Roundabouts and wind dominate at Sandown while Southern deny me a fortune

Emergency repairs to the points at Redhill delayed my arrival at Sandown Park today, so much so that I missed the first race. I would of course have backed the 10/1 winner, Akavit, and I would obviously have also correctly selected the Placepot (£38.30 to a £1 stake). In all the rusty rails cost me £240 and I have already submitted my claim for compensation to Southern Rail full expecting full recompense. No doubt when Jeremy Corbyn rules the country I will sail into Sandown in time to wisely wager my money on the first. Rail travel and punting nirvana awaits under socialism.

This meeting is known as the Scilly Isles, the name of the grade 1 novice chase which is the feature of the card. It is not a reference to the sub-tropical islands off the coast of Cornwall, but a rather unusual (possibly) unique example of a sporting event being named after a roundabout. Just like the Robin Hood, the Scilly Isles is a roundabout in the suburbs of South London which people of my age will be familiar with from Christmas conversations. Our uncles would cite these circular junctions in their post prandial discussions arguments over the best routes to take to get somewhere (I was never quite sure where).  "Take the double back at the Robin Hood, turn left and you can ease into the Scilly Isles straight off. It will save you at least 10 minutes on the route recommended by the RAC". It was almost as important as "getting to Exeter by 6am" which was apparently crucial to arriving on time for the annual holiday in Devon.

Fortunately by shrewd use of my 'Fontwell Recipricol' I was able to find an excellent position to view the second race in the premier stand, stood just behind a man loaded down with both Iceland and Tesco carrier bags containing a rapidly diminishing 16 cans of Carlsberg Export and copies of the Sun and Daily Express. This was OK though as he was fully compliant with the strict dress regulations, wearing the requisite 'smart' jeans.

Channel 4 cameras were at the track. I just about resisted the temptation to stand behind Tanya Stevenson, their betting guru, gurning wildly, waving and mouthing 'hello mum' to the TV.

Peace and Co went off favourite for the race, having won the Triumph Hurdle at 'the Festival' last year. I had my doubts about him and entrusted the Cox fortune on Connetable instead, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. Up until today I had not been convinced by STD (I know, I know) as a jockey, but he rode an excellent race making me see for the first time why Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has retained him. My pocket made me cheer but I still have some - admittedly diminishing - concerns, perhaps in part because Sam insists on referring to his dad as 'Nige' in his ghosted column in the Racing Post.

For a Saturday race day it was not great fare. The ground had dried out making it very sticky. The wind was strong, blowing the horses around as they headed up the straight. 

To summarise then, I arrived late (which cost me big time thank you Southern), I made a decent profit anyway but left feeling a little deflated because the tip I had given to the woman who runs the cafe where I got my breakfast, flopped. Now I understand how Rob Wright of the Times must feel!