1983 sun alliance (neptune) hurdle

SF - I remember it well and could have told you the first three home if you'd asked!

I'm trying to remember the SP's and I have vague recollections of the first two both being 16/1 and West Tip around 50/1.

Can anyone confirm?

I think SDL was unbeaten in four races at the time and was trained by Michael Dickinson - he was a 4yo too.

PS - talking of Saxon Farm...he won the Triumph that same season I think, and beat his stable companion (Mellor's second string) Tenth Of October.
I can remember that because I knew a young lady at the time with that birthday!

Hugh: Sabin Du Loir was 16-1 I think, ridden by Brad & number 38 on his saddle cloth. (once a year you see number 38 now)!
Not sure of the SPs for the other two but reckon Ballinacurra Lad (unplaced) started nearly fav and went on to win at Aintree.
Totally correct about myself . The Fred Winter trained Wollow Will was the "jolly" 3rd.

SF - it's so easy with hindsight...an incredible 16/1 for an unbeaten Dickinson horse!
I'd like to claim I backed it but that would be wishful thinking.

If I remember correctly, I think Dawn Run had a few defeats in her form figures (a few second places) and wasn't that highly rated at the time.

After Cheltenham, she went to Aintree and won twice at the same meeting, the first of which was a handicap!

PS - Ballinacurra Lad & Wollow Will are those sort of horses well locked away in the memory tanks and I'd never have remember they were in those races.

Sabin Du Loir's win must have come as a great relief to Michael Dickinson, after the defeats of two "hot pots" on day one, namely Delius (Supreme) & Branding Iron (Arkle)
Day three though, did not turn out too badly in The Gold Cup.

SF - I thought I had a good memory for those 80's Festivals but I'd never have been able to recall those two, even though I remembered them AFTER you named them!
Were both unbeaten at the time?

Are you going from memory or 'cheating' with books?
If the former...then I'm impressed

Do you remember Delius resurfacing after a few years off injured for Richard Lee and finishing second to Dessie in the RP Chase?
Might have even been its first running as the RP Chase.
In receipt of over two stone if I remember right!

Hugh - not cheating, just special distant memories.
Yes, I remember Delius running a cracker in the RP chase after years in the wilderness.
Similarly as you know, Sabin Du Loir had at least 2 or 3 seasons off before challenging for top honours while trained by Martin Pipe.

SF - I think SDL had a solid FOUR years off the track before his renaissance, and to perform to a similar standard as before is something I've NEVER seen repeated!

A truly fantastic achievement by Pipey, and one unlikely to be matched.

Next time I post one of my 80's quizzes I expect to see your name on the score-sheet
I usually put them on the main HR forum but next time, I'll post a reminder on here, as this seems to be the place where the aficionados hang out.

Hugh - Thanks for that.
Yes, always love a quiz, but not that often on here. There is a guy on here under the name of "flyingbolt" who has forgotten more than I will ever know about NH history.
GL

Had the 5lb mares allowance come in by then does anyone know?  I know it had come in by the time DR won the CH but was after 1981 as Anaglogs Daughter ran off levels that year.  I suppose a clue would be Dawn Run's saddle cloth number...

I like Bolty even though he thrives on arguing with everyone

He's not really one of the big guns, though there are a few others that can regularly manage to churn out ungoogleable answers immediately! You know they're not cheating with books.

I think FB's losing his marbles (I'm catching him up) as I asked  what were Gee Armytage's two winners in her notable Festival double.

He thought one of them was ridden by Caroline Beasley, and I'm sure you can correct his mistake

I'll post a quiz on here later (a mixture of Q's I've asked before) and revisit after a few hours to see the response, but I'm sure there'll be at least ONE culprit (from the other forum) that remembers the right answers.



TKU - the mares' allowance was initiated at the start of 1983/84 NH season and immediately benefitted Dawn Run as she scrambled home from Gaye Brief in the Xmas hurdle, before just holding off a rag called Cima in the Champion Hurdle.
I was very bitter about both victories at the time

I was bitter about it too, just couldn't recall whether it was already in place the year before.  I was even more bitter when she just overhauled Wayward Lad, I hadn't backed WL but would have LOVED him to have won a Gold Cup, he was my favourite jumper.   Would we even remember Dawn Run if it wasn't for the allowance?

TLU - it seems very churlish to be criticising a mare as good as Dawn Run as her versatility (as well as her ability) is the counter argument to shut everyone up!

I have to say though...I was absolutely flapping about Wayward Lad and calling her all kinds of names!
He really did not deserve to lose, and that remains the most disappointing moment in the game for me

I'd argue that Graham Bradley was more depressed at losing the '86 Gold Cup than he was ecstatic about winning it three years earlier!
I've never seen a jockey so devastated after a defeat!

Sometimes the sheer media hype really grates, as if they're all against my favourite horses!

I thought Dawn Run's jumping was poor, and for her to be even near the best at 2M & 3M says something about her engine!
That Punchestown race was an absolute thriller!

Some horses make you think that 'The Gods' are with them as just everything falls into place for them (like Liverpool against AC Milan) to defy the odds - Best Mate was another but ultimately, look what happened to both of them

Neither were my favourites but they both had plenty of qualities, and it's understandable why they are legends of the game.

Don't disagree Hugh, my best memory of DR was an easy win from the front at Aintree, I just didn't think it fair for the mares allowance to be there in Championship races where it altered results.  As an encouragement to run in everyday races I think it is an excellent idea.  Felt DR was the victim of greed, going to France after a hard campaign and BM surely should have been retired after all he achieved.  Luck certainly ran out in both cases.