Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast,” warbled Bob Dylan many years ago and how truly the great minstrel’s words resonate amidst a truly extraordinary 12 months. But, like the first snowdrop of spring, the Cheltenham Festival arrives on our doorsteps once again, inevitable but this year stripped of its exuberance, taking place behind locked gates, empty grandstands and the absence of the most important ingredient of such an event (apart from the horses), cheering humanity – I wonder will the TV broadcasters play out an archived roar of approval when the tapes are raised for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?
Continuity has been largely absent from our lives for too long. Saturday March 14, 2020 was a landmark day in my role as a roving reporter for Sky Sports Racing. I was on duty at Fontwell Park, less than 24 hours after AL BOUM PHOTO had won his second Gold Cup in front of a full house at Prestbury Park. Within a week all sporting activities had been curtailed, and it was a full three months until I pumped up the tyres on the motor, setting sail for Wolverhampton racecourse. And now barely a week passes without a trip to Dunstall Park. Even if the racing isn’t always the most thrilling, it’s worth the journey for the food. Wolverhampton cuisine definitely wins my Winter Award for Best Hot Meals – Thai Green Curry, Meat Pies with mash and mushy peas, home made soups – a little effort and ingenuity goes a long way to currying favour with the punters – well, stable staff and the broadcast crew.
Forgetting the pies for a moment, it’s worth restating that the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) and HRI (Horseracing Ireland) have performed magnificently to keep the industry’s bandwagon rolling.
Denne historien er fra March 2021-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra March 2021-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree