Declared a non-runner for the best dressed gentleman

It was back to the gaffs today for my odyssey round Britain's racetracks. A dark, dank, wet Friday afternoon in November is probably not the best time to visit Fontwell, but nevertheless this unique track still has certain appeal.
Since the sad demise of jumping at Windsor some 15 years ago, Fontwell is now the only figure of eight course in the country.
The hurdlers go round a normal circuit, but the jumpers have to negotiate the switchbacks. I do not entirely hold with the trend to create new nationals - we have had the Sussex, Northern and the Midlands National added to the Grand, Scottish and Welsh versions in recent years - but the marathon 'Sussex National' round Fontwell takes some jumping, especially as the horses must be sent dizzy. For each circuit of the course a horse runs alternatively on the inside and the outside, and right handed and left handed.
A popular place to view the action here is at the intersection - ie in the middle of the '8'. Racegoers can see a novice chaser close up jumping a downhill fence in one direction, followed by a uphill fence the other way.

I can still recall standing here and seeing the granite man jockey Gary Moore fall off one of his father's horses at the downhill fence. Poor old Gary was already at the back of the field, pushing away for all his worth (a fairly typical experience in those days on Charlie Moore's nags)  when he was hurtled into the Fontwell turf. He understandably used some fairly industrial language, before curling up in a ball and staying there motionless for 5 minutes. He eventually struggled to his feet, dragged himself into  the ambulance with what looked like a broken collar bone and was carted off back to what were then rather primitive facilities in the medical room. Rumour had it that Gary then tried to weigh out for the next race!
It was ironic therefore that the racing news on the morning of this meeting was dominated with news of Gary Moore (now of course a decent trainer and sire of top jockeys) being retained in the intensive care unit of Redhill hospital having been kicked several times by one of the horses in his care. Fortunately the later updates suggested Gary 'only' had 3 broken ribs, fluid on the lungs and a damaged spleen and should be home in a few days.
Visibility was poor in the mist today, with even the big screen fogged up. This gave me the opportunity to use my new binoculars, courtesy of the National Trust. With these bins round my neck, this made me look very much the part of the racing gent. A happy coincidence as it turned out because the Fontwell authorities had designated this meeting Country Gentleman's Day.
There was even a prize for the best dressed gent. Readers will be pleased to know that I declared myself a non-runner for this contest, thereby giving some of the lessor dressed menfolk the chance to win the Moss Boss voucher.
There was steady rain all morning. With going already soft 

it was probably really heavy by the off. As ever though with this sort of going at least one jockey uttered the phrase 'they'll go through it ok.' After 40 years following racing I have still no idea what it means but you hear it every meeting on Channel 4/ATR/Racing UK from Chepstow, Haydock, Uttoxeter and Newcastle whenever it has been raining.
Post-race interviewer to winning pilot, 'How's the going?'
Mud-spattered jockey, 'It is soft but they're going through it ok.'
The punting gods were, sort of anyway, on my side in the first. I fortuitously backed the winner of the first after the leader at the last was all but taken out by a loose horse. The gloss was taken off this luck by a mistake I had made before. I'd spotted my fancy at 7/1 on the nanny*, whilst the bookies were showing 9/4. Of course when the prices were declared the S/P was 5/2, while the dividend on the nanny was down to 7/4. Still a winner's a winner.
There was some good money on offer for the mares races (over £5k to the winning owners) but Fontwell are not exactly generous with their 'trophy'. The presentation ceremony consists of the sponsors handing over a piece of printed paper in a cheap frame, reading 'Winner of a Race at Fontwell.' Can't imagine Sheikh Mohammed displaying one of them on his sideboard.
The weather no doubt contributed to the small crowd so Fontwell's new airport check in queuing system for the bar was not really tested. Augers well though for the next family fun day.

There were also only 6 races on the card, including a 'bumper' for the last. This is a flat race for jump horses. I know, I know confusing to say the least. Basically a horse which has run in a flat race on the flat cannot run in a flat race over the jumps - and you thought cricket was complicated. 
These races are a nightmare to punt on. There is often no form, and then they are run at a crawl. I recall one race where basically the horses walked round for the first mile and half, turning a 'jumps' race into a 3 furlong sprint. Needless to say my punt on a Victor Dartnell (for reasons I cannot entirely explain I follow him because his brother trains greyhounds) horse with a smidgeon of form flattered to deceive at the front before slowing down abruptly when the race began in earnest. 
Biggest cheer of the day - a win for Flute Bowl, ridden by Joshua Moore for his dad. Get well soon Gary.

Fontwell marks (out of 10)
Welcome/friendliness 6
Atmosphere 6
Betting ring (size, competitiveness) 6
Racecard (cost, quality) 4
Queues for bar 9
Viewing 9
Standard of racing 6

Total (out of 70) 46
Punting success - loss (I blame the Nanny)

*Nanny goat - Tote