 |
| THE ARKLE STATUE OVERLLOOKS THE WINNERS ENCLOSURE |
 |
| THIS IS WHAT HE CAN SEE |
 |
| THE |
OPENINNG
 |
| DAY |
 |
| DAVY RUSSELL PRESENTING PERCY |
 |
| C'MON |
 |
| THE IRISH |
 |
| UN |
 |
| DE |
 |
| SCEAUX |
YORKHILL
YORKHILL |
| YORKHILL |
 |
| RUBY,RUBY,RUBY,RUBY |
 |
| WINNING JOCKEY GINA ANDREWS IN THE KIM MUIR |
Friday, 17 March 2017
20 OF THE BEST FROM HALF OF THE 2017 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
YORKHILL
YORKHILL
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
OK so, I wanted to do something different for my usual pilgrimage to the home of National hunt racing Cheltenham.
Well, it started well enough. Instead of the one day at the festival, usually on the Champions day, I'm set for two (the Thursday) £68 for Grandstand, car park and racecard, a fair deal I thought.
No not enough, I say to myself, overtaken by the buzz of Cheltenham when I arrive on the opening day I fancy a trip into members, so an upgrade is purchased, £30 mmmmmm. A deal or no deal????
So to the races, seven on the card,a new Champion hurdler to crown.
Yes this is yours truly before the Festival begins, and still not sure what to do.
I know, lets write a small Blog on what is Cheltenham like from the visitors side of the rail.
Big cameras left in the bag, armed with only a camera phone and a racecard I set about the task.
Okay, lets have a look at the new stand and members enclosure, well first thoughts, again questioning my upgrade purchase. Is there a dress code????? Maybe not seeing some who swim in the Club tank with me.
And how on earth can the security really check who has badges or not?? Not tested by yours truly but i could see a few getting through the massive crowd that ascended on the hollowed ground.
It becomes very much apparent timing is essential to get from paddock to stand to watch the race with a good view, must admit I'm feeling a little negative at the moment, where can i see the racing, do i really want to watch the sports on the massive and impressive paddock big screen?
But not a bad call really not only do you see the horses in or out, positive pre racing work can get you a pole position for the day to see the action and it's participants up close and personal.
But can't stay here too long, have to investigate a little more of what Cheltenham has to offer.
Let's see.........
Well if not scared of heights, going up high with a panoramic view of yes that screen, but the full paddock.
But i feel the best is still yet to come, a nugget to find and a quick hop and a skip from the high up position, the saddling up area maybe to the perfect place.
Not as busy ( you can even hear the spring song of the nesting birds about) A very nice deli to get a bite to eat and a drink, you can see the winners, also rans and the about to runs all in the same place. and in view of, yes you guessed it that screen........
Well worth a visit in my book, yes my Cheltenham mojo has been restored
looking over the walkway, what a place to stand, you can see it all, and at an angle no one else can get to view......... HAVE A LOOK.
Well, if you want to shop, Cheltenham has increased this area year on year, no bargain bucket offers in place but quality. So if you want a hat, jacket, book bracelet or table???? and i see coffee and cake on offer this year, well this is the place.
OH YES,
Don't forget the horses
And yes we did mention earlier the also rans well past the newly unveiled statue, (one a many of the Cheltenham good and the greats) of Mr AP McCoy
go see the horse get washed off and the jockeys deal out more stories than a series of Jackanory. A great insight to racing.
Well, Mojo restored, day one over and another day to come.
What can i do on Thursday?? St Patricks day so it is billed, could be fun.
Well, it started well enough. Instead of the one day at the festival, usually on the Champions day, I'm set for two (the Thursday) £68 for Grandstand, car park and racecard, a fair deal I thought.
No not enough, I say to myself, overtaken by the buzz of Cheltenham when I arrive on the opening day I fancy a trip into members, so an upgrade is purchased, £30 mmmmmm. A deal or no deal????
So to the races, seven on the card,a new Champion hurdler to crown.
Yes this is yours truly before the Festival begins, and still not sure what to do.
I know, lets write a small Blog on what is Cheltenham like from the visitors side of the rail.
Big cameras left in the bag, armed with only a camera phone and a racecard I set about the task.
Okay, lets have a look at the new stand and members enclosure, well first thoughts, again questioning my upgrade purchase. Is there a dress code????? Maybe not seeing some who swim in the Club tank with me.
And how on earth can the security really check who has badges or not?? Not tested by yours truly but i could see a few getting through the massive crowd that ascended on the hollowed ground.
It becomes very much apparent timing is essential to get from paddock to stand to watch the race with a good view, must admit I'm feeling a little negative at the moment, where can i see the racing, do i really want to watch the sports on the massive and impressive paddock big screen?
But not a bad call really not only do you see the horses in or out, positive pre racing work can get you a pole position for the day to see the action and it's participants up close and personal.
But can't stay here too long, have to investigate a little more of what Cheltenham has to offer.
Let's see.........
Well if not scared of heights, going up high with a panoramic view of yes that screen, but the full paddock.
A good position you get on a sunny day, perfect views of Cleeve Hill, all the winners coming in and yes, again that big screen. Perfect, what a day. I'm starting to feel a little more confident, the day might not be that much of a whitewash.
Not as busy ( you can even hear the spring song of the nesting birds about) A very nice deli to get a bite to eat and a drink, you can see the winners, also rans and the about to runs all in the same place. and in view of, yes you guessed it that screen........
Well worth a visit in my book, yes my Cheltenham mojo has been restored
looking over the walkway, what a place to stand, you can see it all, and at an angle no one else can get to view......... HAVE A LOOK.
Well, if you want to shop, Cheltenham has increased this area year on year, no bargain bucket offers in place but quality. So if you want a hat, jacket, book bracelet or table???? and i see coffee and cake on offer this year, well this is the place.
OH YES,
Don't forget the horses
And yes we did mention earlier the also rans well past the newly unveiled statue, (one a many of the Cheltenham good and the greats) of Mr AP McCoy
go see the horse get washed off and the jockeys deal out more stories than a series of Jackanory. A great insight to racing.
Well, Mojo restored, day one over and another day to come.
What can i do on Thursday?? St Patricks day so it is billed, could be fun.
Monday, 6 March 2017
FOUR SEASONS AND SIX RACES AT THE NEW FOREST MEETING LARKHILL 5-3-17
 |
| The winner of the Hunt charity race Badgerhill Fred ridden by Sonja Waite before main racing gets underaway |
Good, Good to soft ground was on offer, with the going reported by some jockeys as the best so far this season at the Wiltshire course.
Trainer Sally Alner coming to the races well handed as always on one of her favourite courses took the opener of the day The Intermediate with Thereyarsee an eight year old already a winner early doors on the track.
 |
| Thereyarsee |
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/lorcan-williams-jockey-on-thereyarsee-trained-winner-of-the-intermediate-at-larkhill-5-3-17
 |
| Lorcan Williams on Thereyarsee |
Tom Barton taking the PPORA novice riders race in fine form.
By then only press hacks and owners were left smiling (sort of) to chat about the seven year old gelding.
Listen to the Four Dames Partnership chat about how they came about their winner, the trainer and the jockey.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/the-four-dames-partnership-owners-of-tom-barton-winner-of-the-novice-riders-race-at-larkhill-5-3-17
 |
| Tom Barton |
But not before four more races were placed on to entertain the pointing faithful.
 |
| Sidbury Hill |
A double for the day for the Irish Jockey Martin McIntyre in addition to his interviews wanted to thank all his trainers he rides out out works for during the week ( he did give me names, apologies will name check next time we chat to Martin)
All these trainers help the jockey produce what has been a good season for him, listen to him chat to me about his second winner of the afternoon
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/martin-mcintyre-jockey-of-sidbury-hill-winner-timico-mixed-open-for-sally-rawlins-larkhill-5-3-17
 |
| A double for the day for the Irish Jockey Martin McIntyre |
Listen to the trainer as she chats to me about her horse.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/trainer-harriette-besent-after-bee-crossing-wins-the-maiden-open-at-larkhill-5-3-17
We also caught up with the in form Irishman about the six year old mare and his season so far.
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jockey-martin-mcintyre-after-bee-crossing-wins-the-maiden-open-at-larkhill-5-3-17
 |
| Bee Crossing (right) on the run to the line with Delgany Devil |
 |
| King Calvin, |
Trainer
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/jack-barber-trainer-of-king-calvin-winner-of-456-year-old-open-maiden-2m-4-f-larkhill-5-3-17
Jockey
https://soundcloud.com/mark-pugh-850602593/will-biddick-jockey-on-king-calvin-winner-of-456-year-old-open-maiden-2m-4-f-larkhill-5-3-17
 |
| Will Biddick drives home impressive winner King Calvin |
 |
| Swivel |
We chat to the jockey about the horse after the race.
 |
| James king on Swivel |
Don't forget you can listen and view images and podcasts from the 2016-17 season at
SEE YOU SOON
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)