I blame the footballers

When footballers disgraced themselves at Cheltenham by peeing from the corporate boxes, I had assumed they were at least from the Premiership.

According to the Sun on line it turns out that they were originally from the franchise known as Milton Keynes Dons, but were actually on loan to Northampton Town. Instead of paying £2k plus  (what wages are these guys on?) to get into a box at the Festival they could have gone to their local track - Towcester - for free. Still at least it was possible to smile at the comment from one of the footballers involved. He said "I don't want to remembered as the player who urinated in a glass at the races", spoken just after he had urinated in a glass at the races.

This was going through my head as I made my way from Barnham station to Fontwell racecourse for the (2 days after) St. Patrick's Raceday. It takes about 7 minutes on the coach but one man declared, and proved, it's 'a 3-can journey'. He even added that he had 'wanker's arm' - as by drinking an odd number the remaining cans hidden down his sleeves produced a lopsided appearance.
There was a certain 'after the Lord's Mayor show' feel to things for us racing afficaincados at Fontwell. The 'Beer and Rugby' Tent did set the tone, and the proliferation of out of date St Patrick's Day Guinness hats was a worry.
Fields of Athenry played over the loudspeakers but the big crowd suggested there was maybe a chance to make some money on the Tote. 'Well refreshed' large crowds tend to back 'I like the name' horses in the betting. Sadly Three Barmy Men was a non-runner in the 6th race, but I was already guessing Paddy the Deejay was wilting under the pressure of the money from the drink fuelled punters.
Queues at the bar were lengthy, queues at the paddock were small, but great fun was had by the many pissed racegoers and the odd serious punter alike - and the dear old Irish record player came an honourable second.
Oh and on a serious note it was great to see Leighton Aspell

ride a winner. Fontwell was the birthplace of the Leighton Aspell Fan Club. He has never ridden a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, but there is a very real chance that Pulborough's own will be the first jockey to come first in the Grand National 3 years running, less than 20 days from now.