This week on my Road Trip 2015 (might have to change that title in view of recent events) saw me go to Sandown Park for the first day of the 'Tingle Creek' meeting.Tingle Creek was probably the most visually exciting steeplechaser to run since the war. Many a winter Saturday afternoon in the 1970's was livened up by the ITV 7, introduced by John Rickman raising his trilby, declaring "A good afternoon from Sandown Park", tipping the favourite in all seven races and climaxing in Tingle Creek running (and normally winning) the final race. He (Tingle Creek that is, not John Rickman)was distinctive looking, a lovely brown colour, set off by a sheepskin nose band and white socks on his front feet which accentuated his dramatic leaps. Tingle dashed off in front and probably only really stayed 1.7 miles, which could be a problem when the minimum distance for a steeplechase in Britain is 2 miles. But on good going he would run and jump his rivals into the ground long before the final furlong, without the jockey ever using the 'persuader' (in days when they were much more whip happy than they are today)
Nowhere was Tingle Creek better than at Sandown, hence his name being given to this meeting. His jumping skills were shown at their best as he tackled the railway fences (so called because they are next to the railway!).
On the day, like the jockeys later in the afternoon, I was worried about low sun and therefore I ignored the official Jockey Club website travel directions advising on which helipad I could land my helicopter and instead travelled by South WestTrains. Arriving at the Tony Hancock like suburban paradise which is Esher station it is a ten minute walk across the course to the main entrance. The busker - same one as at Ascot - was belting out the Lonnie Donegan hit 'My old man's a dustman'. In view of my Ascot experience I was generous to see if it led to a change in fortune*.More importantly it gave a chance to inspect the famous railway fences close up, and it was immediately noticeable how close together they are. The only way to successfully jump them is to be in a rhythm and do what jockeys and commentators call jump 'from fence to fence'. This is another impenetrable racing term only understandable to the in-crowd, but for Sandown's railway fences it is possible for an armchair jockey (me?) to understand what this cliche really means.
The trek also takes in the Sandown sprint course. Like Longchamp in France it runs up the centre of the track but it is also notorious for its outrageous draw bias. Basically if a horse is drawn in a stall near to the stands it has no chance. Maybe this has something to do with the go cart track alongside it? That is only visible on foot for when Sandown is on TV it is carefully hidden behind a hedge of fast growing leylandii plants. Sadly the same cannot be said for the golf course which is also in the centre of the track and all too visible. Yes I know racecourses have to maximise revenue on non-racedays but do they really have to do so with the game which us non Larrys in my police days referred to as 'Masons with sticks'?Twenty years ago Sandown routinely won racecourse of the year. It hosted the 'noble Lord' John Oaksey's favourite meeting, Whitbread day. Taking place in April it included the famous final big handicap steeplechase of the jumps season, together with a series of flat race classic trails.
In recent years though the course has by most accounts declined. The Whitbread (as us traditionalists insist on calling it) is now sadly and inevitably sponsored by yet another on-line bookmaker, and no longer has the prestige it once had. Bizarrely the classic trials no longer even take place on the same day. Crowds have fallen - despite Sandown's proximity to central London - and by all accounts the Jockey Club (owners of the course) have prioritised investment elsewhere.
It still also hosts a 'military' meeting, with old fashioned race titles such as the Grand Artillery. In contrast to the Whitbread this is thriving, partly out of an understandable wish to show public support for our servicemen and women. In the old days there used to be a profitable angle to these military races. The jockeys have to be in the Army, Navy or Air Force, and they tended to be corinthian upper class types. Brave but useless, with a riding style that looked as if they were sat on the toilet seat rather than a horse. Often there would be only one half decent jockey in the race, giving its horse a considerable advantage over the others. Obviously it's a good thing that more women now serve in the military, but trainers have noticed as well and they now put up many junior ranking servicewomen on their horses in these races. These women tend to be excellent riders - a positive blow for equality but a costly development for shrewd punters around February time.
From a distance the stands at Sandown are impressive. One way there are terrific views across the course towards London, taking in the Wembley arch, Canary Wharf and the Shard. Behind the stands you can look down on the huge paddock, separate winner's enclosure and old fashioned weighing room. The horse walk to/from the paddock/course/winniner's enclosure enables punters to view the horses and jockeys up close. Viewing for disabled customers has to be the best in the country.
Sandown is also unusual in having different finishing lines for the hurdle and chase races, just 3 yards or so apart. Over the years many jockeys would mistake the finishing line and ease up early, occasionally in a very close finish thereby costing his mount the race. Without a punting interest this can be amusing. It's up there with jockeys riding a finish one circuit early or falling off between the last fence and the line (of which more later). It was noticeable that most jockeys today now ride to the second finishing line just in case, even when the earlier one applies. The brutal concrete of the main stand has discoloured and leaks but at least they have a designated no drinking or smoking zone. One of the peculiarities of modern British racecourses is that - with the honourable exception of Sandown - is that they have notices saying 'No drinks outside' and they all allow you to take drinks outside. Sandown's notice is subtly different - 'No glass outside.'
On that note it was great to see a bar named after Diamond Edge. This horse was owned by one of Sandown's most enthusiastic supporters, the Queen Mum.
Better was the nearby appropriately named Oasis bar with its racing themed real ales; Tipster, Punter, Stakes and Winter's T'Ale (yes that was where the apostrophe appeared).
Food wise there is the usual stuff (burgers, pies, brasserie, soup and a roll etc) but with the added addition of a 'Street Food Stall.' For those not from Brighton who are unaware of street food, it is like 'artisan' bread i.e same as normal food but with an eco-image and therefore costing more. I went for the 'pulled pork'. Again foodie types will no doubt correct me but as I understand it pulled pork is pork which has been cooked for ages thereby allowing it to be torn apart rather than carved. In this street food case, judging by the gristle, they had not given it long enough in the oven before doing the ripping.
Sandown also have young women selling cigarettes from trays. All a bit old fashioned really and judging by the thoroughly bored expression of these latter day match girls as they walked round talking to each other, thankfully not terribly profitable.
As for the racing, Gary Moore had another treble, inevitably including Mr Fickle who lived up to his name by winning easily when I had not backed him.
Polarisation, winner of the Melrose at the prestigious York meeting in August, ran in a hurdle race. John Ferguson combines his job as Sheiki Mohammed's bloodstock advisor, with training such classy ex-flat horses over the jumps. Normally this is because they have been gelded. This can make a horse run faster and behave better (Grand National winning trainer Jenny Pitman once suggested that this measure would work equally for some men she knew).
It is difficult to get anybody on record saying it, but it is definitely possible to pick up a mild disapproval at this approach by Ferguson. There an undercurrent amongst the jumps establishment that the tactic of running the Sheiki's horses on the flat is just a bit sneaky, 'not quite the done thing you know'. Observing these classy ex-flat horses was a bit like seeing a talented Brazilian footballer who takes all before him when first playing in the Premiership for Newcastle in August, but proves less keen (and wears gloves) when having to turn out at St James Park in a howling gale in January (just after the shed in the garden of his executive home in Gosforth has been blown away). The defeat of Polarisation and Ferguson's other ex flat hotpot on the day, was therefore quietly, but widely, appreciated.
Biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the amateur riders handicap hurdle. The hot favourite, ridden by just about the best amateur in Ireland (Katie Walsh), looked to be heading for second place. But the jockey (yes a man as it happens) managed to fall off his horse within 20 years of the finishing line. Obviously punters are not a sentimental lot when the money is down, but it was difficult to not feel some sympathy as it was obvious that somehow the saddle had broken. I still think that in the same circumstances Katie Walsh would have managed to stay on board though, proving again that the best jockey theory in any kind of race for non-professionals can be lucrative.
The betting ring at Sandown on Friday was robust (my count revealed at least 31 bookies), the sun shone (so much so that the horses did not jump the pond fence in two races because it was in their eyes) and Alan King (rapidly becoming my favourite steady, reliable trainer) won the big race with a proper future ex-French steeplechaser who will only run when its soft.
Overall verdict then - Sandown Park looks a bit shabby these days but with some tender loving care past glories could be revived. Come on the Jockey Club - do your bit for this old gentleman of a track (oh and ditch the golf course)
And after racing there was a bonus. It was even possible to watch in the racecourse betting shop my greyhound - the appropriately named Expect Nothing - run.
Yes, there will be a post on her soon.
Sandown marks (out of 10)
Welcome/friendliness 7
Atmosphere 8
Betting ring (size, competitiveness) 8
Racecard (cost, quality) 6
Queues for bar 7
Viewing 10
Standard of racing 8
Total (out of 70) 54
Punting success Lost
*It didn't
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