Review of 2019/20 Jumps Season
Greetings all!
Well, after all the hope and promise for the rest of the season ahead after the Cheltenham Festival, it was all cut short with the COVID-19 outbreak, a huge disappointment for everyone involved in racing. With the announcement in the last few days that jump racing will not be restarting in Britain until July 1st, the season for us is over, and with a huge sense of disappointment, as there was still plenty of fantastic racing action ahead with the likes of the Grand National Meeting, Jumps Season Finale at Sandown and the Hunter Chase meeting ( Race Night ) at Cheltenham still to come for us. To have the season cut short in this manner was very disappointing to take at first, but nonetheless understandable on the grounds of public health. We just hope that it isn’t too long before we are racing again!
Without further ado, here is a review of our season, starting in our home country, at the traditional curtain raiser for the jumps fans, Chepstow’s “Jumps Season Opener”.
It all begins at Chepstow Racecourse – Saturday 12th October
The meeting began with Jack turning up bright and early at Chepstow, with Tom otherwise absent at a wedding. As you can probably expect from seasoned jumps fans, the days dragged towards the meeting, and even though he would be starting the report the next day, Tom was excited to get started on it, despite not feeling totally fruitful from the previous day’s festivities!
The day began with victory for the striking son of Jukebox Jury in Nordano, who scored for trainer Neil King and jockey Bryony Frost with a well-rounded set of fluid, efficient jumping. His season was one of ups, as he gave very good accounts of himself in all his races in the season. He was third to runaway winner Allmankind in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on Welsh National Day, second behind Goshen at Ascot, who would have romped away with the Triumph Hurdle last month had he not fluffed his lines at the last, before taking a Class 2 Handicap Hurdle by 16 lengths back at Ascot. He looks a chaser in the making, but may be kept to hurdles next season to strengthen up, but he is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Since his victories at Aintree and Punchestown at the end of the season previous, Reserve Tank was seen as a leading prospect over fences, and headed into the Low Cost Vans Novices’ Chase as a short priced favourite, with victory seeming inevitable. Nearby cake enthusiast and part time racehorse trainer Fergal O’Brien had other ideas however, and he sent out his own prospect for the season in Jarvey’s Plate, who upturned the apple pie ( sorry, cart ) for favourite backers and proved himself to be a nice one to follow by taking the Listed contest by just over 4 lengths. He progressed to a season’s highlight in a fourth place finish in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day behind Slate House, and may be one to follow next season in the likes of the BetVictor Gold Cup and other races of that calibre around the distance.
The big race of the day was the Silver Trophy, a very competitive handicap hurdle that was taken by Flash The Steel for the team of Harry and Dan Skelton. Whilst he found the step up to 3 miles a bit tough on his next start a month later at Haydock, he finished a creditable ninth in the Martin Pipe at the Festival, beaten only 5 ½ lengths. Interestingly, the third placed horse in the race at Chepstow was Imperial Aura, who after this made himself into a very good novice chaser, with success in the Northern Trust Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival the highlight of his and trainer Kim Bailey’s season.
A few more of our favourites from the day
Next up on the calendar for us was the first of ultimately 8 new courses in the season. This one was on literally the other end of the country from us, that course being Ffos Las in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. The highlights of the day were the Welsh Champion Hurdle, the inaugural running of the Norton’s Coin Novices’ Chase, and getting the living daylights scared out of us by Zoey Bird of Sky Sports Racing as she lobbed something into the bin behind us whilst all in the press room were hard at work writing notes for the day and eating Beef Goulash!
Monsieur Lecoq took the feature of the day, but had to survive a stewards enquiry and photo finish to see off the determined and classy Le Prezien. He then went and ran credibly at Cheltenham in the International Hurdle before heading overseas to Ireland and a crack at the Irish Champion Hurdle, ultimately won by star mare Honeysuckle.
Poker Play took the inaugural running of the Norton’s Coin Novices’ Chase, a contest for the cup of the same name that commemorates the 100-1 winner of the 1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup who was trained locally by Sirrel Griffiths, and who many considered to be just a point to pointer. He showed he was better than that to defeat the likes of Desert Orchid, who had won the blue riband the previous year. Poker Play fought hard to win the race from the classy Sensulano, and whilst he couldn’t progress further and win again in the season, beaten 80 lengths by Samcro in the Marsh Novices Chase at the Festival, the horse to take from the race was Lamanver Pippin, who won on his next start at Chepstow before a gallant third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. One to keep an eye on for the staying chases next year such as the London or Durham Nationals, perhaps even the Welsh National if they can get into the race.
A few more of the action from the day
Now the next weekend was not a racing weekend, though did feature something that had been in the planning since April and does involve a racehorse. Whilst we mainly cover race meetings, we also cover yard visits and are available for private visits if you require images of your horse at either home, yards or any occasion, such as a fun ride or team chase. This was demonstrated by a trip to see “Jeff”, who regular followers of us will know is Fort Jefferson, and he used to race for Oliver Greenall Racing and owners Salmon Racing. Whilst he was loved by all, no one adored him more than the Travelling Head of the yard and a very good friend of ours, Jo, who was left utterly heartbroken when he had to be retired due to injury and sold to a forever home. In April Tom had hatched the idea of doing something special for her birthday, and decided a massive collage was the way to go. He quickly contacted Mark at Salmon Racing, who put him in touch with the new owner and it was decided that later in the year, we would head to them to see him, to get images of him, feed him plenty of carrots, and give him a big old hug. It was a hugely successful visit, and we are safe in the knowledge his new owners will care and look after him in the highest standard, as they are wonderful, lovely people, and also he is happy and content.
The collage, we are happy to say, is now pride of place in Jo’s house. She was incredibly grateful for it, and couldn’t believe Tom had arranged and we had gone all the way to see him, all just for her.
If one weekend was a top-notch weekend designed to make someone special feel that extra bit special, it would take a seriously special horse to make the next meeting the highlight of the season wouldn’t it? Well, in this case, our highlight of the season was Saturday 2nd November, and at a racecourse and country we had never visited before. Location: Down Royal, Northern Ireland. The horse? A certain horse making his hurdling debut, and one who had won the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival 8 months earlier. His name – Envoi Allen.
It all started at 2:30am, with us getting out of the house to be in the air from Manchester Airport before 7am and landing at Belfast before 8. A quick collection of the hire car followed by a drive to a well needed Starbucks and it was then off to the racecourse, with the radio playing the South Africa V England Rugby World Cup Final. Won’t gloss on the score for all the England Rugby fans reading this, but we are Welsh, and one of your great rivals, so won’t mention anything else…
The reason for visiting was to cover the meeting which included the Champion Chase, won in the past by the likes of Kauto Star and Road To Respect. The latter duly followed up in impressive style in the feature race of the day to double his tally in the contest, and deny the subsequent dual King George winner in Clan Des Obeaux, before injury curtailed the chance for him to contest the Cheltenham Gold Cup, of which he would have gone very close. The big disappointment of the race was Delta Work, who appeared to need the run as he didn’t finish with his usual grit and fashion, which is a shame as he went on to win the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on subsequent starts, so it may be best to watch him first time out next season.
Earlier in the card the Joseph O’Brien trained A Wave Of The Sea had taken the opening juvenile hurdle, before a highlight of the season in winning the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival. Saint D’oroux, who went off favourite after a second on their racing debut when trained by Guilliame Macaire at Dieppe in May, could only manage fourth, but improved over the season to finish third in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.
The main reasons this day will forever be listed as the highlight of our season are as follows. Easywork made just that in the concluding bumper before progressing over hurdles to finish second in the Ballymore at the Festival.
The winner of the Ballymore was also on the card at Down Royal, and took the maiden hurdle in scintillating fashion, in such a way that he has left a mark on us and the racing world as a superstar in ascendance. He is of course Envoi Allen, who jumped with finite aplomb and devastating accuracy, coming home hard held and barely breaking sweat. Front View, who was second, won next time out but disappointed at Cheltenham in the concluding Martin Pipe, while third place Entoucas became infamous three weeks later when jinking through the rail at Navan and taking out a photographer stood behind the rail, showing how dangerous this job can be for us snappers! Thankfully, said gentleman was okay!
The visit to Down Royal was hugely appreciated by us, and we are grateful to all at the course who made us feel welcome, and to the fellow media in the press room. A return visit is definitely on the cards for us, so it was certainly worth the 2:30am start, all the way in Wrexham!
A few more of our favourites from the day
The weekend of high quality action wasn’t complete however, as despite getting back in at ten o’clock in the evening the night before, we were back up early and on the M6 north, to what must be the most picturesque course in the country – Carlisle. The feature of the day was meant to be the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase featuring the exciting Lostintranslation, but it could very easily have been the Sausage, Mash and Gravy we had before the racing. Add to this meeting up with our good friend Jo and her mum, there because the former had taken Tim Rocco up to contest a handicap hurdle on the card, and I’m sure you can see why we got very excited for that day’s racing!
The day began with all eyes on the 4/7F Faustinovick, a leading fancy for many, and backed like defeat wasn’t an option, or even thinkable. However, Glenduff and now Champion Jockey-elect Brian Hughes had other ideas and clearly hadn’t read the script, and took the race in sublime fashion to overturn the favourite by just over 3 lengths. One thing to say about the runner up is that he is a big horse, and will come into his own over a fence. He looks a chaser through and through, and it wouldn’t surprise us if trainer Colin Tizzard has another decent sort on his hands, and he will break his maiden under rules over a fence.
The next race on the cards was the Gordon Richards Chase, a Novices’ Limited Handicap, that was won by Two For Gold, who is part owned by ITV Racing’s Oli Bell. He went on to win the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick in January, grinding it out and showing he is just as gutsy as he is classy.
The big race of the day was the Colin Parker, and as the same connections’ Faustinovick earlier, Lostintranslation was backed with defeat out of the question. He duly obliged in impressive fashion, barely coming off the bridle after a superb round of jumping. He followed up in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock a few weeks later, and eventually finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, after undergoing wind surgery after a disappointing run in the King George at Kempton Park. Whilst we are big fans of him, bigger still is one of our main clients and good friends in Stu Williams, aka “Jimbo Jumps Man”.
He was in awe when he saw the images for the first time, and messaged me to say he was staggered by our work that day, even though, as he put it, “you always produce superb images”. Means a lot when clients come to you in amazement at the standard you produce, so the kebab in Lancaster that night was definitely worth it! To everyone at Carlisle, most of all the General Manager Molly Dingwall, thank you once again, we really are eternally grateful for every opportunity, and we always are made very welcome whenever we come up. Hopefully it won’t be long before we are back!
A few more of our favourites from the day
The next Saturday after that was back to our friends at Oliver Greenall’s for a morning on the gallops getting some autumnal images of the yard after having a request to come in, and to see the star that is the former Scottish Grand National winner Al Co, who was 14 at the time of our visit but still acted like he was 4, full of enthusiasm for the game and tearing the arms off his doting lass Lauren, who stated that sometimes she can barely hold him. The team at Oliver Greenall’s really do get the best out of horses that others would say have passed their prime, as seen with the success they have had with him and also with 13 year old Just a Par and 12 year old Port Melon, in addition to the likes of Strong Resemblance and the exciting pair of Midnight Moss and Evander, the latter of which will make a superb chaser given what he has done under regular pilot and conditional jockey Ross Turner. We are lucky to call the team at Oliver Greenall’s friends, and they know that if they ever need a favour, they have us on speed-dial.
And as you can see by the images, Lauren looks tiny on Al Co! Literally like sticking a toddler on a shire horse! Al Co was retired earlier this season, and now Lauren rides him out nearly every day, and you won’t find anyone who loves him more than her!
A few more of the yard. No regrets on the amount....
It was a perilously long time before we finally got to go racing again, thankfully Tom is an amateur rugby player too and was able to get some game time in, which he enjoys whenever he can. Splitting racing and rugby can be difficult, especially when you really want a certain race meeting, but sometimes the big meetings come at courses where only RCA accredited media can be accommodated, so it is handy that you have something to do in the meantime. Plus, it does help keep you fit in the winter months! Thankfully our clients understand that certain meetings are, until we gain RCA Press Accreditation, out of the question, and we appreciate their assistance and faith in us.
The next meeting on our list was one at a course that Tom had been working extremely hard to get photographer access at after Jack had been a regular for the majority of the previous season. That course was Cheltenham, and it was for the International Hurdle Day. First up however was to see the boss at the meeting, that being Stu Williams, a leading client of ours and a sensei of racing journalism. His insight and knowledge is second to none, and if you take and follow his tips throughout the year, you will be up at the end of it. Plus, he’s a terrific person to be associated with. He also likes Peroni, in case you need to thank him for the tips…
A mouthwatering card on paper, the feature race was landed in fine style by Call Me Lord, who showed he was just as good going left handed as he is at going right handed. Hot favourite Pentland Hills jumped the last poised to score, but the tank emptied as he made his way up the hill, sliding eventually to fifth. Call Me Lord grabbed the lead on the run in and just held on from the rallying Ballyandy, who came from the clouds and only just failed to get up on the line.
The other feature of the day was won by the sadly ill-fated Warthog, who took the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup right on the line after rallying to overhaul Spiritofthegames in the final strides. A beautiful grey, his victory was popular with those on and off the course, and it was a terrible tragedy the next month when he was lost back at the scene of his greatest victory. As with any horse lost in the sport, our condolences go to all connections at this time.
The rest of the meeting is always a competitive affair, and if you haven’t been to Cheltenham before, you must go at some point in your lifetime. Thank you to Sarah-Jane Muirie and Megan Furse who gave us the opportunity to attend and provide some coverage from there, hugely appreciated. It is a shame we didn’t get to cover more from there this season, and we had some excellent ideas for the April and Race Night Meetings. Oh well, have to hope we can make up for it next season!
A few more of our favourites from the day
After Christmas it was straight down to Chepstow for the Welsh Grand National on the 27th, another highlight of the season. Whilst the race of the day looked to be the namesake of the meeting, it was fiercely contested for this by the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle, which featured a hot favourite in Allmankind, labelled at the time as Britain’s finest juvenile, and Cerberus, one of Ireland’s leading juveniles, who had skipped a potential trip to Leopardstown to pose a challenge on the favourite, in what looked a raid by the team at Joseph O’Brien Racing. Unfortunately for them, it proved futile as Allmankind, despite pulling like a bronco and going like a stabbed rat on the way round, was simply too good and destroyed his rivals in emphatic fashion.
It was also a case for celebration by us Welshies too, as locally trained ( sort of, it was straight up the M4! ) Potters Corner took the feature of the day under jockey Jack Tudor for trainer Christian Williams and owners All Stars Sports Racing, which includes a Mr Jonathan Davies, the Welsh Rugby centre. He was in attendance at the meeting, as one would expect, and it was excellent to see him in jubilation with the rest of connections, but he wasn’t jumping for joy, as his knee was in a brace after yet another unfortunate injury for him.
Potters Corner was touted as a potential winner and leading contender for the Grand National this month, but as I’m sure you are all aware, it was cancelled due to the outbreak that is ongoing. However, he did go on to win the Virtual Grand National, beating Walk in the Mill, Aintree’s Becher Chase specialist, by a length.
A few more of our favourites from the day
2020 began with a trip to another new course for us in Hereford, where the Pasties are amazing if you are interested! It had been closed for a while before re-opening a few years ago, and it is a fantastic course to visit if you are looking for a relaxed day at the races.
If you had to select a performance of the day, Dame Du Soir’s victory under Brendan Powell for David Bridgwater would be a candidate, as she jumped with aplomb and ran out a very convincing winner, always finding plenty from her rivals, who included Red Risk, a new recruit to Paul Nicholls, who franked the form next time out at Ludlow when winning comfortably around 7 weeks later.
Giralamo Cardano simply skipped away in very deep conditions to score by 11 lengths to Artistic Language for Value Racing Club, and the latter connections didn’t have to wait long to go one better as Broughton’s Admiral was kept wide by Sam Twiston-Davies to score by 12 lengths in fine fashion, when his rivals were all toiling in behind.
The final hurdle race was actually abandoned as two horses slipped on the bend leading away from the stands and at the line, so in the grounds of safety the last race was called off. When stewards get a bad rep from anyone, just remember that in many cases, they get the job done properly.
A few more of our favourites from the day
A week after this meeting was our first trip to two racecourses in one day. The day began with us making a cross country journey to Huntingdon Racecourse, which we were more than excited to add to the courses we have provided coverage for, and even better because our dad was in tow with us, having purchased him a ticket as he had the day off and he hasn’t been racing in ages.
When we got to the course at 11am to collect our passes from the office, our contact Beth was in a bit of a rush, and had a look of concern and worry on her face. She informed us that due to the nearby river’s flood gate being opened by the Environment Agency without them being told, the brook had risen to a point where it was now spilling onto the course and into public areas, and that an inspection had been called. The course passed and we were able to pick up our passes, but the situation would be looked at again if it got any worse.
An hour or so later, the water had flooded the betting areas in front of the stands and was now starting to encroach onto the racecourse, and regretfully racing had to be abandoned. The below image details the extent of the situation.
A quick email and phone call later, and we had secured a media pass for ourselves and a ticket for Dad at Wolverhampton, and got our first taste of racing under the floodlights. Honestly, we can’t thank them enough at Wolverhampton for allowing us access to the meeting at such a short notice. Whilst big jump fans, we were hugely appreciative of the chance to attend this meeting, and hope that we can go again at some point. Need more floodlit racing in our portfolio, and when you get horses like the Irish Derby entrant Waleydd running, you never actually know who might turn up and go on to bigger things!
A glimpse of the action that night
The next day was set for more racing, and yet another course to be added to our portfolio, and one that has quickly become a favourite of ours – Warwick. The Classic Chase has always been one race we have tuned into in our younger years, and to finally get to cover it was a huge opportunity for us. Especially as it also features several Graded novice races, the Hampton Novices’ Chase and the Grade 2 Ballymore ( registered as the Leamington ) Novices’ Hurdle as well as the pinnacle of their season in the Classic Chase.
The Classic Chase was scored in stunning fashion by Kimberlite Candy, who stalked the leader Captain Chaos off a blistering and frenetic pace for the 3m 5f contest, before taking the lead up at the last and clearing away from his rival. He was being aimed at the Grand National before the season was curtailed, and it is a particular blow to all his backers as on his very next start, his vanquished foe at Warwick annihilated the opposition in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on February 29th. More to come from that one later.
Mossy Fen took the Leamington at a trip that was more suitable than the well beaten fourth he had endured at Cheltenham’s International meeting over 3 miles, the trip of 2m 5f seeing him to best effect as he collared the early leaders of Shan Blue and Decor Irlandais at the last and kept on strongly to win by 3-quarters of a length. Having failed to stay last time out, the trip was no problem as he was guided to success by a masterful ride by Sam Twiston-Davies, and in the next season if connections decide to go over the larger obstacles with him, he may be another to follow.
Two For Gold simply doesn’t know what the meaning of “run a bad race” is, and out of his four runs this season has only been beaten once at Ascot behind a leading fancy for the RSA in Copperhead during the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase in February. As he had done at Carlisle and at Kelso however, he stuck on gamely and rallied under pressure to take the victory. This time his pursuer was Hold The Note, who was running a serious race and giving him much to think about, but Two For Gold would not be denied and showed why he is a leading prospect for trainer Kim Bailey with a powerful victory.
Some more of the rest of the day's action
The following Sunday saw our only point to point of the season, with a visit to our local course in Bangor-On-Dee. Once again however underfoot conditions took their toll, and caused the final fence of the circuit to be removed due to the surrounding area being a literal quagmire, with standing water and bottomless ground combining to produce a patch of unsafe ground on the landing side of the fence and inside bend. Nevertheless, the weather could not have been better as blue skies blanketed the course, and with that came some fantastic light and conditions to photograph. Some of the highlights are below;
Unfortunately due to what seemed like constant rain and flooding, their second meeting was delayed twice before the shutdown was announced. A real shame as the rest of the pointing season was looking good as well for us. Oh well, roll on next season!
Yet another new course was added to the list on 25th January, when we attended our first meeting at Doncaster, for their feature race of the season, the Sky Bet Chase. On what was a great day’s racing throughout the country, with Cheltenham running their Festival Trials Day card, Doncaster had a meeting to rival that with a fascinating Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase over two miles, the Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle and Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle all shining as a terrific undercard to the main event.
Mister Fisher followed up his victory the previous month at Cheltenham by stepping back to two miles to take the Lightning Novices’ Chase. He stalked the leaders from the rear before switching outside under James Bowen to take the lead at the last and keep up the gallop to see off the well fancied Al Dancer. The image below shows the field going over the ditch, guess which one is the only one covered up, to the bad luck of Tom? Such is life!
The River Don Novices’ Hurdle requires a horse with guts, heart and fight to win, as well as an abundance of stamina to last the punishing and often relentless three mile trip. Only one horse in the field had been more than three miles before, which is a rarity for a novice hurdler, but then again Ramses De Teillee is no ordinary novice hurdler. He has been seen in better light plying his trade as a classy staying chaser, with a second in the 2018 Welsh National behind Elegant Escape his main claim to fame in this sphere. He duly put his rivals to the sword and saw off Champagne Well after the last as his rival’s stamina ebbed away to score by 17 lengths with a remorseless gallop. Indeed, after coming into the parade ring, Paddy Brennan declared that his mount just lacked the stamina to go on with the runaway winner, and suggested that they go back down in trip for his next run, as he had been racing at when winning at Cheltenham previously in October.
Lady Buttons is the apple of the eye of her trainer Phil Kirby and doting owners, and the heroine of the North made the stands rock as they sent up a huge roar when she hit the front in the Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle. She pounced just after the last to score by 4 lengths in a manner that suggested she was far ahead of her rivals. She has made this course her own, taking the scalps of the likes of La Bague Au Roi in the past, and is one to be feared by anyone coming around these parts.
Jockey Mr Derek O’Connor was drafted in to take the ride on OK Corral for the Sky Bet Chase, having won on him the previous year when taking the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick. It proved to be another fruitful partnership, as he got up to take victory in the big race of the day, the pair joining Fingerontheswitch at the second last and fighting it out over the last to ultimately take victory by half a length. OK Corral was touted as a possible for the Grand National after this, but just like Potter’s Corner and Kimberlite Candy, his chance was ruined by the shutdown currently in force.
A handy tip for anyone who gets media access at Doncaster, or indeed anywhere, is that if there is cake in the press room, Hayley Moore of Sky Sports Racing will fight you for it. I say again, she WILL fight you for it. Cake means a lot to her, perhaps she has been taking a leaf out of Fergal O’Brien’s books?
A selection of the rest of the action
February dawned, but it came with the most terrible of news for the racing community. James Banks, a former jockey who had retired only two years earlier, had been found dead at his home in Naunton. It was a huge shock for everyone in the industry, and many tributes were held across the country to him, Robert Alner and Paul Blockley, who also sadly passed away in the week. A notable tribute was held at Warwick on Saturday, where it was impeccably observed and caused many tears to be shed by all in attendance. The scene was replayed and reflected at all meetings up and down the country, and the thoughts of everyone were with their loved ones at what is and was a very difficult time.
As per our previously unlucky visit last month, it was another beautiful, cloudless day at Huntingdon. This was for the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices Hurdle. The big talk was all about the Nicky Henderson trained Shishkin, who had developed a lofty reputation after a facile win at Newbury a few weeks previously. This was meant to be his most difficult task yet, but he completely blew away his opposition in great style that hinted at him being more than just an ordinary horse. He duly proved his class a month later at Cheltenham when winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in a hard fight with Abracadabras, and if he does indeed go novice chasing next season, he will be a leading prospect over the larger obstacles, and will be a big chance to double his tally of Festival wins in the Arkle.
Once again we have to thank Beth at Huntingdon for the opportunity to come and cover the meeting, Tom had a great time in attendance, and got some excellent images that will be very hard to beat! A few of them are below;
These two should really have their own spaces instead of in the gallery, hope you agree...
Hot on the heels of this meeting was one we were particularly excited about, and not just for the meeting itself. We are good friends with another racing personality, and it had been a while since we last saw her, so when she mentioned she was attending the meeting as press, we were thrilled as we had earmarked this raceday for a while. The raceday in question was Kingmaker Chase Day at Warwick, and the personality in question is Abbeigh Harris, the UK Correspondent for Past The Wire.
Picking her up from her boyfriend’s and heading into Warwick, via a pit stop at Bread & Co ( highly recommended ), it was a day where you are grateful for the friends and people you meet doing this job. And it also helps when they like their food, such as the stew that was available in the press room and the Kebab in Coventry after. Needless to say, she has been pestering for another of them ever since….
On the racing side of things, the highlight of the day was the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase, named after Richard Neville, the 16th Earl Of Warwick who was killed during the Wars Of The Roses at the Battle of Barnet in 1471 ( by his own men in a horrendous mix up in the fog ), and who had a huge amount of influence on the accessions of King Henry VI and Edward IV during this period from his home at nearby Warwick Castle, hence his nickname “The Kingmaker”.
With an illustrious line of winners ranging from Flagship Uberalles, Cenkos, Voy Por Ustedes, Long Run, Gauvain and Finian’s Rainbow, it’s seen as a very good trial for the Arkle in around 5 weeks time from this race. This year’s renewal went to the same owner and trainer as the 2018 winner Saint Calvados as the Andrew and Kate Brooks owned and Harry Whittingdon trained Rouge Vif staked his claim for the two mile novice chase crown. An emphatic success under Gavin Sheehan, he cleared right away from his rivals after 2 out to win by seven lengths to the favourite Nube Negra.
If that race wasn’t memorable enough, it was certainly so a few moments afterwards as we received an email from the Racing Post requesting a few images from the day, including Rouge Vif’s victory in the Kingmaker. Sure enough, we duly obliged, and it was a proud moment for us to see our image in print in Sunday’s edition. To get an image in the Racing Post is something we have aspired to achieve for many years, and to have finally been published in there was one of jubilation. Let’s just say we had a fair few beers in the local that night!
Indefatigable warmed up for an ultimately successful crack at the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle with victory in the Paddy Power “31 Sleeps To Cheltenham” Mares’ Hurdle under Richie McLernon. The top weight was always prominent and when shaken up responded well to clear away from her seven rivals to win by 6 lengths to Copper Gone West.
Clondaw Castle had disappointed in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham before Christmas, but made amends in fine style when taking the Paddy Power “ From The Horse’s Mouth” Warwick Castle Handicap Chase by just over 4 lengths, being eased down by Paddy Brennan close home when the victory was certain. He could be one to make amends for his flop at Cheltenham next season, albeit it was reported at the time he wasn’t travelling in the Caspian, and may be one to aim for the BetVictor Gold Cup in November.
A horse that is one for the future, and probably not quite one to keep an eye on over hurdles is Sizeable Sam. Whilst what he will do over hurdles will be a bonus, his future lies over the larger obstacles. As per his name, he is a very sizeable, strapping gelding who looks like he will eat fences for breakfast before his morning exercise. He took the concluding bumper of the card, the “Watch Irish Racing On Racing TV” Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race in good style, reeling in the well fancied Cadzand by just over a length under Nick Scholfield.
A selection of the rest of the action
Two weeks after Warwick was another trip down south, featuring a quick stop off at Ravenswell Farm in the Cotswolds, home of Fergal O’Brien Racing, to drop off a Victoria Sponge that had been hitting the gym and Brownies that made the staff melt. We will be returning at some point in the next few months, once racing is back up and running and lockdown is over, and if you haven’t been there yourselves we urge you go. Just bring cake. Better if it is homemade, but think of what they do for you, surely a cake is more than acceptable thanks?
After the raid on Ravenswell, it was a leisurely drive to Kempton Park for their Betway Handicap Chase meeting. Well, this was a day of incredible performances, none more so than the emphatic display on debut by Solo, who really was a class act in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. Sauntering clear in between the last two flights, he met the last well and simply breezed away under Harry Cobden to victory, and be immediately instated as favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Tom Symonds was ensured it was a Saturday to remember as his Song For Someone wore down Ch’Tibello and Diego Du Charmil on the line to take the rearranged Betway Kingwell Hurdle that was lost from the abandoned Wincanton card the previous week.
Despite fluffing the last and pretty much dragging his rear legs through it, he had enough momentum and stamina in reserve to mount a sustained, final challenge under Aidan Coleman to steal it right from under the nose of his opponents.
Post-race, the trainer stated he would be aimed at Aintree, but alas, that never came to fruition. He may be seen over a fence next season, and it wouldn’t surprise us if he was to improve for them.
Who Dares Wins won last year’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on the all-weather, and has run with great credit in the Chester Cup, placing twice, also winning at the course on a previous occasion. He has won a Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster and has now added the Grade 2 Betway Pendil Novices’ Chase to his CV and trophy cabinet.
He finally got his day in the sun over the larger obstacles after a great jumping display by Master Tommytucker came to a crashing end at four out, where his rival guessed at it and repeated the fall that cost them in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Boxing Day. He scythed his way into contention to serve it up to Southfield Stone at the last, overhauling them in the final 200 yards to win.
At that stage of the season, there was only one constant – Jonjo O’Neill Jr winning a big Saturday race. And yet again, this prophecy came true as he masterfully guided Mister Malarkey to victory in the Betway Handicap Chase. He took up the running swinging in for home and simply was not for passing or catching, staying on strongly to record a two length victory.
A selection of the rest of the action
A meeting at Ludlow was quickly followed by a trip back up north to Doncaster, to catch their final major race meeting of the season, featuring their Grimthorpe Chase.
A small selection from Ludlow
The feature race of the day was won in simply impervious style by the dominant front runner Captain Chaos. He had tried similar tactics at Warwick in the Classic Chase before just being caught by leading fancy for the Grand National Kimberlite Candy, but today he simply ground the opposition into the Town Moor turf, coming home well over two distances (yes, distances) clear and all alone except for the roar of his supporters.
Yet again we were made to feel welcome by the staff at Doncaster who provided us with superb hospitality as well, can’t be faulted for that one! And was a lovely surprise to bump into a certain Hayley Ashcroft, one of the winners of the Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards, and who Tom knew from a few previous visits to Tom Dascombe’s, the other side of Malpas. Friends in high places eh?
Rest of the action from Grimthorpe Chase Day
March came, and it was time for usually our next point to point at Bangor-On-Dee, but as the ground kept selfishly flooding it was constantly put back. So, a trip to Warwick was in order, as they had a good looking card for their Countryside Day. And yes, again it required a good breakfast to fuel up for it….
The day began with the “Dreamland Bedding Centre Novices’ Hurdle”, with victory seemingly assured for the locally trained Nickolson for Olly Murphy. However, a lack of race fitness cost the Evens Favourite on his first run in four months as he just failed to justify the support when coming home runner up to Hooligan, a 25/1 shot who certainly didn’t appear to be a 25/1 chance as he stormed home to win by 5 lengths eased down.
Litterale Ci was well beaten by Lady Buttons up at Doncaster on her previous start, but returned to winning ways in fine style when taking the EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase, asserting just after the last from long time leader Black Tulip to win by a comfortable 4 lengths. She qualified for the final at the April Meeting at Cheltenham after winning this contest, but I won’t mention why that meeting won’t be going ahead, as I’m sure you already know.
Playa Blanca began a terrific run of form on this day by winning the Pony Racing Authority Graduates Handicap Hurdle under Ben Jones, and then over the course of 9 days ran twice more, and won both of them too, meaning that in less then 10 days he had won 3 times and gone up 15lbs in the ratings. A fine performance from them, and who knows how far they could have gone before the season had ended so prematurely?
Bear Ghylls took the concluding Children’s Air Ambulance Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race in a style that made out that this could be a horse of serious calibre, as he tore apart the field and stayed on remorselessly in the soft conditions to win by 19 lengths from Guard Your Dreams. He started off at 33/1 and attracted few supporters in the prelims, but clearly could be more than average. It will be interesting to see how he gets on over hurdles when reappearing in the future.
The rest of the meeting. And the weather was frightful at times!
And then, sadly, it was no Cheltenham Festival for us. We had been told by Cheltenham that unfortunately, due to high numbers of media applicants for the Festival, we were unable to obtain accreditation for the meeting on the basis of numbers, which was incredibly disappointing, as we were hopeful it would have finally been our chance to cover the biggest event in jump racing, and achieve a dream of ours we have held for many a year. To be denied on numbers was particularly painful, as it shows that it wasn’t the quality of our work that spoiled our chance, it was essentially something out of our control. Nothing wrong with our coverage or work itself, and yet we still have to sit out.
We understand that numbers on course and in the press room are limited, but given the standard of work we have produced for our clients and ourselves, we were hopeful of even just one space being made available for us to get a chance to attend the biggest meeting of the season. Alas, that never happened. It is always extremely painful to be on the sidelines during the Festival week; you cannot get excited for the racing beforehand, the many Cheltenham Festival preview Nights simply do not have the same factor they used to, and whilst the week is on, you watch the coverage on ITV, and think, “if only”. Hopefully, it will not be the same story next year.
And then, it all came to a grinding, shuddering halt, thanks to COVID-19 Coronavirus. Like running in a full sprint and hitting a granite outcrop. With jump racing cancelled until the 1st July, our season had been brought to a premature end, which was disappointing, especially as you had more to give.
Hopefully next season will be better for us, as certain meetings are already firmly on the agenda for the new season, and fingers crossed jump racing can be started on the planned 1st July date that has been earmarked by the BHA and RCA. And fingers crossed even more that we can be at Cheltenham for the Festival as well as for the entirety of their season, as it really isn’t any fun to be missing out on any event you know deep down you should be at, and especially when you will be judged on your coverage of these big meetings.
With the sudden suspension of racing and closure of the 2019/20 season, we have missed out on the Grand National meeting, Scottish National, remainder of the UK Point-to-Point season, Jumps Season Finale at Sandown Park and a good few other jumps meetings thanks to the early conclusion, but it cannot be helped or begrudged when public safety is at threat.
Whilst it is frustrating to be sat in the office when you know you should be racing at the likes of Cheltenham for the Race Night, you know there are bigger things going on, things with more pressing consequences, and despite the despair that it won’t be for a while until you are racing again, you have to do what’s right. And that’s an easier call to make than deciding which meetings to attend….
Do what the advice from the governing bodies and government is – Stay Indoors, Protect The NHS, Save Lives.
If we all do this together, we will be back racing very much sooner, rather than later, and I’m sure you’re just as eager to get racing again as we are, and indeed the wider world of the sport of kings.
Finally, we have a long list of people and companies we would like to thank for their support during the 2019/20 jumps season. They include;
All our clients for putting their faith and trust in us to provide their coverage of racing they require. They consist, though not restricted to, the likes of Stu Jimbo Williams ( Jimbo Jumps Man ), who has been a true godsend to us with regular publishing of the images we have provided for him, and has been an excellent friend to us to boot, Rein It In Racing, who are the new lifeblood of racing journalism, with a fresh and enthusiastic approach to coverage of the sport we all love, and to the Racing Post, who made one dream come true when publishing our image of Rouge Vif in February after he won the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick.
The racing yards who allow us the opportunity and access to come down and photograph the superstars, both human and equine, who make this sport what it is. Our local yard of Oliver Greenall Racing have always been good to us, allowing us access to the yard and gallops, sometimes at short notice, and have always provided a well needed laugh. The team know we are available at a moment’s notice for them, and we are lucky to call them friends of ours. Once this lockdown is over, join us in the local for some well needed drinks! And just like the team at Fergal O’Brien Racing, we hope you enjoyed the cakes!!!
The plethora of staff at various racecourses who have granted us media access, and been the catalyst for some amazing memories over the season. From the team led by Susan at Down Royal, the general manager Molly at Carlisle, Beth at Huntingdon and the likes of Emma at Doncaster, Vicky at Ffos Las and Caroline at Chepstow from ARC, a massive thank you goes to each and every one of you for allowing us the chance to operate at your courses and provide our clients and followers with the coverage that we aim to produce, and better each time than the time before. We owe a lot to you all, and hope to see you all again very soon.
Finally, a huge thanks to everyone who follows us, in the real world and on social media. Every like, retweet and quote is gratefully appreciated, as is every image request and new relationship. It’s been great to see familiar faces such as Stu Williams, the team at Oliver Greenall Racing, Molly at Carlisle and Abbeigh Harris again, and finally meet new ones like Sam and Niamh from Rein It In, Luca Viscogliosi, Steve Mullington and countless others who make this sport who and what it is. We look forward to the new season in excitable anticipation, ready to provide the coverage of what goes on in this sport we all love so much.
To the 2019/20 Jumps Season, we say a massive thank you and Au Revior.
To the 2020/21 Jumps Season, we say this – We can’t wait, but hope that the bigger things at present will be sorted before you come.
If any of you have any questions you wish to ask us, then please don’t hesitate in getting in touch with us, we are always available to answer any questions you may have about what we do, or the sport as a whole!
Roll on 2020/21!!!
Take care everyone, stay safe.
Tom and Jack
JTW Equine Images
