A Good Bank Holiday At The Races
Cartmel certainly brought in the crowds of almost 20,000 racing spectators to witness the Bank Holiday line up yesterday, probably aided somewhat by the favourable weather conditions.
Jonathan Garratt, Managing Director commented, “This meeting was abandoned last year, but the crowd is much higher than when it was last staged two years ago. The overflow car parks on both the course and paddock side were open by 10am and we’ve used fields we rarely do.”
Bangor also enjoyed a great attendance improvement of 2,000 compared to last year with lots of families gathering to the location to take part in the children’s activities which were free of charge and complemented by the sunshine throughout the day.
Jeannie Chantler, General Manager reported “We’re delighted with our figure of 4,440. We had 2,404 last year when it was a bit damp.”
The same successful outcome was reported at Chepstown too, with Phil Bell, Executive Director saying, “We had a crowd of around 7,500, including children, for our family fun day and it has been a great afternoon, although we had a few issues with traffic. Last August’s meeting was a total washout, but this is by far the best crowd the course has had on this day for eight years.”
Will Hayler made a quick appearance yesterday by mention because Goldan Jess was competing at Cartmel and won at 5-1. Then followed a predominantly cheery message from Hayler and following all the celebrations would have found Will doing more of the same after returning home.
This message gives some insight into the highs of racehorse ownership even at a small level. Some have pondered on how he has managed to get into the ownership game financially. Never the less he has a certainly has a share in a fantastic animal all the same that would make any owner proud to be a part of. Although now nine, he does race off a low rating each time.
One competitor worth watching at the moment Child’s Dream. There is a few ways of deciding on her form, but one possible outcome is that, like many other Richard Hannon runners, Richard Hughes seems is of effect to her performance.
In May at Kempton he was riding whilst she put all in to winning her maiden over five furlongs, though not for her two losses. The jockey aboard her last time when she ran on from the back to be fifth over six furlongs in an Ascot nursery was Kieran O’Neill, currently with a 6% strike rate.
Hughes whom at Epson in recent times has a 20% strike rate is inclined to make more of an impression if there becomes a particular need for tactical modification, certainly more than O’Neill was able.
Ryan Moore is aboard Clive Brittain’s Manomine for the first time. The gelding won in May under Lauren Haigh but at Kempton they went too hard i
