There was even a modicum of highest weighted horse since Red Rum won in a 1:30 - Mersey Novices’ Hurdle 1 Many Clouds 25/1 interest in all the racing, visitors deciding that a modern record time and post race celebrations 1 Nichols Canyon 3/1F 2 Saint Are 25/1 respect for the vague science of form studying were savoured by all. was the appropriate activity to undertake on the 2 Parlour Games 4/1 3 Monbeg Dude 40/1 day of the worlds most famous race. The main event over and the crowds began to 3 Three Musketeers 7/1 4 Alvarado 20/1 stream away early having gorged on three days Jockey: R Walsh Jockey: Leighton Aspell Three more grade one races acted as hors of outstanding racing, after all there were plans Trainer: W P Mullins Trainer: Oliver Sherwood d’oeuvres to the main dish of the Grand for Saturday night and places to go. Aintree National. Nichols Canyon proved to be the class racecourse proved itself an able provider of top 2:05 - Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase 5:10 - Handicap Hurdle act in the opener, a Walsh / Mullins combination class racing in an environment that is unique to 1 Sizing Granite 9/2 1 Astre De La Cour 10/1 yet again, they appear to have a copyright on any racecourse I’ve visited, fun appears to be at 2 God’s Own 15/8F 2 Fethard Player 33/1 winning the opener at big race meetings, take the top of everyone’s agenda, and fun was had. 3 Traffic Fluide 7/2 3 The Game Changer 15/2 note for Punchestown. Congratulations to Aintree and to all the Jockey: J J Burke 4 Baltimore Rock 5/1 Sizing Granite proved a worthy winner of the connections of Many Clouds, I’ll be making plans Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: second, while Whisper followed up on his to come again next year. Trainer: Robert Walford Aintree win from last year by taking the notable 2:50 - Silver Cross Stayers’ Hurdle 1 scalps of and a visibly over the Steve Ennis Whisper 5/1 5:40 - Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race top Zarkander. Most horses arriving 2 Cole Harden 2/1F 1 Hollies Pearl 8/1 from the Cheltenham Festival had 3 Un Temps Pour Tout 15/2 2 Chocca Wocca 8/1 performed well, after all this year the Jockey: Nico de Boinville 3 Sea Pride 16/1 two meetings were separated by 29 Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Sean Bowen days, in the main, this had afforded Trainer: Peter Bowen most horses good time to recover and 3:25 - Betfred Handicap Chase even improve on the better ground. 1 Duke Of Lucca 9/2 2 Your Busy 12/1 Duke Of Lucca matched Whisper 3 Wonderful Charm 9/2 in following up on a previous years Jockey: Richard Johnson victory at the meeting. In an all out Nicky Henderson, Dai Walters and Nico De Boinville collect Trainer: Philip Hobbs the crystal following the win of Whisper

18 19 RICHARD HOILES COLUMN

Whilst many from the wider sporting agendas were already penning their graphic media may have returned home from the headlines, but unlike events three years ago this Grand National and shut the front door time racing dealt with events head on. Post-race disappointed that the blockbuster McCoy welfare procedures were far better explained story had failed to transpire, those who whilst the news that gradually filtered through follow racing day in and day out probably from the Canal Turn also was disseminated far did so with a far jauntier step. less defensively. Still receiving treatment at the time of writing hopefully Balthazar King will The resurgence of Oliver Sherwood has been make a full recovery from the rib injuries caused A brilliant renaissance for Oliver Sherwood, The one of the highlights of the jumping season National, The Hennessy and 1000 career winners not by the fall but by being cleaned up by and, leaving personal financial investments Ballycasey as he was getting back to his feet. aside, there would be few who did not rejoice in a first Grand National triumph for the popular It also provided one of the abiding pictures to stick the head over the parapet often benefits, the adorning of certain riders with a Lambourn trainer. A Hennessey victory and of the National with Ballycasey’s rider Ruby ostracised and at a disadvantage to their more much improved ‘jockey cam’ provided a jackpot reaching the 1000 career winner landmark had Walsh, chequered flag in hand, guiding the field accommodating colleagues. Such a handicap return. is not popular with Producers and Editors alike, already assured a memorable campaign but round the bypassed Canal Turn on the second For anyone who hasn’t seen it, the jockey cam who whilst often backing such an approach they were gazumped by events at Aintree. circuit. In fact Walsh had played an even more footage of Aidan significant role than was apparent by the image. initially, find it harder to For racing as a whole the afternoon emphasised Coleman’s capsizing The Canal Turn is used as one of the catchment do so when it impacts the thin line trodden regarding the public from Benny’s Mist areas for loose horses and in order for it to be directly on their own perception of National Hunt racing. As Many Hopefully the 2015 in the Topham, bypassed there is a significant amount of rail programmes or papers. Clouds wobbled and with the screens around when brought to a realignment required. Whilst others attended Grand National Balthazar King at the Canal Turn those with The way forward in such complete halt by a the stricken Balthazar King, Walsh was busy circumstances is nearly meeting will be seen loose horse, is the assisting in the rail movement before grabbing a always best achieved best two minutes flag on its completion and taking up a position through rapprochement. as one of which racing of racing coverage I where he would easily be seen well in advance As more jockeys have have ever witnessed. of the fence. benefitted through should rightfully be The incident unfolds It completed what had potentially been newspaper columns or proud in graphic high a very significant week in better mutual associations with the likes definition as both communication between the media and the of Racing UK and At The loose horse and weighing room. Punters believe jockeys get Races then the position Benny’s Mist engage an easy ride in the Press and on TV, certainly has steadily improved. The appointment of Paul in that game we have all played, edging left compared to the more acerbic analysis in other Struthers with his greater PR experience to the then right, then left again before bumping chief role at the Professional Jockeys Association, into someone coming in the other direction. Ruby Walsh guides riders past the Canal Road turn sports, whilst jockeys often react instantly to any such criticism leaving those brave enough has assisted this process and one of the spin off However it didn’t end there. None of the old

20 21 picture break up and then a blank screen, made widely available and in turn lead to more instead we too are catapulted through pieces of reasoned debate on such issues in the future. spruce before ending up right underneath the CLUB NEWS & The final piece of the jigsaw is that this design fence as the stragglers and loose pursuers sail of jockey cam has been pioneered by former overhead. The sound track of Aidan checking jockey Nathan Horrocks, who coincidentally FORTHCOMING EVENTS it was clear to come out brought right into happens to be the regular home rider of Many

Aidan Coleman’s capsizing from Benny’s Mist in Racing Calendar May 22 Worcester Races Club Night April 19 Stratford Upon Avon Our tradition of closing the season at Worcester the Topham... is the best two minutes of racing April 21 Ludlow continues, we will hopefully be able to present April 23 Warwick the Richard Davis award April 25 Sandown AP McCoy’s last day riding coverage I have ever witnessed April 29 Cheltenham May 4 Warwick Kirtlington Stud visit Clouds. Consequently on the big day Leighton May 7 Worcester your living room the Grand National fence Sarah Matthews has secured a visit to Kirtlington Aspell was also one of the riders to wear the May 9 Warwick experience but again it went further. Having Stud between May – July. We will provide details jockey cam so again everyone could sense what May 10 Ludlow extricated himself Aidan offers to take back one of the trip in next months magazine and give it was like to jump the last in the lead in the of the loose horses that have been collected in details online on the club website when we Grand National. the adjacent catchment area only to find one have them. membership of them is Benny’s Mist. His fond greeting and In many ways racing had the rub of the auction apology to the horse just emphasised further green on National day but it represents a real that bond of trust that has to exist between the opportunity to seize the initiative and continue CTCRC members have a fabulous opportunity to April 25 Michael Scudamore stable visit bid for an Annual Members Badge at Worcester partnerships that take on such challenges and to robustly defend a sport that has many September 26 stable visit provided a far stronger rebuttal than any PR reasons to be proud of the progress it has made Racecourse for 2015 which includes 20 race spin to those who portray participants in the on welfare issues. It doesn’t mean the loss of meetings. There are also offers to go to Irish Can anyone wishing to go on either of these National as cold blooded ambitious and ready the likes of Balder Succes and Seedling should racing, Hickstead and Cirencester Polo, it truly visits get in touch with Sarah Matthews on to win at all costs. Hopefully the footage will be be glossed over or in any way diminished, but is a great offer. The deadline for the auction is 07729 847724. £6.00 for members, £10.00 for non risk is an inherent part of horse racing Friday 1 May. The auction is for sealed bids with members which needs to be accepted not denied a minimum requirement of £150. and confronted not avoided. Hopefully Anyone wishing to bid should email the meeting will Club trips to Ireland and France [email protected] The annual be seen as one of which racing should members badge will also secure you general Peter Collier is planning more trips to Ireland rightfully be proud and provide sold admission at any of the 15 ARC racecourses with Listowel added to existing trips to Galway foundations for continued progress on in the UK, making this an incredible offer. For and Punchestown Festivals. Any member education and communication. full details on the wide variety of benefits with wishing to join Peter should give him a call on Richard Hoiles membership go to http://www.worcester- 07802 228559, if you haven’t been why not give racecourse.co.uk/ Many thanks to Jenny it a try, it’s a great craic! Peter can usually secure Cheshire for making this offer available, good free or heavily discounted entry. luck with your bids! The work of Paul Struthers and Nathan Horrocks is helping racings image

22 23 EDWARD GILLESPIE CLUB NIGHT

After an enjoyable days racing in beautiful seen as a scandal, I compromised, I bought a conditions at Cheltenham many members hat. On top of this I had no overcoat, which was made their way to the Victory Club for our so often remarked upon, I simply disguised the Daymart thermal underwear, no self respecting Cheltenham boss should be without it April 15 club night. cold weather by investing in thermal underwear from head to toe – this came in very handy at the ludicrously tender age of 21, and then playing a role. I learned to talk the talk, while at We welcomed Paul Furley of Radio when going on a cricket tour with my good went to Sandown at just 22 years of age. Kempton I’m not exaggerating when I say we Gloucestershire who put the questions to our friend Chris Coley to St Moritz one February. had no money, so instead, we had to use our guest and magazine columnist Edward Gillespie imagination. OBE. Edward needed little encouragement as How did your journey into racing begin? he shared some of the many stories that marked We had a bar built at Kempton at next to no As a youngster growing up in Tunbridge I had : she was the the 35 year tenure as Cheltenham supremo, cost by a new building company. That company two passions, the theatre and racing. I used to here’s a snippet of some of the evening. one horse in the race went on to be commissioned to develop the tune into the radio at 7.30pm in the evening to Olympic site in London 2012. They never forgot How did you come to be appointed listen to the racing results and would take every who couldn’t win and that I gave them their first job and they thanked Cheltenham’s Chief Executive at the age of 27? opportunity to smuggle a radio with a secret me by inviting me to the London Olympics earphone piece into school. I once listened to did... it was amazing I was cheap and low risk! The last three Opening Ceremony which was a fabulous the while in the middle of an managers had only lasted a few years each experience. exam and the Gold Cup while actually playing so my appointment was always likely to be a You’re so firmly part of the establishment in a game of hockey – that wasn’t easy in a race Would it be fair to say your success came short term affair. They gave me enough rope to now it’s hard to imagine you were seen as taking maybe seven or eight minutes. about through selling the sport to a wider hang myself then hid behind a sofa while I set a maverick in those early days? audience? I was so motivated by racing I chose my Racing was completely different in the early University based on the criteria that it had to Yes, when I arrived at Cheltenham in 1980 our 80’s. I was outside the Establishment of ex have the most racecourses in Britain within a three day Festival drew in crowds of 70,000, by military men working their pensions, or the one hour drive – I worked out that was York, the time Desert Orchid was winning the Gold tweed and trilby wearing fraternity. I acted as so that’s where I went. I then had to plan a Cup in 1989 we had 73,000 on the Gold Cup a game changer and used my acting skills at degree that would involve the least amount day alone. But I must confess to being lucky. of work, easy....Politics. I realised that for my The early 80’s were all about the hurdlers of final dissertation I could study Sweden’s Social , , and co. Democrat Party as only two books had ever We then had the Dawn Run era before Desert Paul Furley BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Edward been written, I played one book off the other Orchid came along, my job was just to sell this Gillespie OBE and breezed through to a high grade degree. product imaginatively to the public. My University time allowed me to pursue my I remember the early 80’s had several years about ringing the changes. Miles Gosling, The passion of racing at favoured tracks such as where we nearly had to cancel due to the Chairman was delighted I drank orange juice, as Wetherby and Newcastle. When this was over I sodden ground, I thought to myself, if only my predecessor enjoyed something stronger. The Opening Ceremony of The London Olympics then became the General Manager of Kempton we can get the wind to pick up it will dry the However, no tweeds and no hat were almost 2012 were a treasured occasion

24 25 Ronald Summerfield ran an antiques shop Champion Trainer. My role is to find new owners in Montpellier, he was a great character, the and to manage his website. This year has been problem was he would only let you buy a little disappointing as we’re unlikely to hit the something in his shop if he liked you! £1m prize money figure, but we’ll try again next season. I also Chair the Cheltenham Music Festivals and am on the committee of the Blenheim Horse You’ve been in the headlines again as the Trials which are aesthetically fabulous. Another Chair of a new BHA initiative? role includes being Chair of the Pony Racing Yes, that’s correct, I’ve been asked to work Authority and it’s great to see the increase in this with a group of people from the racing world sport and to see the likes of Sean Bowen doing to take a look “under the bonnet” of National so well who came from this background. Every Hunt racing. On the one hand the sport has jockey now riding for Paul Nicholls came from never been in better shape with the Festivals of The Queen Mother with Ridley Lamb who won the Gold Cup in 1987 on The Thinker Pony Racing. We’ve also just secured funding Aintree and Cheltenham going from strength from the BHA to support getting more kids from to strength, however in 2007-08 before the inner cities riding ground out, so I made a few phone calls and took off. We had events like Francome v Piggot financial crash there were an average of 10.5 ponies. got hold of two helicopters to come and hover which were real fun, but didn’t stick. Some horses in every National Hunt race. Today that over the straight in an effort to blow the water other innovations did survive, the Cross Country Beyond all these average has dropped to 8.3 per race. There are from the track. This initiative ensured we made Chase is a marmite type race, but is growing roles, my main 130 fewer trainers than 10 years ago and there headline front page news the following day in in popularity despite it’s detractors, while the job is supporting may be reason to be concerned that 20% of the all the national papers and left people thinking Countryside Day is now an established part of my contemporary total prize money in racing goes to the top five these guys really want to put the racing on...we the Cheltenham programme. and friend Jonjo trainers. That’s not the top trainers fault, but it should go. Where did the O’Neill in his does present challenges. Our brief is to create a I was also lucky The problem was he would stream of ideas effort to become “risk register” within National Hunt racing then in that we had come from? establish the cost / benefit of bringing in any the heir to the only let you buy something changes. I stole with pride thrown ride in the from anything, I’d There was an initial meeting of the group just Kim Muir in 1981, in his shop if he liked you attended a wide after Aintree and themes around prize money while he and his variety of sporting and race planning were discussed among a new bride walked the course the day before. events and would steal at will. I always found it wide brief. The key to the group is to identify the Prince Charles fell and this created even more funny when people copied our ideas as well. changing trends and put the sport in a position headlines. The Queen Mother was also a notable to be able to respond to them and change as supporter so our profile grew and grew. And two years on from stepping down as required to protect the future of the sport. the Cheltenham boss what do you do now? Did you ever imagine how long you In a Q&A wrap up we closed a fascinating would stay? When I quit two years ago, I didn’t just resign evening by learning that of all the wonderful from Cheltenham, I also stopped doing the In 1989 I was ready to move on, I was also memories Edward had of the 35 years at the outside work that I had done due to my title looking after Warwick, but for whatever reason helm in Cheltenham, he nominated Dawn Runs as Cheltenham boss. These days I’m Chair of the next move didn’t occur and the ideas kept victory as standout moment, “after all she was The Summerfield Charitable Trust that was coming, many of them bad, some of them OK. the one horse in the race who couldn’t win and established in 1989, shortly before the death of We had relay racing where three horses trained did...it was amazing!” it’s founder Ronald Summerfield. In the last year by one trainer would run in relay over one we gave over £500,000 to good causes in the Steve Ennis circuit handing over a whip at the end of each Ronald Summerfield’s antique shop in Montpellier, Gloucestershire area. Cheltenham lap....this took longer than we hoped and never

26 27 RACEMAKERS EXPERIENCE

The Gents Dress code had a creative streak The jockeys added a dash of colour The Ladies all dressed to the nines and looked beautiful

thousands staying on after racing to enjoy from the public and there were immediate plans top DJ’s and bands entertaining the crowds. to develop the concept further in 2016. If you And the strangest thing...... everyone was nice, have the slightest interest, do apply, as I couldn’t I mean everyone. They cheered every winner, recommend the opportunity highly enough to they even cheered the losers, it was less about anyone wishing to meet people, have a good racing and more a celebration of life with visitors time and enjoy fabulous racing. Steve Long, Anthropology degrees should put the There were footballers, movie stars, rock singers, committed to having a good time. my CTCRC buddy and Racemaker colleague expressed the same sentiment and I’m sure we’ll Aintree Festival onto their curriculum for the seasoned National Hunt fans and literally Ladies defied gravity on some of their high be back next year. Do come and join in, you owe third year students doing a dissertation thousands of people simply intent on having heels, flip flops appeared after 4.30pm to sooth it to yourself! on the infinite variety of people who go a good day out with friends while shouting overworked feet, and everyone enjoyed a racing – after my three day experience at a horse for whom the colour of their silks drink. Aintree themselves had an army of staff Steve Ennis I can advise that the whole spectrum of or number on their racecard was the primary and it felt a privilege to be involved in such human life were in attendance, and didn’t consideration in becoming their chosen fancy. a famous event. During the three days I met they know how to enjoy themselves! I met people from Australia, Canada, America, several CTCRC members who were all enjoying Norway, France and Ireland, it seemed the whole Around 150,000 visitors came racing over the the occasion. Aintree’s initial feedback was the world knows about the Grand National. three days and the 80 or so Racemaker’s were Racemakers had received an excellent response charged with the task of ensuring everyone received a warm welcome, could have any questions answered during racing and were thanked at the end of the day as they made their way from the racecourse. With that simple brief we were then all adorned in bright orange uniforms and we set about trying to ensure a good time was enjoyed by all. I was posted rather luckily in the owners and trainers area which was adjacent to the parade The weather was heavenly throughout and ring so experienced a close up look at all the Meeting the public was great fun and the complimented the party atmosphere, live music entertainers too, while Gok Won offered some sage racing across the three days played all day and into the evening with many advice on our wardrobe colours

28 29 Column header picture courtesy of John Grossick. JOHN HALES COLUMN

An update on the apparent poor reconsider as he has limited experience but he performance on Vivaldi Collonges at the is a horse we are very much looking forward to Cheltenham Festival shows that Vivaldi seeing over fences next season. With suffered a hairline fracture of the pelvis I thought he would be in need of the race not which we must assume happened in the having raced since the King George. At Aintree race. this proved correct and the race will do him good and he will be much sharper when he It now means six to eight weeks box rest before next runs, which could be at Punchestown in he is turned out for the Summer. The good news the . We think the right distance Aux Ptits Soins is already schooling over is he will be 100% for the start of next season. fences in readiness for next season My wife and I went to Ditcheat to see the Aintree preparation of Unioniste and Al Unioniste: The National good for the race to see a horse at the top of the Grand National fences in the race earlier in Ferof and to see Aux Ptits Soins schooling the weights winning. It will encourage owners the season. Al Ferof will be aimed at the King over fences in readiness for next season. will be his target next year to put the higher rated horses in the race. Many George again and as an eleven year old in 2016 Both Unioniste and Al Ferof went for a race Clouds’ victory was an outstanding achievement May have a crack at the Gold Cup. Be Daring our course gallop at Wincanton. Unioniste was very for him now is three miles. We really believed as he carried the most weight since Red Rum’s young horse by Dom Alco who showed real impressive and Paul had got him very fit for that Unioniste would run well in the Grand last win. I am sure the decisions by Phil Smith potential in his first Bumper race will be targeted the Grand National. Aux Ptits Soins was electric National. He was very fit, the going suited him the senior handicapper have been over fences and Paul really wanted him to race but you have to jump the fences. It was a novice proven to be correct and hope that against the horses that had won the Champion mistake that brought him down and thankfully he will continue to compress the I would like to congratulate Hurdle in the race at Aintree. We asked Paul to no damage was done. Although only a seven weights and give the higher rated year old he had run fourteen times over fences. horses a better chance of winning. Oliver Sherwood on his win He did not have a race and is ready to go again Regarding future plans Unioniste will and I think it is important that we try and finish probably go to Sandown although with Many Clouds the season on a good note. The National will still we’ve given him an entry in the be his target next year. Grand Steeplechase De Paris in May, while Al at Novice hurdles. Fascino Rustico will remain The Grand National is a wonderful occasion, Ferof heads for Punchestown. Fascino Rustico over hurdles as his jumping is not good enough it has already been said that it is part of our who is trained by Dan Skelton will finish his to risk over fences. countries DNA, it is a privilege to be part of it. I season at Ayr in a Novice Hurdle. would like to congratulate Oliver Sherwood on During May our horses will come home and We have already started to plan for next season. his win with Many Clouds. I know that this race stay at my daughters farm where we put fifteen Aux Ptits Soins will be aimed at Novice Chases is the favourite race of Trevor Hemmings and I acres aside for six or seven horses. It is nice to see which initially are likely to be over two miles. The know he had the input in the decision to run them at home at rest. Phil Smith has done a wonderful job giving the plan for Unioniste will be the Grand National in the National, he was well rewarded. It is very higher rated horses a better chance of winning but I would like to see him have a run over John Hales

30 31 KIM BAILEY Many Clouds tours Lambourn to rapturous applause COLUMN

The dust had settled and the winner was Breakfast and then a bit of pampering, a tucked up in bed. That was Many Clouds, shampoo and set and feet polished it was time while his trainer Oliver Sherwood was still to face the media. Yes his new role in life was out celebrating his amazing win in this about to start so he might as well get used to years Crabbies Grand National. it. Standing still with ears pricked, dressed in a rather unfortunate coloured green rug Many Many Clouds woke up on Sunday morning Clouds posed for the many cameras poking feeling a little stiff, but not too bad, considering at him. Yes the sporting world’s cameras were all there to snap his every move, and move he did, a long relaxing stroll to the Sunday morning was going to village of Lambourn to be the start of a new life for this meet many new smiling faces. Oh how they all stunning four legged animal. laughed, loved and applauded his entrance to the village square, life will never be the same again. anything other than water all day and returned it so should AP. It will be a very special day and he had run 4½ miles the day before over some to the respective houses contented that they anybody who loves their jump racing should be pretty big fences in a new record time for the Leighton Aspell his rider, who now holds an had done their bit for sponsors and racing in there. newly changed racecourse at Aintree. Yes unique record of winning the great race two general. The doors closed and it was time to What a season and one nobody around here Sunday morning was going to be the start of a years running, was not there to celebrate as relax and enjoy the day and the memories while will forget. We are on 57 and keen to make 60 new life for this stunning four legged animal. work must carry on; he was on parade of a fresh in their minds with a few friends. Neither winners for the season. We will probably fall difference sorts - Market Rasen felt that well on Monday morning! racecourse. short but wow it has been a good one. National For all of us it was a spectacular Grand Hunt racing has held it head high all winter and His trainer Oliver Sherwood on the National. One that held every sort of drama we should be proud of that. other hand had not been to bed possible. AP so nearly looked like going into Kim Bailey and was sore all over from all the an early retirement with a winner and then the pinching . A form of self-flagellation Gloucestershire based trainers Tom George and Kim Bailey Racing Ltd, Thorndale Farm, possibly, but then the poor chap Fergal O’Brien showed that they were good at Andoversford, Cheltenham, Glos. GL54 4LL could not really believe what had their job when their respective horses finished T: 01242 890241 F: 01242 890193 M: 07831 416859 happened to him. With a hangover second and fourth, relegating AP to fifth spot. to match his sores he drove back to The AP fanfare has to move onto Sandown Lambourn and spent a day facing now and perhaps rightly so as there has to be Tom George and Fergal O’Brien led the way for Gloucestershire’s the worlds media with his horse. trainers with second and fourth place in the Grand National a finish to a season and with Sandown holding Neither horse or trainer drank

32 33 When the race began, we decided on taking finished a sixth length third in a race run in record the inside line as he tends to jump a little left, time, won by a horse who is genuinely class, I so the rail would keep him going straight. As couldn’t have been more thrilled. LIAM we approached Bechers for the first time River When re entered the parade ring, Many Clouds Choice fell in front of me, if I had swerved left was kept out on the track to cool off and be seen or right I would have been thrown out the side TREADWELL by the vets so we were given loads of attention door and unseated. Instead, Monbeg landed, Monbeg Dude – centre of the picture jumps over and the cheers were fantastic. Mike Tindall, James then immediately took off and jumped over River COLUMN the fallen River Choice just after Bechers Simpson-Daniel and Nick Robertson were all Choice. Zara Phillips can take the credit for this as delighted with third and everyone was thrilled that she has intensively schooled Monbeg in the show the plan had gone perfectly. Steve Ennis writes: My monthly rendezvous with clearly emptied from the third last, which is still the jumping arena doing lots of pole work to make Liam Treadwell in our local pub demonstrated best part of 3/4 of a mile from home. him stand better on his hocks, I sat on the back of As always, you watch these races again and again, how the Grand National has a unique place in the the bridle and he did the rest. and I’ve no complaints, had we run Monbeg any Last year Paul Carberry said he was always doing hearts of the British public. We normally go about other way we wouldn’t have got third. He finished a bit too much and paid the price by not getting After the Canal Turn, everything got more settled, our monthly meetings unnoticed. This month exhausted, but that was easily a career best. Some home. So with Michael and the connections I gave him loads of space and he hunted round as however, every man and his dog wanted to share people have suggested that another furlong in agreement our plan was to drop him in and if not in a race. We went a whole circuit without their congratulations with Liam on his superb ride would have seen us win, but I couldn’t disagree switch him off for as long as possible. I’d let him another horse falling and everything was going in coming third in the Grand National. It’s not only more as he was out on his feet. travel in a rhythm which suited him and wherever to plan. Jumping Valentines for the second time I the pub regulars who have elevated Liam to the he was happy. then asked Monbeg his first question and gently I was thrilled for the connections, but especially for status of National Treasure, Tom Segal, no less has also got on the Liam bandwagon with eulogies in the Weekender newspaper proclaiming the following: “I would like to highlight a few of the unsung heroes of the race, starting with the man I consider to be the most underrated chase jockey around at the present time. Take a bow Liam Treadwell”. He went on to say “I thought he gave Monbeg Dude one of the best National rides I’ve seen in recent Great cheers greeted us on the way into the Connections of Monbeg Dude celebrate a great Connections of Monbeg Dude catch every word of years and, if he hadn’t been badly hampered early winners enclosure result – it was more than they dared hope for the post race analysis on, he might have been the one riding his second National winner on different horses”. Tom Segal As the tape went up the cavalry charged towards started making my way through the tail of the Michael Scudamore who has had a great month With all this bonhomie I felt I ought to bring you the first, if you see the replay we made our way field. I passed Tom Scudamore three out, his horse, following Next Sensations win at Cheltenham and Liam’s perspective on the race, here’s what he had in our own time and settled immediately into a Soll, had run his race and he screamed “Go on now a third in the Grand National. to say; beautifully smooth canter. Each fence was taken Treaders win it!” as he wanted his brothers horse to clearly and untroubled and he was really enjoying And might there be a Scottish National story Your tactics in the race were fairly obvious come home first if he couldn’t win. When we got himself. around the corner? from the outset, how did you arrive at your to the third last I had moved up to tenth and I was race plan? I should actually rewind a little, even in the probably 12 lengths off the leaders. By the second I hope so, I’m on my old mate Summery Justice preliminaries he was really chilled. He’s a very last Many Clouds had seven lengths on me and who came fifth last year – he stays all day but may On the Tuesday before the race I schooled intelligent horse, he was so relaxed in the parade I was sixth, by the last fence I was fourth but had need a drop of rain on the ground. We dare to Monbeg with a few brisk canters and he felt great, I ring you could have been mistaken for thinking he not closed as Many Clouds was staying on. dream! then told Michael Scudamore I was going to watch was at home in his field. He was enjoying watching the video of the previous years race where he had Approaching the elbow I passed Shutthefrontdoor Liam Treadwell what was going on and we were first out onto the finished a very tired seventh, when looking like he and genuinely thought I might get up as he was track. That can be daunting for a horse when there might win, from three out. What became obvious giving his all. Just as I got to the tail of Saint Are, he are 70,000 people cheering but he just loved it and was that he hadn’t stayed in last years race and kicked on again and I had nothing left to give. We had his ears pricked and was taking it all in.

34 35 JO COLLINSON COLUMN

Back in March, Petra Kopecká and I My two friends Donna Ebdy and Craig Gilby, may have humble facilities, but the welcome is great travelled up to Kelso in Scotland with from Nigel Twiston-Davies’, arrived shortly “our” Spookydooky and Oscar Fortune after we did. all seven races. Most impressive was Sean Rules, on the Flat for the boss on March 29th. (Ozzie). Kelso Racecourse makes up for its simple Bowen’s treble – a double for Paul Nicholls He rode Gold Medal at Doncaster, finishing a We shared the driving; it took seven and a accommodation by its lovely welcome and and a bumper win for father Peter. Sean rode satisfying fourth. Jonjo is studying for A-Levels half hours to get there with a stop at Tebay hospitality. They took us out to the Court his tenth winner over fences on Virak, which at Cheltenham College, but rides out as much services. Here, we watered the horses, and Yard pub for dinner for a free meal and drinks. qualified the seventeen-year-old to ride in the as possible during holidays and accompanies got ourselves food too. I had been to Kelso Understandably, after many hours travelling, Grand National. The win pleases me as Virak his dad racing. Jonjo’s younger brother, A.J, twice, years before, so I knew the hostel was everyone was shattered and we were all is owned by my dear friends Clive and Joan is still too young to ride under Rules but, basic. A square, pebble-dashed building nodding off and clambering into the taxis by Hitchins, from Worcestershire. Whilst studying on March 31st, won a pony race on Miss with boys on the left and girls on the right, ten o’clock. at university, I worked part-time for former Wonderful round Exeter. He is studying for his and a TV room and kitchen in-between. The trainer Andy Hobbs, who rented Clive’s yard in GCSEs and is a whizz at all things to do with Alarms buzzed at 5:30 and we stumbled girls had one shower cubicle in the loos, Hanley Swan. I led up a winner, The Brooklet computers. into coats to go out and feed the breakfasts. with no lockable door, just a convenient at Maisemoore point-to-point, in Clive’s yellow Donna wore a pug I recall how Sam and Willie Twiston-Davies and blue spotted colours. Since then, we onesie and wellies. rose up through pony races and ‘pointing, and have kept in touch, following one another’s Ozzie and Spooky had see how they are now top riders over Jumps racehorses. Thus, I know how much Virak’s Shutthefrontdoor: the magnitude eaten up and, most and on the Flat respectively. To be positive, win would have meant to all involved. of the horse’s achievement made importantly, drank lots of water. It goes without On the same day, at Newton Abbot, another us proud and it was hard to drag saying that we got trainer’s son had his first victory under Rules ourselves away from the back into bed as soon – Stan Sheppard won the handicap chase on as the horses were fed his father Matt’s runner, Another Flutter. Less TV screen and checked. Sadly, prevalent in the press, I also know this would Petra and I did not have have meant equally a lot to these connections. a double – Spooky Stan has ridden winners ‘pointing, many chair to wedge under the handle. Sleeping finished third and Ozzie came fourth. Spooky trained by mother Nicky and works full-time arrangements were like a dormitory – a little won Petra a £100 best-turned out and a bottle at Paul Nicholls’. Back when I worked for Matt minimal but it was clean, warm and a handy of bubbly – so it was well worth the trip! and Nicky at weekends and school holidays, two second walk to the stable yard. There Stan was still in a highchair! were lots staying over, including staff from On April 4th, conditional jockeys dominated Clive and Joan Hitchins were delighted with Virak’s Richard Lee, Donald McCain and Kim Bailey. the winner’s enclosure up at Haydock for Jonjo O’Neill (junior) had his first ride under win at Haydock

36 37 and not dwelling on A.P McCoy’s looming Victor has been brought home, drowning a retirement, with these young, talented jockeys few beverages. Yet, this year, they will also be waiting so going to the eagerly in the champions’ wings, the Back when I worked for Matt parade at future for racing Sandown on is far from bleak. and Nicky at weekends and day. Every April, school holidays, Stan was Don’t Push It All the Aintree returns from still in a highchair! runners left Having just returned from Kelso, I now have another trip North, this time to Ayr his retirement reasonably paddock in early, no later Martinstown. He stays at the satellite yard than half six, to beat the motorway traffic. Affair was going really well up until the third plates, cigarette butts, empty wrappers, beer in Slade, run by former amateur jockey Alan There was a tingly excitement in the air – last, when he over jumped and fell. Neither cans and a stuffy stale smell, we watched Berry. Alan looked after and exercised “Victor” and definitely a little envy from those of were hurt and both came home. All we want in trepidation at every fence. When Rupert when he won the – us who were left behind. On the first day, for our horses is that they return home safely, looked to be going well, hands gripped when Victor lived with his six Jacob sheep in having found it too soft in the Gold Cup, whatever the race, whatever the racecourse. arm rests or another person’s limb. Shouts a field and pen built especially. In matching Holywell finished third and no one was Johns Spirit ran an absolute blinder to finish in English with or without an Irish-accent, Crabbie’s sheet and jacket, Alan proudly disappointed. Twirling Magnet finishing sixth third – he is so tough and genuine, watching Romanian and Jitu Singh’s outnumbered in the Foxhunters gave us all a big buzz. He him battle is heart-warming. I must add that Indian crescendoed off the walls. When was ridden by 22-year-old Tommie O’Brien. Kate Hanson and Holywell, Coral Eastment Rupert passed the post in a gallant fifth place, Both horse and rider have reverted to being and Johns Spirit and Petra and Eastlake all won we were not disappointed or subdued – the amateurs. After struggling for form and falling best turned out in their races – so lots of credit magnitude of the horse’s achievement made at the first in last year’s Grand National, Twirly must go to them for doing a top class job. us proud and it was hard to drag ourselves has loved hunterchasing, winning his two away from the TV screen. This was A.P’s twentieth National and his previous starts under Tommie. last. Everyone was willing for the fairytale At the time of writing, assistant trainer Guy Tommie came over from Galway two ending, with a win on our Shutthefrontdoor Upton informed me that I will be going back summers ago as a conditional jockey. He in JP McManus’s silks. At home, he is looked up to Scotland, to Ayr this time. Laura and I finished second on a few rides for the boss after by Tommie but is always led up by head will be taking four horses. I am excited to get but, last autumn, made the decision to go travelling lass Laura Morgan. Laura looked away again and revel in the en suite hotel back to being an amateur. So far, he has ridden after him as an unnamed baby, when she accommodation for two nights! a few winners ‘pointing (one as far up as North called him Rupert, a name which has stuck. Jo Collinson Yorkshire, at Duncombe Park in Helmsley) Yet, it was not going to be. Rupert gave A.P an A big day for the Sheppard family as Stan wins his and two hunterchases on Twirly at Ludlow amazing ride, jumping bravely to finish fifth. first race under rules and Newbury. A ride round the big fences at Back at home, it was my weekend on, far Aintree was a dream come true and proof that parades the former winner, whilst the old, but removed from the glamour of Aintree. So, they have forged a great partnership. far from frail gelding bucks, plunges and drags on Saturday afternoon, we started early and Alan about. Alan always makes an annual In the Topham, having finished third the year took a break to watch the big race. Crammed day out of the occasion, staying long after before, Eastlake did not go a yard. Festive in to one of the lads’ hostels, amid dirty

38 39 SOPHIA album of his greatest moments at Cheltenham courses, talked to us about how he has been by our chairman Robert Waley-Cohen. The involved in the change that has been made to idea of racing happening next season without the fences at Aintree, which was very interesting BRUDENELL AP is something that we will all have to get and fascinating to hear how the different equine used to, I was only nine when he won his first sports work together. COLUMN championship so he’s been around all the time Once the two April meetings are concluded that I have known racing! the builders will be busy doing some of the I’m a month behind my fellow columnists, which could be housed in the A+R buildings, I was at Aintree on the Thursday of the meeting, redevelopment projects that have been on hold as I know most of this edition of the we do not have any intention to increase the which was really enjoyable and nice to go racing whilst we have raced this season. The offices will magazine will talk about the Grand capacity of the site by an extra 6,500, taking it for once and not have to work, running around certainly be quieter as people take their holiday National meeting, but I just wanted to well over 70,000 racecourse in total. We know with a radio in my ear! Another meeting with and we spend a lot of the summer planning for dwell on The Festival as we genuinely there are pressures on the facilities on Gold some great results and I think that the whole the next season and The Festival in 2016. There believe it was one of the best Festivals Cup Day, mainly around toilets and bars and we jump racing industry was genuinely delighted is a fun event that we are hosting on May 20th, hosted at Cheltenham. certainly wouldn’t want to impact the customer for Oliver Sherwood and his team with Many the Sporting Icons dinner, which AP is one of experience in this way. From Douvan charging the guests, up the hill in the SkyBet alongside Supreme Novices’ Michael right through to Next Vaughan, Sensation’s win in Matt Le Tissier, the AP McCoy Grand Shane Williams Annual Chase every and host and result provided the MC David drama, stories and Flatman. All of reaction that The the panel are Festival is known for. Champions of their sport We had a record crowd and it will over the week, totalling be a really 248,000 over four days fun dinner in which was 12,000 The Centaur, above the previous for £90 per best. Since the autumn person, we have seen that Make a date for May 20 to come to the Sporting Mike Etherington Smith shared a fascinating insight into his role in Icons Dinner at Cheltenham’s Centaur helping redesign the National fences including the ticket sales looked three course strong and that pattern dinner. continued throughout January and February, My favourite part was the reaction the crowd Clouds win in the Crabbie’s Grand National. which led us to hope that we would see the I hope to welcome you back to Cheltenham for gave to AP for his last race at The Festival. The The Jockey Club organised a seminar on the walk-ups on the day remain at previous levels the last few racedays this season before we shut chanting of ‘AP, AP, AP’ as he walked back down Thursday morning for young people who work and that the crowd records would be beaten. the doors for the summer. the horsewalk was something I know he was in racing (I’m rather surprised that I still fit into It’s important for use to reiterate to people that touched by and the head of operations here said this category, but I’m just about holding onto Sophia Brudenell although we are building the new stand and that he saw grown men crying as he entered the my 20’s) and Mike Etherington Smith, who builds that it has a capacity of 6,500 rather than 500 winners enclosure and was presented with an and designs a lot of the three day eventing

40 41 at Punchestown due to that, with many trainers stablemate in transit to Cheltenham and couldn’t JESSICA just deciding to pull up stumps for the season; AP run. It was too painful for him to be ridden. McCoy already having retired before the meeting. He’s run 12 times over trips up to 2m2f and been LAMB What interests me greatly is Arkle Chase winner out of the first two thrice. Un De Sceaux and Jewson Novices’ Chase Hidden Cyclone, who also backed out of the winner Vautour being entered in the BoyleSorts Champion Chase at the last minute, to run in the COLUMN Champion Chase. , is his biggest danger. This meeting is the perfect chance to test a The other race that catches my eye is the World Faugheen, Douvan, Annie Power, Vautour, What was most exciting about his nine winners novice in senior company; the horse can gain Series Hurdle. Annie Power probably won’t go for Un De Sceaux, need I go on. last year was the fact that the majority ran at experience against older horses then go on this - Glens Melody being retired and not running Cheltenham - Boston Bob also running at Aintree. holiday, think about it and come back stronger. Punchestown is upon us and if you think in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle on Saturday. champion trainer Willie Mullins’s performance That is unusual, looking back through recent It also gives connections a clear indication of what But there’s an awful lot more to it than her. at Cheltenham was something - you ain’t seen history. He tends to run his Cheltenham winners to do next season; if the horse wins, that’s the Cheltenham third and fourth At Fishers nothing yet. at Punchestown, but they hadn’t reliably won; last level to start at next term. If the horse gets run of Cross are likely to line up. Gigginstown House year they did. its feet, back off. It just saves a bit of time and we For the uninitiated: Mullins holds the record for Stud’s Hatton’s Grace Hurdle winner Lieutenant get to see it happen. the five-day meeting of wins by a trainer. He set Vautour won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Colonel and last year’s winner Jetson, whose form it two years ago with 13 wins, including seven of followed up in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Mullins’s policy though is to take the easiest option has tailed off, are there too, but the interesting the festival’s 11 Grade 1s. Novice Hurdle. Faugheen won the Neptune with each horse - that’s why Annie Power didn’t entry is the Paul Fahey trained Lots Of Memories. Novices’ Hurdle and followed up in the Herald Gold Cup star Sir Des Champs, brilliant mares run in the World Hurdle this year, for example. Champion Novice Hurdle, and Boston Bob won He chased home subsequent RSA Chase winner and Glens Melody, Champion Hurdle the Melling Chase at Aintree before taking the He wants them to win and he doesn’t mind if that Don Poli and Beat That, a leading fancy for this legend Hurricane Fly and runaway Arkle winner . isn’t in the most competitive race they could win. year’s World Hurdle before becoming unwell, in Un De Sceaux were all on the historic scoresheet, the 3m Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle I’m guessing a drop back in trip for Champagne but that sort of haul did not come as a surprise. Cheltenham seconds Annie Power, Shaneshill and last year. Arctic Fire were also among the Punchestown Fever could make him Mullins’ Champion Chase One winner each day would be a poor show for winners and Abbyssial bounced back from a hope. He was due to run in the Cheltenham Subsequently, he’s been chasing, but not to the Mullins at his home meeting and he perhaps dreadful JCB fall to win too. equivalent, having won the same standard and this switch to hurdles could had less runners at Aintree than Cheltenham and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the festival be very profitable for the proven stayer. due to that. In short, Willie Mullins’ team has never ever been previously, but was bitten on the lip by a stronger and we could see some very small fields Jess Lamb

Lots Of Memories – an Un De Sceaux and interesting entry in The Vautour may go head to World Series Hurdle head at Punchestown in the Boylesports Champion Chase

42 43 Publication No. 296 - April 2015 President: Alan Lee Vice President: Alastair Down www.ctcrc.co.uk [email protected] Regular club meetings held at: The New Victory Club, Burlington House, Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2SY. 01242 690351 The next magazine will be online and posted to members in mid-May.

Club officers – Names & addresses: Doug Miles Steve Ennis Chairman Magazine Editor [email protected] 07767 228866 07515 703058 [email protected] Peter Collier Phil Bradley Vice Chairman 01242 820596 [email protected] David Bishop 07802 228599 [email protected] Judith Woolliams Rosemarie Davies Secretary [email protected] 7, St Mary’s Road, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 1AW [email protected] Antonia Lord 01285 659023 01386 833385 [email protected] Colin Nelson Treasurer Mike Lawrence 87, Roman Hackle Avenue, 07739 223248 Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 4ST [email protected] [email protected] 01242 578634 Magazine designed by Ian Scovell Sarah Matthews Membership Secretary Loxley Cottage, Long Marston, Stratford on Avon, Warks, CV37 8RH Stable visit details email [email protected] Membership enquiries to [email protected] 07729 847724