It's not my favorite - just too many people - and often I head home in the morning and watch it in comfort . But with a couple of great racing friends having big chances I stayed on in 'great expectation' - and especially as our stable was in such fine form - with three winners already on the board . However - thing didn't pan out quite as we hoped . Kings Palace was second favourite for the Albert Bartlett - but for some reason didn't 'run his race'. He fell at the last when well beaten . The horse - whom I've become very fond of over the last season - laid there prostrate . The dreaded screens were erected and one could only imagine the worst . It was with huge relief when - after a couple of minutes the fella got to his feet - just winded . Phew !
And then - a bit later - The Very Lovely Lady Caroline had Vieux Lion Rouge running in the Martin Pipe - a race the Pipes would just love to win - for obvious reasons . But not this year ! Well down the field .
So on to The Gold Cup . To see these great 'war horses' in the pre-parade - no tack - naked as it were - is always a sight to behold . I'll always remember seeing Denman upsides Kauto Star - Botham v Gower - tank v athlete . Tank won that day ! The pick of the paddock on Friday was On His Own - trained by Willie ( I once had too much to drink and called him Wally ) Mullins . His horses have looked fantastic all week - and they ran that way . On His Own was an unlucky 2nd and was my only 'pick-up' on the day. Henderson's horse's have not looked as well as they did last year - sort've dull in their coats - and Bobs Worth ran like that.
So what of the week ? Absolute carnage ! Unfortunately - the ground had dried up and the jocks went just too quick . Not too sure how many horses were lost and how many jockeys ended up in a hospital bed - but it was too many . I think the quick ground also contributed to some outsiders winning - and some favourites disappointing .
Best story of the week ~ Brian Drew's son Harry had the first five up in the jackpot on Wednesday - his sixth and last selection was second ! Oh well - he picked up a couple hundred for the place pot as a consolation - rather than a couple hundred thousand . He took it all really very well and was still smiling Thursday morning . Not sure I would've been! CU
Ps - picture of George now retired and looking relaxed and well - but not sure he's going to make it in dressage though !
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