Incredibly sunny at Plumpton today, so much so that I was forced to don my sunglasses underneath my trilby for the full on Rich Ricci look. Incidentally it was only yesterday that I finally confirmed for sure that Mr Ricci is actually balder than me - and he's 2 years younger! He might be £2billion richer, own the favourites for the Champion Hurdle, Supreme Novice, the Arkle and the Gold Cup, but I have (admittedly only just) more follicles. Take that #fatcatinahat.
The sun was deceptive though. I finally understand what the BBC's Tomasz Schafernaker is on about when he tells us about the 'chill factor'. The wind was blowing direct from Iceland, and rather like the small town in Trapped that has a murder rate higher than Midsomer, it was bloody freezing.
None of this put off the crowds. The gate for Plumpton's 'Irish Raceday' (it's quite near St.Patrick's Day) was swelled by many of us who had taken the week off for Cheltenham - albeit the coach from Brighton Station was still only full of the 5 regulars (the Tote lady, 'Any Luck' man, an old chap who wears blue desert boots, a very frail grey lady for whom racing is her reason to live and me).
The contrast between the horses on show at Plumpton and those engaged for the Festival could not have been greater, but it was still fun for all that. All you needed to do was ignore the incessant wittering of Colin Brown over the PA, close out the sound of the 'diddlee dee' band especially engaged for 3 day's from St Patrick's Eve Day, and concentrate on the form.
Fine in theory, but problematic when most of the runners had more letters against their name than numbers. Mind you it did not stop one man who managed to back Rocknrobin, the 25/1 winner of the second race.
"Easy that mate. I just looked at the form 00PU. Had to win again if he's Pissed Up last time."
Fortunately my favourite blacksmith, Paul Henderson, gave me my ammunition for the festival with his Talk of the South winning the 4th very easily. Not only can he shoe the horses, he can train them as well.
So for my faithful follower this is where my hard earned will be going as part of the greatest 4 days sport anywhere in the world-
- Altior for the Supreme Novice
- Lil Rockefeller in the Champion Hurdle (already mentioned) with a saver on Peace and Co. Oh and lay Annie Power - 2/1 about Willie Mullins third choice is absurd
- John's Spirit in whatever handicap he runs
- Cole Harden in the World Hurdle
- Don Cossack for the Gold Cup
- And I think Victoria Pendleton will fall off - but don't bet on any of the markets the bookies offer on it.
As for 'Any Luck Man' he tells me he backed My Tent or Yours for the Champion Hurdle at 20/1. He's now best priced 13/2 and has been unlucky for the last 2 years. Sadly for ALM the bookies love 'unlucky' horses.
And this is dear old Goring Two who after 2 PU's came an honourable 3rd today.
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